A few figures of speech could fit this famous line from
Othello. Depending on the translation (I'm assuming it's accurate)
and the stage action (the way the line is delivered on stage), it could mean any of the
following:
Aposiopesis --
Breaking off as if unable to continue: “The fire surrounds them while—I cannot
go on.” Othello is telling Desdemona to put out the light (of her candle and
*life*), but he can't bring himself to say it literally and directly, so he just repeats
himself metaphorically.
Puns (Paronomasia)
-- A pun twists the meaning of words, often to create an ironic, humorous
effect. "Put out the light" could mean to put out the candle and to be extinguished of
life. He seems to direct the first half of the line to Desdemona and the second part to
himself, as if to summon up the courage to kill
her.
Diacope (also called
Epizeuxis)-- Uninterrupted repetition, or repetition with
only one or two words between each repeated phrase. ("The horror! The horror!") He's
simply repeating it for memorable effect. The anaphora (of sorts) becomes more dramatic
upon repetition.
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