An examination of Shakespeare's Portrayal of the Capitulation of Othello through imagery and language.

Examine Shakespeare's Portrayal of the Capitulation of Othello. Othello, at the start of the play, ennobled by his exemplary service and invigorated by love, is a model of Renaissance humanity, dignified and eloquent; jealousy reduces him to raving savagery, his angelic poetry to an incoherent snarl. Even with such a poor introduction to the audience from Iago as "an old black ram" tupping the white ewe that was Desdemona, however early in the play Othello …

…to himself after the murder of Desdemona as "he that was Othello" and he regains his own voice. His characteristic imagery is reasserted as Desdemona becomes the "pearl.../Richer than all his tribe" which he foolishly "threw" away. His "subdued eyes" shed tears "as fast as the Arabian trees / Their medicinable gum." The return of Othello's old way of speaking shows a strange attempt by Othello to put himself back together again before he dies.