Jim: "And everybody has problems, not just you, but practically everybody has got some problems. You think of yourself as having the only problems, as being the only one who is disappointed. But just look around you and you will see lots of people as disappointed as you are."
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 7, pg. 1277
"In what ways and in what sense is Jim more "realistic" than the Wingfields? Does that mean that he is without delusions? Of what is he symbolic?
I think that Jim was more realistic that the Wingfields because his words and thoughts were actually rational. Jim had ambitions that were attainable, whereas Tom had ambitions that didn't have an actual goal. Jim also showed genuine feelings toward others. He was the only one to tell Laura that she was beautiful, that she had worth, and that she should not be so shy because she has many redeeming qualities. He is the only character that was able to plant an ounce of confidence within her. I don't think that Jim was delusional. He was realistic and he knew what he was talking about. At the beginning of the play he was considered to be a symbol of that long-delayed but always expected something we live for. This describes Jim perfectly. Without Jim's appearance in the play, the reality of the Wingfield's lives would not have been recognized by the Wingfield's. Jim was able to demonstrate to them that they were indeed living in a world of illusions. It seems that Jim's visit prompted Amanda to believe that maybe Laura would be single her entire life-but that would be okay; it seemed to have prompted Tom to take the initiative to finally leave home and pursue something larger than his current life; lastly Jim showed Laura that she should think more highly of herself. Although he left the dinner abruptly after announcing that he was engaged, I think that this revelation was still good for the family. Not everything is going to turn out like it's supposed to. Jim is able to portray this to the family. They can only hope for the best. Jim is the realistic character that altered the Wingfield's views on their life; he is the change that they had all been waiting for, even though they didn't realize it.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tom and Laura
Tom: "Her not speaking-is that such a tragedy?"
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 4, pg. 1249
Tom is a rather complicated character. On one hand, he is harsh, blunt, blatant, and often annoyed by his family. On the other hand, he can sometimes be sincere, sympathetic, and caring towards his family. These contradicting characteristics can classify him as a round character. Sometimes I feel sorry for Tom because he is forced to stay at home until Laura finds a husband that can take care of her. He claims that he wants adventure and that he would like to move away from his home and expand his horizons outside of the warehouse, but he cannot for he is trapped at home watching over his mother and sister. It's not until the end of the play that Tom takes the incentive to leave home and leave behind the familiarity of his life. I find Tom's leaving home to be ironic. Earlier in the play in Scene 3 Tom said: "If self is what I thought of, Mother, I'd be where he is-GONE" (iii.1247). Tom alludes to the fact that his father's selfishness led him to desert his family, yet Tom himself seems to have done the exact same thing to his family. Tom's reasonings may have been different from his father's-Tom wanting to explore new things while his father's motives are unknown-but the two still had one thing in common: their selfishness overcame their desire to care for their own family.
Laura is rather different than Tom in that she would never desire to leave the familiarity of her life. She is perfectly content sitting at home with all of her glass figurines. She seems to have no desire to even pursue a life with deeper meaning, happiness, and success than her current life. Laura's conditions cause her to feel this way. She is mentally trapped in a made up world of glass figurines where everything is predictable. She also feels physically trapped by her leg ailment. These two situations combined lead Laura to feel as though her life has no reason to be grand and wonderful; she is a poor girl that simply cannot do anything for herself. She's rather helpless. I hope that Jim's kind advice to her that she should have some confidence in herself sticks with her into her later life. The girl needs a little confidence boost.
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 4, pg. 1249
Tom is a rather complicated character. On one hand, he is harsh, blunt, blatant, and often annoyed by his family. On the other hand, he can sometimes be sincere, sympathetic, and caring towards his family. These contradicting characteristics can classify him as a round character. Sometimes I feel sorry for Tom because he is forced to stay at home until Laura finds a husband that can take care of her. He claims that he wants adventure and that he would like to move away from his home and expand his horizons outside of the warehouse, but he cannot for he is trapped at home watching over his mother and sister. It's not until the end of the play that Tom takes the incentive to leave home and leave behind the familiarity of his life. I find Tom's leaving home to be ironic. Earlier in the play in Scene 3 Tom said: "If self is what I thought of, Mother, I'd be where he is-GONE" (iii.1247). Tom alludes to the fact that his father's selfishness led him to desert his family, yet Tom himself seems to have done the exact same thing to his family. Tom's reasonings may have been different from his father's-Tom wanting to explore new things while his father's motives are unknown-but the two still had one thing in common: their selfishness overcame their desire to care for their own family.
Laura is rather different than Tom in that she would never desire to leave the familiarity of her life. She is perfectly content sitting at home with all of her glass figurines. She seems to have no desire to even pursue a life with deeper meaning, happiness, and success than her current life. Laura's conditions cause her to feel this way. She is mentally trapped in a made up world of glass figurines where everything is predictable. She also feels physically trapped by her leg ailment. These two situations combined lead Laura to feel as though her life has no reason to be grand and wonderful; she is a poor girl that simply cannot do anything for herself. She's rather helpless. I hope that Jim's kind advice to her that she should have some confidence in herself sticks with her into her later life. The girl needs a little confidence boost.
Amanda the Worrier
Amanda: "I'll tell you what I wished for on the moon. Success and happiness for my precious children! I wish for that whenever there's a moon, and when there isn't a moon, I wish for it, too."
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 5, pg. 1256
Amanda Wingfield, the mother of Laura and Tom, is immediately classified as a nervous woman with a life of paranoia. This characteristic is portrayed throughout the play through many of the different statements that she makes toward her children. First off, Amanda seems to have a chronic worry about her children's success and future lives. In the quote above she says that she frequently wishes for success and happiness for her children. It seems to be all she really wants in her life. At this point in her life, Amanda feels the need to keep the family together since her husband has run away. Too many things have gone wrong in her life and she doesn't want it to get in the way of her children's future lives as well. She is rather preoccupied with Laura and Tom's futures because they seem to lack ambition. Laura stays at home tending to her glass sculptures, while Tom slips out of the house during the night to supposedly go to the movies. Upon discovering that Laura is skipping classes at the business college and due to her argument with Tom over his whereabouts, Amanda's worries concerning her two children grow deeper. Amanda has a fear that Tom may end up like his father and become drunk, selfish, and then leave the family. She worries over his smoking habits and instincts of being a man that is "a lover, a hunter, and a fighter" (iv.1253). She desperately wishes her children were normal and that they were married, polite, sociable, outgoing, and, overall well-liked.
Amanda's worries concerning her children seem to be caused by a few different past events. First off, the fact that her husband left has impacted her constant paranoia. His running off has caused the family to be a little less stable and independent. But also, her worries may be rooted in her past. She had a lovely childhood and young life. She constantly reminisces about her time with all of her gentleman callers. When Jim O'Connor comes over, Amanda pulls out one of her old dresses and relives her own gentleman caller days. Amanda's past experiences have given her high expectations of her daughter Laura. She expects that Laura should have men lining outside their door to come and meet her. Because this is not the case, Amanda worries about Laura and tries to ignore the fact that she is crippled. By reverting back to her past memories, Amanda is able to cling to what was once happy and attempts to make Laura feel the same way toward gentleman callers, in hopes that she is happy one day too.
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 5, pg. 1256
Amanda Wingfield, the mother of Laura and Tom, is immediately classified as a nervous woman with a life of paranoia. This characteristic is portrayed throughout the play through many of the different statements that she makes toward her children. First off, Amanda seems to have a chronic worry about her children's success and future lives. In the quote above she says that she frequently wishes for success and happiness for her children. It seems to be all she really wants in her life. At this point in her life, Amanda feels the need to keep the family together since her husband has run away. Too many things have gone wrong in her life and she doesn't want it to get in the way of her children's future lives as well. She is rather preoccupied with Laura and Tom's futures because they seem to lack ambition. Laura stays at home tending to her glass sculptures, while Tom slips out of the house during the night to supposedly go to the movies. Upon discovering that Laura is skipping classes at the business college and due to her argument with Tom over his whereabouts, Amanda's worries concerning her two children grow deeper. Amanda has a fear that Tom may end up like his father and become drunk, selfish, and then leave the family. She worries over his smoking habits and instincts of being a man that is "a lover, a hunter, and a fighter" (iv.1253). She desperately wishes her children were normal and that they were married, polite, sociable, outgoing, and, overall well-liked.
Amanda's worries concerning her children seem to be caused by a few different past events. First off, the fact that her husband left has impacted her constant paranoia. His running off has caused the family to be a little less stable and independent. But also, her worries may be rooted in her past. She had a lovely childhood and young life. She constantly reminisces about her time with all of her gentleman callers. When Jim O'Connor comes over, Amanda pulls out one of her old dresses and relives her own gentleman caller days. Amanda's past experiences have given her high expectations of her daughter Laura. She expects that Laura should have men lining outside their door to come and meet her. Because this is not the case, Amanda worries about Laura and tries to ignore the fact that she is crippled. By reverting back to her past memories, Amanda is able to cling to what was once happy and attempts to make Laura feel the same way toward gentleman callers, in hopes that she is happy one day too.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
As You Like It: Comedy
Rosalind: "Alas, what danger will it be to us,
Maids as we are, to travel forth so far!
Beauty proveketh thieves sooner than gold" (I.iii.15).
Though this play was considered a comedy, I found few parts of it to be comedic. It was amusing that Rosalind and Celia dressed as men to disguise their beauty, which in turn caused a woman to fall in love with Rosalind, but other than that nothing else stood out too much. The way that the characters so suddenly fell in love with one another could be considered comedic I guess. Compared to Othello, this play was much different. First off, Othello was a tragedy while this play was a comedy. In Othello, pretty much most of the characters died. Meanwhile, these characters all seemed to just fall in love with someone else. Also, in Othello, I felt like there was a more central, defined theme--that jealousy is a destructive force. In As You Like It, the only theme I can describe this story is that love is complicated. We discussed in class that Shakespeare created this romantic comedy play to please his audience and provide them with something other than a tragedy-something they wanted (hence the title? As you like it?). Yet now that I have finished both of these plays, I have to say that Othello was more entertaining to me. There was a lot more drama and suspense in that play and in As You Like It, the action was less suspenseful and there was not really any defined antagonist or protagonist. Many of the characters underwent some type of conversion (ie Duke Frederick & Oliver) so that no antagonist existed. In conclusion, tragedy > comedy
Maids as we are, to travel forth so far!
Beauty proveketh thieves sooner than gold" (I.iii.15).
Though this play was considered a comedy, I found few parts of it to be comedic. It was amusing that Rosalind and Celia dressed as men to disguise their beauty, which in turn caused a woman to fall in love with Rosalind, but other than that nothing else stood out too much. The way that the characters so suddenly fell in love with one another could be considered comedic I guess. Compared to Othello, this play was much different. First off, Othello was a tragedy while this play was a comedy. In Othello, pretty much most of the characters died. Meanwhile, these characters all seemed to just fall in love with someone else. Also, in Othello, I felt like there was a more central, defined theme--that jealousy is a destructive force. In As You Like It, the only theme I can describe this story is that love is complicated. We discussed in class that Shakespeare created this romantic comedy play to please his audience and provide them with something other than a tragedy-something they wanted (hence the title? As you like it?). Yet now that I have finished both of these plays, I have to say that Othello was more entertaining to me. There was a lot more drama and suspense in that play and in As You Like It, the action was less suspenseful and there was not really any defined antagonist or protagonist. Many of the characters underwent some type of conversion (ie Duke Frederick & Oliver) so that no antagonist existed. In conclusion, tragedy > comedy
Dynamic Characters
Oliver: "O that your Highness knew my heart in this!
I never loved my brother in my life" (III.i.34).
Oliver is one of the dynamic characters that changes as a result of the story's action. At the beginning of the play, he wanted to sabotage his brother Orlando. He wants his brother to lose in the wrestling match against the mighty Charles and he wishes pain upon his brother. When Orlando beat Charles in the wrestling match, Oliver is furious. According to Adam, Oliver planned, "To burn the lodging where [Orlando] used to lie, And [him] within it: if [Oliver] fail of that, He will have other means to cut [Orlando] off." (II.iii.21). Yet in Act III, Duke Frederick tells Oliver that he will be the one that dies if he doesn't find Orlando. Oliver starts to feel remorseful for how he treated his own brother and how he threatened to kill him, once he realized how it felt to be threatened. As a result, in Act IV, Oliver seeks out his brother and and delivers the bloody napkin to Rosalind for Orlando. His attitude toward his younger brother is changes due to his realization of what it feels like to be threatened.
Another dynamic character in As You Like It was Jaques. He seems to have two different sides to him. On one hand, "The melancholy Jaques" grieves at the sight of a dead deer (II.i.18). He is rather emotional and yet he is carefree when he is with Amiens, encouraging him to continue singing songs. To me, Jaques seems easily inclined toward different emotions--He is excited upon telling Duke Senior about how he met a fool in the forest and he gives a huge explanation about his encounter with the fool. Yet, the other side to Jaques is a more serious side, which contrasts what the audience is previously exposed to. His "All the world's a stage" speech is one of the most famous Shakespeare speeches, and it's somewhat surprising that it is given the character Jaques, because it is not the type of speech one would expect from him. Nonetheless, Shakespeare shows that Jaques is a dynamic character through Jaque's ability to discuss the seven stages of human life in a rather profound fashion.
I never loved my brother in my life" (III.i.34).
Oliver is one of the dynamic characters that changes as a result of the story's action. At the beginning of the play, he wanted to sabotage his brother Orlando. He wants his brother to lose in the wrestling match against the mighty Charles and he wishes pain upon his brother. When Orlando beat Charles in the wrestling match, Oliver is furious. According to Adam, Oliver planned, "To burn the lodging where [Orlando] used to lie, And [him] within it: if [Oliver] fail of that, He will have other means to cut [Orlando] off." (II.iii.21). Yet in Act III, Duke Frederick tells Oliver that he will be the one that dies if he doesn't find Orlando. Oliver starts to feel remorseful for how he treated his own brother and how he threatened to kill him, once he realized how it felt to be threatened. As a result, in Act IV, Oliver seeks out his brother and and delivers the bloody napkin to Rosalind for Orlando. His attitude toward his younger brother is changes due to his realization of what it feels like to be threatened.
Another dynamic character in As You Like It was Jaques. He seems to have two different sides to him. On one hand, "The melancholy Jaques" grieves at the sight of a dead deer (II.i.18). He is rather emotional and yet he is carefree when he is with Amiens, encouraging him to continue singing songs. To me, Jaques seems easily inclined toward different emotions--He is excited upon telling Duke Senior about how he met a fool in the forest and he gives a huge explanation about his encounter with the fool. Yet, the other side to Jaques is a more serious side, which contrasts what the audience is previously exposed to. His "All the world's a stage" speech is one of the most famous Shakespeare speeches, and it's somewhat surprising that it is given the character Jaques, because it is not the type of speech one would expect from him. Nonetheless, Shakespeare shows that Jaques is a dynamic character through Jaque's ability to discuss the seven stages of human life in a rather profound fashion.
It's Complicated
Phebe: "Dead shepherd, now I find thy saw of might
Who ever loved that not at first sight?" (III.v.53)
Today in class the theme that we explored was that love is complicated and it messes with people's minds. Throughout As You Like It this theme was scene in all the relationships that ending up forming rather quickly. Phebe fell in love with Ganymede/Rosalind upon first meeting 'him,' and though Phebe tries to convince herself that she doesn't love Ganymede, it is evident that she is in love with him by her above words and also when she states, "For no ill will I bear you" (III.v.52). Phebe isn't the only character that fell in love at first sight though. Orlando and Rosalind also love each other upon their first encounter. When Rosalind gives Orlando a chain from her neck, the two are even more drawn to one another. Oliver and Celia are another pair that quickly fall in love. Their relationship or interest in one another was never mentioned before Act V but suddenly in scene II, Oliver says "I love Aliena" (V.ii.69). Many of the relationships in As You Like It are rather sudden and seem to be more based off of infatuation feelings rather than true love. Another example of how love is complicated is when Touchstone wants to marry Audrey, yet he talks about how he plans to separate with her after the marriage. Touchstone wants Sir Oliver Martext to marry Audrey and he "for he is not likely to marry well; and not being well married, it will be a good excuse hereafter to leave [his] wife" (III.iii.48). The only reason Touchstone wants to marry Audrey is for selfish reasons...and because he desires her "sluttishness" (III.iii.47). The only person that seems to be genuinely in love with anyone is Silvius and his love for Phebe: "So holy and so perfect is my love" (III.v.53). He seems to actually love Phebe, but Phebe is too preoccupied with her sudden interest in Ganymede, which is a woman...Overall, the concept of love in this play is unrealistic. The marriages all occur rather suddenly and the couples don't seem to know the meaning of true love.
Who ever loved that not at first sight?" (III.v.53)
Today in class the theme that we explored was that love is complicated and it messes with people's minds. Throughout As You Like It this theme was scene in all the relationships that ending up forming rather quickly. Phebe fell in love with Ganymede/Rosalind upon first meeting 'him,' and though Phebe tries to convince herself that she doesn't love Ganymede, it is evident that she is in love with him by her above words and also when she states, "For no ill will I bear you" (III.v.52). Phebe isn't the only character that fell in love at first sight though. Orlando and Rosalind also love each other upon their first encounter. When Rosalind gives Orlando a chain from her neck, the two are even more drawn to one another. Oliver and Celia are another pair that quickly fall in love. Their relationship or interest in one another was never mentioned before Act V but suddenly in scene II, Oliver says "I love Aliena" (V.ii.69). Many of the relationships in As You Like It are rather sudden and seem to be more based off of infatuation feelings rather than true love. Another example of how love is complicated is when Touchstone wants to marry Audrey, yet he talks about how he plans to separate with her after the marriage. Touchstone wants Sir Oliver Martext to marry Audrey and he "for he is not likely to marry well; and not being well married, it will be a good excuse hereafter to leave [his] wife" (III.iii.48). The only reason Touchstone wants to marry Audrey is for selfish reasons...and because he desires her "sluttishness" (III.iii.47). The only person that seems to be genuinely in love with anyone is Silvius and his love for Phebe: "So holy and so perfect is my love" (III.v.53). He seems to actually love Phebe, but Phebe is too preoccupied with her sudden interest in Ganymede, which is a woman...Overall, the concept of love in this play is unrealistic. The marriages all occur rather suddenly and the couples don't seem to know the meaning of true love.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Hatred: A Universal Theme
In the drama Othello, the Moor of Venice, written by Shakespeare, many themes
are prevalent throughout the storyline. One of the most timeless themes that is used
in this play is that hatred is often based on preconceived notions. Though this is true of
Othello, the theme that humans may easily be prone to hatred towards others is
also shown in other works. In the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and the classic
Disney movie Snow White, this theme of hatred is also portrayed. In Othello, the main
character Iago defines his hatred of Othello the Moor as “hearted” (I.iii.350). The
antagonists in each of these works develop a heartfelt hatred toward someone based
on pre-judgments and other notions of some character. The hatred that these antagonists
in these different works experience causes them to act irrationally so they themselves
may stand out. Hatred motivates characters to seek revenge against others and it leads
to sabotage and conflict in the plot.
In Othello, the antagonist Iago has hatred based on preconceived
notions towards many of the other characters, such as Cassio
and Othello. Iago hates Cassio because he received the position as Lieutenant,
the position to which Iago had hoped he would be promoted. On the other hand,
Iago’s hatred of Othello is rooted in several different reasons., Iago hates Othello based on the fact that he is a Moor; Iago calls Othello a “Barbary horse” to dehumanize him and show that he posseses no more dignity than that of an animal (I.i.110). Furthermore Iago despises Othello because of the rumor that he has “twixt sheets” with his wife Emilia. ( I.ii.367). Lastly, Iago abhors Othello for he is the one that favored Cassio for the position of Lieutenant rather than he. Iago’s hatred of Othello and Cassio caused him to hatch a plan to betray the two of them. By convincing Othello that his wife Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio, Iago successfullywreaked havoc among the characters. Othello was angry with Desdemona for her rumored infidelity to him while Cassio, Othello’s beloved Lieutenant, was scorned by Othello for being a cheating,
deceiving liar. In the final act of the play, Othello was driven mad by all the
rumors and events that occurred because of Iago. Othello became so overcome with
all of the rumors, infidelity, and lies that he ended up killing himself. Iago’s initial
hatred towards Cassio and Othello motivated him to unleash his emotions in a
plot of revenge. Due to Iago’s hatred of these characters, much conflict arose and
Iago’s feelings had the power to influence the lives of the other characters in the play.
deceiving liar. In the final act of the play, Othello was driven mad by all the
rumors and events that occurred because of Iago. Othello became so overcome with
all of the rumors, infidelity, and lies that he ended up killing himself. Iago’s initial
hatred towards Cassio and Othello motivated him to unleash his emotions in a
plot of revenge. Due to Iago’s hatred of these characters, much conflict arose and
Iago’s feelings had the power to influence the lives of the other characters in the play.
Similar to Iago, the queen and antagonist in Snow White also
has intense feelings of hatred toward other characters. In this movie
she yearns to be the beautiful queen that is “the fairest of them all”
(Snow White). When the mirror on the wall says, “Roses are red: violets are
blue. The best-looking babe is someone else, not you,” she develops instant
hatred for the woman who is considered to be more beautiful than she
(Snow White). When the queen realizes that Snow White, her own step-daughter, is the one that is considered more attractive and appealing than herself, an intense feeling of hatred toward her step-daughter is engendered in her. The queen’s hatred for Snow White causes her to take action against her young beautiful step-daughter. The queen transforms herself as a witch and travels into the forest to find Snow White. She tracks down Snow White and then gives her a poisonous apple. The queen said that, “When she breaks the tender peel to taste the apple in my hand, her breath will still, her blood congeal. Then I'll be the fairest in the land” (Snow White). The queen
hated the fact that Snow White, with “perfect white skin, [and] no age spots”
was the most beautiful of all the land so she decided that killing her was the only
way to mend the situation (Snow White). The queen had been working on her image
so that she could claim the title “Fairest of them All,” and when it turned out that this
title was not bestowed upon her, she sought vengeance on innocent
Snow White (Snow White).
Here is a snippet of some of the script from Snow White: Click Here!
hated the fact that Snow White, with “perfect white skin, [and] no age spots”
was the most beautiful of all the land so she decided that killing her was the only
way to mend the situation (Snow White). The queen had been working on her image
so that she could claim the title “Fairest of them All,” and when it turned out that this
title was not bestowed upon her, she sought vengeance on innocent
Snow White (Snow White).
Here is a snippet of some of the script from Snow White: Click Here!
Lastly, in Harry Potter, one of the antagonists of the novels, Severus
Snape, has strong feelings of hatred toward Harry Potter. Throughout the Harry
Potter series, Snape regards Harry as incompetent, precisely like his own father.
Snape often gives Harry detention for anything from roaming the corridors to making
a mistake while concocting a potion in Snape’s class. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood
Prince, Snape goes on a rant about his hatred for the boy in which he says: "Of course,
it became apparent to me very quickly that he had no extraordinary talent at all. He has
fought his way out of a number of tight corners by a simple combination of sheer luck and
more talented friends. He is mediocre to the last degree, though as obnoxious and
self-satisfied as was his father before him. I have done my utmost to have him thrown
out of Hogwarts, where I believe he scarcely belongs.” (Rowling, J.K.). It is obvious that
Snape despises Harry’s presence, actions, and abilities. Snape’s hate for Harry is often
misunderstood and it does not become clear as to why he truly hates Harry until the
final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, reveals the true reasons for Snape’s hatred for Harry. In the seventh book of the series, Snape’s memories show that he hates Harry based on the fact that he is James Potter’s son. James Potter was severely hated by Snape because he stole Lily Potter from him, Harry’s mother, whom Snape fell in love with at a very young age. Knowing that Harry was the son of the selfish, pompous, conceited James Potter, Snape inflicted feelings of hatred on Harry all of his years at Hogwarts. Antagonists often will be led to exert their power over others by means of hatred, one of the strongest human emotions. Severus Snape allowed hatred to control
his actions and feelings toward Harry, and unfortunately hatred tends to cause humans
to destroy relationships with others. Hatred based on preconceived notions is a theme
that will remain present in humankind until the end of time.
his actions and feelings toward Harry, and unfortunately hatred tends to cause humans
to destroy relationships with others. Hatred based on preconceived notions is a theme
that will remain present in humankind until the end of time.
Snape's story
Works Cited:
Rowling, J. K., and Mary GrandPré. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine, 2005. Print.
Snow White. Dir. RKO Radio Pictures. Disney, 1937. Videocassette.
Perrine, Laurence. “Othello.” Perrine’s Literature: Structures, Sound, and Sense. Fort Worth.
Harcourt College. 2002. 1361-1462. Print.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Secrets secrets
Lyrics
The song that I have chosen that relates to a conflict in Othello is Our Lips Are Sealed. This song is by the Go-Go's. At first it may seem as though there is a not a huge connection between Shakespeare and the Go-Go's, but a look at the lyrics reveals otherwise. In this song, someone is "telling lies" and it is "no surprise." Iago can be compared to this person. He tells lies about others and knowing his character and inclination to jealousy, it is really no surprise that he creates rumors about Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, etc.
Next the chorus reveals Roderigo and Iago's secret pact:
"It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed"
This relates to Othello because Roderigo went along with the jealous games that Iago played. He obeyed Iago's requests so that he could get back together with Desdemona. Throughout all of Iago's plotting, Roderigo managed to keep his lips sealed. Iago and Roderigo can represent the "our" in our lips are sealed because they were the ones that kept their lips sealed from the truth of what was really going on.
Lastly, "Hush my darling, don't you cry, quiet angel, forget their lies" can be compared to Iago. As the play wraps up, the truth about Iago is revealed. Well kindof. Othello discovers that Iago is behind all of the mischief that occurred but Iago tells him not to worry about it and figure it out for the details for himself. I can imagine Iago, being that two faced person he is, telling Othello to "hush darling, don't cry, forget the lies," because he still wanted everyone to think he was honest. Okay maybe he wouldn't say darling but still. Keeping his motives and such a secret was his last attempt to save his reputation as that honest man. Somewhat ironic. Anyway, enjoy this awesome song :)
The song that I have chosen that relates to a conflict in Othello is Our Lips Are Sealed. This song is by the Go-Go's. At first it may seem as though there is a not a huge connection between Shakespeare and the Go-Go's, but a look at the lyrics reveals otherwise. In this song, someone is "telling lies" and it is "no surprise." Iago can be compared to this person. He tells lies about others and knowing his character and inclination to jealousy, it is really no surprise that he creates rumors about Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, etc.
 |
| Roderigo and Iago |
"It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed"
This relates to Othello because Roderigo went along with the jealous games that Iago played. He obeyed Iago's requests so that he could get back together with Desdemona. Throughout all of Iago's plotting, Roderigo managed to keep his lips sealed. Iago and Roderigo can represent the "our" in our lips are sealed because they were the ones that kept their lips sealed from the truth of what was really going on.
Lastly, "Hush my darling, don't you cry, quiet angel, forget their lies" can be compared to Iago. As the play wraps up, the truth about Iago is revealed. Well kindof. Othello discovers that Iago is behind all of the mischief that occurred but Iago tells him not to worry about it and figure it out for the details for himself. I can imagine Iago, being that two faced person he is, telling Othello to "hush darling, don't cry, forget the lies," because he still wanted everyone to think he was honest. Okay maybe he wouldn't say darling but still. Keeping his motives and such a secret was his last attempt to save his reputation as that honest man. Somewhat ironic. Anyway, enjoy this awesome song :)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Othello Overview
Iago: "Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.
From this time forth I never will speak word."
Act V, Scene ii, 302-303
In order to preserve his reputation as that honest man, Iago didn't admit why to Othello he did what he did. It's ironic because it's obvious that he's not honest because he kept all these secrets from everyone. This part portrays Iago furthermore as someone who is deceiving. He still continues as though nothing really happened even though he's been caught red-handed. Iago never gives up on his plot even as it falls through.
Overall Othello seemed pretty far-fetched to me since Iago was able to convince everyone of basically anything. All of the characters were rather gullible in my opinion. Othello didn't second-guess any of Iago's rumors about Desdemona cheating on him. Emilia never seemed to discover what her husband was up to, until the very end of course. Iago had this insane control over all of the characters. Iago-one person- had the power to cause a ton of drama. I wonder if Shakespeare meant for the play to be somewhat far-fetched and entertaining or if it was to show how destructive jealousy can be to oneself and others. Probably both. But could one person really cause four people to go against one another thus resulting in four deaths?..
Anyway, I can't decide if I liked Iago or not. On one hand, he was determined to get what he wanted, which is great and all, but it was for selfish reasons and he did it out of hatred/jealousy. Yet he was really the only smart character. Everyone else went with the flow and allowed all the rumors to consume their lives. Honest Iago was able to deceive them all. To sum it up here is what I have learned from Othello:
1) Jealousy makes for messy situations
2) Don't believe everything you hear
3) People may go to extreme ends to seek revenge
4) It is ignorant to hate someone based on preconceived notions
From this time forth I never will speak word."
Act V, Scene ii, 302-303
In order to preserve his reputation as that honest man, Iago didn't admit why to Othello he did what he did. It's ironic because it's obvious that he's not honest because he kept all these secrets from everyone. This part portrays Iago furthermore as someone who is deceiving. He still continues as though nothing really happened even though he's been caught red-handed. Iago never gives up on his plot even as it falls through.
Overall Othello seemed pretty far-fetched to me since Iago was able to convince everyone of basically anything. All of the characters were rather gullible in my opinion. Othello didn't second-guess any of Iago's rumors about Desdemona cheating on him. Emilia never seemed to discover what her husband was up to, until the very end of course. Iago had this insane control over all of the characters. Iago-one person- had the power to cause a ton of drama. I wonder if Shakespeare meant for the play to be somewhat far-fetched and entertaining or if it was to show how destructive jealousy can be to oneself and others. Probably both. But could one person really cause four people to go against one another thus resulting in four deaths?..
Anyway, I can't decide if I liked Iago or not. On one hand, he was determined to get what he wanted, which is great and all, but it was for selfish reasons and he did it out of hatred/jealousy. Yet he was really the only smart character. Everyone else went with the flow and allowed all the rumors to consume their lives. Honest Iago was able to deceive them all. To sum it up here is what I have learned from Othello:
1) Jealousy makes for messy situations
2) Don't believe everything you hear
3) People may go to extreme ends to seek revenge
4) It is ignorant to hate someone based on preconceived notions
Othello Act V
pg 1119 Question 4 "How is dramatic suspense created?"
Iago: "Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large
Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him
As gifts to Desdemona.
It must not be. If Cassio de remain,
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly"
Act V, Scene i, 14-20
Suspense is created in a number of ways in Othello. First off, suspense is created by Iago's soliloquies and conversations with Roderigo. His inner plans are revealed during these moments and they make us wonder what will happen next in the play, as Iago always seems to come up with a new plan to create conflict. Suspense is also created through the other character's actions. In Iago's manipulation of the kind Othello, we have to truly wonder if Othello is really going to kill Desdemona, a woman he claimed to be so in love with at the beginning of the play. Suspense is created through the character Emilia too. At the beginning of the story, she was passive and held back her thoughts; by act five she was defiant and when she learned that her husband, Iago was behind all of the drama occurring, she stood up for herself. When Emilia is angry with Iago and the audience begins to wonder if she will turn him in for what he's started. Lastly, suspense is evident through the character's deaths. Within the first few lines or so of act five, Roderigo and Cassio were both stabbed with potentially fatal wounds. At this point I could only wonder who else Iago might plan to kill. And it turned out that Desdemona was killed by Othello. Iago ended up killing his own wife, in an attempt to save his reputation as that honest guy. And then Othello killed himself. Apparently, for Iago, death/murder is the best revenge there is.
Iago: "Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large
Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him
As gifts to Desdemona.
It must not be. If Cassio de remain,
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly"
Act V, Scene i, 14-20
Suspense is created in a number of ways in Othello. First off, suspense is created by Iago's soliloquies and conversations with Roderigo. His inner plans are revealed during these moments and they make us wonder what will happen next in the play, as Iago always seems to come up with a new plan to create conflict. Suspense is also created through the other character's actions. In Iago's manipulation of the kind Othello, we have to truly wonder if Othello is really going to kill Desdemona, a woman he claimed to be so in love with at the beginning of the play. Suspense is created through the character Emilia too. At the beginning of the story, she was passive and held back her thoughts; by act five she was defiant and when she learned that her husband, Iago was behind all of the drama occurring, she stood up for herself. When Emilia is angry with Iago and the audience begins to wonder if she will turn him in for what he's started. Lastly, suspense is evident through the character's deaths. Within the first few lines or so of act five, Roderigo and Cassio were both stabbed with potentially fatal wounds. At this point I could only wonder who else Iago might plan to kill. And it turned out that Desdemona was killed by Othello. Iago ended up killing his own wife, in an attempt to save his reputation as that honest guy. And then Othello killed himself. Apparently, for Iago, death/murder is the best revenge there is.
Othello Act IV
Othello: "Get me some poison, Iago this night. I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago."
Iago: "Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated."
Act 4, Scene i, 188-192
The characters of this story are all motivated by different means. Iago sets up everyone else's motivations though with his motive to get back at Othello for supposedly sleeping with his wife and to get back at Cassio for receiving position as lieutenant. With this in motion, Iago's plot concocts the other character's motives.
Iago: "Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated."
Act 4, Scene i, 188-192
The characters of this story are all motivated by different means. Iago sets up everyone else's motivations though with his motive to get back at Othello for supposedly sleeping with his wife and to get back at Cassio for receiving position as lieutenant. With this in motion, Iago's plot concocts the other character's motives.
- Roderigo is motivated by Iago's promise. Roderigo pays Iago and in return, Iago promises that he will separate Desdemona and Othello, so that Roderigo may end up with Desdemona, his former lover.
- Othello is motivated by jealousy and the rumors which he believes to be true concerning Desdemona. Upon hearing that Desdemona cheated on him from Iago, Othello wants Desdemona out of his life. Othello wants to kill Cassio too for he mocked Desdemona (or so Othello thinks) for how Desdemona was deeply in love with him. Iago sneakily led Othello to believe that all of these situations about Desdemona were true, when they were in fact not. The above quote shows that Othello was motivated to then kill Desdemona because of her unfaithfulness to him. Othello basically wants to kill everyone at this point..
So the main motivations are driven by none other than jealousy. Jealousy makes people do unreasonable things is what the theme of this story should be. It causes Othello, who was once madly in love with Desdemona, to beat his wife and want her dead. It causes Roderigo to go out of his way to basically pay for love. And of course, jealousy causes Iago to ruin pretty much all of the character's lives. Jealousy is indeed a destructive force.
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