Othello Act 5, Scene 2 lines 1-24

            In the opening lines of Act 5, Scene 2 in the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello is about to kill Desdemona. Through Othello’s soliloquy in Act 5, the audience realizes the immense change Othello has gone through as a character. At the beginning of the play, Othello was a calm, rational character. However, in Act 5 Othello has let his emotions take over his previous logical thoughts. These emotions lead to the death of Desdemona. As Othello looks upon Desdemona sleeping he says, “O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade / Justice to break her sword!” (V.ii.17-18). Othello then kisses Desdemona who still has a profound effect over him. Othello recognizes Desdemona’s beauty and perceived innocence. Previously, Othello would have looked upon the perceived innocence and laughed at the idea of Desdemona being unfaithful. However, Iago has caused Othello to doubt his own instincts of Desdemona’s pure nature. Othello no longer trusts his own judgment; therefore, even though Othello does still love Desdemona as shown through the kiss, Othello cannot shake his own jealous emotions. Othello’s inability to shake irrational emotions shows that Iago has taken over Othello’s mind. Hence, Othello’s soliloquy demonstrates his decline from a calm, rational character to a character that is driven by jealousy and emotions.