Death

I know nothing about death.
I have not seen death,
I have not suffered death.
I have not heard death,
I have not mourned death.
Shrouded in complete mystery,
Is the reason death,
So scares me.

Othello 7

In Othello's final speech to his officers, he asks the men to give a truthful account of what crimes he committed and why. Othello does not want the reports to be plagued with under and over-exaggerations, he wants the utmost truth to be sent back to Venice. Othello states, "Speak of me as I am [...] Of one that loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought" (V.ii.402-405). Othello wants it to be clear that he did not act out of jealousy; Iago's deception of Othello was the true reason for Othello's actions. Othello wants to be remembered as one who pledged his honor and allegiance to Venice, he does not want to be plagued with the sin of jealousy, therefore he blames his actions on Iago's deception.

V.ii.1-27 Soliloquy

Othello opens Act five Scene two with a soliloquy. In this soliloquy he attempts to make a final justification for murdering Desdemona. Othello does not want to change his mind on the issue; he repeats to himself, "It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul. Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars. It is the cause" (V.ii.1-3). The repetition of "the cause", the reason for murder (her supposed infidelity), must be drilled into Othello's mind. This is Othello's last attempt to convince himself of Desdemona's guiltiness, he has to ensure that he is killing out of honor and justice; he does not want to kill due to jealousy. Othello states "Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men" (V.ii.6). He uses reason to justify his decision. If Desdemona betrays her father and Othello alike, she is bound to betray more men. The only way to end her reign is by death. The goal of Othello's soliloquy is to ultimately justify the killing of his wife. He wants to be sure that he is killing justly and not out of jealously.

Othello 5

Othello is a dynamic character whose personality drastically changes in Act four Scene one of Othello. In the first three Acts, Othello is characterized as an eloquent, intelligent member of the upper class. Through his advance diction and respectful relationships with Venetian socialites, Othello solidifies his place among the aristocrats. However, in Cyprus, Othello's actions are very different. Because of Iago's deception, Othello is convinced that Desdemona is an adulterer. Othello's speech changes from eloquence to harsh hateful commentary. His demeanor is no longer of an upstanding general, but of a menacing child. When an envoy from Venice comes to visit Othello, he is very surprised by Othello's changed personality. The envoy remarks, "My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, Though I should swear I saw 't" (IV.i.270-1). Othello's actions to his wife are shocking to the messenger. The past views of Othello are so drastically different than the new Othello that the messenger cannot believe what he is seeing. The characterization of Othello quickly changes from an honorable general to a distressed man all because of Iago's deception and trickery.