Explanation and Analysis of Key Othello Quotes
The Power of Manipulation Through Language
Iago's Deceptive Speech
"I am not what I am" (Act 1, Scene 1)
This iconic line from Iago serves as a masterful introduction to his character's duplicitous nature. The paradoxical statement operates on multiple levels:
- It's a twisted inversion of God's words to Moses ("I am that I am")
- Reveals Iago's self-awareness of his own deception
- Foreshadows his role as the play's master manipulator
This quote appears early in the play, serving as a warning to the audience about Iago's true nature, even as other characters remain blind to it.
Othello's Linguistic Transformation
"Put out the light, and then put out the light" (Act 5, Scene 2)
This haunting line demonstrates Othello's psychological deterioration through its poetic structure:
- The repetition creates a double meaning:
- First "light" refers to the physical candle
- Second "light" symbolizes Desdemona's life
- Shows how Othello's once-noble language has become twisted by jealousy
Students often miss the significance of how Othello's language changes throughout the play, from eloquent military commander to jealousy-driven murderer.
Racial and Social Commentary
"Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe" (Act 1, Scene 1)
This crude imagery used by Iago when speaking to Brabantio reveals:
- The racist undertones present in Venetian society
