Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
After much anticipation, the climax of the play occurs and then the play comes to a grinding halt. Within the last act, Cassio kills Roderigo while Iago secretly injures Cassio. Othello murders Desdemona. Gratiano reveals that Brabantio died of grief. Iago attempts to kill Emilia and succeeds when Othello charges at Iago. Iago escapes but then is captured, and Othello stabs Iago then kills himself. Luckily, Lodovico and Gratiano witnessed most of these events and could hold Iago accountable for his crimes. This list of deaths resulted from a lack of communication. Iago deceived all those around him, yet he is one of the few character left living at the end of the play. Had Othello held an honest and open conversation with his wife, rather than jumping straight to the worst conclusion, he would have learned that his wife was purely devoted to him. Also, if Othello held direct conversations honestly and openly with Cassio, he would have learned that Cassio had never had an affair with Desdemona. Cassio spoke of his relationship with Bianca, not with Desdemona. Othello could have discerned the difference if he had spoken directly to Cassio rather than hiding in the background of Cassio's conversation with Iago. After Emilia reveals what her husband has done, Iago's true nature shines. The characters no longer see him as honest Iago but "a notorious villain" (V, ii, 237).
Showing posts with label Othello: Acts IV-V. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Othello: Acts IV-V. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Othello: Acts IV and V
Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
By the end of the play, Emilia proves to be a dynamic character. At the beginning of the play, Emilia would not speak against her husband or other men. She seemed to be passive and somewhat insignificant. By the end of the play, her role grew. After accidentally interrupting Desdemona's murder, Emilia passionately argued against Othello that Desdemona was an honest and pure woman. Othello counters Emilia's argument by stating that Iago first told him of Desdemona's infidelity. 'If he say so, may his pernicious soul Rot half a grain a day! He lies to the heart. She was to fond of her most filthy bargain" (V, ii, 154-156). Here, Emilia dangerously stated that Desdemona's marriage to Othello was "filthy", and Desdemona should have married a better man than Othello. Emelia also spoke against her husband, revealing how she found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago. This was also a risky statement because Iago drew his sword to silence Emelia; luckily, Graziano stopped Iago from this initial blow. In these two examples, Emilia shows her growth in confidence to speak her thoughts against those 'superior' to her. In doing so, she displays herself as a dynamic character.
William Shakespeare
By the end of the play, Emilia proves to be a dynamic character. At the beginning of the play, Emilia would not speak against her husband or other men. She seemed to be passive and somewhat insignificant. By the end of the play, her role grew. After accidentally interrupting Desdemona's murder, Emilia passionately argued against Othello that Desdemona was an honest and pure woman. Othello counters Emilia's argument by stating that Iago first told him of Desdemona's infidelity. 'If he say so, may his pernicious soul Rot half a grain a day! He lies to the heart. She was to fond of her most filthy bargain" (V, ii, 154-156). Here, Emilia dangerously stated that Desdemona's marriage to Othello was "filthy", and Desdemona should have married a better man than Othello. Emelia also spoke against her husband, revealing how she found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago. This was also a risky statement because Iago drew his sword to silence Emelia; luckily, Graziano stopped Iago from this initial blow. In these two examples, Emilia shows her growth in confidence to speak her thoughts against those 'superior' to her. In doing so, she displays herself as a dynamic character.
Othello: Acts IV and V
Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
Iago continues to manipulate other characters as the play continues. Again, Roderigo approaches Iago to complain that he has yet to start a relationship with Desdemona. Roderigo, who has paid large sums of money to Iago, complains that he has not gotten the results that he has spent the money for. Roderigo complaining to Iago about not seeing the results of his work has been a reoccurring scene throughout the play. In addition, Iago consistently reassures Roderigo that in time he will have a relationship with Desdemona. Also, Iago continues his speech to the point of manipulating Roderigo to do Iago's dirty work. Earlier, Roderigo picked a drunken fight with Cassio, and now Roderigo confronted Cassio to kill him. "I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him" (IV, ii, 230-231). Because Iago continues to successfully manipulate Roderigo, Roderigo stays as a static character. In addition, Iago is a static character because he continues to manipulate Roderigo in the same way as earlier scenes in the play.
William Shakespeare
Iago continues to manipulate other characters as the play continues. Again, Roderigo approaches Iago to complain that he has yet to start a relationship with Desdemona. Roderigo, who has paid large sums of money to Iago, complains that he has not gotten the results that he has spent the money for. Roderigo complaining to Iago about not seeing the results of his work has been a reoccurring scene throughout the play. In addition, Iago consistently reassures Roderigo that in time he will have a relationship with Desdemona. Also, Iago continues his speech to the point of manipulating Roderigo to do Iago's dirty work. Earlier, Roderigo picked a drunken fight with Cassio, and now Roderigo confronted Cassio to kill him. "I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him" (IV, ii, 230-231). Because Iago continues to successfully manipulate Roderigo, Roderigo stays as a static character. In addition, Iago is a static character because he continues to manipulate Roderigo in the same way as earlier scenes in the play.
Othello: Acts IV and V
Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
In scene one of act four, Othello shows a very different side to his personality. Before he began to doubt his wife's faithfulness, Othello held a very calm, composed and poised demeanor. For example, when Cassio began to fight with other soldiers, Othello calmed the troops and ended the struggle with poise and confidence. When his wife awoke, he turned to her lovingly and gently returned with her to their room. In act four, Othello has become anxious, jealous, and angry. He suspects that his wife of infidelity, and during a conversation between the couple about Cassio, Othello hits Desdemona. This sudden irate action shows a change in Othello's character. Earlier in the play, Iago warned Othello, "Oh, beware, my lord, of Jealousy./It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock/The meat it feeds on" (III, iii, 166-168). This quote foreshadows that Othello's jealousy will eventually ruin his life. In seeing Othello hitting Desdemona, the audience sees that this moment of foreshadowing is in the process of happening, and Othello will soon meet his demise. This change in demeanor also shows that Othello is a dynamic character. Unfortunately, he is changing for the worse.
William Shakespeare
In scene one of act four, Othello shows a very different side to his personality. Before he began to doubt his wife's faithfulness, Othello held a very calm, composed and poised demeanor. For example, when Cassio began to fight with other soldiers, Othello calmed the troops and ended the struggle with poise and confidence. When his wife awoke, he turned to her lovingly and gently returned with her to their room. In act four, Othello has become anxious, jealous, and angry. He suspects that his wife of infidelity, and during a conversation between the couple about Cassio, Othello hits Desdemona. This sudden irate action shows a change in Othello's character. Earlier in the play, Iago warned Othello, "Oh, beware, my lord, of Jealousy./It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock/The meat it feeds on" (III, iii, 166-168). This quote foreshadows that Othello's jealousy will eventually ruin his life. In seeing Othello hitting Desdemona, the audience sees that this moment of foreshadowing is in the process of happening, and Othello will soon meet his demise. This change in demeanor also shows that Othello is a dynamic character. Unfortunately, he is changing for the worse.
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