Othello Motif Blog
A motif is a recurring object, image, or word that sometimes takes on symbolic significance and unifies a text.
You will track the development of motifs in the play. When you see one of the motifs used in an interesting or significant way in the text, add comments under the spot where your motif is listed. Include the following:
* Quote the lines of dialogue where the motif occurs
* Analyze how the motif is used in those lines. What ideas or emotions are evoked?
How does this use of the motif develop something you noticed earlier ( the development
of a character, situation, relationship, or theme)? How does this use of the motif add
a new layer of meaning?
Please note that variations or close matches to the words listed below also count in terms of your tracking of the motif.
You will track the development of motifs in the play. When you see one of the motifs used in an interesting or significant way in the text, add comments under the spot where your motif is listed. Include the following:
* Quote the lines of dialogue where the motif occurs
* Analyze how the motif is used in those lines. What ideas or emotions are evoked?
How does this use of the motif develop something you noticed earlier ( the development
of a character, situation, relationship, or theme)? How does this use of the motif add
a new layer of meaning?
Please note that variations or close matches to the words listed below also count in terms of your tracking of the motif.
Expectations:
How many? Each time we assign the Motif Blog, we will
give you a number of entries to complete.
Length? List the quote that connects to the
motif. Then write a well-developed
paragraph of approximately 8-12
sentences.
Be sure
to… ANALYZE the quote. Break it
down—discuss specific words, images, figurative language, and details. Do provide some context for it (what’s going
on when this quote comes up in the play), but most of your writing should be
analysis, NOT paraphrasing. Use the
questions above to help you develop ideas.
REPUTATION/HONOR
ReplyDelete"Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!" Cassio (Act II, Scene III)
DeleteCassio has just been dismissed of his position in the military by Othello because of the fighting between Cassio and Rodergio when they were suppose to be on night watch. Cassio says these words with so much depression and despair because his job has been taken away from him. A job in the military is a huge honor to have, so Cassio is very upset. He yells that he has lost everything to him and now his life is ruined, which is what Iago had planned. Iago acts nicely to Cassio and tries to tell him everything will be okay even though Iago is the one who had started this whole situation. This part in the play shows how evil and sneaky Iago actually is. The quote develops the characters of both Cassio and Iago. Cassio is showing how his reputation is what he mostly cares about while Iago cares about ruining the Moor by manipulating the people who are close to him. Also, with the characters upset with each other, there is more drama and problems in the plot of this play.
“As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound, there is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit and lost without deserving: you have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself a loser.” (Iago: Act 2, Scene III)
DeleteI think this particular representation of the motif is different than how it has been used before. In other cases, we have seen honor and reputation portrayed as very important to how one’s character is determined; how others perceive you, or what credibility you hold to your name is, as Cassio called it, “the immortal part of myself”. Examples of this are seen when Othello puts a lot of confidence in his honor and reputation, and believes that it will save him from the accusations of Brabantio. When Othello strips Cassio of his lieutenantry, Cassio bemoans the loss of his good reputation. However, in Iago’s quote, reputation is portrayed as a negative, rather than positive implement. He tells Cassio that a good reputation is often earned without being deserved, and lost without any legitimate cause, and therefore should not be a reliable way to determine one’s character. The way he describes reputation seems to give it a sort of negative connotation, whereas the other times it has been used, it has been given a positive connotation. This quote also seems to further characterize Iago, adding on to what he previously said to Roderigo about being governed by willpower. Iago does not seem to regard feelings or other people’s feelings towards you as important. Rather, he believes that a strong willpower and governing of the mind will help you accomplish anything you want to. This quote seems to highlight this aspect of his character, as well as add to it.
Quote: “Pray heavens he be;
DeleteFor I have served him, and the man commands
Like a full solider. Let ‘s to the seaside, ho!
As well to see the vessel that ‘s come in
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
The motif of reputation/honor is used/shown as a symbolic significance in this quote. Montano, an official for Cyprus is showing his gratitude and appreciation for Othello towards his Turkish official companions, by expressing his desire of wanting to meet him. This brings up a symbolic significance of honor and reputation in this quote, as even being an enemy of Othello in the battle/war, he still is ecstatic to have the honor to meet him. As according to him, Othello reputation is expressed as a brave solider who fights courageously and with honor. Which is evident through Montanos dialogue of: “and the man commands Like a full solider”, and “throw out our eyes for brave Othello”. In my personal opinion this relates to the Duke of Venice appointing Othello to lead the Venetian troops to battle against the troops of Cyprus, because of his honorably fighting capabilities. Showing that both the Duke and Montano contain a great image of Othello as an honorable fighter. Developing a sense of trust and honorably of Othello in the reader minds, as two significant characters in the book express freely their thoughts on Othello, which are remarkably positive due to Othello’s reputation. This motif adds a new layer of meaning to the play, because before the reader could not tell that if Iago was a trustworthy person and Othello a liar, or vice-versa. But now we know that Othello is definitely the more trustworthy, and since person and character since he is getting positive remarks about himself from an enemy opponent of a war, of which the enemy(Montano) has already lost.
last quote, page 21
Delete@fieldhockeystar (Natalie Metzger)
DeleteI totally agree with you Natalie, on how Cassio is representing the motif of reputation by mourning about how he has lost his military position, which shows that he is upset, because his reputation towards other is very important to him. And without out his high position, he feels like he has nothing honorable to show, which is expressed by Cassio by using the word bestial. This connects to our discussion, in the parts of which we discussed about primitive instincts. In my personal opinion, if Cassio thinks himself to be such an honorable man. Why did he agree to Iago appeal to drink? Now, I know it took Iago some persuading, by Cassio instincts eventually led him to drink and get drunk, and be part of the ruckus which occurred afterwards. The significance which is brought upon the readers mind is that: is Cassio really worried about being shown off as bestial. Because he acted like a savage when he started to fight for no real apparent significant reason, and is Othello a good decision maker in choosing people for certain positions. If no, does that mean Othello choosing Desdemona as a bride is an amateur mistake? As of right now, my position stands yes, because with all the chaos with Othello marrying Desdemona, due to the lovers different races. I feel like Othello should not have risked marrying a white girl, as that would pose a threat to his military position(s), as many of his own people might turn against him. As we have already seen with Iago. Another reason why I agree with you Natalie is because when Cassio loses his position. He (this time) uses his primitive instincts, and quickly uses Iago’s advice of getting Desdemona to convince Othello to give Cassio he position back. Which comes back to our discussion in regards to women rights in the time period and setting of the play? Now we all know that women did not have many rights back them, and were considered inferior to men. In relation to this fact, why does then Cassio, a man with such a high reputation go to a women for help. Also the fact that Cassio has affiliations with prostitutes, shows and displays that he does not have high regards for women. Knowing all this, I do not think that Cassio is an honorable man, as he does not have high regard for women, but uses one when he going through some troubled times. Also the fact that Cassio cannot face Othello to the face, which is shown when Cassio is talking to Desdemona, and Othello comes along as says: “Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease”, (page 42). By using the words not now, it shows that Cassio is in rush, and has not intent and is scared of stating with Desdemona longer, as that would increase his chance of confrontation with Othello. Now in relation to all these facts, except the one in regards to Cassio relations with prostitute (ex: Bianca), Cassio does all these deeds after losing his military position. Which to my canalization, could also mean that Cassio is at most a quite honorable man, but after losing the position which means everything to him, he does non-honorable deeds, to try and get his position back. Still marking him as a man with a bad reputation with me.
@Ankur Singh
DeleteI agree with the idea that Montano shows respect to Othello but I do not agree with you that Montano trust Othello. It is easily shown that Montano shows respect to Othello. In almost every line that Montano speaks to Othello you can see the respect that is shown. “Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger: Your officer, Iago, can inform you-” (pg 34) Of course it is expected for people to be respectful but in reality Montano might hate Othello as much as Iago does but he doesn't show it like Iago. Trust on the other hand is totally different thing that was brought up. Trust is the ability to believe someone will carry through on a certain action. I do not believe that Montano mentions or hints at anything to do with trust in the dialog he and Othello have shared for what the audience has seen. It is possible to respect somebody but not trust them. I especially believe that Montano is not to happy with Othello because they just came out of a war against each other.
Natalie Metzger,
DeleteI agree with your interpretation of this quote. Cassio in this scene is very upset with himself for so carelessly losing his reputation. We can see this in the way he repeats “reputation” many times, most likely for emphasis. He says “I have lost the immortal part of myself.” The “immortal part of myself” here is referring to reputation. After someone dies, the only thing left of them is what others speak and hear regarding them. This will only happen if they do something extraordinarily good, or extraordinarily bad. Being a high ranking lieutenant is something extraordinarily good, and doing well in the job will get you a good reputation. Getting kicked out of that job means he loses that reputation, but it’s not bad enough, or known by many, for him to have a bad reputation. Where he says, “what remains is bestial,” he means that what is left of him is inhuman, not of any worth. This is another way Shakespeare compares humans and animals. Humans can have reputations, and can thus “live” on forever, while animals simply die, with nothing but their decaying remains left behind.
To us, this is quite ironic, because we know that Iago is the one who is really obsessed with his reputation, as we saw at the very beginning of the play. He was telling Roderigo how he was not given the higher position (from ensign to lieutenant), and that Cassio was, and Roderigo agrees with his frustration, saying “By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.” He probably means, he’d rather be the one to hang him, than comply with such an insult to his esteem. In this scene, he is comforting Cassio saying that it’s not a big deal, and that everything can be fixed, even though we find out right after he leaves that Iago is weaving an elaborate plan to use Cassio’s reputation, and his desperation to restore it, as a stepping stone to gaining his own reputation, “...So I will turn her virtue into pitch; And out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all.”
HELL/HEAVEN
ReplyDelete"I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night
DeleteMust bring this monstrous birth to the world's light" (Shakespeare 20).
In this passage, Iago states that he will utilize fraudulence to destroy Othello and Desdemona's marriage. At the end of this soliloquy, Shakespeare uses hell as a motif to further unify the text. Along with night, the hell is used as a sharp contrast to the light. Shakespeare uses this juxtaposition to evoke a feeling of apprehension from the audience. The motif hell especially foreshadows a tragic event which will later occur. Iago's desire to use hell as a means of achieving his ultimate goal also helps to further characterize him. Earlier in the play, Iago stated that he his not what he seems to be — implying that he is deceptive and cannot be trusted. In this quote, Iago's lust for malevolence increasingly characterizes him as the antagonist of this play. This fact will increasingly worry the audience because Iago portrays himself as an honest and trustworthy man, allowing him to easily manipulate others (especially Roderigo). Iago's craving for hell will also complicate Othello and Desdemona's relationship. Prior to him formulating his scheme, the lovers were already hard-pressed by those closest to them (such as Brabantio). Now that Iago has declared his hate for Othello, he will stop at nothing until he has completely eradicated the lovers' romance. In fact, Iago goes so far as to call the marriage a monstrous birth. Shakespeare uses strong words like hell so the audience can feel Iago's resentment and racism. This will obviously become increasingly important as Iago's devious plan begins to unfold.
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
DeleteBut seeming so for my particular end.
This is a quote by Iago in the beginning of the book when he is talking to Roderigo and saying not to trust him. He is talking about how heaven and God are the only things that can judge what he does, which makes sense in some ways and doesn’t in others. It does make sense because he isn’t a great person and can be rude and manipulative, so he doesn't want people judging him. What doesn’t make sense is that God knows everything he does, which is mostly bad and the people around him don’t. If he were to do something awful, which is mostly everything he does, and not tell anyone, the only one to be judging him would be God. What is weird about this quote is that Roderigo continues to trust him, even though he is listening to Iago give this speech. Iago most likely wouldn’t have said this to anyone else, since he is mostly smart about what he says around certain people. It seems as if Iago doesn’t even care about what God thinks about him considering everything he does isn’t for the good of people. This also makes me think that even though Iago talks about God and heaven a lot, he can’t be that religious, since he is so manipulative and only does things for himself.
Iago- "Divinity of hell! When devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows, as I do now: for whiles this honest fool plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes…"
DeleteThis is a monologue at the end of Act 2 in which Iago is showing his plans for the future. Iago is actually comparing himself to a devil with the most evil plan, but shows an honest facade to show that he wouldn't be capable of being up to something. He is being fake to people with 'heavenly shows' but when he's alone he becomes the most evil cunning devil with horrible plans. The fact that he's comparing himself to the devil is very extreme, he knows he's evil and isn't afraid to accept it. After he talks about being the devil he goes on saying 'this honest fool plies..' he is saying that he is going to act surprised by all the drama he makes and is going to be "honest". When he says honest, he means that he will tell people what he always does, say a little truth and then have a fluffy explanation. Whenever Iago has a monologue the syntax is very long, however in this monologue it was shorter syntax and the structure doesn't change from iambic to free verse. I think that in this monologue, it was meant to be short and to the point because it was foreshadowing what might happen in act three. The devil comparison to himself was also a foreshadowing to see how devilish he could get later on in the play.
@BeccaCurro
DeleteWhile I agree with your interpretation of the quote from Iago, I do not think that it is weird that he thinks heaven is his only judge. Iago knows that he is the bad guy in this story as he states "Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light". He is aware that come judgement day he will be sent to Hell, which is why he is enjoying his time on earth, basking in the glory and success of his horrible achievements. Roderigo is also too blinded by the empty promises of love from Iago to see what we, as intelligent readers see as a ploy to have Roderigo up Iago's sleeve for further use. Iago knows that Roderigo is this daft and therefore Iago can talk aloud to himself about Roderigo with no one suspecting Iago of treachery. I agree with you also on the fact that Iago is religious because he is aware that if there is a God, Iago is going to hell, and only a psychopath or and atheist would be comfortable with saying that.
@ Temi
DeleteI agree with your analysis of the above quote, and your points are all solid, but I wanted to add some more. The context in which Iago used “hell” (“Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light”) can also be interpreted that Iago is the “hell and night” which will bring the lies he has concocted to light. This is a very apt description for Iago, as he is the antagonist of the play, reigning terror and breaking apart the characters through deception and manipulation.
Another interesting part of the quote is how Shakespeare juxtaposed “hell and night” with “the world’s light” in the next line. But as the story progresses, the question arises: is Iago bringing the darkness of hell and night to the world’s light, or is he casting this darkness over the world’s light? By framing Cassio and Desdemona with the handkerchief, manipulating Roderigo, and deceiving Othello, it seems to me that Iago is plunging everybody’s life into the darkness of “hell and night.”
LIGHT
ReplyDeleteDARK/NIGHT
ReplyDeleteIngo: “I have’t. It is engender’d. Hell and night
DeleteMyst bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light”
pg. 20 End of Act I Scene III
At the end of Act I Scene III Ingo gives a soliloquy after Rodrigo has left. In Ingo speech he tells the audience little bits of plan but not the whole thing. An example is how he is including Cassio(who we have not met at this time) in his speech but not have told us what he being used for. When Shakespeare uses night in a speech or a soliloquy it usually is foreshadows or expresses the evil intentions of the person, this is true only when it is used to describe a person. As we already know Ingo is not a trustworthy person with very bad intentions for Othello. In his speech though he points to the fact that he knows what he is doing is wrong but he stills plans it. With the evilness of the word hell and how he is referring to his plan as monstrous and with his intentions to ruin Othello’s life. With the intentions of ruining Othello’s life such as his relationship with Desdemona and darkness and evil of what Ingo is doing just because Othello has passed him over for a promotion.
@Evan P.
DeleteI strongly agree with your interpretation and your idea on foreshadowing about that quote. Iago is going to use darkness and hell to bring chaos and disruption to all the people in his evil scheme. After some further reading and having a discussion, I see Iago as a very dark and twisted man using his strong persuasive attitude to get what he wants. Iago himself may be characterized in this play as the devil because he brings nothing but evil to this play. Iago manages to take out Othello’s loyal friends like Cassio to get close to him and expose Othello’s weaknesses to overtake him. Iago is going to use the power of darkness to ruin Othello’s life and take advantage of him during the process. Iago is very evil and even persuades Othello to kill his own wife. Iago even tells Othello to “do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated” (Shakespeare 65). The twisted Iago tells Othello to strangle his own wife. That is one of the most demonic lines I’ve heard Iago say because a husband strangling his wife is absolutely absurd and crazy in our society today and even in the society back then. Evan stated that the quote that we being analyzed was foreshadowing a terrible upcoming tragedy and I think you are very correct with that statement. The upcoming tragedy seems like Othello will kill his own wife that he used to love very much. Iago stirs up chaos and anger by even stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief to giving is to Cassio. Iago is pure darkness and he’s up to no good in this play. The death of Cassio and Desdemona will be caused because of Iago’s wretched plans. Iago who represents a devil that persuades people in making the wrong decision, makes Othello so angry that he says “I will chop her into messes” (Shakespeare). Othello would chop her wife into pieces because he is enraged at her for cheating on him due to Iago making up evidence. Othello does not suspect that all these allegations towards his wife are coming from Iago. Like a mischievous devil, Iago manages to hide his real intentions and plans from being discovered by others.
BLOOD
ReplyDeletePg. 6, Brabantio: “O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!”
DeleteBrabantio says this in Act I, Scene I, when he discovers that Desdemona is indeed missing as Iago and Roderigo were saying. He seems quite furious, and almost hysterical, as is evidenced by the use of punctuation (namely the exclamation points). He seemed nearly hysterical to me not only because of the exclamation points but also because of the last thing he says, “O treason of blood.” This sentence is saying that Desdemona did not just go behind his back and do something shameful, it is saying that she has betrayed her family. This reaction seems, to me at least, over the top for the situation.
Furthermore, the use of the word “blood” deepens her crime against her family. It is not just her father and her mother that she has committed this crime against, for by saying “treason of the blood,” Brabantio extends her crime’s effect to her entire family, even to her ancestors and her family honor. By saying this, Brabantio is calling Desdemona a stain on their family tree.
“O treason of the blood” could be taken to mean that Desdemona will be cast out of the family, disowned. I believe that if Brabantio had talked to Desdemona sooner and before he had somewhat composed himself, he would have disowned her. Thankfully, he refrains from doing so even though, in his eyes, her crime is so great.
Page 15 Desdemona: “My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty: To you I am bound for life and education; My life and education both do learn me how to respect you; you are the lord of duty, I am hitherto your daughter: but here’s my husband, and so much duty as my mother show’d to you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord.”
DeleteIn this excerpt Desdemona is telling her father of her marriage to Othello. I am using the definition of blood as family relation, specifically Brabantio and Desdemona. Here Desdemona is explaining why she is listening to Othello rather than her father. In Shakespearean times the father was the head of the household, in charge of the children and his wife. Desdemona tells her father that the socially correct thing to do is to listen to her husband, because he now has more right to her than her father. Desdemona also backs up her point with an example. She brings up her mother and her relationship to Brabantio versus to her father. This use of her mother is clever, because Brabantio was probably thrilled that his wife answered to him rather than her father. This construction of argument will cause Brabantio to admit that Desdemona is correct, even if he isn’t happy about it. The main issue was that Othello did not ask permission to marry Desdemona, so the right to Desdemona wasn’t properly given to Othello per say. But this is why Brabantio says Othello has stolen her from him.
Ingo: “It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will.
DeleteCome, be a man: drown thyself!” (Shakespeare, 19)
At the end of Act I Scene III Rodrigo is depressed because he has just found out that Desdemona is in love with Othello. Before they believed or tried to get Othello into trouble by telling people he forced her into marriage. This is proven to be false by Desdemona herself which makes Rodrigo start to say that he is going to kill himself because she loves another man. In the quote above Ingo is trying to cheer Rodrigo up so that he will continue with the plan. Ingo is saying that Rodrigo truely does not love Desdemona but only has a lust like everyone does. The way Ingo uses the word blood is to describe human nature and how it is inescapable. In a way Ingo is saying that there is truly no such thing as love only the natural for lust and sex. It is hard to understand whether or not Ingo is just saying this to get Rodrigo on board with the plan again or if this is his true way of thinking.
Stefani,
DeleteI completely agree with your analysis of the quote, especially the part about Desdemona’s mother’s loyalty to Brabantio, which I didn’t even realize reading the passage the first time through. Thinking about what we talked about in the seminar discussion in terms of gender and race equality, I want to bring up the importance of Othello’s race in his relationship with Desdemona, and how that affects Desdemona’s relationship with her father. Obviously, had Othello been white, Brabantio would have been overwhelmingly proud that her daughter married a high-ranking military man. However, under these circumstances, Othello’s race overrides his military power, and Brabantio still sees him as unworthy of his daughter. But if Desdemona now “belongs” to Othello, instead of the other way around, does that mean that gender beats race? Even if Othello was a one-legged rapist with no teeth who was in jail, Desdemona would still be the “property” of Othello. I think it is interesting, and important to the understanding of the play, to think about how people will put others in order of importance when taking gender and race into account. The points you brought up were excellent in that they showed that even though Othello is black, he still dominates his wife and takes her away from Brabantio. Thank you for sharing.
@Rachael Posner
DeleteI agree that Brabantio’s reaction was kind of an over reaction but then again I kind of see where he is coming from. Brabantio was the one who brought Othello to his house and invited him back to tell his stories. Brabantio was the reason that Othello and Desdemona even met. Brabantio really over reacted when he tried to get Othello in trouble with the Duke. “Ay, to me; She is abused, stol’n from me and corrupted By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks;” (pg 11). What Brabantio is saying is a little extreme but I understand what he is saying. His daughter lied to him about having a relationship. Then she goes off and marries the man in secret. Personally I would be mad at her too but maybe no to the extreme where she would be dead to me because of her mistake.
BLACK/WHITE
ReplyDeleteDuke pg. 18: “If virtue no delighted beauty lack, / Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.”
DeleteThe Duke is speaking to Brabantio here, just after the court meeting determining Othello’s fate after the discovery that he is married to Desdemona. This is a very Shakespearean poetic phrase, written in rhyming iambic pentameter. The Duke is basically saying to Brabantio that if to be virtuous means to have beauty, your son-in-law (Othello) is much more fair (beautiful) than black (referencing his skin color). As this play takes place in late sixteenth-century Venice, you can expect basically all the white characters to be racist towards black people (with the exception of maybe Desdemona). And with racism comes stereotyping, which we can see here: the Duke had perhaps thought that because Othello is black, he is therefore inferior in virtue and honesty to white people and had expected him to lie and cheat his way out of punishment, but he is proven wrong when Othello speaks with honesty and trust to the court and Desdemona is brought in to justify his words. The Duke is surprised at Othello’s behavior, and tells Brabantio this. He is basically saying that Othello acts with white virtue and honesty rather than with black uncivilized tone and rudeness, which is, of course, an incredibly racist thing to say, but as we see in this book, white is often paired with good, and black with evil, as it was in those times. The Duke is hinting to Brabantio, and therefore the reader, that Othello may actually be the exception to that rule. This expands the binary theme of white vs. black by adding to it that maybe it doesn’t exactly apply to all situations. It also shows that not all of the white characters in the book are completely unchangeably racist, as the Duke is taken aback by Othello and changes his view of him from what he initially thought. This also adds a little bit of characterization to the Duke, showing him to be a kinder and more open-minded man than most; though he is only a minor character, these two lines help the reader get a sense of what kind of person the Duke is, having only met him a couple of pages ago.
"Iago
DeleteIf she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, the one's for use, the other useth it.
Desdemona
Well praised! How if she be black and witty?
Iago
If she be black, and thereto have a wit, she'll find a white that shall her blackness fit."
Act 2, Scene 1, pg 24
Although the passage is short, as readers, we begin to see more of Iago's witty and cunning side. Desdemona is asking Iago how he would praise her, if he had to, and he says that she is pretty and smart, and that she uses her good looks to get what she wants. This could be seen as being rude, but the way Iago phrases it, it seems like a good quality. He sees it as intelligent, and has an almost respecting tone. Of course, Iago's a liar so this could possibly not be how he feels, but he's a good liar, so Desdemona believes him.
The use of the term fair here refers to her pale skin, which was considered to be beautiful. Desdemona asks, after Iago tells her she is "fair and witty", what he would make of a woman who is "black and witty". Black is used crudely in this context, a complete opposite of fair---meaning ugly. She is asking how he would compliment a women who is ugly but smart. He says she'll use her wits to find a white man.
Essentially, in Shakespearean times, darker skin was considered ugly, and lighter skin was thought of as beautiful.
“Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
DeleteIs tupping your white ewe.” (Act 1, Scene 1).
This quote uses both animal and black/white motifs.
This is the passage in the play where Iago is explaining to Brabantio that Desdemona is off with Othello. Iago makes racist references to Othello being black by calling him a “black ram.” Iago’s not just making a reference to Othello’s race but he’s also calling him an animal. He calls Desdemona a “white ewe” which is also an animal, a white lamb, which isn’t as harsh as what he called Othello. Iago uses race to evoke Brabantio’s emotion. He’s trying to make Brabantio mad by reminding him that Othello is a black man, and Desdemona is fair and white. This is where we start to see how Iago likes to play with emotions and he’s not who he comes across as. He tells Brabantio about Desdemona and Othello because it’s part of his plan against Othello.
If she be black, and thereto have a wit, she’ll find a white for her blackness fit.(Shakespeare 24)
DeleteIago says that yes even if she is ugly but smart she can find a handsome man but it does not matter because all women are going to get married. This is all that Iago see as the value of women in society. Not only is the sexist it is also racist because black is being used as a word for ugliness and evil. It is odd to me that Desdemona is not equally upset with Iago about his sexist remarks as his racist remarks only after marrying Othello a month earlier. Though maybe that connection or use of the word black was so commonly used in place of ugly or evil it stopped being seen as a racial remark. Iago has not called Othello a black devil to Desdemona knowledge but it seems unlikely that Iago he is the only person to compare black or blackness to being evil, ugly, or the devil. Yet, Desdemona does not address the implications of what Iago means by black. Maybe this means as much as Desdemona enjoys the idea of Othello and his stories does not mean she is physically still interested in him.
@ Meghan O’Brien
DeleteI completely agree with your interpretation of the quote although I would like to add a few insights. When Iago refers to Othello being a black ram, its not only an animal. A black ram is a large and ugly creature which has large horns atop of its head. Iago uses this animal to refer to Othello because Iago is provoking Brabantio’s emotions with a racial slur which would then lead to Brabantio moving upon it. Also the “white ewe” reference was not intended to be harsh towards Desdemona. Iago would not insult Brabantio’s daughter when he’s pleading for him to aid them. The “white ewe” reference was to have Desdemona come across as innocent, young, and white and that she is in the hands of a very lustful, demeaning and ravage animal. I thoroughly agree with the rest of the interpretation and that Iago has a well-developed plan to retrieve what he wants.
@Meghan O’Brien
DeleteI agree with what you are saying about this motif and how it shows the animal imagery. I would like to add more about the way Iago is being very racist in this quote of his. Iago has shown to the audience that he is very good at manipulating people so he tells Brabantio that he should not have his beautiful, white daughter married to a black man. Brabantio starts to agree with Iago and tries to stop the couple. This connects to Iago telling Othello that Cassio is a white and handsome man that could easily be having an affair with Desdemona. On pg. 48, Othello says “Haply, for I am black” when he is talking to Iago about Casssio and Desdemona. The quote represents a lack of confidence from Othello because of his race. Othello shows that he himself even thinks that he is not good enough or can compare to a white man. Because of this, Othello starts to listen to Iago and gets so jealous he later hits his wife out of pure fury. Racism in this play has a huge impact on all the characters. Shakespeare specifically puts this idea in the play to show the difference between races back in that time period. This black/white motif shows how Othello has to live with being called bad names and trying to overcome the people who say these things, but it is a struggle for him.
@tennischamp (Sanya Mittal)
DeleteSanya, I totally agree with your interpretation, and understanding of black skin being g considered ugly, and white skin being though as beautiful during Shakespearean times. Which relates to our discussion in regards to if Othello has a lack of confidence in his relationship with Desdemona due to his race? I personally cannot find a direct solution to this question. But if I had to choose one answer, it would be: no, because Othello confidence in the court room when Brabantio appealed to the Duke for the crime of black man, marrying his white daughter. And by Othello allowing the case to be solved by letting the word of Desdemona provide the truth, and to “make it real”, he said if Desdemona says he lying, to allow the death penalty to be acted upon him. Although, now in further reading, Othello is under the impression that Desdemona has betrayed him by spending too much time with an another man and maybe having sex with him. Which causes Othello to question his identity, and if Desdemona is cheating on him. Which relates to when Brabantio tells Othello: “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father, and may thee.”(Page 18) As Brabantio is telling Othello that he should be aware of Desdemona possibility deceiving him, as she has deceived her father. Which is an emotional issue and conflict for Brabantio, as he feels like that he is the most important person for Desdemona, which Desdemona counteracts against, by telling Brabantio that since after her marriage with Othello, Othello is the most important man to her. But now, with Othello under the impression of Desdemona cheating on her, Brabantio advice, and the quarrels he had to go through to marry a white women. He is now under the influence of his race becoming the causes of Desdemona’s actions. Now relating back to your post Sanya of how the color black and white was seen. Black being considered an ugly people would make a dominant white Venice to think of Othello as inferior. Still though the Duke picked Othello to be in charge of the military with is quarrels with Cyprus. And to support his reasoning’s, he explains to Brabantio (also to convince Brabantio to accept his daughter’s marriage with Othello), that characteristically wise Othello is white. Meaning that even though Othello is black, he is still a man of honorable qualities. “If virtue no delighted beauty lack, / Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.”(page18) Is what the duke says to support his reasoning, using the word: fair, to represent beauty, honor. Using all these facts, I personally believe that black people during this time period only were offered degrees of respect from white people from Venice, when they provided useful to the white people of the Venetian society.
@ Jad Jacob
DeleteYou are definitely correct about the fact that not all the characters are racist. I think a interesting thing to look at is if Shakespeare was. We got to talk a little about in our discussion about how patriarchal position became more in important the issue over race. In Othello, Desdemona is obviously not racist. Though she would have been in the vast majority both when the story was going in and when Shakespeare was writing Othello. The only person who treats Othello as an equal Desdemona has paid a price for that tolerance. She has been called a whore and been hit by her husband in public. It is almost as if Shakespeare punishes Desdemona for loving Othello. This is fiction so a certain amount of reality has to be suspended. Although, it does seem strange that a in this time there ever would have been an incident in Europe where a person who was African or of African descent would have been allowed to treat a European with such discontent and violence. It is understandable that if a man of African descent had come into the position he has achieved as general in a caucasian dominated culture. It is not unreasonable to think that he would mistrust a relationship with a caucasian woman. Shakespeare may also be continuing the theme of forbidden love should stay forbidden.
While waiting for the ship to arrive in Cyprus, Iago talks to a company of people about women. Desdemona challenges him to say something about her, so he says, "If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, / The one's for use, the other useth it" (24). He means that a woman who is both smart and beautiful will be smart enough to know how to use her beauty to get what she wants. Desdemona then asks Iago," How if she be black and witty?" (24). Here Desdemona is asking about a woman who is smart and ugly. Iago answers, "If she be black, and thereto have a wit, / She'll find a white that shall her blackness hit"(24). Iago is saying that no matter how ugly a woman is, she can use her intelligence to attract a handsome man. Iago is being very wise but rude while saying these things, and is speaking of blacks in a harsh light. The motif, black/white, evokes the idea that black symbolizes ugly and white symbolizes beauty. This relates to the theme of self-confidence, because Othello always thought he was black and ugly, and wondered why beautiful fair Desdemona
Delete@Duncan Lindsay
DeleteI totally agree with you Duncan when you say that Iago is racist. He is constantly throwing racist remarks left and right, and nobody seems to get too upset. I partially agree with you when you say that it is odd that Desdemona isn’t that upset when Iago refers to Othello in negative ways. As we have said before, Desdemona is more in love with the idea that Othello has of himself, not necessarily his physical appearance. Iago says” she seem’d to shake and fear your look”. Desdemona says” I saw Othello’s visage in his mind”. These quotes imply that Desdemona is not physically attracted to Othello, but at the same time, she is trying to separate Othello’s appearance from his humanity. You were right when you said that blackness connects to ugliness and evil. Back then in the times of this play and even up to now, black has been oriented with bad things, for example lust, fidelity, treachery. Another point I want to add on, connecting to the point of people being racist towards Othello, is that the racist people rarely use his name. They often refer to him as “ the moor” or some other name rather than Othello. The people who refer to him in those racist ways are reducing him to a class, a class of black people. By calling him those racist names, they denote him. Desdemona never refers to him in a racist way, so we know she is not racist. I think we can say Desdemona is in some since a bystander, in the fact that she lets people be so racist towards Othello and does nothing about it. Another take on that situation would be that she is okay with people calling him those names because it was normal back then to be racist.
SOUL
ReplyDeletePg. 13, Duke: “Did you by indirect and forced courses subdue and poison this young maiden’s affections? Or came it by request, and such fair question as soul to soul affordeth?”
DeleteThe Duke says this in Act I, Scene III to Othello. They are in the council chamber and the Duke is trying to determine whether Othello won Desdemona over fairly and honestly. The use of the words “as soul to soul affordeth” offer a more serious meaning than the words “winning over Desdemona fairly and honestly.” “Soul to soul,” for one, implies love from both partners, instead of the love one might encounter from a suitor trying to win over a girl (which is very single sided). By saying this, it makes Othello’s and Desdemona’s love seem more legitimate.
“As soul to soul affordeth” also talks about if their souls can “affordeth” their love. The Duke is asking if their love is one that their souls can afford, or in other words, if their love is true and is one that each of them feels and believes in. By saying this, the Duke is making sure that each of them feels that their love is consensual and requited, and that they themselves are truly in love with the other. To which Othello responds by telling them to fetch Desdemona and ask her themselves, showing that he believes they are truly in love (as Desdemona does as well).
Page 3 Iago: “Zounds, sir, you’re robb’d; for shame, put on your gown; your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;”
DeleteIn this line Iago is telling Brabantio the news of Desdemona and Othello. Iago’s ulterior motive is to make Othello look bad, so Iago is choosing words that will amplify the severity of the situation. Iago words thinks very specifically to make Brabantio hate Othello. In shakespearean times religion, mainly christianity, was extremely emphasized and important. Everyone was worried about their soul and whether or not it would go to heaven or hell. Therefor the soul was seen as a very important thing. Iago compares the betrayal and disobedience of Desdemona to losing a half of Brabantio’s soul, his very essence. Back in Shakespearean times family honor was also highly valued, so the disgrace caused by Desdemona and Othello’s relationship is enough to kill off half of Brabantio’s soul. This also ties in to the heaven and hell motif, because Iago often compares Othello to the devil, who steals souls. The aspect of losing half of his soul makes Brabantio very emotional and manipulatable.
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DeleteDesdemona, Act I Scene III, p 17 : “I saw Othello’s visage in his mind / And to his honours and his valiant parts / Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.”
DeleteThe motif that appears in this quote is the soul, the spiritual part of a person. This is an excerpt of Desdemona’s speech to the Duke where she is imploring him to let her go with Othello to Cyprus. Desdemona has just told her father that she owes more duty to Othello than him, demonstrating her loyalty to her husband. In this case, the word soul means Desdemona’s life, her entity, what makes her unique. By “consecrating” it to the Moor, she is declaring she has dedicated her soul, her life to him, the man she loves. But she doesn’t exactly say “to Othello”. She talks about dedicating her life to “his honours and valiant parts”, making us think that she isn’t in love with his looks and charms, but more with his exploits, his achievements, his bravery. “Valiant parts” seems to mean not his physique, but his courage, his experiences, the hardships he has faced. She fell in love with Othello’s self-image, the way he sees himself, who he really is, flaws and all. It is an interesting love, very different from what we usually hear, because it goes against the stereotype of falling in love with someone for their charms. Desdemona truly loves him, so much so that she has decided to take everything she is and put it in Othello’s care, thus, she cannot be separated from him.
BRA. “To fall in love with what she’d fear to look on! It is a judgement maim’d and most imperfect, That will confess perfection so could err Against all rules of nature; and must be driven to find practices of cunning hell, why this should be.”
DeleteBrabantio is speaking about how corrupt it is for Desdemona to be in love with the Moor. He says how unthinkable it is for her to fall in love with him since it was likely, she was notioned as a child, to have distaste for blacks. This has to very much to do with soul since, Brabantio can’t imagine how Desdemona can feel attracted towards the Moor. He says that their relationship goes against all rules of nature, which you can depict as how souls should not be together like that. Brabantio also talks about how its on the same level of the cunning practices in hell. In this quote Brabantio uses comparisons to hell to protest against Desdemona’s love and he speaks about how the love between them goes against all rules of nature. He basically sums up on how corrupt Desdemona’s soul is and how he is in disbelief of the relationship .
@Stefani
DeleteI agree with your analysis of how Iago uses the motif “soul.” Towards the end you say Iago makes Brabantio very “emotional and manipulatable.” This whole scene is just the beginning of how Iago uses his words to make people emotional and make them think what he wants them to. As we see Iago developing, he still uses this technique in his plan against Othello. We see how he has really gotten into Othello’s mind and almost completely broken up Desdemona and Othello’s relationship because Othello has a lot of trust in Iago. This leads to the question from the seminar discussion, “Why does Othello trust Iago more than Desdemona?” Does no one but the audience know what Iago’s really like? I don’t think any other characters would know about him because he tells other characters what they want to hear and uses words to channel their different emotions.
LIES/DECEPTION/BETRAYAL/HONESTY
ReplyDeleteBrabantio pg. 18: “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: / She has deceived her father, and may thee.”
DeleteDeception is clearly a motif in this phrase, spoken by Brabantio to Othello as everyone is leaving court. Brabantio is telling Othello that he better watch Desdemona carefully, because she has deceived me, and she could do the same to you. Brabantio’s use of the word “deceived” is interesting here; it’s doesn’t really mean “lied to” in this instance, because Desdemona never explicitly lied to Brabantio about her secret marriage to Othello. This use of deception is more like going against the rules, doing what Brabantio told Desdemona not to; the word here is almost synonymous with “betrayed.” This expands on the motif of deception because it shows that deception isn’t always just lying; it can be going against what is expected of you. Desdemona betrayed her father’s trust; she went against what he wanted for her and that made her deceitful. And Brabantio, still bitter from his only child’s blatant betrayal, warns Othello that she is very sly, and may trick Othello similarly to how she betrayed Brabantio himself. This also acts as a sort of foreshadowing for the reader; we become more watchful of Desdemona, and begin to suspect that perhaps Brabantio is right in his suspicions, and that maybe Desdemona may at some point be deceitful to Othello, or perhaps someone else. It provides a new angle at the way we look at deception, and what it truly means in different situations.
“ O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow’d my daughter? Damn’d as thou art, thou hast enchanted her; For I’ll refer me to all things of sense, If she in chains of magic were not bound,..” (Shakespeare 8)
DeleteAt the heat of moment, the angry Brabantio accuses Othello of stealing his innocent daughter from him with the use of magic. Brabantio believes that his daughter fell in love with the moor through magic and is bound to Othello forever. His rage was fueled by his disbelief that one of his accommodating companion betrayed him, by forming a relationship with his daughter. Othello, although being powerful and affluent in society, is often rejected by haughty aristocrats despite his benign characters. The harsh words towards a respectable person shows that Brabantio is irrational and racist. The phrase deals with betrayal and deception which occurred earlier in act one when Iago tries to convince that Brabantio’s daughter was deceived to have sex with Othello. Despite the allegations that Othello deceived his wife, the Venetians officials claimed that his position as the general was obtained by his ability to be clever and deceive his enemies.
Othello "So place your grace, my ancient; a man he is of honesty and trust: to the conveyance I assign my wife" (Shakespeare, 19)
DeleteThis motif is used in this section to cause a moment of dramatic irony in the play. Up to this point we have seen Iago try to cause the demise of Othello by deceiving him time after time. In this moment Othello vouches for Iago as an honest man who he would trust with his most prized possession his wife. The entire audience knows that Iago is a manipulative mastermind but Shakespeare uses the aforementioned knowledge to show the reader a side of Othello that is trusting and assuming of the honestly and loyalty of his subordinates. Shakespeare uses all the aspects of this motif just in one simple quote. He shows the deception and inevitable betrayal of Othello by Iago by showing the reader the naive tendencies of the Moor to trust with all his heart a man who he thinks to be honest, but is actually only a master of lies.
“It is merely a lust of the blood...Put money in thy purse...I say, put money in thy purse…-put money in thy purse...put but money in thy purse...fill thy purse with money…”
DeletePage 19.
This quote is a motif about deception. Iago is speaking to Roderigo about what Roderigo needs to do to get Desdemona to marry him. Iago knows how Roderigo loves Desdemona and how much he wants to be with her. Iago also knows that Roderigo is overly emotional, he knows this because Roderigo has mentioned suicide. Iago knows how much Roderigo’s emotions rule him. Roderigo trusts Iago because Iago also hates Othello so Iago appears to be on the same side as Roderigo. Iago is very smart and deceives Roderigo in to thinking many things. First, that they are friends. Second, that Iago is actually trying to help him get Desdemona, and lastly if Roderigo,”puts money in thy purse,” he will get Desdemona. Iago knows that when talking to such a fragile man like Roderigo, that he is easily deceived
and ruled over by his emotions.
To you I am bound for life and education;
DeleteMy life and education both do learn me
How to respect you, you are the lord of duty,
I am hitherto your daughter: but here ‘s my husband,
As so much duty as my mother show’d
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I profess
Due to the Moor by lord
Page 15
The motif of lies and honesty of this play is expressed in these lines, as Desdemona is telling her father in front of the court that, even though she owes her education, and life to him, that she will still prefer the words of Othello(The Moor), over his words anytime, due to her mother doing the same thing for Brabantio. This shows that in this time period in Venice, and most-likely the rest of Europe, women generally trended to keep their husbands words over their fathers as their husbands now “own the women”. When Desdemona uses the word: “lord”, to describe Othello, she is showing respect towards Othello as her husband, and as the man who loves her. This relates to the motif of betrayal to, as if we go back to when Othello was telling the Duke on earlier, that if Desdemona does not say that she loves and willingly love him, that he should be given the death penalty. Desdemona did accept his love for him, and this shows that the love is so strong between these two, that Othello is able to take this risk. Showing to the duke and the court that these two young men and women sincerely love each other, and should be allowed to marry each other. This bring angry and sad emotions to Roderigo and Iago, because this just means that there will be a lower chance of getting Desdemona to leave Othello for Roderigo. This also gives a new layer of meaning of the story because, after this scene Iago expresses confidence to Roderigo in saying that their plan of getting Desdemona to leave Othello for him will still be easy. But to the reader, how will he do it. Will everything be a happy ending, and the two lovebirds will stay together. Or will the deceitful Iago, continue to manipulate the characters, and create a not so happy ending after all?
“For your sake, jewel,
DeleteI am glad at soul I have no other child;
For thy escape would teach me tyranny,
To hand clogs on them.”
(Brabantio, page 15)
In this scene, Desdemona has just told her father that she loves Othello, and that she has married him. Brabantio, expectedly, feels betrayed by his daughter (but what makes it worse is the fact that Othello is African, so we can see Brabantio’s racism playing a role here). He tells her that because of her, he is glad he has no other children. If he did, her betrayal would have taught him to take away all their freedom, practically imprisoning them like animals; he uses the terms clogs, which, according to the book, are anything hung upon an animal to hinder motion. We get the idea of a fettered, hopeless animal. Up until this point, Brabantio was under the impression that Othello performed some witchcraft on Desdemona to win her over. So he was simply enraged at Othello, anxious to kill him (after getting the Duke’s consent). But he found out that there was no witchcraft involved, and that Desdemona fell in love with him because of the times that he, himself, invited Othello to their home. Thus he feels regret, anger, betrayal, all resulting in a hatred for Desdemona and Othello. We now know that the relationship between them is unrepairable, and that Desdemona will never be able to go back to her family (because betrayal/trust has such a strong influence on). Her only choice is to remain with Othello, with whom, her relationship is questionable in its stability.
@ Jad Jacob,
DeleteI agree with your interpretation, but there are a couple of things I would like to add. When Brabantio says “If thou hast eyes to see” I believe it could have two possible meanings. One possible interpretation is that Brabantio is being hostile, saying to Othello that if he has eyes he can clearly see Desdemona’s betrayal, and implying that it is very obvious. A second possibility is that Brabantio is telling Othello that he is too blinded by love, and is fooled by her. This would mean the emphasis is put on “see” rather than “eyes”, because Brabantio would be saying Othello has eyes, but he cannot see anything with them because he is blinded by dreams and can not see reality. I would like to elaborate on the point you very briefly mentioned in the end about foreshadowing. Shakespeare loved to foreshadow, and if you looked closely at any of his works, you would find some form of foreshadowing, either miniscule or very obvious. As we’ve seen so far, Desdemona’s so called “disloyalty to Othello” as set up by Iago, is the number one focus of the play after acts I and II. Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to provide a sense of dramatic irony, because we can guess what is going to happen.
@ Sreedurga
DeleteI agree with your analysis of this quote. The betrayal of Brabantio by Desdemona is a significant part of Desdemona and Othello's relationship, which you described as "questionable in it's stability." This lack of stability in their relationship becomes evident when Iago begins to manipulate Othello. One of Othello's insecurities Iago feeds off of is this idea of Desdemona being untrustworthy, and he uses the fact that she betrayed her father as an example of this in the quote "She did deceive her father marrying you; and when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks she loved them most." (Pg 47 Act 3 Scene 3). This quote, as you mentioned, ties in with the subject of Othello's race. Brabantio's racism towards Othello becomes very apparent. This can help to answer discussion question #5, "Does Othello lack confidence in his relationship with Desdemona because of his race?" Yes, Othello is insecure about his race, which Iago knows and uses against him. "Not to affects many of her own clime, complexion, and degree..." (Pg 47 Act 3 Scene 3). Othello is insecure about how his race affects his relationship and his social equality to Desdemona. His race creates and obstacle that is the opposition of Brabantio towards their marriage. This quote seems to have set up many arguments and examples on Iago's behalf further on in this play. It set's up the little cracks in Othello and Desdemona's marriage that will quickly begin to fall apart.
@Martino An
DeleteI wholeheartedly agree with your fantastic interpretation of this quote, which is why, I must take it a step further. Brabantio is not only shocked by this turn of events but blames himself for his daughter falling in love with a black man. Inside, he believes that it is his fault for not raising Desdemona properly and asa result, she is in love with a man seen as inferior by many people in her society. Although the reader knows this in untrue, it is fully apparent that Brabantio is devastated by the loss of his daughter to the "lascivious" Othello. The scene here also lets the reader see Othello's mastery of the art of deception, as Brabantio is turned against a man he trusted just by Iago pinpointing his weak point and striking. Although this plan to bring down Othello is thwarted, it is still very clear to the reader that many things are to come from the deception skills of Iago.
@ Ankur Singh
DeleteI agree with you that in Brabantio’s eyes Desdemona is betraying him, but because the quote you used is said by Desdemona, you’re hearing her point of view. Which isn’t betrayal, it’s honesty. I also completely agree with you that Desdemona loves and respects Othello over her father.
Desdemona: “If haply you my father do suspect an instrument of this your calling back, lay not your blame on me: If you have lost him, why, I have lost him too.” -Page 69
Even though Desdemona is being treated unfairly and being abused by Othello, and she knows that she doesn’t deserve it, she still loves him more than her father. In the quote above she says if you have been called back by my father, don’t blame me. She says that if he has lost her father’s respect that she also has. This goes back to the betrayal motif Ankur was talking about because now she has betrayed both her father and husband in their eyes. Not only has Desdemona married a man Brabantio disliked, but she supposedly cheated on him too. And cheating on your spouse is not seen as something good in the eyes of anyone, even in the eyes of a father who hated his daughter’s spouse. But once the truth comes out of Desdemona being unfaithful and people realize that she is a loyal wife, Brabantio will surely hear of it and will hate Othello more than he already did and lose that last bit of respect he had for him.
@Margaret P
DeleteI agree with you about how the motif is about deception and the majority of your analysis of this quote. Since Roderigo is so gullible it is easy for Iago to deceive him. It is also easy for Iago to make money off of Roderigo without actually working for it. Iago also really hates Othello, like you said so its easier for Iago to convince Roderigo. All these little things help Iago craft his message towards Roderigo. I disagree about how Iago is being deceptive about helping Roderigo win over Desdemona. I think he is actually trying to help Roderigo win him over because it fits into his plan. I also think that Iago is actually on Roderigo’s side because hes not in the way of Iago’s plan. If he wasn’t on Iago’s side, Roderigo would probably be dead or already out of the way.
John,
DeleteI completely agree with your point that Shakespeare uses this motif to show the “inevitable betrayal” of Othello by Iago. Even early on in the play, we see that Othello tends towards blind and naïve faith, especially when it comes to Iago. The motif, when used to describe Iago is most often misused in describing him. As the play develops, we see Iago begin to exploit this blind trust Othello has in him, through his clever manipulation and deception. As of yet, Othello has not determined Iago’s true intent. This is evidenced by Othello's quote on page 44, “...for I know thou’rt full of love and honesty and weigh’st thy words before thou givest them breath...for such things in a false disloyal knave are tricks of custom; but in a man that’s just they’re close delations, working from the heart, that passion cannot rule.” This quote especially exemplifies the dramatic irony you mentioned earlier. Othello says he knows that Iago is honest, even though his lack of speech and diversion of words could be seen as the methods of a dishonest person. In reality, Iago really is using the “tricks and customs of a dishonest knave” while Othello remains blissfully unaware. Therefore, this motif can be used to characterize the relationship of trust and deception between Othello and Iago, and how Othello’s blind trust and the Iago’s deceptions cause most of the conflicts in the play.
@Marget P
DeleteI agree with you that Iago is very decieving also that he studies the person intently to really figure out how to decieve that person exactly. Like you said Othello knew that Roderigo was weak and lets his emotions get the best of him. Iago knew that Roderigo was ready to kill himsef if he couldn't be with Desdemona, so he tried to suggest anything that would maybe get them together and also gainig money for himself knowing how foolish Roderigo is. Through out the story we see how Iago decieves all the other charecters of the play such as Brabantio and Cassio." You or any man living may be drunk at some time, man!"(pg 37) Iago manipulates Cassio by knowing his weaknesss and that is that Cassio gets drunk very easily and will make a fool of himself just by a few sips of wine. Iago has yet again studied the person and the exact way to manipulate them. Iago yet again knows Brabantio's racist/judgemental character. When he mentions to Brabantio that his daughter is in love with a black man and mentions othello as a "black ram"(pg 3) manipulating his words to make Othello sound horrible and thoughtless. We learn throughout the play how decieving Iago is but also how smart and crafty he is becasue he studies each person he manipulates so that he can get the end result he wants.
-Samantha Bobbio
@ John Hess
DeleteIago is indeed an untrustworthy person but, everyone thinks he is a genius. I tried to touch in this in the discussion that he is not a master of the the big picture he has no endgame. Iago is not as smart as we think think he is for one important reason, the only time we see him scheme he tell us how smart he is. So far the he has deceived Roderigo who is an absolute idiot, Cassio who was drunk when Iago convinced him they were friends, and Othello who is an outsider. He did not compose a plan until we the end of the first act and even still he is making things up as he goes along. I would say he is succeeding in his plan and that he probably will but, he did not account for the role women would play especially Emilia, and after Othello has destroyed his reputation then what. Emilia will almost certainly know what Iago has done. If she reacts to violence from Iago the same way she has with Othello she will speak up and tell someone. She could tell the lords in Venice or in Cyprus. If by some miracle Cassio lives he will almost certainly be able to testify against Iago. Even, if Iago’s plan succeeded I feel as if he is doomed to fail to escape the punishment for what he has done.
ANIMALS
ReplyDelete“Even now, now, very now, an old black ram / is topping your white ewe. Arise, arise…”
Delete“… You’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse / you’ll have your nephews neigh to you / you’ll have coursers for cousins and gennets for Germans.”
(Act I, Scene I)
The quotes above are from the scene where Iago and Roderigo tell Brabantio that his daughter has eloped with the Moor. In the first quote, Iago is comparing Desdemona to a white ewe and the Moor to an old black ram. He is scaring Brabantio by saying that his fair daughter is sleeping with an old dark man, together making children which will be a mix of both Desdemona’s skin color and Othello’s skin color. In the second quote, Iago talks about how Othello is a Barbary horse sleeping with his daughter and since he’s a horse, their children will also be like horses, neighing to Brabntio. Also, if Othello and Desdemona have children, the rest of Brabantio’s family will be nothing but horses too since he compares cousins to coursers which are swift horses and germans to gennets which are also a type of Spanish horses. Using animals to compare Desdemona and the Moor, and their children and cousins, Iago tries to get Brabantio all riled up and build hatred towards Othello to break apart his relationship with Dedemona.
In act 1 scene 3 iago tells Rodrigo "ere i would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, i would change my humanity with a baboon". Then he says "drowning is for cats and dogs". Act 1 scene 1 Iago calls Othello a "barbary horse", and "old black ram" he also tells brabantio that his daughter is making the "beast with two backs".
DeleteThe first quote "ere i would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, i would change my humanity with a baboon" happens when rodrigo tells Iago he planned to drown himself because desdemona is with Othello. Iago is saying he would rather be a baboon that kill himself over a woman which means Roderigo is being ridiculous to kill himself over desdemona. He then says "drowning is for cats and dogs " further enforcing how ridiculous Roderigos being. Then when talking to Brabantio in the night he calls Othello a "old black ram" and says his daughter is making the "beast with two backs". He calls Othello an old black ram because othello is black and the image of his daughter with a black ram was meant to frighten him.The "beast with two backs" comment was also meant to frighten him. Iago was trying to frighten Brabantio in hopes that he would intervene and prevent Othello from being with Desdemona because Roderigo is in love with her.
@Nidhi
DeleteI think your point on how Iago is trying to anger Brabantio is very true. Iago is acting rather irrationally in my opinion, he should be trying to get back at the man who took his job not the one who assigned it. Shakespeare is really trying to make Iago seem like a cunning man here, by having him use animals as comparisons it shows how Iago knows just how to pull at Brabantio’s strings. Shakespeare is also having Iago comparing animals to humans of their respective skin colors, to emphasize the racial differences between whites and blacks, especially during this time period. On page 52, when Iago is trying to convince (and succeeding to convince) Othello that his wife is cheating on him, “It were a tedious difficulty...you may have ’t.”, during this passage, he says “Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys, as salt as wolves in pride,” he’s saying that even if Desdemona and Cassio were crazy and lustful for each other, there would still be no way for Othello to see/catch them while they are having sex. Iago is cunning enough to make Othello believe that his wife and Cassio are having an affair, but also makes him aware that he’ll probably never catch them in the act--because as we all know, they really aren’t. By using animal comparisons, Iago shows us his character. He is very good at deceiving and making people believe his lies.
FOOD/APPETITE/HUNGER
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete"Her eyes must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour." (Act ll, Scene I.)
DeleteJust before Iago had said this statement in his soliloquy on page 27, Desdemona and Othello had just left together after speaking of their love toward one another. Roderigo listens carefully to Iago as he tells of a plan to ruin the Moor. The motif is clearly shown when Iago says “Her eyes must be fed.” He is talking about how Desdemona must hear these amazing adventures from Othello in order to love him. This gives Roderigo hope that Othello and Desdemona’s love is not actually love, it is just hunger for hearing the stories of Othello’s past. Othello is loving that she pities him so he too thinks he is in love with her. With Roderigo manipulated by Iago, Iago can now follow through his plan to destroy Othello’s life and he now has the help from Roderigo, who was in such a bad state he now gets kind of bossed around by Iago. A big situation has erupted form the hunger of needing someone to sympathize them and the need to have revenge. With all this going on, the characters face problems later on that makes the plot of the play very interesting.
"The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts , shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida." - Iago (Shakespeare Pg. 19)
DeleteIn this quote, the motif "food" is once again being used by Iago to describe love. Iago is trying to convince Roderigo that love is nothing but filling a need, Othello is not special he is just there until Desdamona grows bored with him and will move on to someone else, and vice versa. This quote shows you not only how Iago is trying to manipulate Roderigo, it also developed the character of Iago by showing us how he views love. He seems to truly believe the information that he is presenting to Roderigo. His idea of love being "filling another's hunger" causes the audience to view him as someone incapable of love and compassion. The idea of love as interchangeable influences how he plans to exact his revenge on Othello. He finds it to be logic and reason that Desdamona would grow bored with Othello and cheat on him with Michael Cassio. One could argue that Iago is right about Othello and Desdamona, they seem to have fallen in love with the idea of each other in the spur of the moment. That fits Iago's description of how food/ love is "to him now is as luscious as locusts". When Iago's plan is set in place we will find out if his theory is right that the thing they once found so dear "shall be to him as bitter as coloquintida (made from bitter apples)."
“Let her have your voices. Vouch with me, heaven , I therefore beg it not, To please the palate of my appetite; Nor to comply with heat- the young affects…” ( Shakespeare 17)
DeleteThe motif, appetite is used in this phrase to accentuate his love for Desdemona to the council. As a humble general standing before a patriarchal council, he begs for his peers to bestow him a gift to bring his wife with him which would leave his heart content. Othello seems to ask the duke to bestow him a favor to appease many of his compulsion for love. Many characters in the story characterize Othello as a man with many desires and wishes, but his plea to the council to send Desdemona with him shows that he only wants to be loved. A flaw in his character is that his appetite can easily be mitigated with love leaving him very vulnerable to bad affairs with his wife. Iago and Roderigo may use this flaw to expose his weakness to everyone which could leave Othello in a very bad spot. His relationship with Desdemona is in jeopardy if the majority of his appetite is powered by their relationship because an accident would leave Othello in distress and depressed.
@ Natalie Metzger
DeleteI think that when Iago says, “her eyes must be fed” he is referring to animalistic urges. I think Iago is implying that Desdemona wants something attractive to look at. This is one of the things that is a common theme throughout the play, age. Othello is much older than Desdemona, and he is black. Iago is portraying Othellos oldness and skin color as attractive. Here Iago is comforting Rodrigo by implying that he’s much more handsome than Othello, and soon Desdemona will get tired of looking at ugly, old, Othello. Iago continues to use animalistic adjectives such as appetite and flavor. Iago is portraying not only Desdemona, but women as animals who only go after what they find attractive, and when they get bored they move on to someone new and refreshing. Iago knows he must convince the fragile Rodrigo that this is true in order to make his plan work. Iago pumps Rodrigo up with confidence that he is better than Othello, so he is too blind to see the flaws in Iago's plan or question it.
Martino,
DeleteI agree with you on what you said about appetite and Othello’s love for Desdemona, and I would like to take it a step further by asking the seminar discussion question of how much we can really control our primary instincts. I think that primary instincts are not only the necessity for actual food and hunger, and the immediate reaction to violence with violence, but also our sexual desires. Now, in this day and age we obviously have much better control of them, since you don’t see too many brothels these days, and there are these things called laws that you’re not supposed to break. But back then, rape was a much more common crime that could typically go unnoticed, especially if you were a reasonably wealthy man with connections to the government. I agree with what you said about Othello being characterized as “a man with many desires and wishes,” and I think that here, his desires and wishes are part of his sexual appetite for Desdemona. He is driven almost to the point of complete desperation as his primary instincts take over, and his brain just keeps repeating the words sex and Desdemona in his head until he get what he wants. So this is basically like a huge crush taken to the next level. Now, obviously appetite and love isn’t always completely sexual, but I think that in this instance, being that it is Othello’s primary instincts talking and not his reasonable, emotional attraction to Desdemona, this is basically all about sex. I think the subtext of this passage is, in common terms, “Listen, dudes, you guys know how you really, really love your wives? Like really really? Well I do too, like really really, so please let me be with her, so I can, um, quench my thirst, if you get my drift.” He seems almost embarrassed as he says “I therefore beg it not,” like he can’t believe he’s stooped so low for this, which is why I squeezed that “um” in there.
@DevinMassari
DeleteI agree that the quote you chose really shows Iago’s character, how he views love and that he can manipulate people’s emotions easily. After you've talked about how Iago shows the audience that he is someone “incapable of love and compassion,” and after the play has progressed, we see that Iago never loses this image. During the seminar discussion, the question ‘have we seen the real Iago’ came up and I think we have. Just like how you mentioned Iago manipulated Roderigo, he has now done the same to Othello and other characters. He obviously isn't compassionate towards other characters’ feelings, and those are his true colors. The quote you chose is a perfect example of this. How Iago compares love to food and hunger shows his take on love, that it can’t last after your hunger is filled.
@Natalie M
DeleteAlthough your interpretation is very good, I disagree. I believe that when he says “her eyes must be fed”(Act II, Scene!.) he’s talking about how she needs someone attractive to look at all the time. It could even be something about her appetite for a better looking man. Once she gets sick of his stories and she has heard all of them, she is going to look for something else in him, which he won’t be able to provide. I do agree with what you analyzed about how Iago tells Roderigo that their love isn’t real. Even though he knows that they really do love each other, he can easily convince Roderigo that. It is also possible that Iago is even trying to convince himself that they don’t really love eachother, since this would make his plan much easier.
@Natalie
DeleteI completely agree when you say that Roderigo is being bossed around by Iago, and more than bossed around, I would say manipulated. Iago is just so talented at finding the right words that will take root and convince his audience that whatever he is saying is true. For Roderigo it’s how Desdemona will tire of Othello before long. In Othello’s case, it’s telling him Desdemona is cheating on him, and then giving him proof. In each case Iago is sympathizing with them in a way, comforting them and “partaking” in their grief. When Othello is in dire need of a friend to rant to, Iago offers an ear, and even joins in cursing Desdemona alongside Othello : “O, ‘t is foul in her.” (Act IV, Scene I, p 65). Iago has Roderigo wrapped around his little finger with false words of comfort that all will be well, Desdemona will be his, and it’s quite amazing to watch how easily he subdues him. Even when Roderigo seems to finally realize Iago has been leading him on, “I do not find that thou dealest justly with me.” (Act IV, Scene II, p 73), Iago immediately brings him back under his spell by flattering him, telling him “...I see there is mettle in thee;...” (Act IV, Scene II, p 73), and poking at his pride by asking if he is courageous enough to kill Cassio for him. Iago is once again demonstrating his skills in bending people’s wills to do his bidding. He’s killing two birds with one stone: he’s succeeded in convincing Roderigo he only intends to help him gain Desdemona, as well as find someone to be responsible for the murder of Cassio. I suspect he may even blame it all on Roderigo, and get his revenge at no cost to himself. Like you said Natalie, with all that’s going on thanks to Iago’s machinations, watching the characters’ problems unfold is very interesting indeed.
VEXATION/ANGER/WRATH/RAGE
ReplyDeleteCassio: “I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse fustian with one’s own shadow? O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!”
Delete-Page 36
In Cassio’s lines here he is saying that he’d rather ask Othello to despise Cassio than for Othello, a good respectful man, to accept a drunken, reckless officer such as Cassio. A motif I saw in this passage was vexation. Vexation is the state of being annoyed, frustrated or worried. And Cassio is definitely in that state. He’s not only annoyed with the wine he consumed, but with himself because he let himself drink that amount of wine. When he names all the silly things wine made him do, it’s obvious how annoyed he is with it. Then he says that we should call wine the devil, and since that’s a little dramatic you can see his enraged emotions taking over there. He really is self-loathing in this dialogue he has with Iago where he shares his emotions on the situation that had just occurred.
EYES/SEEING
ReplyDelete“I saw Othello’s visage in my mind / And to his honor and his valiant parts.” (Scene I, Act III)
DeleteThis is one of the lines Desdemona says when she is asked to come in front of the Duke, Brabantio and Othello to justify her love for Othello and show everyone that they should be able to happily live together. A motif I saw when I read this is vision and seeing beyond what actually exists. Most characters introduced before (Brabantio and Iago) are very racist towards Othello and his race is the biggest reason they do not approve his relationship with Desdemona. However, what Desdemona is trying to say is that she doesn’t just see and old, black person when she sees Othello in her mind. She sees all of the courageous deeds he has done and all of the honors he has achieved. She also implies through these lines that she doesn’t just love Othello for who is, but more for what he has done. She loves all of the hardships he has overcame, not just the way he looks or the way he talks.
“I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
DeleteAnd to his honours and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.”
(Desdemona, page 17)
This is the point in the play where Desdemona is trying to convince the Duke to allow her to go with Othello. She explains how she saw Othello’s character in his stories, and that that is what she fell in love with. In this context, the word consecrate refers to their marriage, a sacred bond between the two. One can imagine how this would happen. A young woman, who has barely seen any of the world, is given an opportunity to look into the mind of someone who has seen as much excitement as the world has to offer. This would most definitely evoke some strong emotions in Desdemona, possibly even love. On the other hand, this raises the question of whether or not this relationship is stable. It is very possible that Desdemona mistook her new found emotions to be love for the Moor. Or she could’ve mistook her love for Othello’s stories, as a love for him. What would happen if Desdemona realizes that she doesn’t truly love Othello? This relates to when Othello was telling the story of their love to the Duke. He said she was amazed by his stories, she felt pity for him, and soon love. He said the reason he loved her, was her amazement, it was that she was looking up to him, and making him feel good about himself. She fell in love with the way he made her feel, and he fell in love with the way she made him feel. They were never given the opportunity to love each other properly, to build trust and a strong foundation for their relationship. This will undoubtedly lead to issues later on in their relationship, especially when they stop making each other feel that certain way.
"Let me see your eyes;
DeleteLook in my face" (Shakespeare 68).
@ Sreedurga,
I agree with your interpretation that Othello and Desdemona did not have the chance to build their relationship on a stable foundation. As you stated, during their courtship, the lovers only saw an idealized version of one another. Once they got married and conflict began (due to Iago manipulations), Othello and Desdemona became distant from each other. Because their suit was rushed and never supported by anyone else, Othello and Desdemona did not have the proper communication skills and trust which are critical for a marriage to survive.The two lovers have been unsuccessful in having a conversation on why their marriage is now a disaster, one can see this in Act IV scene i. In the quote above, Othello questions Desdemona's intentions. He is at the point where he can no longer believe her and repeatedly accuses her of being an unfaithful wife: Othello the goes to the point of verbally attacking her and at one point even hits her. "Devil!" (Shakespeare 66). "Are you not a strumpet?"(Shakespeare 70). Othello only wants to witness Desdemona's reaction to what he has to say (he tells her to look, not speak). He hardly gives her the chance to explain herself, but when he does, retorts back with accusations. All the while, he never brings up Cassio when he yells at Desdemona. Othello's inability to discuss the main reason he distrusts Desdemona also shows his insufficiency in communicating. Throughout this ordeal, Desdemona seems to believe this is the typical way men treat women (Iago's earlier treatment towards Emilia and his description of the perfect woman does not help to change this mindset either). Nevertheless, she is surprised and confused that her kind Othello could turn into such a "typical man". Desdemona tries to explain Othello's actions by stating that she is just unaccustomed to harsh behavior "He might have chid me so; for, in good faith, I am a child to chiding" (Shakespeare 71). For this reason, one is supposed to think that Desdemona is gentle and tries to avoid conflict (back in Act I scene i, she is also described as a white ewe, which depicts her as good-natured). By portraying Desdemona as a victim in this play, Shakespeare shows the historically accurate fact of how men in this time period saw women as subordinates.
@Nidhi shah
DeleteI agree with you completley and see very cleary how the eye motif is carried out through this quote by Desdemona. I believe in Desdemona and Othello's love a lot. During the discussion the question was asked if Othello will ever love Desdemona again? and i believe this is all the proof the viewer needs to believe in there relationship. Desdemona see's Othello for much more then other people see him. And that is beautiful that she is willing to overlook everyones opinion at this time and age of racism. Other points throughout the play prove how strong there feelings are for eachother. After Othello had just striked Desdemona hurting her and embaressing her in public Dedsemona dosent really get angered by Othello's rudeness. She is mainly sad thinking about the fact of their relationship being over. Shown here "what shall i do to win my lord again?"(pg 72). Othello is also displaying how important this realtionship is to him by striking her because he was so mad and jelous of this faulty information provided by Iago that he hit and embaressed Desdemona! I believe Shakespeare is showing that there emotions run high for eachother. This definatley proves how strong there love really is. ^.^
-Samantha Bobbio
DEVIL/MONSTER/BEAST
ReplyDeleteIago “Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil?”
DeleteAct 2, Scene 1 pg 27
Iago is speaking with Roderigo and trying to convince him that Desdemona is not in love with Othello, but with Cassio. Naturally, Roderigo is surprised. Iago says that Desdemona only loved Othello for his journeys and trials that he overcame, and that now all his stories are told, Desdemona has no more reason to love him. When Iago says “her eye” he isn’t literally referring to Desdemona eye, but rather her thirst to hear stories of adventures, to hear them, and then visually see them in her mind. The devil is referring to Othello, Iago says he is no longer the young lively soldier he used to be and that he has grown old. He isn’t literally calling Othello the Devil, but using it in place of the words ugly and aged.
Although he doesn’t call Othello a beast in this particular quote, he does call him by the names of animals quite often. Earlier, he calls him a barbary horse and a black ram. These insults are used to point out the color of Othello’s skin.
Iago "Awake the snorting citizens with the bell or else the devil will make a grandsire of you" (Shakespeare, 3)
DeleteIn this short snippet of a quote, manipulative mastermind Iago molds Brabantio into doing his bidding. This quote comes from when Iago is trying to convince Brabantio that Desdemona has eloped with the Moor. Iago makes the comparison of Othello to the devil, mostly because Othello is black. In this way Iago perpetuates the racism in the society and uses it to his advantage in his interactions with Brabantio. Brabantio is shellshocked that not only he daughter has eloped, but that she eloped with a black man, something a "reasonable" girl would never do. He immediately goes into a state of denail and emotional distress, to the joy of Iago. Iago does not state Othello's name but likens him to the devil, a beast that no man wants his daughter marrying. This implants images in Brabantio's mind that disgust him and drive him into a fit a blind rage. Thinking that he could be the grandfather of the spawn of Satan scares Brabantio to the core and cause him to commit actions that no straight-thinking man would do, much to the joy of Iago.
@John H
DeleteYour interpretation about the quote is right on the spot, however I think Iago is calling Othello something more than just a devil. Iago uses the “snorting citizens”(Shakespeare, 3) to set a state of mind for the audience that its a silent night with the devil working his evil onto Desdemona is secret. Iago is elusively inferring that Othello is a sneaky man that attacks his prey at night with the cover of darkness, but also Othello is also a good friend of Brabantio, so he is deceiving. Brabantio is in rage after hearing this, because Iago compares Othello to a devil which bewilders him into a state of chaos. Since Venice is in the realm of the Roman Catholic Empire, their society was oriented in a very religious manner, therefore Brabantio would have been very scared for his daughter as she falls prey to the devil. Brabantio in a deep realm of fear but is also terribly worried about the safety of his daughter. This quote alone may have severed the relationship between Brabantio and Othello. I would also like to point out to you John, that Iago may have associated Othello to the devil for “stealing” his position as a high ranking general. I find it amusing how Shakespeare's blames Othello(the man) for hurting Desdemona(the woman) when the other acts in the story are based upon the assumption that Desdemona cheating on Othello which is destroying his state of mind.
@Sanya
DeleteI agree with you and how you mention Shakespeare’s use of words like devil to call Othello ugly and old. It is true that Desdemona isn’t really in love with Othello and how so far, only Iago understands that. Later on, he also tries to tell Othello that maybe Desdemona isn’t in love with him after all. He says, “O, beware, my lord of jealousy; it is the green-eyed-monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on: that cuckold lives in bliss…” He indirectly makes Othello feel like a cuckold- someone who has been cheated on, and calls jealousy a monster. I think this builds onto the motif of monster/devil/beast because Iago uses personification to describe jealousy and the quote also says that jealousy is “someone” who mocks the victim of itself and ultimately removes any desires of love from that victim. He is also warning Othello about losing his love and having to perhaps compete with someone else since Desdemona may love someone other than him. This theme is also used by Emilia later on when she talks about jealousy and how it is a monster which destroys love (Shakespeare 59).
JEALOUSY
ReplyDelete"That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it...
DeleteAt least into a jealousy so strong
That judgement cannot cure" (Shakespeare 28).
Jealousy is a very evident motif in this passage. Here, Iago plots against Cassio, Othello, and Desdemona because of his jealousy towards them. Believing that Othello had an affair with Emilia, Iago becomes enraged and tells of his plan to get revenge — calling it a wife for a wife. In retaliation, Iago lusts after Desdemona and wants to make Othello envious as well. Iago's jealousy compels him to stage a love affair between Cassio and Desdemona, making him her "new husband". By making him suspect his wife of being with Cassio, Othello will become so resentful toward Cassio that this feeling will be uncontrollable. Iago refers to this as irrational jealousy, but as a result of his vices, Cassio's reputation will be ruined. Jealousy is also what drives Iago to want make off with Cassio's job. Earlier in the play, Iago complained about how he should have gotten the promotion to lieutenant. Now that he has the opportunity, Iago is able to manipulate his way into his desired position. Iago is so blinded by his envy that he is eager to deliberately tarnish Cassio's prestige just so he can obtain the coveted position as lieutenant. The audience may find it ironic that Iago wants to instill a feeling of irrational jealousy in another character (Othello, so he can degrade Cassio's ranking). This is because Iago himself is an extremely discontentful person. Iago is so blinded by his feelings that he is willing to do anything to seek revenge against those he envies — regardless of the possible negative effects.
“I hate the Moor; And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets
DeleteHe has done my office:..Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to world’s light.”
(Act 1, Scene 3)
In Iago’s passage, he talks about how he hates Othello. He admits that he is jealous. His hatred towards Othello is out of jealousy because Michael Cassio was chosen over Iago to be officer. Iago uses this jealousy to come up with a plan against Othello. This passage is where we start to see the development of Iago’s character. We see how he carries out his plan and how he uses certain people in it, such as Roderigo. Iago doesn't use only his jealousy, but also Roderigo’s. Roderigo likes Desdemona and is jealous of Othello too and Iago uses this. He assures Roderigo that he can help him get Desdemona. Iago’s jealousy will keep coming up as he keeps going on with his plan against Othello.
“It is silliness to live when to live is torment; and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician”
DeleteThis is the scene where Roderigo just found out that Othello and Desdemona are actually in love and married. He is so upset and jealous that he threatened to drown himself. Obviously Iago convinces him not to, and to do other things but Roderigo made this threat out of jealousy of Othello. Since Othello has everything in the world that Roderigo wants, Desdemona, he is extremely jealous of him. Although the reader may think of Roderigo to be joking, it seems as if he doesn’t actually want to live without her. He might as well just say that he wants to be Othello, or at least in Othellos position at the time. Even Roderigo knows that Othello and Desdemona are in love, but he lets Iago convince him otherwise. Roderigo seems to be completely jealous of Othello, but only about Desdemona. This is weird because you would think he would be jealous about something else, like how he is the general of the army and won many battles.
"I have already chose my officer"
Deleteand what was he?
Forsooth, a great arithmtician,
pg 1 act 1 scene 1
(jelousy)
Jelousy continues through out this play bewtween Iago and cassio. Iago is so jelous that he makes alot of plans to ruin his life. this is how Iago expresses his jelousy. He tries to make there life worse to make him feel better about his. Jelousy is carried througout this quote because Iago is so angry and envious of cassio getting the lieutenant job, he talks badly about him and describes how much better he is then cassio to roderigo. This forshadows Iago's complete charecter throughout the whole play. It shows how bad Iago is when it comes to competion and what he'll do if someone is better than him. He uses the same methods with Othello and is also planning to mess with Othellos life. Iago is jelous of othello too because he has a pretty and classy wife and a high miltary status eventhough he is black. He soon plans with Roderigo to make Othello jelous by making up lies about desdemona with another man so he can feel Iago's exact feeling,and make sure he is above him because what Iago wants is them to be jelous of him.
-samantha bobbio
@Becca Curro
DeleteWhen our goals aren’t achieved we often despair and that is exactly what Roderigo is doing in this quote. You state that Roderigo is jealous due to Othello stealing his love of his life, but in the beginning of the quote Roderigo states “It is silliness to live when live if torment”(Shakespeare). His jealously is also fuelled by his pain caused by his torment caused by rejection of Desdemona. Although his jealousy caused him an immense amount of pain, it also helped boost his “willpower” to go after Desdemona by attacking Othello. I agree with you that without a shadow of doubt that Desdemona is Roderigo's entire world which would help support why he wanted to commit suicide after Desdemona professed her love to Othello. Roderigo states that death is the cure to this torment and he is ready to embrace it. Although Roderigo is in a state of depression and debating whether to commit suicide or not, Iago manages to show him the bright future ahead of him and revealing his insidious plan. The dynamic change of mood from Roderigo suggests that he will go to the limit to steal Desdemona from Othello, even if it means to kill someone. Shakespeare wants to accentuate the Iago is very manipulative by changing a suicidal to a motivated Roderigo. This motif is very important to the bookRoderigo because it is what causes the main conflict to Iago and Othello.
(Responding to Meghan O'Brien)
DeleteI agree with your point. Iago's prime emotion throughout this whole book is jealousy. And thanks to further reading and discussing we can tell that Iago is just consumed totally by his jealousy of Michael Cassio and his rage for Othello. Since the beginning Iago has been manipulative to every character and has told various ones like Roderigo and Cassio, that primitive emotions and instincts don't matter. He tells Roderigo on page 18, "Virtue! a fig! 't is in ourselves that we are thus or thus," and on page 36 he tells Cassio, "Reputation is an idle and most false imposition". These things Iago tells these two to gain more control over them. However Iago is basically just as weak as Roderigo and Cassio because his one emotion he is driven by is jealousy. This makes him kind of a hypocrite, and that's also why I don't think his plan will be successful.
@Temi Oshinowo
DeleteI agree with your interpretation and insight on that quote. Jealousy is the sole factor that drives Iago and Othello to become angered. Iago not getting his position of lieutenant is making him jealous and plotting against Cassio and Othello. Also Othello being jealous about his wife apparently cheating on him makes him enraged. After some further reading and having a discussion, I now see that jealousy is effecting Othello so much that his control on his decisions are being tampered with and his emotions overtook his body. Othello is now a prisoner to jealously and is forced to commit terrible crimes. Othello says “Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content” (Shakespeare 50). Othello is going crazy and losing his peaceful and rational part of his mind. He is is being taken over by jealousy which is the “green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (Shakespeare 46). Jealousy took Othello to a certain point of almost no return, he’s plotting to now kill his innocent wife out of pure anger due to jealousy. Also Iago is installing jealously into Othello however, I don’t think Iago realizes that he is also driven by jealousy to commit these terrible actions. Both of the characters being totally consumed by the monster of jealousy and are making irrational decisions. Othello is plotting to strangle his own wife while Iago is planning to murder Cassio. Othello seems to be a man that can be easily persuaded in my opinion. Iago was toying with Othello’s strong emotions to weaken him and have his emotions overwhelm him. Othello having his emotions control him makes him become a new person that totally disrespects his wife in a very demeaning fashion. Othello even strikes Desdemona in public calling her the “Devil” (Shakespeare 66). Othello is a total monster himself now with a plan set towards chaos. His irrational decisions and emotional distraught is proving to become chaotic.
@ Samantha Bobbio
DeleteOthello: “Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?”
Iago: “Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it that he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming.” -Page 42
I agree with you Sam that Iago will ruin other people’s lives just so his is a little better. As shown in the quotes above from act 3 scene 3, this is where Iago starts teasing Othello about the thought of Desdemona cheating on him with Cassio. He wants to put the idea in Othello’s mind that Cassio is guilty of something, he wants him to watch how he is around Desdemona, he wants him to wrap his brain so tightly around this idea until it snaps and he bursts with jealous rage. Ever since Iago first tasted the poison of jealousy in the first scene where Cassio gets the position of lieutenant, he has let that poison control his mind and now he’s trying to spread it and make Othello jealous of Cassio and Desdemona. So I agree completely with you Sam that that first scene with Iago talking about Cassio foreshadowed his character in the rest of the play, all based on that one taste of jealousy.
LUST/SEX/INFIDELITY
ReplyDeleteIago: “I hate the Moor; And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets, he has done my office.”
Delete-Page 20
In Iago’s line, he is using the motif infidelity. He’s saying that there is a rumor going around that Othello (the Moor) has slept with his wife Emilia (‘twixt my sheets-in my bed; he has done my office-he has done my job). Because Iago thinks that Othello might’ve slept with his wife, he hates him. He is going to use this (uncertain) infidelity to fuel his hatred towards Othello. Even though he’s not sure that Othello slept with Emilia, he still uses this as the building block of his masterplan. He plans on making it look like Cassio is infatuated with Desdemona and vise versa. This way Othello will have to know what it feels like to be cheated on and so Cassio would be removed from his spot as lieutenant and Iago himself could have that position because he felt he deserved it. Although, there is no guarantee that Iago will be handed the position after Cassio is removed. He did in fact turn it down. So if Iago doesn’t get that position after his plan unravels, what will he have? Just him and the idea that Emilia might have cheated on him. And to me, revenge on someone because of one thing isn’t worth being so miserable in the end. And even though Emilia slept with Othello, Iago is using the infidelity to get revenge on Cassio. Does he even care about his own wife? Seems like he doesn’t.
“Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts.” (Iago, Act 2, Scene I)
DeleteIn this part of the play, Iago puts his plan into action and tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio, using derogatory terms to describe Cassio, such as lustful and lecherous. The words lechery and lust used to describe Cassio’s actions can be associated with negative emotions or feelings. We can see by previous uses of this motif in the play that it was a highly disgraceful term to be associated with in that time and society. Examples of this include the time when Iago and Roderigo attempted to rile Brabantio up, by referring to Othello as “lascivious”, and when Iago called Roderigo’s feelings for Desdemona lust rather than love. When this motif is used, we always see it in a negative context, and often used to portray someone as one with malicious intent. Lust, when compared to love, is much more superficial and based upon spur of the moment feelings, and was regarded as a sin. Therefore, to describe anyone as lecherous or lustful could be very harmful to one’s reputation, and carried very negative connotations with it. This is important to Iago, who uses this word to turn Roderigo against Cassio, and to paint Cassio in the worst light possible. While we are able to see the consequences of being accused as lustful, we often see it abused, or misused simply to portray someone as evil, without solid evidence to back up the accusation.
Margaret Pfeiffer
Delete”...If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, The one’s for use, the other useth it...”
Pages 24-25.
This quote is found on pages 24 and 25 and it is also used as a motif in the book. It shows how your sex plays a major role in your life. Iago shows that he is a misogynist. This quote and Iago’s dialogue with Desdemona and Emilia, shows that Iago believes that all women are the same. Iago’s words show that he believes that if women are dumb and pretty, smart and pretty, ugly and smart, ugly and dumb; that they all will get married in the end, so to him it does not really matter who someone is or what she does. Iago also believes that even if a women is smart and has other good qualities she should be at home making babies and taking care of the house. This shows that Iago does not respect women. Furthermore Iago is a misogynist, which could possibly be foreshadowing of how he handles future situations in the book. In Shakespeare's time “fair” was another word for beautiful because at that time, fair or light skin was considered to be beautiful. An individual’s sex is also a theme because Iago is not the only male character who treats and views women this way.
Iago, Act I Scene III, p 18-19: “If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions: but we have reason to cool our raging emotions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts...It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will.”
DeleteJust before this excerpt, Roderigo proclaims he wants to drown himself after learning Desdemona is married, and Iago is trying to convince him that he doesn’t need to, that drowning one’s self over love is ridiculous. He tells Roderigo that what he calls his love for Desdemona is just lust, a strong sexual desire for her. It’s just the male instincts in his blood urging him on, he’s not really conscious of what he’s feeling. Iago firmly believes that humans can battle against their base instincts with reason, and clear thinking. He scorns emotions such as love, chalking them up to just primal needs. He uses words such as “unbitted”, meaning unbridled, and “raging” to emphasize how out of control they can be, if not suppressed. This explains in part why he is so shrewd, so calculating. Iago focuses on his mind, strengthening his intellect to squash his more primal instincts, so that his thinking is not clouded by emotions. He is explaining that Roderigo is allowing himself to be overcome by desire, that he has a choice. He can give into desire, or get rid of it with rational thinking. A facet of Iago’s personality is being revealed to the reader in this passage, and we are starting to get a feel of what he’s like, how he thinks, and therefore what he’ll do or say next.
Roderigo: “To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor,”(Shakespeare 4).
DeleteDuring this part of the play, Roderigo is trying to stir up Brabantio’s emotions by making him mad about this daughter being stolen. Roderigo is trying to make Brabantio so mad that he will take action against Othello. Othello in this statement is described as an lascivious Moor who clasps his daughter in a disgusting manner. Lascivious means lustful which is used to describe a person who has strong sexual desires. An African person who is being described as lustful is gonna be perceived very negatively and will invoke feelings of protection and anger. When Othello is described as lustful, Brabantio probably thinks that he is an immature fool who takes advantage of beautiful women like Desdemona when given the chance too. This will spark feelings of anger and hatred within Brabantio because Othello is grasping Desdemona to please his sexual desires and therefore Brabantio should take action against Othello to protect his daughter. Roderigo clearly depicts a strong sense of racism in this comment because describing an African person as a lascivious person, he is implying that all Africans are weak in self control and can’t hold back their lusts for beauty. This portrayal of Othello sparks many negative feelings towards him from other people and shows the racist behaviors of Roderigo.
But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts, whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion. (Shakespeare 19).
DeleteWe learn in this passage to what extent Iago indifference to others carries. Iago
attempts to calm down Roderigo that he is not in love and that love is not real. Iago says that there is only lust the physical desires that love is constantly shallow and rarely enduring. Makes the readers wonder why Emilia would have married Iago or why Iago wanted to get married. Iago undervalues women saying that their only purpose was to have kids and run the home. The especially sad part is that Iago outsteps and fools everyone but does not even acknowledge the women as part of his opposition. Iago even though overlooking characters still pulls it off which is a failure by Shakespeare. I say this because it means that he did not want to risk giving favor to women or more likely Shakespeare had a similar view of women. I would tend to think the later because of how Shakespeare lets Iago get away with not anticipating women as a moveable power. Shakespeare confirms that Roderigo feelings are more lustful and love by not having Roderigo defend his argument of loving Desdemona. This also indicates that Roderigo who is supposed to be a gentleman also does view women as equals.
@ClemensAn
DeleteI wanted to say that I disagreed about your point in the discussion when you pointed out about how Desdemona and Othello had such a strong love for each other. They obviously don't love each other truly because Othello's mind about her got changed so fast. Shakespeare also never really showed any connections between the two lovers except for when Othello got back from Cyprus. I think that if Othello and Desdemona had truly been a good couple, Shakespeare would've showed more scenes with them being intimate, for example in Romeo and Juliet, they were very intimate and had many love and interaction scenes. Also, I agreed on what Jad and Zoe said as an argument against you, both these characters don't even like each other, its more of they liked the idea of each other. Othello loved that Desdemona pitied him from his stories of great adventure and Desdemona loved the man he was in his story. This would cause false attraction and it's a valid reason on why they aren't madly in love. That's why Othello and Desdemona aren't' an in love couple. They just don't fit together.
@ Zoe
DeleteI completely agree with your analysis of this quote. Iago understands how to not only manipulate other people's instincts, but also how to control his own. Going along with his belief in will power and taming one's primitive instincts, he uses that against Othello ensuring that he will not remain calm and in control, ensuring that he will act with out considering logic or reason but only his primitive needs/wants. Iago fuels Othello's rage by creating the problem at hand in the first place, and continuing to encourage his jealousy and hatred. He uses Othello's emotions and deep love for Desdemona as a way to control his actions. Othello eventually looses all respect for Desdemona and considers even her life of no value "Ay let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night:for she shall not live..." (Pg 65 Act 4 Scene 1) Going along with the motif of Lust/Sex/Infidelity Othello truly believes that Desdemona is cheating on him and begins to refer to her using profanity words such as "whore" both behind her back and to her face. Othello's lack of will power and control over his primitive instincts becomes even more evident when he publicly strikes Desdemona (Pg 66). Othello has lost all control of the amount of both physical and mental abuse that he is directing towards Desdemona which increases as Iago adds more and more "evidence" against her.
@Roma
DeleteI agree with your point on how Iago is fueling his hatred towards Othello because his belief that Othello slept with his wife. I also believe that Iago isn’t truly that upset that Emilia could’ve possibly slept with his wife, because it seems that he doesn’t really care for her that much. The question about whether or not Emilia knows about Iago’s plan also relates to this. She must know her husband’s cunning, but there aren’t any clear signs pointing to her knowing what his plan is, showing that Iago doesn’t trust his wife enough to tell her his ideas. I’m curious as to why Emilia and Iago are married, seeing as it doesn’t seem that they are in love. Earlier on in the play, when Iago is speaking with Cassio, Cassio is kind and kisses Emilia, Iago doesn’t seem at all jealous, and says that his wife talks too much anyway (pg 24, “If she gave you as much lip as she gives me, you’d be sick of her by now.”). He goes on to patronize all women, saying that in reality they’re all the same. He also treats her harshly, snatching the handkerchief away from her without giving her a proper reason (pg 50 “What will you...go, leave me.). I also think it’s a possibility that Iago will use the fact that his wife (possibly) slept with Othello in the future to justify whatever actions he takes against him. To Iago, infidelity is a way to manipulate people, even if it isn’t really occurring.
@Margaret Pfeiffer
DeleteI completely agree with what you are saying. Iago is a misogynist and he spreads his bad thinking towards women to other characters in the play. This scene relates to another scene later on, on pages 68-70 where Othello gets very mad at Desdemona. He does not care that she is his wife and that he should treat her with respect. Othello physically slaps her and raises his voice, which shows how men treated women. Iago has a lot to do with Othello hurting Desdemona because Iago was the one who convinced him that she is worthless and how she is so evil she cheats on him with Cassio. When Othello and Iago are talking about Cassio and Desdemona, Iago tells Othello that it is okay to treat her badly because she has been very dishonest. Iago shows his thoughts on women through the entire play by saying offending things to women. This motif about your sex and how it defines your role in your society is strengthen when this scene plays out. Both scenes shows how men talk mistreat women because they believe men are the higher sex.
@Duncan
DeleteI agree with what you said about how Iago is trying to show Roderigo that love isn’t a real thing, it is just lust and how this may also show how Shakespeare feels about women. Adding upon that, the scene after Othello is upset about Desdemona misplacing the handkerchief, Emilia comes to Desdemona and tells her the way she feels about men. Although she’s married (to Iago), she isn’t in love with him either, the same way he doesn’t really love her. She says, “… They are all but stomachs and we all but food; they eat us hungrily, and when they are full, they belch us…” (Shakespeare 57). This line goes further into the motif of lust and hunger because according to both Iago and Emilia, love is just an illusion. She thinks that men do not get married because they love you, they marry because of their strong desire for sex. I thought this was important, because up until now, Emilia was shown as a quiet, obedient woman who listens to everything her husband has to say. Her advice to Desdemona really shows that she isn’t quiet after all. She’s against the way most men treat most women after marriage and is trying to tell Desdemona that maybe Othello will turn out like that as well. Since Shakespeare said this through Iago’s character and is saying it once again through Emilia, it may be the way he probably thinks.
Duncan Lindsay,
DeleteI both agree and disagree with your interpretation. We do learn that Iago has a very interesting relationship with the people around him. In this scene, though he is trying to convince Roderigo not to be upset, I think in the process we get a glimpse of his personality. At this moment, his plan to get Othello killed (through Brabantio) just failed, so he’s already under stress. But along with that, there is whiny Roderigo, who won’t shut up about his failed love. Iago seems to be getting impatient, so for a second there, he drops his act. He goes on a rant saying that there isn’t any love, it’s all lust, we’re all just hungry, overall he implies that people don’t have actual emotions, but are driven by primordial needs. He sees only the logic in things, and in a way, he is right, we are driven by these instincts. This can actually be related to Freudian psychology. According to Freud, the id (primitive parts of our brain) and the ego/superego (more developed, logical parts of our brain- what makes humans different) are always in a constant battle with each other. Both primitive instincts, and your logic play a key role in day-to-day activities. Shakespeare, with no knowledge of Freud’s theories, hints at something very similar. Earlier on, when Iago is talking to Roderigo about the same thing he says, “Our bodies are gardens; to the which our wills are gardeners,” implying that we have complete control over our actions. But later on in the story, while Iago is in the process of poisoning Othello’s mind he says, “O beware my lord, of jealousy,” and explains how it is evil, yet powerful, and how we must succumb to it. Why these contradictions though? One is referencing the ego and superego part of our brains, that we have will, and one is referencing the id part, that we are driven by primitive instincts, neither of which is more powerful over another. The entire motif of love and lust revolves primarily around these ideas. Iago seems to be the only one in the play to believe that there is no love, but the points he makes to support his claim are pretty strong. So should we believe that Iago is right, and all the other characters are just after lust? But what about the familial relationships, those can’t be focused around lust. So the audience, it seems, is meant to understand that there are both lust and love, both playing an equal role in one’s life.
Acknowledging your question on why Emilia is married to Iago even though Iago is so blatantly misogynistic, I think it was because of the time period. Emilia and Iago most probably did not fall in love. Their marriage was probably arranged; Emilia’s father seeing a good match in such a high ranking official, and Iago probably seeing some benefit in their marriage (if Emilia’s father was wealthy or something).
FAIR/FOUL
ReplyDeletePURITY/CLEANLINESS/DIRTY/SOILED
ReplyDeleteFAITH/DOUBT
ReplyDelete“Look to her Moor; if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father, and may thee.” -Brabantio
Delete“My life upon her faith!”- Othello in response to Brabantio. (Shakespeare 18)
These quotes contain multiple motifs, however I am choosing to focus on the idea of faith throughout the play. Shortly before this Brabantio held faith in Desdemona to side with him and to claim that Othello was enchanting her against her will. Othello held faith that she would stand by both him and their love. His faith held true when Desdemona told her father that she loved Othello, and that their love was real and of her own volition. This line, “My faith upon he life!” shows the depth of Othello’s trust and love in Desdemona, he would bet his own life on it. This statement develops the strength of their relationship and how it may be harder for Iago, or any other forces, to destroy later on in the play. It also develops Othello’s character, showing how he can trust without needing someone to prove that they are trustworthy, he posses blind faith. This characteristic may lead to his demise because he holds blind faith in Iago who, unbeknownst to him, is ever so surreptitiously planning to exact his revenge upon Othello whilst faking loyalty towards him.
Desdemona: “The heavens forbid But that our loves and comforts should increase, Even as our days do grow!”(Shakespeare 26).
DeleteWhen Othello returns from the seas after the war ended, due to a storm, he meets Desdemona who starts confessing her immense love for him. She states that if the heavens does allow, that their love and comfort will increase over time even as they age. Desdemona saying this shows great compassion and commitment in her relationship with Othello. Her relationship with Othello is more than just a new loving couple that is smitten with one another helplessly. Desdemona loves Othello so much that she is willing to commit her life in getting to know him more which increases their love and affection for one another regardless of their age. She is going to stay faithful to Othello because she believes that their love for eachother cannot be broken unless the gods undo them. Desdemona wants a future with Othello and that is clearly expressed in this statement. Desdemona wants Othello by her side always regardless of their ages and she always wants to express her love towards Othello. Also by saying this, Desdemona is making her love seem more genuine and less doubtful towards Othello that she will betray him in any way. Her compassion and commitment towards Othello is immense and Iago’s plan of trying to seduce her into not loving Othello seems quite far fetched after reading this statement.
rod: I will do this, if I can bring it to any oppurtunity"
Deleteact 2 scene 3 pg 28
(faith,doubt)
Roderigo has complete faith in Iago for some reason. In this quote Roderigo is prepred to do anything Iago says to get Desdemona. in the beggining of the play roderigo even gave money to Iago because he trusted him so much. This continues with Iago's plans going the right way because he's won the trust and faith in everyone. This also shows the development of Roderigo's character because Roderigo is just a lost puppy whos willing to put everything in Iago's word with out a second thought showing how easily Roderigo's emotions get the best of him. In Iago's case we learn throughout the whole play how decieving he is to everyone and how he some how makes everyone have faith in him. He uses this skill to get anything he wants. Faith continues to work in Iago's favor...
-samantha bobbio
"O, thou art wise; 'tis certain" (Shakespeare 62).
Delete@ Devin Massari,
It is true that Iago is a mastermind who is planning the downfall of many characters in this play. At this point (the end of Act IV scene ii), Iago's manipulations have already begun to damage Othello's life. By knowing how to craft a message, make himself seem credible, and become good "friends" with the person, Iago can influence his audience into having faith in him. In the quote above, Othello states that since Iago is smart, everything he says about Desdemona's affair is true. One can clearly see that Iago has made Othello fully have faith in him. Iago uses appeals as he talks to Othello, for example: he uses ethos when he states the two-timing ways of Venetian women. "In Venice...they dare not show their husbands" (Shakespeare 46-47). Here, Iago seems to be helping Othello—an outsider to Venice—learn of customs which could affect his marriage life. By doing this, Iago is gaining some of Othello's faith and trust. Iago uses pathos to gain the faith of Othello by planting seeds of doubt and jealousy about Desdemona. He also planted evidence (Desdemona's handkerchief which Cassio gave to Bianca) to make his argument believable. For this reason, Othello comes to trust Iago more than Desdemona. Iago is such a good manipulator that he can get anyone to believe everything he says. Othello went from having so much faith in Desdemona that he would bet his life that she loved him“My life upon her faith!” (Shakespeare 18)—to believing that Desdemona is an unfaithful wife who is headed to hell "And keep the gate of hell!" (Shakespeare 70). This dramatic change in mindset was all because of Othello's blind faith in Iago. Othello and Desdemona's relationship could not have been so solid in the first place if Othello's allegiances could change so quickly.
@Clemens An
DeleteMaybe at that point in the book, It did seem like Othello and Desdemona’s relationship seemed unshakable, but now we can tell that their love is not as true as we thought. Othello is obviously insecure of the relationship as you can tell because all Iago needed to do was talk to him for a couple of minutes and he planted a seed of doubt in his head the ever continues to expand. Their whole relationship was based on Desdemona loving othello for his stories and Othello loving her because she was intrigued by those tales. That is make believe love and you can obviously tell that the relationship was very fragile since based on that. At the beginning of the play, their relationship seemed meant to be, but as you can tell now, they were bound not to last long.
@Devin
DeleteI agree with you about how Othello has blind faith in both Desdemona and Iago, and that it could lead to his demise. I think it already has, because he’s believed every single lie that has come from Iago’s mouth about the woman he supposedly loved so much. Now he no longer trusts Desdemona at all, the one person whose trustworthiness he swore his life upon. I think it is interesting to see how Othello’s trust shifts so quickly away from Desdemona to Iago once he manages to convince him she was unfaithful. It seems to show that although he may have loved her and had faith in her, Othello never fully trusted her, and will trust a man over a woman more easily. I believe one of the reasons why that is in this case is because Iago has been by Othello’s side for so long, fighting with him, that Othello sees them as connected by the hardships they faced during war. It can be a very strong bond tying two people together. However, it only applies to Othello, seeing as Iago, like you said, is plotting for his demise. He truly believes Iago to be a good man, calling him honest and truthful: “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty” (Act III, Scene III, p 48). Another reason why he may trust men more, and we touched on this during the discussion, may be that at the time, women were considered inferior, and very easily criticized. They were seen as cunning creatures who used their charms to trick any unsuspecting man and go behind their backs, readily called names like “whore”, “callet”, etc. “...They do let heaven see the pranks, They dare not show their husbands…” (Act III, Scene III, p 46-47). Iago tells Othello this, warning him women are not to be completely trusted. Othello’s prejudice that women are less trustworthy than men is ultimately his demise because he winds up believing the man who is out to get him, instead of the woman who meant him no harm.
Devin,
DeleteWhile I agree that we may have initially thought that Othello was portraying eternal love and trust for Desdemona, I think that after our discussion we might see these words in a different light, spoken in the heat of the moment. As a young, newlywed couple, Desdemona and Othello do not appear to have developed a true relationship based on trust and commitment, as evidenced by how quickly Iago changes Othello's mind. While he may have meant those words at the time, they were not grounded by solid trust, but rather in the passion of a newly-developing relationship. You made the point that this shows the characteristic of Othello that allows him to put blind faith in others, and while this is true, I believe that this specific quote does not show his blind faith in Desdemona. He honestly believes that he trusts Desdemona with his life. Instead of showing the strength of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship, I believe that this motif is an opportunity for Iago to exploit Othello’s “trust” in Desdemona, and use it to change how Othello views Desdemona. This also relates to how manipulative and clever Iago is, to have the insight to know how shallow of a foundation Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is built on. Iago also builds on your first quote, saying to Othello, “She did deceive her father, marrying you; and when she seem’d to shake and fear your looks, she loved them most.” (Page 49, Iago) Technically, what Iago says in this quote is true, but applied in the wrong sense. However, this seems to resonate with Othello and plant the seed of doubt in Othello’s mind, exploiting his emotions by bringing up this past foreshadowing from Brabantio
PROOF/PROVE/EVIDENCE
ReplyDeleteOthello - “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore; be sure of it; give me the ocular proof” (Shakespeare 51).
DeleteIn this part of the play, “honest” Iago is manipulating Othello to think that Cassio and Desdemona are in a relationship. In the course of a few conversations, Iago has made Othello’s unending love for Desdemona turn into unrelentless hate. Othello uses two polar opposite words to describe Desdemona when he says, “prove my love a whore” and this shows how fast his opinion can be swayed, even of the person he loved. The use of the motif proof/prove/evidence helps develop Othello as a character. We learn that Othello is easily convinced by things he does not see. Earlier in the play when Othello strips Cassio of his place as lieutenant, he makes this decision based on a story Iago tells. There was never any actual ocular proof, Othello was just easily convinced. A lot of events take place in this play that would have turned out totally different, if the people actually saw and had proof of what happened. The manipulation of evidence and false proof controls the play, and the actions of the characters. For example, Othello relies on Iago’s story of seeing Cassio wipe his beard with Desdemona’s handkerchief. This event led Othello to despising Desdemona and wanting revenge. A major problem that the motif of proof evokes in this play is that the characters mind has already been made up, so a lot of the time ocular proof would do them no good. Especially with Othello, he accused his wife although he never saw her fidelity.
@Kaitlin
DeleteI disagree with what you’re saying about Othello not needing ocular proof and that he makes hasty decisions. For example, when there was the bar fight and he stripped Cassio of his lieutenantry, he did have what I would consider to be ocular proof. There was a wounded man, Cassio (I imagine with his sword in hand) clearly having been in a fight, and his trusted friend (Iago) to tell him that Cassio had been in the wrong. If I were Othello, I would have taken away Cassio’s title as well, for the evidence all seemed to incriminate him.
Another example comes from the context of the quote (“Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore; be sure of it; give me the ocular proof”) and the scene that follows, when Iago tells Othello about the handkerchief. Although Othello did not see the handkerchief for himself, it is what he could consider to be real evidence that Desdemona is cheating on him. The main reason that he trusts these second hand accounts incriminating Desdemona and Cassio is because Othello trusts his informant, honest Iago. So while the proof may not be, in actuality, solid evidence—from Othello’s perspective, it is cold hard proof of his wife’s infidelity.
MAGIC
ReplyDeleteBrabantio- "Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her; for I'll refer me to all things of sense, if she in chins of magic were not bound… that thou hast practiced on her with foul charms, abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals.
In this scene Brabantio is accusing Othello of casting a spell on Desdemona to make her love him. Spells and magic seem much like a taboo in Shakespearean times, because they used words like 'foul charms' and 'abusing' Desdemona's 'delicate youth'. He thinks Othello has used chains of magic to bind her to him. IT seems that witchcraft had something to do with drugs and minerals. But it maybe is one thing that Shakespeare used in his other plays like in Romeo and Juliet. Brabantio is so against the love between Othello ad Desdemona, he thinks that Othello hasn't even truly captivated her. He thinks that Othello is an evil sorcerer that used this magic to his advantage.
@Bijan Moore
Delete“That handkerchief did an Egyptian to my mother give, she was a charmer…losing it or giving it away would be an unspeakable loss, a loss like no other.”
“ ‘Tis true, There’s magic in the web of it”
I agree with you, in that fact that magic is a taboo in this play and in Shakespearean times. Throughout the whole play references and “magical” words have been used. Something that is almost symbolic of magic to me in this play is the handkerchief. I agree with you when you said that Brabantio thinks Othello has used chains of magic to bind her to him. The “chains of magic” was the handkerchief. An Egyptian sorceress gave it to Othello’s mother and told her that it would make her desirable and keep Othello’s father loyal, but if she lost it or gave it away, Othello’s father would leave her. Othello’s mother gave him the magic handkerchief on her deathbed, instructing him to give it to the woman he desired to marry. So following this Othello gave it to Desdemona, which magically bound him to her.
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ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work.
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