Othello

In Act 5 Scene 2, How does Shakespeare use the technique of repetition to build suspense and interest for his audience with the interaction between Othello and Emilia after the death of Desdemona?.

Act 5 Scene 2

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Othello is very emotional and still feels very strongly about Desdemona. This is first observed through repetition. In the beginning of his soliloquy, Othello says "It is the cause,"(Act 5, scene 2, lines 1 and 3) and later repeats "put out the light," (Act 5, scene 2, lines 7 and 10) three times each. The repetition shows that Othello is trying to force himself to kill Desdemona because he really does not want. He repeats the words to justify his actions. In addition, the repetition emphasizes Othello's emotions, which are very regretful of the action he is about to do. Further on in the soliloquy, Othello repeats "one more," (Act 5, scene 2, lines 18, 19, and 21) three times, in reference to giving Desdemona a kiss. This repetition also emphasizes Othello's emotions in that he does not want to kill Desdemona, but feels it is for the best. Othello's conflicting feelings are shown when he says "So sweet was ne'er so fatal" (Act 5, scene 2, line 23). By referring to Desdemona as "sweet" and "fatal," two opposites, Othello shows his conflict over how he feels about her.With Emilia, The repetition of “honest” in his description of Iago compounds the tragedy by highlighting how completely he was duped.

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