Shakespeare's Use of Language to Convey Othello's State of Mind

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Shakespeare's Use of Language to Convey Othello's State of Mind

Iago's manipulative ways has Othello convinced that Desdemona has

deceived him.

"Villain be sure thou prove my love a whore."

Here Othello speaks violently, using derogatory language to criticize

his wife's actions. This shows his erratic state of mind. This quote

also contains irony as for a brief moment, Othello suspects Iago to be

a villain. This is ironic because Othello has always said Iago is

trustworthy, but for a moment, he reveals his true nature without

realizing it.

Throughout the act Othello becomes very confused by his wife's actions

and starts to loose trust in her.

"I think my wife be honest and think she is not."

Here Othello is showing confusion. Shakespeare shows this by using

syntax. Because the sentence in unnatural it portrays the image that

Othello's mind is also unnatural. By using the word 'think' he is

showing that he is not sure what to believe. This sentence emphasizes

his confused state of mind by using a paradox.

He uses words relating to hell.

"Death and damnation. Oh!"

Syntax has been used to make it sound more dramatic. His reference to

death, and damnation, shows the violence that is overtaking his mind.

It is also reference to hell, which shows the unnaturalness of his

thoughts.

He uses strong words that portray how he is feeling. He also sighs

'oh' a lot.

"Oh monstrous! Monstrous!"

The repetition of the word 'monstrous' shows how in pain and evil he

is. The exclamation marks show that he is shouting in anger or

distress, which shows the violent nature of Othello. The word 'oh' is

dramatic...

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Othello has become. It also shows lack of conscience, which shows that

Othello is turning into a psychopath.

Othello realizes how he has changed and will not give in.

"Like to the Pontic Sea, whose icy current and compulsive course ne'er

feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on."

Othello is saying that he is like the sea that is cold. Othello

confirming his new bitterness shows that he knows that he is being

destroyed and hurt. He also says that he is to keep going on, which

now shows that there is no confliction left inside him and he has his

heart set on revenge, and nothing will stop him.

Othello has accepted Iago's accusations.

"Farewell the tranquil mind; farewell content."

Othello believes life is at its end, the repetition portrays he is

convinced and it also implies and image of his distraught.

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