Language (Othello)

This section focuses on the language used in Othello by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s use of language in Othello is crucial in developing character, advancing the plot, and reinforcing the play’s central themes of jealousy, manipulation, racism, and betrayal. The play showcases Shakespeare’s mastery of rhetoric, imagery, and dramatic techniques, which shape both the internal conflicts of the characters and the overall tragedy.

Key Features of Language in Othello:

Rhetoric:

Shakespeare’s characters often use persuasive rhetoric, especially Iago and Othello. This technique highlights their motivations and drives the plot forward.

Iago’s Manipulative Speech: Iago manipulates others through his rhetoric, using innuendo and suggestion to plant doubt in Othello’s mind. His language is rich with half-truths and loaded phrases that provoke reactions without direct accusations.

Example: "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on." (Act 3, Scene 3) – Iago uses metaphorical language to provoke Othello's jealousy, all while pretending to offer advice.

Contrast Between Prose and Verse:

Shakespeare often alternates between prose and verse to reflect a character’s social status or mental state. Prose is typically used by lower-class characters or in moments of informality, while verse is used for characters of higher status or in emotionally intense scenes.

Iago: Often speaks in prose, particularly when conversing with Roderigo and other characters he manipulates. This mirrors his deceptive, unpolished nature.

Othello: Starts the play speaking in eloquent, controlled blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), reflecting his calm authority. However, as jealousy consumes him, his speech becomes more erratic, fragmented, and disordered.

Imagery:

Shakespeare employs a variety of images to reinforce the themes of the play, especially focusing on light and darkness, animals, and poison.

Light and Dark Imagery: Othello is often associated with darkness (partly due to his race), while Desdemona is associated with light and purity. The contrast emphasises the themes of innocence and corruption.

Example: "Put out the light, and then put out the light." (Act 5, Scene 2) – Othello’s metaphor comparing Desdemona to a candle highlights the finality of his act as he prepares to kill her, believing she has betrayed him.

Animal Imagery: Iago frequently uses animalistic imagery to dehumanise Othello and other characters, playing on racial stereotypes and portraying Othello as wild and irrational.

Example: "An old black ram is tupping your white ewe." (Act 1, Scene 1) – Iago’s use of crude animal imagery shocks Brabantio and incites his anger towards Othello and Desdemona’s marriage.

Symbolism:

The play uses specific symbols to convey deeper meanings and drive the plot forward.

The Handkerchief: The handkerchief that Othello gives to Desdemona symbolises love and fidelity. Its loss, manipulated by Iago, becomes symbolic of Desdemona’s supposed infidelity. Othello’s obsession with it reflects his growing irrationality.

Example: "Give me the ocular proof." (Act 3, Scene 3) – Othello’s demand for visible proof of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness centres on the handkerchief, turning it into a powerful symbol of his doubt and insecurity.

Dramatic Irony:

Shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout the play, where the audience is aware of Iago’s deceit while the characters remain oblivious.

Example: When Othello calls Iago "honest Iago" repeatedly, the audience knows that Iago is anything but honest, making Othello’s trust in him more tragic.

Metaphors and Similes:

Shakespeare enriches the language of the play with metaphors and similes to deepen the emotional intensity of the characters’ feelings.

Example: "Her name, that was as fresh as Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face." (Act 3, Scene 3) – Othello compares Desdemona’s former purity to the goddess Diana, contrasting it with the "blackness" of her supposed infidelity, reflecting both his internalised racism and his descent into jealousy.

Repetition:

Repetition is often used to indicate emotional stress or obsession, especially in Othello’s speeches as he becomes consumed by jealousy.

Example: "The handkerchief! The handkerchief!" (Act 3, Scene 4) – Othello’s repetitive fixation on the handkerchief shows how deeply Iago’s manipulations have taken root and how this symbol of fidelity has become central to Othello’s thoughts.

Diction (Choice of Words):

Shakespeare’s choice of words often reflects the characters’ emotions and state of mind.

Iago: Iago’s language is frequently coarse and filled with cynical views on love, loyalty, and human nature, which reveal his manipulative and amoral personality. He often speaks in vulgar or colloquial terms when trying to influence characters like Roderigo and Cassio.

Othello: Initially, Othello speaks with grace and dignity, but as Iago’s influence takes hold, his language becomes more violent and chaotic, reflecting his internal turmoil.

Oxymorons and Paradoxes:

Shakespeare uses oxymorons and paradoxes to show the conflicting emotions experienced by characters, particularly Othello.

Example: "O heavy hour! Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe should yawn at alteration." (Act 5, Scene 2) – Othello uses conflicting imagery to express the overwhelming weight of his emotions after killing Desdemona.

Soliloquies:

Soliloquies in Othello provide insight into the characters’ private thoughts and motivations. Iago’s soliloquies are especially important as they reveal his schemes and his manipulation of Othello.

Example: "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse." (Act 1, Scene 3) – Iago’s soliloquy outlines his plan to deceive and exploit Roderigo for his own gain, showcasing his manipulative nature and the selfish motivations behind his actions.

How Language Shapes the Themes:

Jealousy:

The use of language reflects the destructive power of jealousy. Othello’s language shifts from calm and measured to frantic and violent as jealousy consumes him, while Iago’s language cleverly stokes the flames of suspicion and envy.

Race and Identity:

Shakespeare uses derogatory and racial language to highlight Othello’s status as an outsider. Characters like Iago and Brabantio use racial slurs and imagery to dehumanise Othello, while Othello himself internalises some of these ideas, contributing to his insecurity.

Deception and Manipulation:

The language of the play revolves around deception, with Iago’s subtle suggestions and insinuations leading Othello to doubt those closest to him. Iago’s rhetorical skill, his ability to twist words and meanings, is central to his manipulation of the other characters.

Love and Betrayal:

The language used to describe love early in the play is idealised and poetic, particularly in Othello’s speeches about Desdemona. However, as the play progresses, this language becomes darker, filled with references to betrayal, as Othello is misled into believing in Desdemona’s unfaithfulness.

Conclusion:

Shakespeare’s use of language in Othello is a powerful tool that drives the play’s action and emotional depth. The manipulation of rhetoric, imagery, and symbols by characters like Iago highlights the key themes of jealousy, manipulation, and racism, while Othello’s shift in language marks his tragic descent. Understanding the nuances of the language in Othello is crucial for grasping the full emotional and thematic impact of the play.