Othello

• "Thou hast no weapon"


  Sword is a phallic shape, it being taken away from Othello shows he's no longer a man. He is sub-human, the animal that he was previously accused of being by Iago and others. He has truly fallen, in any and all sense. The term "thou" is used to address him, a term used for those seen as lesser than the one using it.
• "Whip me, ye Devils!"


  Though previously compared to the Devil himself he is now reduced to a lowly servant of Hell. Even were he to be seen as evil he has now fallen in that respect too. He calls those around him Devils indicating that this tragic fall was forced upon him by circumstance and other people.
• "I think my wife honest, and think that she is not.

  I think that thou art just, and think thou art not."


  Parallel structure - shows he doesn't know who to trust. He places Desdemona and Iago as equal. Desdemona is still on the line above him though and so, still slightly higher. He addresses Iago with the term "thou" an address used on those lesser than them.
• "He kneels"


  Othello is literally placing himself lower than Iago. He is giving Iago all of the power. Below Iago, like a dog at the foot of it's master.
• "I love the gentle Desdemona"


  Immediately contradicts all that was said in scene 1 about him being sleazy to show that he holds genuine affection for his wife. However, this is called into question as the use of "gentle" - meaning innocent - is unusual as the only other person there is Iago who Othello believes to be wholly on his side. Rendering the reassurance for himself alone - does not trust his wife?
• "He commands

  Like a full soldier."


  Enjambment emphasises how in control he is, dramatic irony given how he acts later. This, however, is a simile and not a metaphor so Montano is saying that Othello isn't actually a full soldier; this either calls into question his character or it's a racist remark.
• "You shall more command with weapons

  Than with your years."


  At first glance, it appears to be Othello being diplomatic and suggesting that they resolve their issues through speech and not actions. However, here Othello is making a jab at Brabantio's age, saying he could easily beat him. Unusual of a man insecure of his own age. As well as this, given the sword is a phallic shape he is also insinuating as to Brabantio's impotency, a high insult indeed.
• "Whore of Venice

  Who married with Othello."


  Othello uses third person here to distance himself from the pain of Desdemona's perceived infidelity. Here he now uses crude and vulgar language, the previously eloquent man. A man oppressed now doing the same onto others. Complete change or his true self finally revealed.
• "Haply for I am black,"


  Othello's fatal flaw is his insecurity. He is insecure over his skin colour, his age and how he speaks (lack of eloquence which we know to be false from his long speeches). These insecurities can probably be traced back to his days as a slave and the racist treatment he'd have no doubt received from those around him. Iago uses these insecurities to convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair and producing synthetic jealousy.
• "I think you think I love you"


  This quotes up Iago's art for manipulation. He manipulates through truth, as he rarely ever lies, merely twists the truth until it cannot be distinguished from a lie. Here Iago is not actually saying that he loves Cassio, but to Cassio that is what he hears from it. Iago also falls much like Othello, as he goes from these cunning twisted words to blatant and refutable lies. The Machiavellian character gets hung upon his own string.
• "He strikes Desdemona"


  From a man who at least pretended to abhor violence this surely shocks all, even the audience. To hit ones wife, especially so out in the open was not good even in Elizabethan times. Before this as well he treats her like a dog, this is another instance where he unknowingly mirrors Iago showing how much control Iago has over his being.
• "sorrow's heavenly"


  This oxymoron shows that Othello is confused. He feels he must kill his wife, it is the right thing to do, to save her soul. It leans to a modern phrase where he is acting as an Angel of Death which is rather fitting given he is causing the death of an angel. This could be used as proof as to Othello being a tragic hero and not a villain as he doesn't act out of malice.
• "I'll tear her to pieces!"


  This is a violent outburst at the end of Act 3 Scene 3 showing how irrevocably he has changed. The man who once pretended to abhor violence is now contemplating the most vicious of methods to kill his supposedly unfaithful wife. It creates the visceral image of her being ripped apart like paper or like a predator frenziedly slaughtering its prey, to imagine that on a human is gory and would shock the audience. Iago encourages these intentions but ultimately he is the one who decides how Desdemona dies.
• Name another quote showing that Othello hands power over to Iago on top of him kneeling.

  "I am bound to thee forever"