Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 5 Scene 1-2, pg. 223-265)
Summary: Following Iago’s advice, Roderigo proceeds to attack Cassio. However, in a duel, Cassio ends up stabbing Roderigo. To make Othello think that Iago has killed Cassio, Iago then wounds Cassio in the leg. Othello, hearing Cassio’s cry, proceeds to Desdemona’s bedroom to murder her. Iago also puts an end to a wounded Roderigo. Italian officials then join Iago and tend to Cassio’s wounds. When Bianca arrives, Iago accuses her of plotting against Cassio in order to try to keep people from suspecting him, feeding off the fact that Bianca was previously angered by Cassio’s treatment of her. In Scene 2, Othello again accuses Desdemona of cheating, and dramatically smothers her to death. Emilia arrives to tell Othello the news about Cassio and Roderigo, and upon discovering a dead Desdemona, she flees the site and shouts cries of murder. When everyone arrives, Emilia uncovers the truth about the handkerchief, and Othello attempts to kill Iago. However, he fails in his attempts, and Iago then kills Emilia. Othello, realizing his mistake and recognizing himself as a murderer, commits suicide. Iago is then taken by the officials and sentenced to death.
Unfamiliar Vocabulary:
Restitution: the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner
Iterance: repetition
Pernicious: having a harmful effect (in a gradual or subtle way)
Anon: soon; shortly
Alabaster: a typically whitish form of gypsum often carved into ornaments
Relume: relight
Forfend: avert, keep away (ward off)
Reprobance: reprobation, damnation
Coxcomb: fool
Quote Analysis
Iago (aside): “I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense, and he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, every way makes my gain. 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 do remain, he hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor may unfold me to him. There stand I in much peril. No, he must die” (lines 12-23, Act 5 Scene 1).
Throughout Othello, Iago has had the most asides of all the main characters. In these monologues, he has proven to be uncharacteristically truthful, and has admitted the deepest of his feelings in order to clue the audience in to his thoughts. In this quote said right before Roderigo throws himself at Cassio, Iago tells the audience that the death of either of the two would only be to his benefit, as the death of Roderigo would absolve Iago’s debts to him for all of the gifts Roderigo had asked Iago to give to Desdemona, and the death of Cassio would eliminate the risk of uncovering Iago’s deception. Furthermore, Iago recognizes himself as a “bad” person, as he says that Cassio “has a daily beauty in his life that makes [him] ugly.” In other words, Cassio’s uprightness makes Iago look crude.
“My husband?” –Emilia
In Act 5 Scene 2, Emilia arrives at Othello’s bedroom to discover Desdemona dead on her bed. Othello explains to her why he has guiltlessly murdered her, and he tells her that Desdemona was unfaithful according to Iago, Emilia’s husband. In response to all of his statements, Emilia simply repeats the phrase “My husband,” as if she were laughing at the thought of trusting Iago over Desdemona.
“I peace? No, I will speak as liberal as the north. Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, all, all cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak! O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief thou speak’st of I found by fortune, and did give my husband – for often, with a solemn earnestness (more than indeed belonged to such a trifle), He begged of me to steal ‘it… she give it Cassio? No, alas, I found it, and I did give ‘it my husband… O murd’rous coxcomb, what should such a fool do with so good a wife?”
In the final confrontation with all the main characters, Emilia gives her final speech, and unleashes the silent disapproval that had been suppressed and bottled inside of her for so long. In this speech, as if motivated by Desdemona’s unjust murder, she unrestrainedly shouts the truth for all to hear, and is punished by death at the hand of Iago. Nonetheless, she finally is able to speak the truth, and is relieved by it. This shows us that keeping to ourselves for too long is terminally unhealthy, and that outspokenness is an important trait to have.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 4 Scene 1-3, pg. 171-219)
Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 4 Scene 1-3, pg. 171-219)
Summary: In Act 4, Iago continues to taunt Othello with descriptions of Desdemona and Cassio’s “actions,” which causes Othello to pass out. When he awakes, he sees Cassio and Iago speaking, but cannot hear of what. When he draws nearer, he hears Cassio speaking of how Bianca had thrown herself at him the other day, but thinks that Cassio is speaking of Desdemona rather than Bianca. He is infuriated, and vows to murder Desdemona. With Iago’s suggestion, he decides to strangle her in the bed she has allegedly contaminated. At that moment, Lodovico arrives with orders from the duke telling Othello to return to Venice immediately and to appoint Cassio in his place. Upon seeing Desdemona, Othello hits her. Later, Othello speaks with Emilia about Desdemona, and she insists that she does not suspect any misdemeanors on Desdemona’s part. However, Othello is not moved, and calls Desdemona a whore to her face. Meanwhile, Roderigo confronts Iago, saying that he sees no change in Desdemona’s actions towards him. Iago then tells him that Othello and Desdemona will soon be leaving unless a delay can be caused, and suggests that Roderigo kill Cassio. That night, before going to bed, Desdemona speaks with Emilia, saying that women wouldn’t cheat on their husbands for the whole world. Emilia disagrees.
Unfamiliar Vocabulary:
Venial: forgivable, pardonable
Peculiar: exclusively theirs
Strumpet: a prostitute or woman too sexually active; slut
Prithee: please
Requite: pay something back; avenge oneself
Cistern: large tank
Callet: strumpet
Fulsome: obscene
Cozening: cheating
Votaress: nun
Harlotry: strumpet
Incontinent: immediately OR usu., uncontrolled
Affection: passion
Character Analysis: Othello
Throughout the course of the play, Othello has been the protagonist: the venerable general of the Venetian army. However, as Iago has artfully orchestrated, Othello’s confidence and nobleness have been gradually yet undeniably undermined by false suspicions planted in his mind by Iago himself. Although Othello has not actually witnessed any conclusive evidence proving that Desdemona has in fact been cheating on him, with Iago’s help, he seems set on expecting the worst, and is almost determined now to verify the affair. For example, partly due to his complete trust in Iago, Othello is quick to jump to the conclusion that Cassio is referring to his wife when he speaks of romantic gestures, even though he was in fact speaking of Bianca. Also, when he discovers that Cassio has his wife’s handkerchief, he becomes furious and immediately jumps to the conclusion that his wife willingly gave it to him, when in fact Iago had placed it in Cassio’s quarters. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?” By becoming Othello’s most trusted advisor, he has with just a few subtle implications changed Othello from a trusting, noble man to a cynical, bitter one.
The effects of this change have affected not only his actions, but also, his language. Shortly before falling into a coma, Othello launches into a traumatic outburst, saying, “Lie with her? Lie on her? We say ‘lie on her’ when they belie her. Lie with her –Zounds, that’s fulsome! Handkerchief – confessions – handkerchief. [To confess and be hanged for his labor. First to be hanged and then to confess – I tremble at it. It is not words that shakes me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips – is’t possible? Confess – handkerchief – O, devil!]” As one can see, Othello’s eloquence has deteriorated into a loss for words.
Furthermore, as previously noticed in the beginning of the play, Iago’s words were often crude and animalistic. However, Othello’s words have also now become as such. For example, he says, “O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear!” and, “If that the earth could teem with a woman’s tears, each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.” Also, he shouts indignantly to Lodovico, “You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats and monkeys!” Later, he says directly to Desdemona, “The fountain from the which my current runs or else dries up – to be discarded thence, or keep it as a cistern for foul toads to know and gender in… O, ay, as summer flies are in the shambles, that quicken even with blowing!” As shown by these lines, the transformation has changed Othello completely, from the way he treats people and his outlook on life to the words he uses.
Summary: In Act 4, Iago continues to taunt Othello with descriptions of Desdemona and Cassio’s “actions,” which causes Othello to pass out. When he awakes, he sees Cassio and Iago speaking, but cannot hear of what. When he draws nearer, he hears Cassio speaking of how Bianca had thrown herself at him the other day, but thinks that Cassio is speaking of Desdemona rather than Bianca. He is infuriated, and vows to murder Desdemona. With Iago’s suggestion, he decides to strangle her in the bed she has allegedly contaminated. At that moment, Lodovico arrives with orders from the duke telling Othello to return to Venice immediately and to appoint Cassio in his place. Upon seeing Desdemona, Othello hits her. Later, Othello speaks with Emilia about Desdemona, and she insists that she does not suspect any misdemeanors on Desdemona’s part. However, Othello is not moved, and calls Desdemona a whore to her face. Meanwhile, Roderigo confronts Iago, saying that he sees no change in Desdemona’s actions towards him. Iago then tells him that Othello and Desdemona will soon be leaving unless a delay can be caused, and suggests that Roderigo kill Cassio. That night, before going to bed, Desdemona speaks with Emilia, saying that women wouldn’t cheat on their husbands for the whole world. Emilia disagrees.
Unfamiliar Vocabulary:
Venial: forgivable, pardonable
Peculiar: exclusively theirs
Strumpet: a prostitute or woman too sexually active; slut
Prithee: please
Requite: pay something back; avenge oneself
Cistern: large tank
Callet: strumpet
Fulsome: obscene
Cozening: cheating
Votaress: nun
Harlotry: strumpet
Incontinent: immediately OR usu., uncontrolled
Affection: passion
Character Analysis: Othello
Throughout the course of the play, Othello has been the protagonist: the venerable general of the Venetian army. However, as Iago has artfully orchestrated, Othello’s confidence and nobleness have been gradually yet undeniably undermined by false suspicions planted in his mind by Iago himself. Although Othello has not actually witnessed any conclusive evidence proving that Desdemona has in fact been cheating on him, with Iago’s help, he seems set on expecting the worst, and is almost determined now to verify the affair. For example, partly due to his complete trust in Iago, Othello is quick to jump to the conclusion that Cassio is referring to his wife when he speaks of romantic gestures, even though he was in fact speaking of Bianca. Also, when he discovers that Cassio has his wife’s handkerchief, he becomes furious and immediately jumps to the conclusion that his wife willingly gave it to him, when in fact Iago had placed it in Cassio’s quarters. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?” By becoming Othello’s most trusted advisor, he has with just a few subtle implications changed Othello from a trusting, noble man to a cynical, bitter one.
The effects of this change have affected not only his actions, but also, his language. Shortly before falling into a coma, Othello launches into a traumatic outburst, saying, “Lie with her? Lie on her? We say ‘lie on her’ when they belie her. Lie with her –Zounds, that’s fulsome! Handkerchief – confessions – handkerchief. [To confess and be hanged for his labor. First to be hanged and then to confess – I tremble at it. It is not words that shakes me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips – is’t possible? Confess – handkerchief – O, devil!]” As one can see, Othello’s eloquence has deteriorated into a loss for words.
Furthermore, as previously noticed in the beginning of the play, Iago’s words were often crude and animalistic. However, Othello’s words have also now become as such. For example, he says, “O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear!” and, “If that the earth could teem with a woman’s tears, each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.” Also, he shouts indignantly to Lodovico, “You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats and monkeys!” Later, he says directly to Desdemona, “The fountain from the which my current runs or else dries up – to be discarded thence, or keep it as a cistern for foul toads to know and gender in… O, ay, as summer flies are in the shambles, that quicken even with blowing!” As shown by these lines, the transformation has changed Othello completely, from the way he treats people and his outlook on life to the words he uses.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 3 Scene 1-4, pg. 111-167)
Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 3 Scene 1-4, pg. 111-167)
Summary: In Act 3, essentially, Iago’s plan seems to be flawlessly executed as different characters react to events just as Iago had hoped. After arrangements are made, Cassio speaks to Desdemona about his potential for reinstatement, but when Othello approaches, Cassio slinks away to avoid confronting Othello. When Iago and Othello are left alone, Iago discreetly suggests to Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. However, without proof, Othello refuses to believe it. Later, Desdemona binds Othello’s head with a handkerchief to relieve his headache, which later falls to the floor unnoticed. Iago’s wife, Emilia, later finds it and gives it to Iago, not knowing what he may plan with it. Iago then confronts Othello again and tells him that he saw Cassio wiping his beard with that handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona as a gift, suggesting that Desdemona gave it to Cassio. Othello approaches Desdemona asking for the handkerchief, and when she cannot produce it, he is enraged. At this point, Cassio has found the handkerchief in his room placed there by Iago, and asks Bianca to copy it.
Unfamiliar Vocabulary:
Leets: a yearly or half-yearly court of record that the lords of certain manors held
Clime: Region
Importunity: persistence, esp to the point of annoyance or intrusion
Wench: a young girl or woman (or prostitute)
Aspics: a savory jelly, often made with meat stock, used as a garnish, or to contain pieces of food such as meat, seafood, or eggs, set in a mold.
Sequester: isolate or hide away (someone or something)
Castigation: reprimand
Catechize: instruct someone in the principles of Christian religion by means of question and answer, typically by using a catechism.
Quote Analysis
“Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, is the immediate jewel of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash. ‘Tis something, nothing; ‘Twas mine, ‘tis his, and has been slave to thousands. But he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed” (129). –Iago
In this quote, Iago says that reputation is the most precious part of their souls. He says that money is fleeting, but that he who robs one of his/her reputation makes the thief not richer but the victim much poorer. This was his response to Othello when Othello pressed him to tell his suspicions about Desdemona and Cassio. In other words, he claimed to not want to speak for fear of speaking falsely and losing his “good name.”
"Villain, be sure to prove my love a whore! Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof, or, by the worth of mine eternal soul, thou hadst better have been born a dog than answer my waked wrath. Make me to see 'it, or at the least so prove that the probation bear no hinge nor loop to hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life! If thou dost slander her and torture me, never pray more. Abandon all remorse; on horror's head horrors accumulate; do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed; for nothing canst thou to damnation add greater than that" (143). -Othello
After Iago finally tells Othello of his suspicions and provides "proof" (an implicatively fabricated dream and a "gifted handkerchief), Othello cannot bear the thought and lashes out at Iago, despite his previous assurances not to. Already, the reader can see Othello losing his sanity as he cracks and cannot cope with the allegation.
“Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we but food; they eat us hungerly, and when they are full, they belch us” (159). -Emilia
In this quote, Emilia, Iago’s wife, speaks to Desdemona in realization, as she says that men but use and then dispose of women for their own purposes. This is after Desdemona is rebuked by an angry Othello.
Summary: In Act 3, essentially, Iago’s plan seems to be flawlessly executed as different characters react to events just as Iago had hoped. After arrangements are made, Cassio speaks to Desdemona about his potential for reinstatement, but when Othello approaches, Cassio slinks away to avoid confronting Othello. When Iago and Othello are left alone, Iago discreetly suggests to Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. However, without proof, Othello refuses to believe it. Later, Desdemona binds Othello’s head with a handkerchief to relieve his headache, which later falls to the floor unnoticed. Iago’s wife, Emilia, later finds it and gives it to Iago, not knowing what he may plan with it. Iago then confronts Othello again and tells him that he saw Cassio wiping his beard with that handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona as a gift, suggesting that Desdemona gave it to Cassio. Othello approaches Desdemona asking for the handkerchief, and when she cannot produce it, he is enraged. At this point, Cassio has found the handkerchief in his room placed there by Iago, and asks Bianca to copy it.
Unfamiliar Vocabulary:
Leets: a yearly or half-yearly court of record that the lords of certain manors held
Clime: Region
Importunity: persistence, esp to the point of annoyance or intrusion
Wench: a young girl or woman (or prostitute)
Aspics: a savory jelly, often made with meat stock, used as a garnish, or to contain pieces of food such as meat, seafood, or eggs, set in a mold.
Sequester: isolate or hide away (someone or something)
Castigation: reprimand
Catechize: instruct someone in the principles of Christian religion by means of question and answer, typically by using a catechism.
Quote Analysis
“Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, is the immediate jewel of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash. ‘Tis something, nothing; ‘Twas mine, ‘tis his, and has been slave to thousands. But he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed” (129). –Iago
In this quote, Iago says that reputation is the most precious part of their souls. He says that money is fleeting, but that he who robs one of his/her reputation makes the thief not richer but the victim much poorer. This was his response to Othello when Othello pressed him to tell his suspicions about Desdemona and Cassio. In other words, he claimed to not want to speak for fear of speaking falsely and losing his “good name.”
"Villain, be sure to prove my love a whore! Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof, or, by the worth of mine eternal soul, thou hadst better have been born a dog than answer my waked wrath. Make me to see 'it, or at the least so prove that the probation bear no hinge nor loop to hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life! If thou dost slander her and torture me, never pray more. Abandon all remorse; on horror's head horrors accumulate; do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed; for nothing canst thou to damnation add greater than that" (143). -Othello
After Iago finally tells Othello of his suspicions and provides "proof" (an implicatively fabricated dream and a "gifted handkerchief), Othello cannot bear the thought and lashes out at Iago, despite his previous assurances not to. Already, the reader can see Othello losing his sanity as he cracks and cannot cope with the allegation.
“Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we but food; they eat us hungerly, and when they are full, they belch us” (159). -Emilia
In this quote, Emilia, Iago’s wife, speaks to Desdemona in realization, as she says that men but use and then dispose of women for their own purposes. This is after Desdemona is rebuked by an angry Othello.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 2 Scene 1-3, pg. 59-107)
Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 2 Scene 1-3, pg. 59-107)
Summary: In Act 2 Scene 1, Cassio, Desdemona, Othello, Iago, and Roderigo all arrive at Cyprus, and find out that the Turkish fleet they were to pursue was destroyed by a storm. Through a chain of events, Iago successfully convinces Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio, and that Roderigo should try to find a way to anger Cassio for an excuse to remove him. Act 2 Scene 2 is very brief and is simply a herald announcing Othello’s arrival. In Act 2 Scene 3, Iago manages to get Cassio drunk, and Roderigo provokes Cassio to fight him. When Montano tries to intervene, Cassio fights with Montano and injures him. Othello finds out about this and immediately strips Cassio of his lieutenancy. Iago then encourages Cassio to go to Desdemona in order to try to regain his position so that Iago can later go to Othello and tell him that Desdemona is supporting Cassio because she loves him.
Unfamiliar Vocabulary:
Descry: to catch sight of
Mortise: a hole or recess cut into a part, designed to receive a corresponding projection (a tenon) on another part so as to join or lock the parts together.
Egregious: outstandingly bad
Perdition: (in Christian theology) a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unpenitent person passes after death.
Nuptial: of or relating to marriage or weddings
Alarum: alarm
Horologe: a timepiece
Assay: determine the content or quality of (a metal or ore)
Character Analysis: Iago
Othello is currently the noble protagonist, Desdemona is the beautiful wife, and Roderigo is the wealthy suitor. However, by far, the most interesting character so far is Iago, the villain. The reader quickly develops a strong dislike for Iago, as he is both spiteful and devious, and fixed on making Othello’s life miserable. However, it is interesting that Iago is willing to take such drastic measures just to make Othello’s life harder. For example, he got Desdemona’s father involved to stir up conflict between him and Othello, he took up Roderigo’s offer to try to get him and Desdemona together (by breaking up Desdemona and Othello), he sailed to Cyprus to continue his attempts, and he got Cassio drunk to ultimately plant a potential seed of doubt in Othello’s mind about Desdemona’s faithfulness. He may have some ulterior motive for all of his actions, but at this point, it is still unclear.
I find it especially interesting that from a reader’s omniscient perspective, Iago seems so blatantly villainous, yet virtually all of the characters in Othello are unable to see his insincerity. Even as Iago plots against him, Othello says, “Iago is most honest,” and constantly refers to him as “Honest Iago.” When Iago professes that Cassio started the brawl, Othello turns to him and says, “I know, Iago, thy honesty and love doth mince this matter.” Furthermore, even as Iago tries to coax Cassio into a few drinks, Cassio calls him “good Iago.” Iago’s skillfulness in masking a glib tongue is egregiously admirable.
Summary: In Act 2 Scene 1, Cassio, Desdemona, Othello, Iago, and Roderigo all arrive at Cyprus, and find out that the Turkish fleet they were to pursue was destroyed by a storm. Through a chain of events, Iago successfully convinces Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio, and that Roderigo should try to find a way to anger Cassio for an excuse to remove him. Act 2 Scene 2 is very brief and is simply a herald announcing Othello’s arrival. In Act 2 Scene 3, Iago manages to get Cassio drunk, and Roderigo provokes Cassio to fight him. When Montano tries to intervene, Cassio fights with Montano and injures him. Othello finds out about this and immediately strips Cassio of his lieutenancy. Iago then encourages Cassio to go to Desdemona in order to try to regain his position so that Iago can later go to Othello and tell him that Desdemona is supporting Cassio because she loves him.
Unfamiliar Vocabulary:
Descry: to catch sight of
Mortise: a hole or recess cut into a part, designed to receive a corresponding projection (a tenon) on another part so as to join or lock the parts together.
Egregious: outstandingly bad
Perdition: (in Christian theology) a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unpenitent person passes after death.
Nuptial: of or relating to marriage or weddings
Alarum: alarm
Horologe: a timepiece
Assay: determine the content or quality of (a metal or ore)
Character Analysis: Iago
Othello is currently the noble protagonist, Desdemona is the beautiful wife, and Roderigo is the wealthy suitor. However, by far, the most interesting character so far is Iago, the villain. The reader quickly develops a strong dislike for Iago, as he is both spiteful and devious, and fixed on making Othello’s life miserable. However, it is interesting that Iago is willing to take such drastic measures just to make Othello’s life harder. For example, he got Desdemona’s father involved to stir up conflict between him and Othello, he took up Roderigo’s offer to try to get him and Desdemona together (by breaking up Desdemona and Othello), he sailed to Cyprus to continue his attempts, and he got Cassio drunk to ultimately plant a potential seed of doubt in Othello’s mind about Desdemona’s faithfulness. He may have some ulterior motive for all of his actions, but at this point, it is still unclear.
I find it especially interesting that from a reader’s omniscient perspective, Iago seems so blatantly villainous, yet virtually all of the characters in Othello are unable to see his insincerity. Even as Iago plots against him, Othello says, “Iago is most honest,” and constantly refers to him as “Honest Iago.” When Iago professes that Cassio started the brawl, Othello turns to him and says, “I know, Iago, thy honesty and love doth mince this matter.” Furthermore, even as Iago tries to coax Cassio into a few drinks, Cassio calls him “good Iago.” Iago’s skillfulness in masking a glib tongue is egregiously admirable.
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