This play was a little boring. Sure there were some good lines/scenes (and lies on Iago's part). However I just can not get over the character Iago. A man who is "A Very Villain Else" (Act 4 scene 1 121). I just hate how he wins, knowing his skill he will go to prison and escape with his slick tongue and pocket full of jewels.
Also I am so proud of Emilia. Shakespeare usually does a decent job of giving women in his works a role or a brain. They aren't simply a tempest or damsel (a cite back to the hero cycle). I'm glad that she put herself at risk in order to rightly accuse her terrible husband. Just because he has the same name of Aladdin's parrot doesn't mean he gets away with everything.
One final question, whatever happened to the handkerchief?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Cliff Hanger hanging from a clifffff, and that's why he's called cliff hanger!
Answering question #4
This play is a suspense filled wonderland as the audience is pulled through Iago's scheme. For example I didn't know why the handkerchief was so important, I mean I knew it was a "clue" for Othello, but I knew also that it would be used later in the play. My foreshadowing skillz where tingling and I was filled with suspense. Only when Emilia explains that Iago's a liar and proves it by this Egyptian woven sheet of fabric does my suspense craving get filled.
Also Iago's entire scheme is never revealed to the audience throughout the play, one has to make guesses and assumptions.
Throughout this play I keep hearing the "Cliff Hanger" theme song in my head, which can be heard here) from the tv show "between the lions". Just a nice flashback to my childhood, no big deal
This play is a suspense filled wonderland as the audience is pulled through Iago's scheme. For example I didn't know why the handkerchief was so important, I mean I knew it was a "clue" for Othello, but I knew also that it would be used later in the play. My foreshadowing skillz where tingling and I was filled with suspense. Only when Emilia explains that Iago's a liar and proves it by this Egyptian woven sheet of fabric does my suspense craving get filled.
Also Iago's entire scheme is never revealed to the audience throughout the play, one has to make guesses and assumptions.
Throughout this play I keep hearing the "Cliff Hanger" theme song in my head, which can be heard here) from the tv show "between the lions". Just a nice flashback to my childhood, no big deal
Direct the Stage
In regards with question 6, this play depends heavily on the use of stage directions. First lets look at the fight scene in scene one (near lines 26). Rod. stabs towards Cassio but fails, then Cassio stabs Rod., Rod. claims that he's dying and Iago preforms a sneak attack from behind. Now without stage directions the reader would assume that Rod. was dead and Cassio died from fright or because there's a ghost. I think the heavy use of stage directions somewhat shows the tone of the play. The entire cast (with the exception of Iago) is blinded from what is truly going on, just as the reader is blinded to what is truly going on without the stage directions.
Also the final scene where Othello dies (line 354) it's kind of hard to read through the flowery language to realize what he's doing (at least for me). So the stage directions really helped.
Also the final scene where Othello dies (line 354) it's kind of hard to read through the flowery language to realize what he's doing (at least for me). So the stage directions really helped.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Iago, the man obsessed with other people's sex lifes
I don't know what happened to Iago as a child but he must of been slapped by a girl, I know I would of. He hates women, honestly hates them. He can't say a nice thing about them and only views them as a opportunity to screw his lust/love filled friends over. He brings up the nightly activities of all of his female friends at least once per scene.
Also the entire lie Iago tells Othello in Act three is ridiculous (scene 3 lines 411-427). First if Iago has a tooth ache wouldn't he scream or cry out in pain if Cassio kissed his lips "as if to pluck them from the roots"? and what two grown men sleep in the same bed, and why is Iago letting Cassio drape his leg over his thigh. Othello might be a Moor but he should be able to see such a poorly constructed lie.
Also if this had actually happened Iago likes to talk about sex so much it would of been bought up before now.
What a strange man
Also the entire lie Iago tells Othello in Act three is ridiculous (scene 3 lines 411-427). First if Iago has a tooth ache wouldn't he scream or cry out in pain if Cassio kissed his lips "as if to pluck them from the roots"? and what two grown men sleep in the same bed, and why is Iago letting Cassio drape his leg over his thigh. Othello might be a Moor but he should be able to see such a poorly constructed lie.
Also if this had actually happened Iago likes to talk about sex so much it would of been bought up before now.
What a strange man
Drama Queen
This is for question # 2
First and foremost I would just like to point out that Mr. Shakespeare was a DRAMA KING, or that's the impression I gain from the plays we read by him in English.
This play is a a drama. All of the action his come from the various characters being screwed over by Iago or character development. I mean for pete's sake the entire war is called off by a storm, making the only action a drunken sword fight. Although it's hard to judge now I see this play panning out to becoming a tragedy. Even though everything is working out for "honest" Iago, I predict he will be caught in his web or hurt in some way. I also don't like how the story is looking for Othello, a generally good fellow (see what I did there?). There just isn't a happy ending on the horizon of this story.
Otherwise the Turks would of rode up on their ships, killed Iago and saved the rest of the characters from him.
First and foremost I would just like to point out that Mr. Shakespeare was a DRAMA KING, or that's the impression I gain from the plays we read by him in English.
This play is a a drama. All of the action his come from the various characters being screwed over by Iago or character development. I mean for pete's sake the entire war is called off by a storm, making the only action a drunken sword fight. Although it's hard to judge now I see this play panning out to becoming a tragedy. Even though everything is working out for "honest" Iago, I predict he will be caught in his web or hurt in some way. I also don't like how the story is looking for Othello, a generally good fellow (see what I did there?). There just isn't a happy ending on the horizon of this story.
Otherwise the Turks would of rode up on their ships, killed Iago and saved the rest of the characters from him.
Jealousy is a green-eyed monster
Based off of question 5
This play has a couple of themes sprinkled throughout it but I firmly believe jealousy is the largest theme that takes place. From the first lines Iago (who reminds me of the parrot from Disney's "Aladdin") is jealous of not becoming Othello's lieutenant. Then Roderigo burns with jealousy from Othello taking Deddemona. They agreed to come together and work against "the Moor". Jealousy flares up again as Othello believes Dedemona is cheating on him. Even though Dedemona claims that Othello isn't jealous at all, Othello is burning with rage over Iago's tricks. Finally by the end of Act 3 Cassio's lover Bianca becomes jealous over the thought that Cassio has another lover.
Jealousy is moving the plot along like spraying gas on a fire. Because this play is a drama, there needs to be emotion to push the action along. Otherwise the characters don't develop.
This play has a couple of themes sprinkled throughout it but I firmly believe jealousy is the largest theme that takes place. From the first lines Iago (who reminds me of the parrot from Disney's "Aladdin") is jealous of not becoming Othello's lieutenant. Then Roderigo burns with jealousy from Othello taking Deddemona. They agreed to come together and work against "the Moor". Jealousy flares up again as Othello believes Dedemona is cheating on him. Even though Dedemona claims that Othello isn't jealous at all, Othello is burning with rage over Iago's tricks. Finally by the end of Act 3 Cassio's lover Bianca becomes jealous over the thought that Cassio has another lover.
Jealousy is moving the plot along like spraying gas on a fire. Because this play is a drama, there needs to be emotion to push the action along. Otherwise the characters don't develop.
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