Happily Never After

I really did like reading Othello in class except I hate when the main characters die! It's really depressing. I think what is worse is the fact that Iago, the main cause of all of the conflicts, doesn't die. So, just a few comments about the play in general... I liked it, but I thought it was weird that all of the action took place in the very last scene. I'm not sure whether or not this had a more negative or positive effect on the overall view of the play. I thought that maybe some people would be less attracted to the play because it wasn't as exciting or thrilling as some others. However, I think saving all of the action definitely created suspense. This was even more effective because The audience can't see what is going on in Othello's head- they know that he is upset, but his plans on killing Desdemona weren't really made clear until he actually did so. Another thing I liked about the play was Desdemona's death scene. I think that it really spoke to her character that she remained loyal to Othello, even until death. in Act V scene ii lines 122-123 Emilia asks "Oh, who hath done this deed?" and Desdemona responds, protecting Othello by saying "Nobody, I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind Lord." Obviously, Desdemona was a true and honest wife, even until the end. One other random thing that stuck out to me when reading Act V was when Othello says (V.ii.346-347) "Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe"- This reminded me of good 'ole John Steinbeck. I dont know whether there is actually any relation between the two works or not, but this line does seem like the story line of The Pearl.

#5. As we discussed in class, there are several themes that are presented in this play. My group was given the theme "Jealousy is a dangerous and often destructive force" .. or something along those lines anyways. Though the other ones were probably important, I felt that this one was most fitting (and to be honest I really don't remember the others anyways). The whole plot of this play is centered around the jealousy of one person, Iago. By the end of the story Iago hopes to kill two people: Cassio- because he received Iago's desired position, and Othello- because he is insecure and thinks he is sleeping with Emilia (which I don't know why he even really cares because he is a jerk to her) and because Othello purposefully appointed Cassio as lieutenant. Even though Roderigo does attempt to kill Cassio, and it seems like he causes a great deal of the action in the story, Roderigo only acts in response to what Iago tells him to do. Iago is like a puppeteer, he controls everything that takes place within the story- especially the actions of Roderigo, Emilia, and Othello. I think that this theme has a major impact on the play- I wouldn't necessarily call it a positive impact because the result is everyone dying, but it is a significant impact. If Iago weren't moved by jealousy so much, I don't think any of this would have occurred. Most of these feelings are expressed right away, in the first scene of act one when Iago says "Oh, sir, content you, I follow him to serve my turn upon him." I.i.41-42. Iago goes on to say in the following lines that he hates Othello. He plans to get close to Othello (and Cassio, though he doesn't directly say it) and act as if he is his close friend. He wants to earn Othello's trust so that way he can manipulate him without ever being suspected.

He Said, She Said

#3 If I had to choose two characters who seemed to be the protagonist and antagonist in "Othello" I think I would say Othello and Desdemona are protagonists and Iago is the antagonist. Othello's character is a little more complicated however because he does end up killing Desdemona. However, throughout the the whole play Othello really has an inner conflict with himself. He struggles with the thought of Desdemona cheating on him. At the same time though, Iago is trying to turn Othello against Desdemona. It isn't until the last act that the audience actually hears Desdemona defend herself. Obviously, the minor characters serve important roles in this play. It is their characters that provide motives for a lot of the actions in the play. Roderigo serves as Iago's motive for getting rid of Cassio. Iago really wants to kill him in order to get revenge for Cassio becoming lieutenant instead of him, however, Iago convinces Roderigo to do his dirty work. Emilia is another important minor character. Her obedience to her husband Iago ultimately provides the evidence Othello is searching for when accusing Desdemona of being unfaithful. A lot of what the minor characters do or say provides the audience with key information that moves the plot along and provides motives behind what is happening. For example, one of Emilia's biggest roles in the play was giving Iago Desdemona's handkerchief. The audience knew that Iago had planned this because of what Emilia says, "What handkerchief! Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona, That which so often you did bid me steal." III.iii.308-310. Also, Bianca's role in returning the handkerchief to Cassio played a major part in the plot. This story depended on the lies, miscommunication, and deceit of all the characters.

Iago

I just really wanted to dedicate a full blog to Iago. Not only because his name is pretty cool (reminds me of Aladdin!), but because he really is a dynamic character. First of all he is rude. He knows he is rude. Every time he has an aside he reminds me of a modern day villain tapping their fingers together laughing maniacally. "But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, as honest as I am." (II.i.195-196). He is a two-timing evil loser. Although His measures do seem pretty drastic, I suppose he does have some pretty good motives for why he acts the way he does. #1 Paranoia. Iago is paranoid and crazy. Now, I do love her too, not out of absolute lust—though peradventure I stand accountant for as great a sin— but partly led to diet my revenge, for that I do suspect the lusty Moor hath leaped into my seat." (II.i.270-275). Another motive Iago has is #2 Jealousy. Iago begins the story by explaining the Roderigo that it is not fair that Othello did not choose him to be his lieutenant. "I know my price, I am worth no worse a place." (I.i.11) Iago believes he must seek revenge on Othello for not choosing him as his lieutenant. Finally, Iago's motive #3 Money. of course, now here is something that can relate to culture nowadays! Anyways, Iago has completely tricked Roderigo into paying him for advice and help for breaking Desdemona and Othello up. Shortly after Iago claims to be Roderigo's good friend, he makes this aside: "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse." (II.iii.363). Basically, Iago is an evil person. Hopefully, the theme of jealous that we discussed (it being that person's downfall) applies here.

doo doo doo doodoodoodoo doo.....

[response to #4] It seems like this play is full of waiting. The story begins with Iago and Roderigo standing outside Desdemona's home. They have decided to wake her father up and inform him that his daughter has run off with a Moor. In Iago's dialogue, even at the beginning of the story, he expresses his hatred for Othello and his plans to turn against him, "I follow him to serve my turn upon him." (I.i.42). Likewise, Desdemona's father is angry when he discovers his daughter has married Othello. The audience then has heard of Othello long before they are introduced to him. Othello's true reputation is much different than the one he credited with from Iago and Brabanito. In the same way, Desdemona is mentioned several times before the audience actually sees her. One of the most significant quotes which describes Desdemona is spoken by Cassio, "Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid that paragons description and wild fame, one that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,and in th' essential vesture of creation does tire the ingener." (II.i.61-64). The audience has, by now, hear a lot about the two main characters, but hasn't met them. Another sort of "suspense" is simply just waiting for the action to occur. As I mentioned in my last blog, so far this play is simply dialogue. The whole story is centered around past history each character has with another and therefore this history must be revealed in order for the audience to understand the motives behind the characters' actions. Therefore I believe the rest of the play will be much more exciting now that the audience is aware of who loves and hates one another.

blah.. blah.. blah...

[Response to #7 on pg 1119] Only a couple days have passed by Act 3. Although this may have been a very popular play at the time, I have a hunch that in modern times it would not be as well received. I say this because people nowadays are more interesting in action; they like drama, suspense, explosions. Really, the most intense moment that has happened thus far is the storm- and there is no way Shakespeare could have dramatized a storm on stage. Simply put, this play is one that you have to pay attention to. To really understand what is occurring in each scene you have to really pay attention to the dialogue. I think this is especially important because of the "double sided" personality of Iago. Iago comes across as Othello's noble ensign and servant. However, he even addresses himself as being a traitor, "I follow him to serve my turn upon him." (I.i.42) Iago is very deceiving. He uses Roderigo to get back at Othello by giving Roderigo the impression that he can somehow help Roderigo win over Desdemona. These things, among others, are only revealed in the dialogue and therefore it is important that the audience pay close attention. I think this makes the play feel somewhat tight because the audience is constantly listening for the plot. Unlike other Shakespearean plays, it is difficult to simply watch what is occurring because there is no goodnight kiss on the balcony or anyone being stabbed to death by a mob of angry conspirators. However, I believe that as the plot unfolds there may be more action. As we discussed in class, Jealousy is a destructive force- and so far Iago and Roderigo have identified themselves as very jealous people.