Monologue - Othello (Act 5 Scene 2): Context

My monologue is from the play "Othello" by William Shakespeare. 

The play follows the journey of Othello a Moorish Venetian general who is tasked by the leaders of Venice to hold one of the final remaining outposts of Cyprus at the end of their war against the Ottoman Empire of the 1570's. Othello takes his new wife Desdemona alongside some of his most trusted advisors, with his closest friend: Iago, who wishes to plot Othello's downfall. Over the course of the play, Iago manipulates and convinces Othello that Desdemona has been disloyal and has been sleeping with Casio; one of Othello's most promising subordinates. In the end, consumed by the situation, Othello kills Desdemona before killing himself. 

 Shakespeare is regarded as one of the most influential playwrights to ever live. He is famous for writing over 38 plays, all with themes that would make audiences think about moral questions. Shakespeare also is infamous for developing the stories within plays, giving characters backstories and setting his plays during real life time periods with real events tying into the stories of his plays, like in the case of Othello and the Ottoman - Venetian War. Shakespeare is also known for having been influential in the development of the English language it is believed that he is responsible for the use of over 1700 in modern day English. 

This monologue takes place towards the very end of the play. At this point, Othello has killed Desdemona after believing that she has cheated on him. Iago has revealed that he deceived Othello who can now barely live with himself. Othello, now wracked with guilt, has taken the blade hidden under his bed and prepares to end his own life. 

Othello is a grizzled war veteran. Surviving through countless battles to achieve the rank of general within the Venetian army. He is a man consumed by doubt and although he must be an incredibly strong warrior to withstand the many battles he's been a part of, he doesn't know how to live a normal life. To him, there is danger around every corner, every place is a potential battlefield. He is the direct antithesis of his wife Desdemona who is incredibly innocent and ignorant to the very violent nature of the world.