Welcome to our Othello Blog. This site is a forum for discourse in our quest to study how a great poet/playwright, Mr. Shakespeare, portrays the fall of a noble soul who is entrapped by jealousy leading to deeds of violence, inviting the self-destruction of a great character. "I am not what I am." Iago
Friday, November 30, 2012
After Act 1:
Choose one character (Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo). What do you dislike or like about who they are (based on Act 1)? Reference the play.
I am choosing Iago because he has qualities that are both negative and admirable. Since he is the antagonist of the play, we as readers are inclined to dislike him altogether for his manipulative ways. I think his cunning and ability to act sneakily are interesting as they show Shakespeare's talent for creating complex villains as well as protagonists. Iago's character is a white man who is trying to dismantlethe life of a black man, Othello, which is the opposite of the periodical norm. I just thought that was interesting.
I'm developing a dislike for Roderigo, as it seems he has no independent thought. From what we've read in Act 1, he seems to immediately agree with Iago's plans and schemes.
I have also noticed that. Iago seems to be using Roderigo as a puppet, and Roderigo has absolutely no problem with this. "Put money in thy purse." "I'll sell all my land." Iago cannot be trusted!
Roderigo seems foolish, right? Desdemona rejects him, yet he becomes Iago's first victim (calls him a "fool" and a "snipe"). My question is, why does he allow Iago to manipulate him? Does he want Desdemona that badly?
I think that Roderigo isn't aware that Iago is manipulating him. Through the interactions that we have seen so far between those two, Iago acts extremely receptive towards Roderigo. One could assume he actually means his affection for Roderigo, if his personality was not so familiar with the readers. Another point that should be noted is that Iago has let Roderigo in on his scheme to undermine Othello, which could give Roderigo a sense of security because he is in Iago's "confidences". I think this also provides a very good sense of how good Iago is at winning people's hearts, and using them for his own means.
I am really beginning to like Othello. Before we even meet Othello, Iago paints an unfavorable picture for the reader. However, once Othello enters, his kind and genuine qualities become apparent. Othello also soon proves as confident, a good leader, and well respected by all. These characteristics set Othello up as a perfect hero. However, Othello can be too trusting, especially of Iago. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Othello.
Tracy, you uncovered. early on, Othello's "hamartia", or his tragic flaw...his credulity (willingness to believe to easily). Yet, aren't we like that too?
"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them." A great quote that characterizes Othello's calmness. When Brabantio, Roderigo, and Co. draw their swords Othello merely brushes them off by saying this. He knows he has done nothing wrong and his passive tone towards them automatically stifles their murderous intentions. #TeamOthello
Prior to scene three, all we knew about Desdemona was that she had run away, painting her in a somewhat negative light. I originally liked Desdemona as a character, but once she reveals her love for Othello, her father states: "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee." Brabantio's line foreshadows that Desdemona may not be a character to be trusted later on in the play.
I personally like Iago for his quick wit and seeming natural deceiving nature. It hadn't been much time since Iago was passed up for being a lieutenant (or so it seems) but he already had an elaborate plan to ruin Othello's life. Even though these aren't redeeming qualities, Iago seems as if he fits the role perfectly.
I agree. Iago is most likely going to become my favorite character in the book. He is very sly and very manipulative character and I like him for his quick wit. I am interested in seeing if his plan will follow through as the play continues.
Yes. I also like Iago because of his cunning nature. Others may think that he is so cunning and Othello may be so calm that it will hurt Othello because of his unawareness. I do not admire Iago being a villain in any way in this play, however I do admire Iago because of the way he schemes and gets ideas and how his determination to upset Othello affects those things.
I liked Othello originally because he had been depicted negatively in the beginning by Iago but was admired by the senate, and turned out to be a good person. As we all know, his character becomes corrupted over the course of the book, and that has led me to believe that he has a weak personality overall. I may be too harsh on his character so I'm willing to see how things unfold to judge him.
Iago is a character we are lead to dislike. I somewhat like his persuasion skills to get money from Roderigo that will help him in his conquest for revenge on Othello. By promising Roderigo Desdemona's love, he believes this manipulation will help him. I'm anxious to see if he actually helps Roderigo or if he is just using him.
i agree that iago was a great manipulator but that could also be his downfall. i believe he's playing too many pawns and at some point he could get caught in a lie
I liked Othello from the start. I liked the way that he was able to stay calm even when people were in his face and accusing him of things he didn't do. His calm qualities almost made him seem a little cocky and over-confident with himself but he redeemed himself when he offered to let Desdemona tell her side of the story. It proved to me that he cared about her as well and he wasn't just trying to protect his image.
After act I I enjoyed Othello as a character. He seemed like a calm and collective guy, as alicia commented. His character seems to go well with Desdemona who is blunt and loyal to her heart from the beginning. However a little ways into act II I am starting to wonder if Desdemona may be 100% loyal, and what Iago's plot for ruining Othello and Desdemona's relationship may be. Curious to continue with scene 1 and follow into 2.
Personally, I enjoy Desdemona's character and role in the play. She is strong and confident. Shakespeare utilizes her character to defy gender norms of the time period. Desdemona can be a great example not only towards women but to others who must go against their parents wishes for their own happiness. One can learn from her to be confident yet polite in a similar situation. I think by pairing two characters who defy stereotypes Shakespeare emphasizes the tragedy of their eventual demise.
I personally enjoy Iago's character. He is deceivious and manipulative, but is also very cunning. He is seeming almost motiveless in his mission to ruin Othello's life which makes him a very interesting character. I wonder how his maniacal plan will play out.
Nick, interesting comment. I think he does have a motive. Right? He does get his promotion at the end of Act 2. What motivates him destroy Othello's character? Let's try to uncover the truth. Thanks for posting.
I am choosing Iago because he has qualities that are both negative and admirable. Since he is the antagonist of the play, we as readers are inclined to dislike him altogether for his manipulative ways. I think his cunning and ability to act sneakily are interesting as they show Shakespeare's talent for creating complex villains as well as protagonists. Iago's character is a white man who is trying to dismantlethe life of a black man, Othello, which is the opposite of the periodical norm. I just thought that was interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Iago is someone we should dislike, since he's going to spin this web of deceit, but I have to say, he has some fantastic lines.
DeleteYes Ben and Ivory, Iago's cunning, manipuation, and deception are diabolical qualities; he is a genuine villain.
DeleteI'm developing a dislike for Roderigo, as it seems he has no independent thought. From what we've read in Act 1, he seems to immediately agree with Iago's plans and schemes.
ReplyDeleteI have also noticed that. Iago seems to be using Roderigo as a puppet, and Roderigo has absolutely no problem with this. "Put money in thy purse." "I'll sell all my land." Iago cannot be trusted!
DeleteRoderigo seems foolish, right? Desdemona rejects him, yet he becomes Iago's first victim (calls him a "fool" and a "snipe"). My question is, why does he allow Iago to manipulate him? Does he want Desdemona that badly?
DeleteI think that Roderigo isn't aware that Iago is manipulating him. Through the interactions that we have seen so far between those two, Iago acts extremely receptive towards Roderigo. One could assume he actually means his affection for Roderigo, if his personality was not so familiar with the readers. Another point that should be noted is that Iago has let Roderigo in on his scheme to undermine Othello, which could give Roderigo a sense of security because he is in Iago's "confidences". I think this also provides a very good sense of how good Iago is at winning people's hearts, and using them for his own means.
DeleteI am really beginning to like Othello. Before we even meet Othello, Iago paints an unfavorable picture for the reader. However, once Othello enters, his kind and genuine qualities become apparent. Othello also soon proves as confident, a good leader, and well respected by all. These characteristics set Othello up as a perfect hero. However, Othello can be too trusting, especially of Iago. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Othello.
ReplyDeleteTracy, you uncovered. early on, Othello's "hamartia", or his tragic flaw...his credulity (willingness to believe to easily). Yet, aren't we like that too?
Delete"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them."
ReplyDeleteA great quote that characterizes Othello's calmness. When Brabantio, Roderigo, and Co. draw their swords Othello merely brushes them off by saying this. He knows he has done nothing wrong and his passive tone towards them automatically stifles their murderous intentions. #TeamOthello
I like that Ted..#TeamOthello
DeletePrior to scene three, all we knew about Desdemona was that she had run away, painting her in a somewhat negative light. I originally liked Desdemona as a character, but once she reveals her love for Othello, her father states: "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee." Brabantio's line foreshadows that Desdemona may not be a character to be trusted later on in the play.
ReplyDeleteI personally like Iago for his quick wit and seeming natural deceiving nature. It hadn't been much time since Iago was passed up for being a lieutenant (or so it seems) but he already had an elaborate plan to ruin Othello's life. Even though these aren't redeeming qualities, Iago seems as if he fits the role perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Iago is most likely going to become my favorite character in the book. He is very sly and very manipulative character and I like him for his quick wit. I am interested in seeing if his plan will follow through as the play continues.
DeleteYes. I also like Iago because of his cunning nature. Others may think that he is so cunning and Othello may be so calm that it will hurt Othello because of his unawareness. I do not admire Iago being a villain in any way in this play, however I do admire Iago because of the way he schemes and gets ideas and how his determination to upset Othello affects those things.
DeleteI liked Othello originally because he had been depicted negatively in the beginning by Iago but was admired by the senate, and turned out to be a good person. As we all know, his character becomes corrupted over the course of the book, and that has led me to believe that he has a weak personality overall. I may be too harsh on his character so I'm willing to see how things unfold to judge him.
ReplyDeleteIago is a character we are lead to dislike. I somewhat like his persuasion skills to get money from Roderigo that will help him in his conquest for revenge on Othello. By promising Roderigo Desdemona's love, he believes this manipulation will help him. I'm anxious to see if he actually helps Roderigo or if he is just using him.
ReplyDeletei agree that iago was a great manipulator but that could also be his downfall. i believe he's playing too many pawns and at some point he could get caught in a lie
DeleteI liked Othello from the start. I liked the way that he was able to stay calm even when people were in his face and accusing him of things he didn't do. His calm qualities almost made him seem a little cocky and over-confident with himself but he redeemed himself when he offered to let Desdemona tell her side of the story. It proved to me that he cared about her as well and he wasn't just trying to protect his image.
ReplyDeleteAfter act I I enjoyed Othello as a character. He seemed like a calm and collective guy, as alicia commented. His character seems to go well with Desdemona who is blunt and loyal to her heart from the beginning. However a little ways into act II I am starting to wonder if Desdemona may be 100% loyal, and what Iago's plot for ruining Othello and Desdemona's relationship may be. Curious to continue with scene 1 and follow into 2.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I enjoy Desdemona's character and role in the play. She is strong and confident. Shakespeare utilizes her character to defy gender norms of the time period. Desdemona can be a great example not only towards women but to others who must go against their parents wishes for their own happiness. One can learn from her to be confident yet polite in a similar situation. I think by pairing two characters who defy stereotypes Shakespeare emphasizes the tragedy of their eventual demise.
ReplyDeleteI personally enjoy Iago's character. He is deceivious and manipulative, but is also very cunning. He is seeming almost motiveless in his mission to ruin Othello's life which makes him a very interesting character. I wonder how his maniacal plan will play out.
ReplyDeleteNick, interesting comment. I think he does have a motive. Right? He does get his promotion at the end of Act 2. What motivates him destroy Othello's character? Let's try to uncover the truth.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting.