Analysis of Othello’s Soliloquy Essay

Soliloquies are an integral part to most(prenominal) William Shakespeare plays and star of the most important soliloquies was that of the tragic protagonist in the play, Othello. A soliloquy is speech often used to reveal thoughts or feelings that is delivered by a character in a play to him or herself, or directly to the audience. The tragic protagonist of the play is no one other than Othello, who the play is named after. Othello is the jolly General of the Venetian army who by listening to the deceitful Iago becomes out of truely jealous of his wife, Desdemona. In this soliloquy or passage (Act 5, Scene 2, line 1-24), Othello is about to commit the murder of his beautiful wife, Desdemona on false prefixes.Previous to Act 5, scene 2, Iago had convinced Othello that Desdemona had made him a cuckold. Othello is totally overcome with rage and get along and is deciding to kill Desdemona. This scene is the climax of the play in which the end product of Iagos scheme is revealed. I n this scene, Othello is lying next to the sleeping Desdemona and is preparing to kill her. In this soliloquy, Othello reveals his decision to kill Desdemona even though he does not want to because he still write outs her.Othello is very(prenominal) emotional and still feels very potently about Desdemona. This is first observed through repetition. In the beginning of his soliloquy, Othello says It is the cause,(Act 5, scene 2, lines 1 and 3) and later repeats invest out the light, (Act 5, scene 2, lines 7 and 10) triple times each. The repetition shows that Othello is trying to force himself to kill Desdemona because he really does not want. He repeats the words to justify his actions. In addition, the repetition emphasizes Othellos emotions, which are very regretful of the action he is about to do.Further on in the soliloquy, Othello repeats one more, (Act 5, scene 2, lines 18, 19, and 21) three times, in reference to giving Desdemona a kiss. This repetition also emphasizes Ot hellos emotions in that he does not want to kill Desdemona, but feels it is for the best. Othellos deviationing feelings are shown when he says So sweet was neer so fatal (Act 5, scene 2, line 23). By referring to Desdemona as sweet and fatal, two opposites, Othello shows his conflict over how he feels about her.Although Othello still loves Desdemona, he shows his determination to kill her. The first item Othello compares Desdemona to is a light when he says Put out the light, put out the light. / If I quench thee, thou flak minister, / I can again thy former light restore / should I repent me (Act 5, scene 2, lines 7-10). In comparing Desdemona to a light, Othello says that he will put out the light, or quench her, both actions of killing. On the other hand, since Desdemona is represented by light, and without light, life is dark, by killing Desdemona, Othello will darken his life. This shows that Othello postulate Desdemona and so that he loves her.Next Othello compares Desdem ona to a rose in the quote, When I have plucked the / rose, / I cannot realise it vital growth again. / It needs must whither (Act 5, scene 2, lines 13-16). When a rose is plucked, its life is taken away, which reflects Othellos intention of killing Desdemona. Othello realizes that if he kills Desdemona, this process is irreversible. In contrast to that, by comparing Desdemona to a rose, he shows his love for her because a rose is a symbol of beauty and love. This comparison is an indication of Othellos love for Desdemona, but also his wish to kill her.In this soliloquy, Othello is speaking to the sleeping Desdemona about what he intends to do with her. The soliloquy is filled with devices such as repetition, pairing of opposites, and metaphors, which add intensity to his basic intention. This scene is the one most filled with tension in the entire play because he loves her but feels he needs to kill her.