Othello Literary/Dramatic Devices

“(Act 3, scene 3, line 442): “”As

Dian’s visage””Othello is making
Allusion
reference to the goddess of
chasity”

“(Act 4, scene 2, line 88):”” and the

moon winks…””Othello once again
Allusion
references Diana or Cynthia the
goddess of chasity.”

“(Act 4, scene 2, line 106):”” That

have the office opposite to Saint
Peter….””Othello is referencing to
Allusion
hell because that his where
Desdemona will go becuase she
was unfaithfull the him.”

“(Act 1, scene 3, line 391-392):

“”The food that to him now is as
Simile luscious as locusts…””In a simile
Iago compares the taste of food to
the delicous taste of locusts.”

“(Act 1, scene 1, line 50): “Wears

out his time, much like his master`s
ass…`Iago uses a simile
Simile
comparing the servants to
donkey`s to show the unfair
treatment of servants.”

Metaphors “(Act 3, scene 3, line 441- 445): “”

Her name, that was as fresh as
dian’s visage, is now begrimed and
 black…””This line is a metaphor
because Othello basically saying
the Desdemona’s repuation was as
white as snow.”

“(Act 4, scene 1, line 75):”” A

horned man’s a monster and a
beast…””This a metaphor becuase
Metaphors Othello says that becuase of
Desdemona`s unfaithfulness it has
turned his personality into
something like a beast.”

“(Act 4, scene 1, line 54-58):””

Work on, My medicine, work!…””In
this line Iago is talking to the
Apostrophe “”poison”” that he planted in
Othello’s mind which makes it an
apostrphe becuase he is talking to
an object.”

“(Act 3, scene 3, line 314):”” ’tis the

plague of great ones…””In this line
Othello is being very hubris
because he is basically say that
great people have to suffer more
Hubris
than average people. He is
showing his big ego and is using it
to convince himself why
Desdemona would be unfaithful to
him”

Hubris “(Act 3, scene 3, line 406): Pride,

pomp and circumstance of glorious
war!…In this quote Othello is
talking about his position as a
 general, and how since
Desdemona cheated on him that
everything he had is now gone.”

“(Act 3, scene 1, line 4- 29)This is

comic relief because the clown is
Comic Relief
making fun of the musicians bad
playing.”

“(Act 3, scene 4, line 3-22)This is

comic relief because the clown is
making puns out of what
Comic Relief
Desdemona is saying like “” He’s a
solider, and for me to say a soldier
lies, ’tis stabbing.”””

“(Act 1, scene 4, line 238-239):

“”The robbed that smiles steasl
something from the theif…””This is
a paradox because the Duke
Paradox:
advices Brabantio to accept his
decisions regarding Othello with
good humour instead of
grumbling.”

“(Act 3, scene 3, line 202): “”Poor

and content is rich, and rich
enough…””In this quote Iago is
Paradox: “”comforting”” Othello with a
paradox after Iago arouses
Othello’s suspisious of Desdemona
being unfaithful.”

Symbol: “Handkerchief:symbolizes
Desdemona and Othello’s bond
 and marriage and once it is lost we
see that their marriage is coming
apart.”

Willow song: represents to

Symbol: Desdemona that acceptance of her
husdband disowning her.

Candle: The candle that Othello

plays out before he kills
Desdemona represent
Symbol:
Desdemona’s fragile body and life
taht can be taken away from the
world instantly.

“(Act 1, scene 3, line 333-334) :””

Look to her, Moor, if though hast
eyes to see. She has decieved her
Foreshadowing: father, and may thee.””This line
said by Brabantio foreshadows that
Desdemona may deceive Othello
since he decieved her own father.”

“( Act 2, scene 1, line 199- 209):”” It

give me wonder greate as my
content to see you here before me.
O my soul’s joy! ifafter every
Foreshadowing: tempest come such calms…””This
line said by Othello forshadows
that there may be something bad
comeing in the furture for him and
Desdemona.”

Foreshadowing: “(Act 1, scene 3, line 321-324):

“”So please your Grace, my
 ancient. A man he is honesty and
trust. To his conveyance I assign
my wife…””This line foreshadows
that Iago may not be a such an
honest man.”

“(Act 3, scene 3, line 100- 103):””

Excellent wretch! Perdition catch
my soul…””This line foreshadows
Foreshadowing:
bad events that will happen if
Othello falls out of love with
Desdemona.”

“Dramatic irony:(Act 3, scene 3,

line 135):”” I think thou dost; and
for I thou ‘rt full of love and
Dramatic irony: honesty…””This is ironic because
Othello thinks Iago is a honest man
when in reality Iago is scheming
against him”

“(Act 4, scene 1, line 245):””Lives

sir””This line is dramati irony
Irony because Iago says that Cassio is
alive, but the readers know that
Cassio will not be alive for long”

Irony “(Act 4, scene 2, line 13-20):”” I

durst, my lord, to wager she is
honest, lay down my soul at stake.
If you think other, remover your
thought…””This is dramatic irony
because Emilia is talking badly
about the person that put those
jealous thoughts in his head, and
the ironic thing is the Emilia does
 not know that the man that did so
was her husband Iago”

“(Act 1, scene 3, line 438): “”After

some time, to abuse Othello’s
ear…””This creates suspense
Suspense
because we as the readers want to
know how Iago is going to corrupt
Othello.”

“(Act 2, scene 1, line 295): Iago

says to Roderigo””Provoke him that
he may, for even out of that will I
Suspense cause…””This creates suspense in
the story because this makes you
wonder what Cassio’s reaction will
be and what will result from it”

Act 1, scene 3, line 343-392Moors

are changeable in their wills — fill
thy purse withmoney. The food that
to him now is as luscious
aslocusts, shall be to him shortly as
acerbe as thecoloquintida. She
must change for youth: when she
issated with his body, she will find
the error of her choice. Iago
Simile:
compares Othello’s feelings for
Dedemona to food.The food is
delcious at first, but then becomes
bitter. So too is theprogression of
Othello’s relationship with
Desdemona, at leastaccording to
Iago. Othello delights in
Desdemona first, but will
soonbecome tired of her.