Othello Act II – Figurative Language

Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land. personification
What ribs of oak, when MOUNTAINS MELT on them, can hold the mortise? alliteration and metaphor
The wind-shaked surge, with high and MONSTROUS MANE alliteration
O, my fair warrior! oxymoron
When Otherllo says, “If I were not to die, ‘Twere now to be most happy” Foreshadowing
When Iago says, “O you are well tuned now, but I’ll set down the pegs that make this music.” extended metaphor
The long speech at the end of Scene I where Iago is alone on stage speaking his thoughts aloud. Soliloquy
Doth like a poison mineral, gnaw my inwards Simile
Even to madness. ‘Tis here, but yet CONFUSED. Knavery’s plain face is never seen till USED. Couplet
When Othello says, “Iago is most honest.” Dramatic irony
When Othello says to Desdemona, “The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; that profit’s yet to come ‘tween me and you.” Metaphor for marriage
When Iago says, “If consequence do but approve my DREAM, my boat sails freely both wind and STREAM.” Couplet
He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar Allusion
When Iago says, “I do love Cassio well and would do much to cure him of this evil” Verbal Irony
When Iago says, “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offense to Michael Cassio.” Verbal Irony
O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let s call the devil! Apostrophe
O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! Metaphor
Had I as many mouth as HYDRA, such an answer would stop them all. Allusion
When Cassio describes Desdemona, “HE had achieved a maid that paragons description and wild fame, one that excels the quirks of blazoning pens…” Hyperbole
When Cassio says that the storm, “do omit their mortal natures, letting go safely by, the divine Desdemona. Hyperbole
When Cassio says,” Great Jove, Othello guard…” Allusion and Apostrophe
When Cassio says, “The richest of the ships is come on shore! Metaphor
When Iago says, “He with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.” Extended Simile
When Iago says, “So will I turn her virtue into pitch, and out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all.” Metaphor
When Roderigo says, “I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fulls up the cry.” Simile
July 9, 2019