Othello's speech is very well articulated, fluid and logical. He explained very well how he had come to meet Desdemona and basically how their relationship blossomed into marriage. Othello first started by saying that Brabantio "loved him" and basically invited him often to his house to hear of his many adventures. It seems that the senator wanted to brush with the notoriety that Othello inspired. After all, Othello was a well recognized soldier whose great reputation preceded him and often allowed him to be "accepted" into the Venetian rank and file made up mostly of white older men. Or at least it seemed that way. We can use an analogy in which a famous black athlete is admired for his sport feats. However, even though this athlete might be invited into everyone's home of the who is who in society, how many of these people would truly want to have their daughters taken away or married by this man? Would they like to hear about his many stories and experiences throughout his sport career? Probably, would he be truly accepted into the ranks and file of the socialite and their families? That's debatable. After all, a black athlete is admired, but he is hardly in a color blind society that provides equality to all.
Every single part of Othello's speech clicked into the Duke and the senator's common sense. After Othello told them that he used to tell the stories of his many adventures in Brabantio's home, he also pointed out that Desdemona would be captivated by his stories (979). These stories included not only his soldier experiences, but also his experience through life a moor, and former slave who beat the odds and succeeded despite having many people who would have liked him to fail. Othello, however, prevailed and climbed to one of the top spots in the military.
Even though Othello was a moor, and older, Desdemona was captivated by him. She even told him that she would like to meet someone to romance her that would be able to tell her stories the same way as him (980). Desdemona is basically letting Othello know that she is interested in him. Even though Othello had difficulty believing that such beautiful creature could love him, which was ultimately his downfall in the play, that's exactly what happened.
He is so convincing that even the Duke says that probably even his daughter would have fallen for him. Basically the Duke is saying that he believes him. Everything in Othello's speech showed many aspects of him that might have other wise be passed over by the reader, or by those present who didn't know him and had just made a prejudiced assumption of Othello as a person. For example, his speech shows that despite him being a brave soldier, he is also a well traveled person who also has a level of education probably not expected of some of his class. He also showed that behind the tough and feared soldier there is some one who is capable of falling in love with a woman just as anyone else. This is probably something that not many people would have expected of someone like him.
Othello even showed that he is a humble person. Before making his speech, he apologized to the Duke and the Senators by warning them that he probably won't be able to express himself as well as he would like. Instead, he delivered a flawless speech that convinced everyone that he had not used witchcraft to woo Desdemona. Ultimately, he asked to have Desdemona brought over so that she can testify that she hasn't been forced or duped into marrying the moor. This probably wasn't even necessary after Othello's powerful speech.
Othello's speech was ultimately one of the turning points in the play. He influenced his audience by presenting a very logical, well presented and educated speech that showed that he didn't have to use witchcraft to have Desdemona fall in love for him. Instead, his tales of adventure and life experiences made Desdemona fall in awe with Othello as a person. Further analyses of the speech and the wooing process would probably show that there's a mutual interest in each other between Othello and Desdemona. Othello liked the young white daughter of a senator, and Desdemona liked the moor man full of stories and adventures. Love didn't seem to be the main characteristic of their relationship, or at least it wasn't evident in Othello's speech.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. "Othello, The Moor of Venice." Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 3rd Compact ed. New York: Longman, 2003. 979-980.
My Notes
Othello's speech in Act II scene ____ is the part of the story that we actually get to hear about the love for one anotherOthello tells the Duke of Venice about how Desdemona fell in love with him. Some of the officers present when he shares this are Brabantio, the Senators, messenger, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo, and officers. During this time, Desdemona professes her love for Othello and how that love came about. This action confirms what Othello had previously said. This action makes their relationship legitimate by confessing their love to each other in the day's light. There is nothing hidden. There is no shame in it. A relationship should not have to be hidden. Bringing their relationship out in the open in front of the Duke made it possible to let the father know in a public setting where he would not do harm to her husband. Although it's usually best to do it in private in a one-to-one conversation. This was their chance to have their love in the open.
Desdemona's father cherished him and revered him for his life experiences that he shared with them.
My most convincing line is "…her loyalty is to her husband, just as her mother's loyalty was to Brabantio."
Othello's speech is very important part of the story because this is the point where all of Venice depends on Othello's war tactics, strategies, skill and experiences. Asking Othello is the key to possibly winning the war.
So his speech need to be very convincing because many lives depends on this man (Othello) to lead the army at Cyprus where he must command a defense against the Turks (Otto mites). He is needed by Venice and Cyprus. (Cyprus of big value to Venetians because of Sea trade) Desdemona further proves that she loves Othello by requesting to go with him to the war, so that she can be by her side. Thus putting her life in danger just to be with him.
The first seed of Desdemona's infidelity is planted by Brabantio. He does this by saying "She has deceived her father, and may thee"
Witchcraft was a capital crime that would result, if convicted, in bloody torture and eventually lead to execution.
First Othello builds himself through his reputation thus reminding the Duke as well as the senate of his status and importance to them immediately. Once, he has them on his side he then proceeds to speak about his love with Desdemona. PG 23
(This puts the senators on his side)
Brabantio is a senator and Duke. So when the Senate rules in favor of Othello then it's a big thing.
Why Brabantio wasn't invited not even informed of the emergency meeting???
The senate takes the thought of Brabantio's daughter's death as personally as if she was their own daughter. When it comes down to the meeting then he was even informed.
When the senate allows for Othello to speak their hopes are with him in that he better have a convincing speech.
First he shows the senate respect by addressing them by their position
It is interesting to see that even after this situation. Othello did not learn from this experience. The Duke gave Othello an opportunity to defend himself by speaking up for himself. But later in the story Othello doesn't even consider the same right for Desdemona.
