Then must you speakOf one that loved not wisely but too well,Of one not easily jealous but, being wrought,Perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand,Like the base Indian, threw a pearl awayRicher than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes,Albeit unused to the melting mood,Drop tears as fast as the Arabian treesTheir medicinable gum. Set you down this,And say besides that in Aleppo once,Where a malignant and a turbaned TurkBeat a Venetian and traduced the state,I took by th' throat the circumcised dogAnd smote him thus.
In this quote from Othello, the character reflects on the tragic nature of a man who loved deeply but not wisely. He describes Othello as someone who lacks jealousy until pushed to extremes, ultimately leading to his downfall. The imagery of throwing away a precious pearl captures his reckless decisions, as he succumbs to emotions that cloud his judgment, showcasing the depths of his despair and loss.
The speaker also recounts a violent encounter in Aleppo, where he took aggressive action against an enemy. This act emphasizes the character's feelings of rage and betrayal, reinforcing the themes of love, jealousy, and honor that permeate the play. Overall, the passage illustrates the intense emotional struggle and tragic consequences of Othello's passion, serving as a critical reflection on the complexities of love.
