Othello: V. ii. 1-24

            Up until the moment Othello kills Desdemona, he must remind himself of his reasons. The repetition of “it is the cause” (V. ii. 1, 3) in the opening lines of Othello’s soliloquy demonstrates that he is not one hundred percent certain of his decision to kill his wife. It is as if he has to continually remind himself that she was unfaithful, or he will begin to doubt his beliefs. The repetition also reveals Iago’s influence on Othello. Without the constant presence of Iago, Othello is tempted to resort back to his rational thinking. He is almost swayed to not kill Desdemona: “Oh, balmy breath, that dost almost persuade/ Justice to break her sword!” (V. ii. 17-18). In his soliloquy Othello also notes Desdemona’s skin color as he states, “Yet I’ll not shed her blood,/ Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow/ And smooth as monumental alabaster” (V. ii. 3-5). Before he decides to kill her, Othello searches for confirmation bias of proof of Desdemona’s infidelity. He subconsciously wants to blame his skin color and lean on a preconceived prejudice to fuel his anger. With the idea that Cassio has all of the same credentials as him, but he is white, Othello wonders if it would be more natural for Desdemona to love a white man. Her skin is whiter than snow, which also attests to her purity and innocence. Othello notices this purity as he kisses her in bed, but he is so brainwashed by Iago that it does not register with him. Othello truly passes the point of no return. After continuous brainwash by Iago, Othello no longer contains a voice of reason within him. At the end of his soliloquy he utters, “I must weep,/ But they are cruel tears” (V. ii. 22-23). By using the word “must” Othello feels as if there are no other options, but in reality he is just too far into the realm of emotion that he cannot think rationally. Othello cannot see past the lies and his love ultimately destroys him.