"I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,
That she repeals him for her body's lust,
And by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all."
- II.iii.321-327
This quote comes from Iago and is another one of his soliloquies. With a play that does not give a lot of stage direction and does not have much action, dialogue has to be used to let the reader know what's going on. Shakespearre accomplishes this through Iago's soliloquies. These asides are what create suspense in the story. The characters in the story believe that Iago is an honest, trustworthy man. The reader knows that he is manipulating the other characters and is truly a jealous, selfish man. This leads to a lot of dramatic irony in the story, such as in Act 3 when Emilia thinks Iago wants the handkerchief to copy one for her, but really he is trying to set up Cassio and Othello. The suspense is created because the reader hears what Iago's plan is, and then they want to see how or if it carries out. Also, the reader wants to find out if Iago will be triumphant in his manipulation or will the characters soon discover his false persona.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Othello 2
"Thus do I ever make my fool my purse,
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit."
- I.iii.363-366
This quote is from Iago in his soliloquy at the end of Act 1. He is saying that he would be wasting his time with Roderigo if he didn't get something out of it in return. Iago just uses Roderigo for money and to use him in his plots against other people. This is an example of "appearance and reality are not always the same," because Roderigo thinks Iago is his good friend who is trying to help him out. The theme "jealousy is a powerful, often destructive force" is proven with Roderigo's jealousy of Othello, because he is married to Desdemona. He says he is in love with her and is on the brink of suicide because he is so jealous. "Hatred is often based on preconceived notions" is apparent with how people treat Othello. He is black so people assume certain things about him and hate him for what they do not know. Brabantio assumes that Othello had tricked his daughter into marrying him and hates him for this, when in reality she freely chose him. The last theme, "showing love can often require courage," is shown when Othello asks Desdemona to marry him behind her father's back. Also, Roderigo makes himself vulnerable by allowing Desdemona to know that he loves her. I think these themes will appear in Acts 4 and 5 as well.
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit."
- I.iii.363-366
This quote is from Iago in his soliloquy at the end of Act 1. He is saying that he would be wasting his time with Roderigo if he didn't get something out of it in return. Iago just uses Roderigo for money and to use him in his plots against other people. This is an example of "appearance and reality are not always the same," because Roderigo thinks Iago is his good friend who is trying to help him out. The theme "jealousy is a powerful, often destructive force" is proven with Roderigo's jealousy of Othello, because he is married to Desdemona. He says he is in love with her and is on the brink of suicide because he is so jealous. "Hatred is often based on preconceived notions" is apparent with how people treat Othello. He is black so people assume certain things about him and hate him for what they do not know. Brabantio assumes that Othello had tricked his daughter into marrying him and hates him for this, when in reality she freely chose him. The last theme, "showing love can often require courage," is shown when Othello asks Desdemona to marry him behind her father's back. Also, Roderigo makes himself vulnerable by allowing Desdemona to know that he loves her. I think these themes will appear in Acts 4 and 5 as well.
Othello 1
"I have told thee often, and
I retell thee again and again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted,
thine hath no less reason."
-I.iii.349-351
This quote is from Iago when he is talking to Roderigo about Othello. It is showing that Iago is the antagonist of the story. The point of view of the story is also told from Iago's perspective. This aspect makes Othello a unique story. In most of Shakespearre's plays and in most of literature, the point of view is from the protagonist. It is hard as a reader to choose sides or decide which character is favored. We know that Iago does not mean well and is a selfish character. However, since the story is being told from his point of view, we feel as if we are part of the manipulation, and I personally do not want to see him get caught. The reader knows Iago's motivation for his lies through his soliloquies. During these soliloquies, Iago talks directly to the reader, telling them the truth, and making them feel like they are a part of his plan. This also causes dramatic irony. The other characters trust Iago and think he is an honest man, but the reader knows what really is going on.
I retell thee again and again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted,
thine hath no less reason."
-I.iii.349-351
This quote is from Iago when he is talking to Roderigo about Othello. It is showing that Iago is the antagonist of the story. The point of view of the story is also told from Iago's perspective. This aspect makes Othello a unique story. In most of Shakespearre's plays and in most of literature, the point of view is from the protagonist. It is hard as a reader to choose sides or decide which character is favored. We know that Iago does not mean well and is a selfish character. However, since the story is being told from his point of view, we feel as if we are part of the manipulation, and I personally do not want to see him get caught. The reader knows Iago's motivation for his lies through his soliloquies. During these soliloquies, Iago talks directly to the reader, telling them the truth, and making them feel like they are a part of his plan. This also causes dramatic irony. The other characters trust Iago and think he is an honest man, but the reader knows what really is going on.
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