> Othello: "She's dead, my lord, she's dead. I would you knew what grief hath seized my heart. I loved her, lords, she was **And when I saw her, I did think she slept,
> **And then, my heart, as if it did devise
> **To cheat me, gave me comfort. I looked on her
> **And, heaven defend me! in her face I saw
> **No marks to show she had been murdered;
> **A gentle sleep had seized her. By my troth,
> **I kissed her, and she blessed me for it.
> **And then, I thought to kill her, to strangle her,
> **But when I looked on her, I saw her beauty,
> **And loved her, loved her, lords, and loved her so
> **That I did pray to God to save her soul.
> **Then, I looked back at her, and found her dead,
> **And thought I did but dream. I called my wife,
> **And cried out, "Desdemona!" But she replied,
> **"My lord!" And I, I knew, had done the deed,
> **And had murdered her: I then confessed.
> **But you, lords, are the judge: I only ask
> **That you judge me as you would yourselves.
> **I'll have you all give ear to my defense,
> **And judge me as you would yourselves."
>
> Cassio: "She was, my lord, a creature of great beauty;
> **Her clothes spread wide,
> **And mermaid-like while they bore her up,
> **Did stretch her out, and as a pillow did
> Unlace her bosom in the flowing tide."
Here's what the quote means:
* "Her clothes spread wide..." : Desdemona's clothes are described as being spread out and flowing, likely because she drowned in the sea.
* "...And mermaid-like while they bore her up..." : The image of a mermaid is evoked, suggesting that the water supported her body.
* "...Did stretch her out, and as a pillow did Unlace her bosom in the flowing tide." : This depicts the water acting as a pillow, gently lifting Desdemona's chest and revealing her bosom. It's a poetic and tragic image of her death.
The overall effect of the quote:
Cassio's description is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It highlights the tragic nature of Desdemona's death while using vivid imagery and poetic language to paint a picture of her final moments.
This quote is significant because it underscores the theme of beauty and violence that runs through the play. It emphasizes the contrast between Desdemona's inherent grace and the cruel and violent way she was murdered.