Othello - Reflective Entry

The end to Act V did not surprise me all that much since this play was carried out as a typical Shakespearian tragedy. What was unexpected was Iago's silence in the last part of the act. I was expecting more rebuttal from Iago, but instead he merely says, "Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak a word," (V.ii.302-303). At any other point in this story, Iago would have fabricated an explanation to get himself out of this situation. In this last scene though he decides to just remain silent. I do not understand what caused this change. I cannot see Iago feeling guilty for anything he caused, especially since he stabbed his own wife just minutes before, so I do not know why he would decide to let himself be taken in so easily.

Othello - Question 5

Othello presents largely the theme of seeking revenge. The entire plot is centered around Iago's plans to get revenge first on Cassio then Othello. In addition, Iago's plans cause other characters to seek revenge as well. After witnessing Iago converse with Cassio, he believes it has been confirmed that Cassio has slept with Desdemona. As a result, Othello plans different ways to kill Desdemona to get his revenge by either hanging her (IV.i.174), chopping her up (IV.i.184), or by poisoning her (IV.i.188). This revenge increases the pleasure of the theatrical experience for the audience. Revenge heightens suspicion as to how far the characters will go. The lesson seems rather didactic due to the fact that all characters had negative consequences for their actions, suggesting that Othello was intended not only to give a pleasurable theatrical experience, but also to teach a lesson that seeking revenge has dire consequences.

Othello - Question 2

Othello is a dramatic tragedy. It is also primarily romantic. This is evident through the passion and emotion shared through the characters' responses and statements. When Othello is made aware that he has wrongly murdered Desdemona, he exclaims, "Whip me, ye devils, From the possession of this heavenly sight! Blow me about in winds! Roast me in sulphur! Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire! O Desdemona! Desdemona! Dead! Oh! Oh! Oh!" (V.ii.276-281). It is important to know the classification of a play before experiencing the play. It helps to prepare the audience for the outcome of the play. In this case the audience would know not to expect a happy ending. It also helps to pick up on foreshadowing which builds the suspense as the play ensues.

Othello - Reflective Entry

The characters in this play anger me to some degree. I believe in many instances Iago is not believable and persuasive enough to realistically entice an individual to go along with his plan and/or believe his lies. Othello in particular bothers me. When Cassio was leaving Desdemona, Iago mentions that it is strange "that he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing [Othello] coming," (III.iii.40-41). Why would Othello go along with this statement when he was the one who pointed out that it was Cassio in the first place. He saw for himself Cassio walking away from Desdemona. If something was actually suspicious about his actions, Othello would have noticed it for himself. All the characters are so gullible in this play. None of them seem to really think for themselves. They listen to whatever Iago tells them. Iago knows he has this much control over others which ultimately drives him to be so power hungry. He feels accomplished when he has power over those above him, especially Othello.

Othello - Question 3

Identify the protagonist and antagonist...

The protagonist of this story is Othello. He is very respected by everyone who knows him despite his racial background. The antagonist is Iago because he devises many plans in order to destroy Othello's loving and respectable nature by making him a jealous man, which will therefore give Iago power. "And by how much [Desdemona] strives to do [Cassio] good, she shall undo her credit with the Moor. So I will turn her virtue into pitch...that shall enmesh them all," (II.iii.322-327). I believe Emilia and Desdemona are foil characters. Emilia is unhappy with her husband and has quite a different relationship with him than Desdemona has with Othello. The rest of the characters greatly assist movement of the plot. Iago, as the greatly persuasive antagonist, uses mainly the male characters to get what he wants. They always follow through with his selfish plans to attain power. Without their trust in Iago, his plans would never be carried out which would eliminate the suspense of the story as discussed in the previous blog entry. The other characters also put their trust in Iago as do all the other main characters, reinforcing that Iago is unbelievably persuasive and cunning.

Othello - Question 4

How is dramatic suspense created?...

Throughout the play, the audience perceives much suspense. Iago continues to devise schemes to destroy Cassio, Othello, and Desdemona's relationships with one another in order to give himself the power he believes he deserves. In Act II, Iago gives specific instructions to Roderigo to "provoke [Cassio], that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio," (II.i.255-260). By plotting with different characters, he creates a web of interconnected lies that cause the characters to turn against each other without Iago having to be directly involved. He plays the innocent role throughout the play, making all characters perceive him as an honest man. The audience is only given information through Iago for the most part and receives very little from other characters. The play seems to center around his actions. This creates suspense by the notion that somehow Iago will have to be caught. This keeps the audience guessing how exactly he will be caught if things do not go as planned for Iago.