DESDEMONA

• "Upon my knees, what doth your speech import? I understand a fury in your words, But not the words."

  Act 4:2
• Hyperbole:

  • "I understand a fury in your words" is an exaggeration to convey how strong and overwhelming Othello’s emotions are. Desdemona is not only struggling to understand the content of his words, but also their emotional intensity. The "fury" implies an extreme and chaotic emotion, showing her distress.
• Metaphor:

  • The phrase "I understand a fury in your words" can be seen as a metaphor where Desdemona likens the emotion Othello is conveying (his fury) to something tangible within the words themselves. She doesn’t literally hear fury, but the emotional impact of his words feels as though fury is embedded in them.
• Rhetorical Question:

  • "What doth your speech import?" is a rhetorical question. Desdemona is not seeking an answer but is expressing confusion and a deep desire to understand the meaning and intent behind Othello's words.
• Polysyndeton:

  • In the phrase "But not the words," Desdemona uses the conjunction "but" to connect her statements, which emphasizes the contrast between understanding the fury and not understanding the content. While not as pronounced as in longer phrases, the use of conjunctions here still creates a sense of weight and tension.
• "If haply you my father do suspect An instrument of this you calling back, Lay not your blame on me. If you have lost him: Why, I have lost him, too."

  Act 4:2
• Appeal to Emotion (Pathos):

  • Desdemona’s plea to her father to not blame her—"Lay not your blame on me"—is an appeal to his emotions. She is trying to alleviate any guilt he might feel about her involvement in the situation, though she is innocent of the accusations. The use of "lay not" is a somewhat archaic phrasing that adds a layer of urgency and formality to her emotional plea.
• Juxtaposition:

  • There’s a subtle juxtaposition between Desdemona’s innocence and the heavy, unjust accusations weighing on her. She says she has "lost him, too," but in a literal sense, she has lost Othello to jealousy and mistrust, not because of anything she has done.
• Irony:

  • Desdemona’s statement, "If you have lost him: Why, I have lost him, too," is also an example of dramatic irony. The audience knows that the loss Desdemona refers to is not due to her actions but because of Othello's jealousy and manipulation by Iago. Desdemona’s statement underscores her genuine confusion and innocence, as she has no idea why Othello is distancing himself from her.
• "How have I been behaved, that he might stick The small'st opinion on my least misuse?"

  Act 4:2
• • Rhetorical Question:
  • "How have I been behaved?" is a rhetorical question. Desdemona is not asking for a direct answer, but instead reflecting on her actions and trying to understand how she might have behaved to deserve such treatment from Othello. The question emphasizes her confusion and self-doubt in the face of his accusations.
• Alliteration:

  • The phrase "small'st opinion on my least misuse" contains alliteration with the repetition of the "s" sound in "small'st" and "misuse." This creates a more rhythmic, almost pleading tone in her speech. The repetition of these soft sounds also suggests her helplessness and vulnerability in the face of the situation.
• "Good friend, go to him, for by this light of heaven, I know not how I lost him."

  Act 4:2
• • Imperative:
  • "Go to him" is an imperative, where Desdemona is directing someone (likely Emilia, her maid and confidante) to speak to Othello on her behalf. The imperative here conveys Desdemona’s sense of urgency and desperation to resolve the situation, but it also shows her powerlessness, as she is unable to communicate with Othello directly.
• Appeal to Divine Light (Pathos):

  • "For by this light of heaven" is an appeal to the heavens, invoking divine light as a source of truth. Desdemona is trying to express her innocence, appealing to a higher power for understanding and clarity. This adds an emotional layer to her plea, as she is not only expressing confusion but also a sense of helplessness in trying to grasp how she has lost Othello's love and trust.
• • Pathos (Emotional Appeal):
  • The phrase "I know not how I lost him" expresses deep emotional pain and vulnerability. Desdemona is genuinely distraught and confused by Othello's behavior, as she cannot understand why he has turned away from her. This plea adds to the audience’s sympathy for her, as it highlights her innocence and emotional turmoil.
• Repetition of "Lost":

  • The use of the word "lost" emphasizes the sense of emotional distance and separation Desdemona feels from Othello. She doesn't understand how she has lost his love, and the repetition of the idea of "losing" further intensifies her feeling of confusion and grief.
• "If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me In one of those same sheets."

  Act 4 Scene 3
• Foreshadowing:

  • This line is an example of foreshadowing, as Desdemona unknowingly references her impending death. The "same sheets" she mentions are the ones she and Othello will later use in her death, as Othello kills her in the bed where they sleep. Her request to be shrouded in these sheets hints at her tragic fate, which the audience understands, but Desdemona herself does not.
• • Imagery:
  • The mention of "shroud me in one of those same sheets" creates vivid visual imagery. Desdemona is imagining a peaceful death and burial, which contrasts sharply with the violent death she will actually experience. The imagery of the sheets evokes a sense of finality and closure, and the audience can feel the impending doom, given the context of the play.
• Symbolism:

  • The sheets in this context symbolize the marital bed and, ultimately, Desdemona's fate. Traditionally, a shroud is a cloth used to wrap the dead, so the sheets in this case carry a dual meaning. They represent both the intimacy and love in the marriage, as well as the place where her tragic end will occur.
• "A most unhappy {division 'twixt my lord and Cassio}. I would much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio."

  Act 4 Scene 2
• • Foreshadowing:
  • Desdemona's desire to "atone them" foreshadows the tragic consequences of her efforts. Her attempt to mend the relationship between Othello and Cassio will ultimately backfire, contributing to the tragic events that follow.
  • Pathos:
  • The line is filled with pathos as Desdemona expresses a sincere desire to help, but her goodwill is tragically misplaced. The audience feels sympathy for Desdemona as her innocent actions lead to her eventual downfall.
• • Juxtaposition:
  • Desdemona’s genuine affection for Cassio is juxtaposed with Othello's growing mistrust of both her and Cassio, which enhances the tragedy of the situation. Desdemona cannot understand why Othello is upset, further highlighting the gap between her perception and Othello’s distorted jealousy.
  • Repetition:
  • The word "love" is important, as it shows Desdemona’s loyalty to Cassio, but it also highlights the growing tension between her relationships with Othello and Cassio. This repetition underscores Desdemona’s emotional sincerity and the tragedy of her position.