Showing posts with label Desdemona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Desdemona. Show all posts

Othelloooooo

Yeah, I just didn't know what I wanted to title this, so that looked appropriate.

So I must say that overall, I enjoyed Othello...but that doesn't come as too much of a surprise to me because I like most of Shakespeare's works that I have read. This one in particular is very different though because of the evil character. It is not told in the evil character's point of view, but it definitely is more objectively limited to Iago. Iago's plans are often spelled out for the most part in his asides and he is the focal point of the story since he is making the story flow. Without Iago, as annoying and cruel as he is, Othello would not even be a story. Well, I suppose it could be a story but it would be kind of boring since Othello and Desdemona are basically the "perfect couple" who "ran away together because they were so in love" type thing, but Iago definitely spiced things up a bit. It kind of ticks me off though just because Iago should have gotten what's coming to him. Cassio pretty much can do what ever he wants with Iago but that is all open for interpretation after the story ends. Overall, Othello has a huge lesson about jealousy and how it can be provoked if the facts aren't checked and the right people are not listened to. If Othello could have listened to his wife and figured out what was going on, he may not have made the rash decision to kill her and then himself. If he would have seen through Iago's deceit then he may not have ended up dead by the end of the story. Othello is a pretty good story and I'm glad we read it :]

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Othello- tragedy

9:54 PM Posted by Emily Looney 0 comments
Question 2: Othello is a tragedy.

The way this story even started out with Iago plotting against a bunch of random people who we had barely been introduced to proved that the play was not going to be a comedy and end happily. Iago is too cruel and impassive to simply let go of something and let the people he is jealous of live a happy life. In the end, basically all of the main characters and supporting characters die: Othello, Desdemona, Emilia, Roderigo. Of course though the worst guy (Iago) doesn't die in the play. Cassio is commanded to do what he pleases with Iago since he is the governor. I imagine that Iago will not live too much longer, but maybe Cassio wants to keep him alive and in jail. You never know how Iago will smooth talk his way out of things.

It is very important to know that this story is a tragedy while it is being read because no one dies until the very last act. Then it's like an explosion of death and killing. This story could very well end up being a comedy until the last act, but it would not be fulfilling to an audience to all the sudden see Iago turn and become a good guy who admits his wrongs and everyone lives happily ever after. Plus, Iago's just not that kind of a guy. He's a plotting, conniving, jealous, and angry man who is not about to change himself in any way. He is the antagonist while also the flat character because he does not change in any major way over the course of the play unless him becoming more evil counts as a change. If this play was anything else but a dramatic tragedy, it would not be appealing to an audience or to a reader.

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Emilia's Character

Emilia is a very interesting character to me. While she is obviously not a very important character, she still aids her husband Iago often whether or not she realizes it. She is very close with Desdemona as is portrayed but she is not upset when she gives her husband Desdemona's handkerchief that he will use against her. She is a very weak character altogether because she cannot express her opinions without being shot down or belittled by her husband. She obviously does not have a good realationship with Iago because I'm not really sure if anyone can. This is most obvious when Desdemona and Emilia are talking and Iago tells them about all the different woman and how they use their tricks to get what they want. He also says to Cassio that his wife gives him so much lip he wishes she would shut up every once in awhile (II.i.100-103). He has very little respect for women and it is even worse that he is married and treats his wife like that. Emilia does not help the situation in that she doesn't speak much so she doesn't defend herself or anyone else. It doesn't say if Iago ever asks her if she slept with Othello but she has never inquired as to why he is acting odd lately or trying to take down Othello. Emilia so far is a very flat character who is more of an accomplice to Iago than a wife.

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