Allusion • In act 3, Scene 3, Othello says “Her name that was as fresh / As Dian’s visage is now begrimed and black / As mine own face.” • Othello alludes to Diana, who was the Roman Goddess of Chastity • States that Desdemona’s name used to be pure like Diana face, but now her name is begrimed and black like Othello’s face, calling her impure and not celibate • Desdemona appears to be impure in Othello’s eyes, when in reality she is still pure and celibate • In act 1, scene 1, Iago says “I am not what I am.” • Iago alludes to something God said in the Bible • Exodus 3:14, God says to Moses “I Am that I Am” • Suggests that unlike God, he is not the kind person he appears to be • Like how Moses speaks the Word of God, Roderigo carries out …show more content…
• Christian figures are also a frequent motif throughout Othello • The devil is mentioned 28 times, hell is mentioned 15 times, God is mentioned 13 times, and heaven is mentioned 72 times • Positive Christian figures are used in Othello typically when a sinful person is trying to appear pure or like a “Man of God.” • For example, in Act 3, Scene 3, Iago says “O grace, O Heaven defend me! [...] God buy you,” despite being as sinful and unholy as possible, especially in this scene • In contrast, negative Christian figures are used when one character is trying to skew someone’s view of another person away from reality. • For example, in act 4, scene 1, Othello says “O devil, devil!” about Desdemona. He does so out of anger when confronted by Lodovico about the fact that he had struck her, because Othello is trying to make it seem like Desdemona’s wrong-doing has caused this to