Othello Act 5 Scene 2
Out of Love
In William Shakespeare’s play, Shakespeare has a character recite a monologue in iambic pentameter. When a character has an iambic pentameter monologue it means they are making an important decision that will change the play. With every formal decision, it comes with pros and cons. In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, Othello becomes conflicted with his beliefs and his emotions. In Act 5, Scene 2, Othello’s soliloquy reveals his reasons for killing Desdemona. Othello’s insecurities ignite his thoughts of punishing Desdemona, but his love for her holds him back. Othello makes his final decision of killing Desdemona because he loves her.
Othello’s love for Desdemona is shown in many ways through out this monologue. In line 1 Othello states, “It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul”. Othello is not referring to his soul; he is referring to Desdemona’s soul. Even when he believes that she has cheated on him with Cassio, Othello still considers himself and Desdemona as one, since they are married for better or for worst. Othello then talks to heaven; “Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars” (V, ii, 2). Othello believes that if he does not say that she has cheated aloud, it is almost like it is not true; he will not accept the truth. He will not admit her sins to the heaven so she still has a chance to be there with God. Othello is willing to do whatever it takes to save Desdemona’s soul.
Desdemona’s soul is considered pure. Othello declares, “Nor Scar that whiter skin of hers than snow and smooth as monumental alabaster” (V, ii, 3-4). The use of the words “whiter”, “snow”, and “alabaster” is imagery for purity. Referring back the chaste stars, Othello will not admit to heaven because if he does then that would take away her purity. Othello alludes to Desdemona as a “monumental alabaster”. Translating, he calls her the statue of purity and committing this sin of cheating with Cassio has contradicted that belief.
In William Shakespeare’s play, Shakespeare has a character recite a monologue in iambic pentameter. When a character has an iambic pentameter monologue it means they are making an important decision that will change the play. With every formal decision, it comes with pros and cons. In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, Othello becomes conflicted with his beliefs and his emotions. In Act 5, Scene 2, Othello’s soliloquy reveals his reasons for killing Desdemona. Othello’s insecurities ignite his thoughts of punishing Desdemona, but his love for her holds him back. Othello makes his final decision of killing Desdemona because he loves her.
Othello’s love for Desdemona is shown in many ways through out this monologue. In line 1 Othello states, “It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul”. Othello is not referring to his soul; he is referring to Desdemona’s soul. Even when he believes that she has cheated on him with Cassio, Othello still considers himself and Desdemona as one, since they are married for better or for worst. Othello then talks to heaven; “Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars” (V, ii, 2). Othello believes that if he does not say that she has cheated aloud, it is almost like it is not true; he will not accept the truth. He will not admit her sins to the heaven so she still has a chance to be there with God. Othello is willing to do whatever it takes to save Desdemona’s soul.
Desdemona’s soul is considered pure. Othello declares, “Nor Scar that whiter skin of hers than snow and smooth as monumental alabaster” (V, ii, 3-4). The use of the words “whiter”, “snow”, and “alabaster” is imagery for purity. Referring back the chaste stars, Othello will not admit to heaven because if he does then that would take away her purity. Othello alludes to Desdemona as a “monumental alabaster”. Translating, he calls her the statue of purity and committing this sin of cheating with Cassio has contradicted that belief.