Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
During scene three of act three, Desdemona offers Othello a handkerchief to use that he had given her. He refuses to use it saying, "Your napkin is too little" (Shakespeare, Act III, iii, 288). After Othello refused the handkerchief, it dropped to the ground and Desdemona left forgetting to pick it up. This handkerchief is a symbol for Othello and Desdemona's love and trust for one another. By forgetting it on the ground, the couple forgets their trust in one another. Also, this shows that their love for one another may be unraveling. This handkerchief also reveals characteristics about Othello's heritage. Othello has maintained a mysterious persona in the play so far, but during this act readers learn more about his heritage when he explains the background of the handkerchief. Unfortunately, this romantic memento causes problems between the newly married couple later on in the act. Othello, suspecting Desdemona of infidelity, asks for the handkerchief, the symbol of their love. When Desdemona cannot immediately give it to him, he becomes irate and leaves furiously. At the end of the act, Cassio is seen giving the handkerchief to Bianca to copy. Replicating the embroidery of the handkerchief would be symbolic for duplicating Desdemona's love, which Othello would view as infidelity.
Showing posts with label Othello: Acts I-III. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Othello: Acts I-III. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Othello: Acts I-III
Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
In the beginning of Act III, Shakespeare provides the audience with comedic relief by introducing the clown. As one would suspect, this clown makes jokes that make the audience smile.
"Cassio: 'Dost thou hear, my honest friend? '
Clown: 'No, I hear not your honest friend, I hear you.'" (Shakespeare, Act III, i, 19-20)
One question that came to mind though was 'Why did Shakespeare include a clown in this story, and why is the clown important?'The clown draws attention to situations that are humorous or silly. Perhaps the clown holds relevance in this story to bring light to the ridiculous plot of the play. Iago seeks retribution on Othello because Othello promoted Cassio and Othello is rumored to be sleeping with Iago's wife. The rumor has no concrete evidence, but Iago seeks revenge anyway. Iago feels entitled to be the Lieutenant arguing that he is more qualified because he has more experience. His desire to be Lieutenant holds more reasonable weight than the rumor about his wife. Still, Iago's extreme desire for revenge seems humorous to the reader. By introducing the clown, Shakespeare helps the audience to recognize the humorous events of the play.
William Shakespeare
In the beginning of Act III, Shakespeare provides the audience with comedic relief by introducing the clown. As one would suspect, this clown makes jokes that make the audience smile.
"Cassio: 'Dost thou hear, my honest friend? '
Clown: 'No, I hear not your honest friend, I hear you.'" (Shakespeare, Act III, i, 19-20)
One question that came to mind though was 'Why did Shakespeare include a clown in this story, and why is the clown important?'The clown draws attention to situations that are humorous or silly. Perhaps the clown holds relevance in this story to bring light to the ridiculous plot of the play. Iago seeks retribution on Othello because Othello promoted Cassio and Othello is rumored to be sleeping with Iago's wife. The rumor has no concrete evidence, but Iago seeks revenge anyway. Iago feels entitled to be the Lieutenant arguing that he is more qualified because he has more experience. His desire to be Lieutenant holds more reasonable weight than the rumor about his wife. Still, Iago's extreme desire for revenge seems humorous to the reader. By introducing the clown, Shakespeare helps the audience to recognize the humorous events of the play.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Othello: Acts I-III
Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
As the play began, Iago explicitly stated his hatred toward Othello. As the reader may assume, Iago plans some form of revenge on Othello. However, Iago has not yet revealed his plan for revenge on Othello. Despite not knowing, the play has an ominous feel that Othello will soon face tragedy. "The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks/ That their designment halts" (Shakespeare, Act II, i, 21-22). This quote could foreshadow the demise that Othello will face. In this quote, the Turks could represent Othello, and the tempest could represent the trouble that Iago will cause. This quote may offer some hope for Othello, though, because the Turks only halt their plan because of the storm. The Turks are not completely annihilated by the storm. This may offer hope for Othello because his position as a military leader may be stopped, but he would still have his life.
William Shakespeare
As the play began, Iago explicitly stated his hatred toward Othello. As the reader may assume, Iago plans some form of revenge on Othello. However, Iago has not yet revealed his plan for revenge on Othello. Despite not knowing, the play has an ominous feel that Othello will soon face tragedy. "The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks/ That their designment halts" (Shakespeare, Act II, i, 21-22). This quote could foreshadow the demise that Othello will face. In this quote, the Turks could represent Othello, and the tempest could represent the trouble that Iago will cause. This quote may offer some hope for Othello, though, because the Turks only halt their plan because of the storm. The Turks are not completely annihilated by the storm. This may offer hope for Othello because his position as a military leader may be stopped, but he would still have his life.
Othello: Acts I-III
Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
As the play begins, Iago displays his villainous character to the audience by speaking with Roderigo about his hate towards Othello. In the first scene, Iago advises Roderigo to tell Desdemona's father Brabantio about her relationship with Othello. The news upsets Brabantio greatly, and he calls for a search for his daughter and Othello. In the following scene, the audience sees Iago talking with Othello. "And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms/Against your honor/That, with the little godliness I have,/ I did full hard forbear him" (Shakespeare, Act I, ii, 7-10). In this quote, Iago is telling Othello that he defended Othello's honor from Brabantio's remarks after he found out about Othello's marriage. In this moment of "kindness" from Iago, the audience sees dramatic irony. The audience knows that Iago looks for revenge against Othello, but in this scene, Othello only sees the kind deed of Iago. This dramatic irony makes the reader feel sympathy for Othello because his trusting character will be abused by the villainous Iago. However, the audience may also hold reservations about giving Othello sympathy because he is naive enough to believe Iago, when the audience can plainly see that Iago is tricking Othello.
William Shakespeare
As the play begins, Iago displays his villainous character to the audience by speaking with Roderigo about his hate towards Othello. In the first scene, Iago advises Roderigo to tell Desdemona's father Brabantio about her relationship with Othello. The news upsets Brabantio greatly, and he calls for a search for his daughter and Othello. In the following scene, the audience sees Iago talking with Othello. "And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms/Against your honor/That, with the little godliness I have,/ I did full hard forbear him" (Shakespeare, Act I, ii, 7-10). In this quote, Iago is telling Othello that he defended Othello's honor from Brabantio's remarks after he found out about Othello's marriage. In this moment of "kindness" from Iago, the audience sees dramatic irony. The audience knows that Iago looks for revenge against Othello, but in this scene, Othello only sees the kind deed of Iago. This dramatic irony makes the reader feel sympathy for Othello because his trusting character will be abused by the villainous Iago. However, the audience may also hold reservations about giving Othello sympathy because he is naive enough to believe Iago, when the audience can plainly see that Iago is tricking Othello.
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