Speech in Shakespeare's "Othello" possesses a power beyond that of deeds'.

It is Othello's fantastical storytelling that won him Desdemona at the start, Iago's poisonous suggestion that leads the general to murder his own wife, Emilia's testimony that traps the villain in the end. It is commonly believed that one can perceive the soul through a persons eyes. However, Shakespeare allows the audience and readers to perceive the inner spirit of a character through his words, thereby giving words magnificent power. Throughout the play Othello, the progressive deterioration of Othellos nobility of mind is reflected by his

Othello is the story of an African general who falls in love with a rich Venetian noblemans Daughter, to wed her, but after a short while things arent all what they seem. When lieutenant Iago puts his foot in it and stirs up relationships to degenerate general Othello out of jealousy. Othello loses it and things go very downhill. Act I scene II: In this part of the play it does not seem as though Othello is a man who likes trouble within his environment unless on the battleground. He likes to keep an idyllic situation, quote Tis better as it is (Othello at the start of the play ) he uses short and simple language. Next Othello says, let him do his spite, my services which I have done my signiory He is telling Brabantio to say what he wants as the council will never put me away for the services I have done for this country. Othello knows hes in control, he shows this by using words like Stuff, I lack,......service, Yerked, Magnifico, Give him cable, etc. The first impressions of Othello are: YEAH, THIS GUY KNOWS, WHAT HES DOING FOR SURE, as he is a fluent speaker, good with words and very highly confident. He shows his confidence when he speaks quote My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly, he is trying to say I know what I am doing, and what I am doing is right. My life upon her faith, -Again confidence. Desdemona will not say a word against my actions or me. He has exact control of all situations and conversations. We can see all this observing his general code of language and his

behaviour when in difficult situations. In his second quote he says to Brabantio that, you can say what you want, I shall allow you, as I knows that I will not go to jail as I have done too much for Venice. (Again confidence). When the council is questioning him, he manages to sweet talk his way out of it by using the tone of his voice (calm and gentle) and words like, Most reverend signiores etc. But I love thee gentle Desdemona Is his next quote to the council. His vocabulary is very big and he thoroughly has control of his sentences and actions. Othello starts off with his characteristic dignified idiom but due to a man, whose every utterance is deception, who takes Othello into false words to change the identities of his loved ones to be his worst enemies, Othello degenerates to become a psycho. Othello first uses the power of his speech (to show his position), to create his image, but then falls to be, in a way, a psychiatric (false), villain, who kills his friends, and his only family. Iago does not show his opposition to Othello but does always create a yes sir, yes sir, three bags full sir atmosphere when around him. (False friendship). Othello often uses colourful words in sound and in his speech (e.g.; - Keep up your bright swords, for the due will...shows he is also a powerful speaker. Othello never steps out the soldier image and he always keeps precise speech, sincerity and devotion to his job. Even in his fall he stays a soldierDamn her, lewd minx! Oh damn her, damn her (three times), come, go with me apart, will withdraw, to furnish me with some swift means of death, for the fair devil, now art though my lieutenant. Towards the end of the play, Othello begins to lose his powerful speech in himself, as he is not so confident. What Iago says about Desdemona and Cassio, he starts to believe, but then he is unsure of it, he even loses it physically, where starts to have eppiliptical fits. In and around act III scene III Othello begins to lose his self-confidence, where he begins to see his wife and himself through Iagos eyes. He also begins to corrupt himself because of Iagos characteristic expression. His style begins to break down, and he begins to get very agitated. Othello starts to repeat his words three times just to establish himself. When he talks of his wife he uses words such as pish, nose, ears, lips, its possible, confess, handkerchief, oh devil. These words now, would not signify much but then were quite erotic words suggesting that

Othello actually believes the lies and suggests the degeneration of General Othello. From the point where Othello has an eppiliptical fit, he and Desdemona fail to understand each others language. Othellos language is almost all the time violent and aggressive through his emotional jealousy, which leads to vile acts of emotion. Still Othello does not forget his soldier image.

Epithets in Othello

An epithet is an adjective or adjective phrase that characterizes a person or thing. Epithets can often consist of abusive or contemptuous words such as those directed by the professionally offended Iago in Shakespeare's Othello. Iago refers to Othello with damning epithets to suggest the Moor as a lust driven animal that is violating the innocent Desdemona. For instance, he calls Othello, "an old black ram" who is "tupping" Brabantio's "white ewe"(Act I, Scene I: 90-91). He is referring to the fact that Othello is a Moor, or dark skinned man. Iago is also making the insinuation that Othello is, at this moment, copulating with Brabantio's innocent daughter, Desdemona. In addition, Iago warns Brabantio that if he does not rescue his daughter, the "devil" will make Brabantio a grandfather (Act I, Scene I: 93). Again, he is suggesting that Othello is demonic and comparable to a wild animal. He continues erupting insults shouting that a "Barbaray horse" is mounting Desdemona and that Brabantio's nephews will "neigh" and cousins will be "coursers," or strong horses (Act I, Scene I: 113-114). Yet again, Iago is suggesting that Othello is animal-like and that this quality will arise throughout Brabantio's family. It is important to note that in the play production Iago speaks such crude and obscene language while hiding behind

several clustered poles below Brabantio's window. This gesture reveals Iago's attempt to remain an "honest man" in the eyes of the other characters while carrying out a plan of revenge. Although Iago's insults toward Othello appear to be racial, it does not make the entire play racist. Iago is so consumed by revenge against Othello, for passing him over for the promotion that he will say or do anything to attain his "peculiar end" (Act I, Scene I: 62). In addition, the play is a reflection of a time period when most people married inside their own race. However, Desdemona has deviated from such beliefs by marrying a Moor. Iago uses this opportunity to upset Brabantio and, thus, initiate his plan for revenge against Othello. Had Othello not been a Moor, Iago would have found some other means to destroy him.