Othello: "She's like a liar gone to burning Hell./ 'Twas I that killed her."
Emilia: "Oh, the more angel she,/ And you the blacker devil!" V.ii.128-130
This play certainly lives up to the title of drama seeing as all the characters made their encounters as dramatic as possible. I know that they need to be dramatic for effect, but their behavior seemed over the top. To me, many of the characters were weak and easily manipulated. Roderigo had some obsession with Desdemona and fell apart when she did not return his love. Since she did not pay much attention to him anyway, Roderigo should have taken the hint and calmed down. Instead he paid Iago to carry out this complex plan to get him Desdemona and went along with whatever Iago suggested. Othello was just as easily controlled, believing "honest" Iago and his flimsy proof of his wife's affair. I do not understand how everyone thought Othello was so even tempered and logical, but then he quickly transformed into a crazy jealous husband. I thought he would be able to see through or at least question Iago, but Othello blindly believed him. Desdemona and Cassio unknowingly contributed to their own downfall. The only character I was drawn to was Emilia; I liked her progression from a quiet, obedient wife to a fiercely loyal friend.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Othello Act V
Othello: "No way but this,/ Killing myself, to die upon a kiss." (Falls on the bed, and dies)
Cassio: "This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,/ For he was great of heart." V.ii.357-359
This play is without question a tragedy. Like many Shakespeare tragedies, multiple characters die at the end of Othello. Desdemona, Roderigo, Emilia, and Othello all meet their demise at the hands of violence; the loss was all caused by a web of lies spun by Iago over his jealousy and quest for power. The full effect of the themes about uncontrolled passions leading to destruction is realized at the conclusion when these characters fall victim to those destructive emotions. Knowing that this play is a tragedy can help the audience understand the drama involved. All of Iago's planning and the conflict between the characters would heighten the suspense and drama if the audience knew that the play would not end well, and the experience would be enhanced. Details of betrayal and loss are spread throughout the play and lead up to the conclusion, so knowing the play's classification allows the audience to catch those telling details. The suspense is built up from the moment the audience learns of Iago's plans and continues to build as the audience learns more from the resulting drama. Only the audience is completely aware of the situation at the conclusion of the play. The remaining characters do not fully know of Iago's tricks and motivations, but the audience knew the entirety because of Iago's confessions to the audience.
Cassio: "This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,/ For he was great of heart." V.ii.357-359
This play is without question a tragedy. Like many Shakespeare tragedies, multiple characters die at the end of Othello. Desdemona, Roderigo, Emilia, and Othello all meet their demise at the hands of violence; the loss was all caused by a web of lies spun by Iago over his jealousy and quest for power. The full effect of the themes about uncontrolled passions leading to destruction is realized at the conclusion when these characters fall victim to those destructive emotions. Knowing that this play is a tragedy can help the audience understand the drama involved. All of Iago's planning and the conflict between the characters would heighten the suspense and drama if the audience knew that the play would not end well, and the experience would be enhanced. Details of betrayal and loss are spread throughout the play and lead up to the conclusion, so knowing the play's classification allows the audience to catch those telling details. The suspense is built up from the moment the audience learns of Iago's plans and continues to build as the audience learns more from the resulting drama. Only the audience is completely aware of the situation at the conclusion of the play. The remaining characters do not fully know of Iago's tricks and motivations, but the audience knew the entirety because of Iago's confessions to the audience.
Othello Act IV
Lodovico: "Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate/ Call all-in-all sufficient? This the nature/ Whom passion could not shake?..."
Iago: "He is much changed." IV.i.251-253
The themes of Othello were introduced early in the play and continued to be developed upon as the action and characters progressed. Now that Iago's plan grows with more and more people falling deeper into his manipulations, those themes become more prevalent. Othello becomes more convinced about Cassio and Desdemona's treachery and now set out to punish them. The themes of love, anger, and jealousy manifest in Othello's struggles with himself. He is furious about his wife's betrayal, but he struggles to overcome his love for her. His jealousy is caused by his love cheating on him with someone he used to trust, even though that is a lie. His jealousy morphed into hatred for the both of them, causing him to plot drastic punishments. The depth of these emotions lead to dramatic consequences, thus strengthening the themes. The message is that uncontrolled emotions, like anger, jealousy, and love, can lead to destruction and harm. Even though the themes are prevalent, the play is not too didactic because it does not solely rely on the themes to tell the story; the characters and action also advance the drama.
Iago: "He is much changed." IV.i.251-253
The themes of Othello were introduced early in the play and continued to be developed upon as the action and characters progressed. Now that Iago's plan grows with more and more people falling deeper into his manipulations, those themes become more prevalent. Othello becomes more convinced about Cassio and Desdemona's treachery and now set out to punish them. The themes of love, anger, and jealousy manifest in Othello's struggles with himself. He is furious about his wife's betrayal, but he struggles to overcome his love for her. His jealousy is caused by his love cheating on him with someone he used to trust, even though that is a lie. His jealousy morphed into hatred for the both of them, causing him to plot drastic punishments. The depth of these emotions lead to dramatic consequences, thus strengthening the themes. The message is that uncontrolled emotions, like anger, jealousy, and love, can lead to destruction and harm. Even though the themes are prevalent, the play is not too didactic because it does not solely rely on the themes to tell the story; the characters and action also advance the drama.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Othello Act III
Othello: "Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul/ But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,/ Chaos is come again." III.iii.91-93
As the play progresses, the themes become more evident as Iago's plans are put into action. He has carefully manipulated the players, pushing them to react with hatred and jealousy towards one another. Iago's motivation is jealousy towards Cassio for the position of lieutenant. Iago has seniority over Cassio, but Cassio was chosen based on popularity. Anger and hatred fuel Iago's plans, causing him to hurt Cassio and Othello. He includes Roderigo in his plans to provoke the other characters, using Roderigo's love for Desdemona as leverage. Roderigo is jealous of Othello for marrying Desdemona, and his love for her makes him act out and follow Iago. Othello seems to grow increasingly jealous and angry as he begins to suspect that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. These strong emotions often lead to intense drama, and that is the case as these characters prepare to clash with one another. Also, being motivated by passions such as love, anger, and jealousy can have disastrous consequences, and that is what Iago is hoping for.
As the play progresses, the themes become more evident as Iago's plans are put into action. He has carefully manipulated the players, pushing them to react with hatred and jealousy towards one another. Iago's motivation is jealousy towards Cassio for the position of lieutenant. Iago has seniority over Cassio, but Cassio was chosen based on popularity. Anger and hatred fuel Iago's plans, causing him to hurt Cassio and Othello. He includes Roderigo in his plans to provoke the other characters, using Roderigo's love for Desdemona as leverage. Roderigo is jealous of Othello for marrying Desdemona, and his love for her makes him act out and follow Iago. Othello seems to grow increasingly jealous and angry as he begins to suspect that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. These strong emotions often lead to intense drama, and that is the case as these characters prepare to clash with one another. Also, being motivated by passions such as love, anger, and jealousy can have disastrous consequences, and that is what Iago is hoping for.
Othello Act II
Cassio: "Welcome, mistress. Let it not gall your patience, good Iago/ That I extend my manners. 'Tis my breeding/ That gives me this bold show of courtesy." II.i.96-99
During the second act, more characters are introduced, and foil characters are made known. Iago's main foil character is Cassio, his rival and the current lieutenant. While Iago is rude to women, conniving, and manipulative, Cassio is respectful, gallant, and a gentleman. These characters with opposite personalities are pitted against one another as Iago tries to obtain Cassio's position through manipulation and deceit. Roderigo is also a foil character to Cassio since Roderigo is a weak man, relying on Iago to solve his problems. With Iago offering him guidance, Roderigo commits acts of deceit as well to further Iago's plans. Iago and Roderigo, the manipulative characters, contrast with Othello and Cassio, the respected and valiant characters. Even though Roderigo works against the other characters, Iago is also controlling him. Through character interaction and dialogue, themes of jealousy, love, and power are introduced. These act as strong motivations to characters like Iago, Roderigo, Othello, and Cassio.
During the second act, more characters are introduced, and foil characters are made known. Iago's main foil character is Cassio, his rival and the current lieutenant. While Iago is rude to women, conniving, and manipulative, Cassio is respectful, gallant, and a gentleman. These characters with opposite personalities are pitted against one another as Iago tries to obtain Cassio's position through manipulation and deceit. Roderigo is also a foil character to Cassio since Roderigo is a weak man, relying on Iago to solve his problems. With Iago offering him guidance, Roderigo commits acts of deceit as well to further Iago's plans. Iago and Roderigo, the manipulative characters, contrast with Othello and Cassio, the respected and valiant characters. Even though Roderigo works against the other characters, Iago is also controlling him. Through character interaction and dialogue, themes of jealousy, love, and power are introduced. These act as strong motivations to characters like Iago, Roderigo, Othello, and Cassio.
Othello Act I
Iago: "In personal suit to make me his Lieutenant,/...'I have already chose my officer.'/...One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,..." (I.i.9,I.i.17,I.i.20)
In the first act, the reader meets the characters while they engage in a situation revolving around jealousy and love. The personalities and motivations of characters are also introduced, and the protagonist and antagonist can be identified. Early into the act, Iago stands out as the clear antagonist. He plots and manipulates in order to obtain the coveted role as lieutenant, using people at will in his plans. The protagonist appears to be Othello, a Moor renowned for his military accomplishments. Othello seems to be the unfortunate prey in Iago's plot since he did not make Iago his lieutenant.Othello is able to disregard the racism and bitterness directed at him, but Iago has a plan to undermine Othello's calm demeanor. Suspense is built by throwing the reader right into the middle of a conversation, quickly learning about the developing plans. From that conversation, the reader is able to see how the plan develops to ensure drama and revenge. Iago often speaks to the audience, letting them know of his plans. Unfortunately for the other characters, none of them know of Iago's true intentions or the entirety of his plot.
In the first act, the reader meets the characters while they engage in a situation revolving around jealousy and love. The personalities and motivations of characters are also introduced, and the protagonist and antagonist can be identified. Early into the act, Iago stands out as the clear antagonist. He plots and manipulates in order to obtain the coveted role as lieutenant, using people at will in his plans. The protagonist appears to be Othello, a Moor renowned for his military accomplishments. Othello seems to be the unfortunate prey in Iago's plot since he did not make Iago his lieutenant.Othello is able to disregard the racism and bitterness directed at him, but Iago has a plan to undermine Othello's calm demeanor. Suspense is built by throwing the reader right into the middle of a conversation, quickly learning about the developing plans. From that conversation, the reader is able to see how the plan develops to ensure drama and revenge. Iago often speaks to the audience, letting them know of his plans. Unfortunately for the other characters, none of them know of Iago's true intentions or the entirety of his plot.
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