scene 2

“It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul” - Othello

• repetition of “the cause” sounds like Othello is convincing himself that he is objectively justified

• definite article “the” presents his belief as certain and singular

• “my soul” invokes the semantic field of divinity, giving his statement religious and moral significance, showing he believes he is acting justly

“Put out the light, and then put out the light” - Othello

• “light” is initially literal, but becomes metaphorical to symbolise how he believes he extinguishing the corrupt

• parallel structure “put out the light” creates a sense of deliberate finality

“O, the more angel she, / And you the blacker devil” - Othello

• antithesis of “angel”, “devil” creates an absolute moral opposition

• “blacker” carries both moral and racial resonances - idea that he believes that Desdemona’s infidelity is plausible due to his race

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