The excerpt of Othello’s monologue in Shakespeare’s Othello Act V, scene 2 depicts Othello reflection upon himself before he dies. Throughout the monologue, Othello discusses how he wishes to be remembered after his death to Lodovico. It is through the use of tone, selection of detail, and figurative language that Shakespeare reveals the fall of Othello’s character, from a noble and honorable general to a jealous murderer. First, Othello begins by reminding Lodovico, “I have done the state some service and they know’t”. He is reminding Lodovico of his former self, before he became a murderer. He continues to explain to Lodovico that he should be remember as “one that loved not wisely, but too well./Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,/Perplexed in the extreme.” Othello is comparing his previous self to his…show more content… Othello states: “Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away/Richer than all his tribe.” The subject of Desdemona is compared to a pearl that was thrown away. This is fitting because Desdemona and a cast away pearl share these characteristics: They are both dearly prized and loved, and they were both killed/thrown away. This is significant because it demonstrates the true loss of Desdemona in the eyes of Othello as he realizes his mistake. Othello also states: “Of one whose subdued eyes,/Albeit unused to the melting mood,/Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees/Their medicinal gum.” Othello is reminiscing his previous self, stating that he was once not very emotional, but now he is crying. The subject of his tears is compared to the Arabian tree’s gum. This is fitting because his tears and the tree's share the characteristic of a constant flow of liquid, whether it be tears or sap. This is significant because it displays the emotional downfall of Othello, from once a very dignified and confident man to a remorseful and crying
