Othello: Climax

Act V scene II of Othello by William Shakespeare reveals the heightened climax of the story. Emilia, one who appears earlier in the play to be tolerant of her husband Iago's rudeness, now speaks out against him, knowing Iago has been dishonest about Desdemona's infidelity, and calls her husband a liar. Desdemona tells Othello, who has been lied to the whole time and had believed Iago, thus Othello was driven to kill his wife after Iago told him of her affair that: "He lies to the heart..You told a lie, an odious, damned lie, upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie,"(Shakespeare, V.ii.155 & 179-180). Even though Emilia's calling out her husband creates controversy and of course, enrages Iago, and thus, she dies, Emilia proves to be the one loyal friend to another character in this play. Iago is certainly not a friend to Othello, lying to him and leading him to kill his wife. Iago is not a friend to Roderigo, who he lets die and who he does not take into account Roderigo's feelings for Desdemona and try to help him. Emilia knows Desdemona is a woman of undying devotion to the Moor, pure and steadfast to his love, serviant to the Moor's commands. Emilia will not die without letting the other characters know of this as well. Overall, the suspense which comes from the climax of Emilia revealing the truths, and them unfolding before the eventual deaths of Emilia and the Moor, as a reader I couldn't believe all that shortly came together. So much action packed tragedy packed into scene 2.

Othello: Dynamic Character Roderigo

In Act IV scene II of Othello by William Shakespeare, Roderigo actually approaches Iago impatient, unsatisfied, and upset with the outcome which has come after his chasing for Desdemona. So far, nothing is going anywhere, and he voices his frustration to Iago who, tries to reassure his uneasiness. Roderigo though, has put himself in poverty, desolate, after giving many jewels to Desdemona, or so he thought. "I have wasted myself out of means," (Shakespeare, IV.ii. 184-185). Iago who was supposed to deliver the jewels has claimed he has, saying she received them well. However, Roderigo will be convinced when he goes to see Desdemona, telling her for himself how he feels for her, and if she desires to return the jewels, he will know she has them. Roderigo is now a more dynamic character, changing from his once easily persuaded and slave to Iago's command, to a more defiant character, sticking up for himself and letting Iago know of his growing anger to the situation. He says in a annoyed voice: "I tell you 'tis not very well,"(Shakespeare, IV.ii.194). Still, Iago thinks Roderigo to still be one to fall into his trap, and wishes Roderigo to continue his dirty work, so that Iago can keep his hands clean. Iago's plan to have Roderigo kill Cassio will make it so that Roderigo seems to be troublesome, getting into fights and now killing Cassio. If Iago keeps getting others to do work for him, it will be hard in the end to tie Iago to any of the crimes at all.

Othello: Tone

In Act IV scene 1 of Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago tricks Othello into thinking that Cassio is gloating and bragging about his affair with Desdemona. While Othello hides listening to the two of them speak, Iago brings up Desdemona's name, then, in a hushed voice so that Othello can't hear changes the topic to being about Bianca. Othello who believes them to be talking of his wife still is taken back with a more fiery rage with Cassio's tone when talking about who Othello thinks is Desdemona. I noticed Cassio's tone, full of scorn, disregard, and disrespect. I find this especially important because the way Cassio speaks in conversation drives Othello to feel even more burning hatred for him. Othello, already devising to kill Cassio, is now more eager to: " How shall I murder him, Iago," (Shakespeare, IV.i.159)? So far, Iago is covering himself up well getting Othello to believe all the other character's are responsible for what Iago claims them to be. The handkerchief, brought in by Bianca during this conversation helped further Iago's lie that Cassio had it in his possession from Desdemona, after Bianca says she found it in Cassio's chambers. I am now only hoping in the next act to see Iago's lies come back to nip him, and the truth to be revealed, maybe even through the fed up and slave to Iago: Roderigo.

Othello: Theme & Dialogue

Act III Scene III of Othello, the Moor of Venice, by William Shakespeare, had a unique metaphor used by Iago in his dialogue with Othello. "Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss . Who, ceratin of his fate, loves not his wronger. But, oh, what damned minutes tells he o'er. Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves,"(Shakespeare, III.iii. 167-171 pg. 1409-1410)! The metaphor at the beginning of this line comparing jealousy and a monster holds some similarity, being both evils, and this shows Iago recognizes himself as horrendous and has a sick pleasure in his scheming. When he talks of the two different types of men who discover that their wives are cheating on them, he speaks first of the one who is not friends with the man the wife is having an affair with, and the other, loves his wife and though she cheats, continually loves her. Upon hearing this, Othello is moved to pity. I find this whole passage to be extremely clever in Iago hinting at and mentioning infidelity from a wife to her husband, and I also saw this as perhaps diplaying the theme. The theme of the wretchedness of jealousy and the role it plays in the relationship between husband and wife, and falseness tormeneted or not by suspicion.

Othello: Irony

While reading Othello, The Moor of Venice, by William Shakespeare, and noticing the vulgar and immature name calling that many of the characters' use toward another, I found some irony in one specifically. Throughout the book so far, antagonist Iago, a devious villain plotting revenge on naive Othello, actually calls himself honest, as do many other characters call him so. As readers know, Iago is quite the opposite of honest, lying to Othello and Cassio, for example, to gain their trust so he can frame them. Othello regards him as: "..most honest..Honest Iago,"(Shakespeare,II.iii.7&156 pg. 1392&1396). Othello even thinks Iago as showing love for Cassio by not wanting to rat him out after the brawl in the streets, though he does, and in reality, Iago shows no love and only wants to take over Cassio's office. As I knew I would, with this dramatic irony, I am easily becoming frustrated with the characters' cluelesness to all I know as a reader from Iago's plotting and insights revealed to readers. Though I know I can't jump in the story and give them warning of Iago's evil scheming, I wish the character's would be a little more careful to watch their backs.

Othello: Iambic Pentameter

When Iago's switch of prose to poetry in Othello, by William Shakespeare, and the moments when he does so was brought to my attention, I thought more deeply about why this iambic pentameter occurs. When addressing his fellow nobleman, or other characters, Iago presents himself as high and mighty, addressing those using poetry to reveal wit and nobility. However, this tone changes significantly to prose, a more emotion filled, relaxed, and less mature expression of his feelings, often revealing his plans and plots of revenge on other characters. This two sided view of Iago show his double ended personality in how he fakes himself to others, and his evilness is only understood in private. "How, How? Let's see. After some time to abuse Othello's ear,"(Shakespeare, II.i. 374-375 pg. 1382). This fake identity and falsehood is a commonality and trait that many readers can relate to knowing. I made a connection to "Mother Dearest." A sweet housewife and loving mother in front of others for show, and a reverse and completely contrasting personality of evilness at home.

Othello: Characterization

Upon reading chapter one and starting Othello, The Moor Of Venice, by William Shakespeare, I noticed quite quickly the use of characterization to introduce Othello. Iago, telling the story, reveals his plot of revenge towards Othello to the reader, while snickering about Othello's probable naievety towards it. Iago gives insight into Othello's personality by saying: "The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest,"(Shakespeare,1382). This develops the idea that the Moor (Othello) is a trusting man, never to suspect one to do him wrong. I sympathized with Othello upon reading this line because I knew Othello's trustfulness would be his downfall. How could Iago so heartlessly take advantage of such a noble and honest man? But, then again, Iago is the antagonist of the story, and is a most evil villain. Not only though does Iago reveal Othello's inner personality, but harshly criticizes his outward appearance, which give the reader knowledge of his race. Iago calls Othello "an old black ram...Devil...Barbary horse,"(Shakespeare,1365). This shows the racial discrimination and harshness of Iago and his judgemental nature, all just underlying jealousy.