In Act 2 Scene 1, lines 122 through 125, Iago is depicted as very sexist with crude views about women. Throughout the play, his character says very rude things about the women in his life as well as women in general. Iago is very opinionated when it comes to what women are useful for, and how much they matter. Overall, this passage demonstrates why the women in Othello do not like Iago, and try to stay away from his sexist views.
1.3.92-111 This passage shows that Othello is a powerful man in Venice because this speech makes the Duke and Senators consider Othello innocent when it is just his word against Brabantio's who is another powerful man in Venice. This passage also shows how well spoken Othello is that he can make people believe his innocence in one short speech. Othello also manages to tell his life story while dismantling the claims against him which helps him convince the Duke and Senators because they realize how much they owe him for what he has done for Venice. He also restores his honor in this speech showing his ability to turn a negative situation into a positive one by telling the Duke and Senators how he won Brabantio's daughter after being accused of bewitching her.
(1.3.362-368) In this passage, we see how Iago believes people think. This exposes the way he changes people's opinions and persuades others so successfully. We begin to have a better understanding of why he hates Othello so much. He says that people have the ability to make themselves think what they want and this further displays how he convinces himself that othello has been sleeping with his wife. The passage shows how Iago plants feelings inside of people and let's them grow into greater, more overwhelming feelings.
In Act 1, scene 3, lines 430-33, Shakespeare reveals Iago’s motivation for bringing Othello down. This is the first of many monologues Iago gives to the audience, and it already displays to readers the twisted logic that Iago will use to manipulate people throughout the entire play. In these lines, Iago blatantly states that he does not know for sure if Othello slept with his wife, but plans on taking revenge “for mere suspicion in that kind,” (Shakespeare 1.3.432). This characterizes Iago in a negative way from the very beginning. It also is a reflection of the tactics he uses against other people: he instilled in himself feelings about a person without any concrete evidence, consequently nurturing feelings (jealously and anger) toward Othello that will cause him to act in rash and spiteful ways.
"To suckle fools and chronicle small beer." 2.1.175
This passage is said by Iago, the obvious sexist, racist, and misogynist. Throughout the length of our reading so far, Iago has been portrayed as everything other than good. He is selfish, cruel, dishonest, and has several other unattractive traits. I chose this passage because I felt that it portrayed his character the best. To give context, this passage takes place as Desdemona is asking Iago his opinion on women. She asks what he thinks the purpose of a beautiful, smart, and all around perfect woman would be. This line is Iago's response. He says that even the most perfect woman is only used for taking care of the children and bringing men beer. As I stated previously, this passage portrays Iago's personality and values perfectly.
"'O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the / worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on / a deserving woman indeed, one that in the authori- / ty of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very / malice itself?'" (2.1.158-162)
This passage, a quote from Desdemona's conversation with Iago, develops Desdemona and Iago's respective characters as well as various themes. Desdemona's rejection of Iago's sexist ideas starkly contrasts with his past descriptions of how women should act. Also, Desdemona's surety illustrates her confidence as a woman and defies Iago's expectations for or picture of how a woman should act. Her closing question for Iago perfectly illustrates her resolve and her close similarities to Othello, her husband. Finally, Desdemona's articulate response breaks down whatever misconception the reader could have left of Desdemona's intellect or dependence.
During 2.1.155-196 Iago is clearly characterized as manipulative. Because he is so mad at Othello, and wants to make Othello jealous of him, he takes any opportunity he can to fulfill his plan. Because Cassio is has already kissed Desdemona as a greeting, he is happy when they go off and talk to each other. While they are talking, Iago is basically narrating everything they say and trying to make it look like Cassio is falling in love with Desdemona. He does this because he thinks that if it appears that Cassio and Desdemona are in love, Othello will be jealous, which is part of his plan.
Although Othello is the main character of this play, the reader isn't actually introduced to him until the second scene, and I think this represents a big theme in this book, and allows for Othello to reveal important and vital parts of himself to the reader. "Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints." (Shakespeare 1.2.20-21). This is the first line Othello says in the play, and it reveals his prideful, virtuous, and calm personality. This is the complete opposite of the personality Iago has described to Brabantio at the beginning of the book. This quote completely changes the perception of blackness in this time period and of Othello in the readers eyes. In the beginning of the book, most readers are bound to believe Iago's characterization of Othello because he is the only character that has been introduced, but this quote and the rest of Othello's calm reactions to his racially influenced characterizations remind the readers of the importance of awareness, and the detrimental effects of ignorance.
In Othello, Shakespeare portrays Iago as an extremely sexist character, and does this by showing Iago making generalizations about women. “‘To suckle fools and chronicle small beer (Shakespeare 2.1.175).’” Iago had just described what his idea of the ‘perfect woman’ is, and this quote is his response to Desdemona asking what that ‘perfect woman’ is good for. He simply responds that even the perfect woman is only good for nursing babies and keeping track of her husband's beer. This clearly depicts his ignorance and his sexist attitude towards women by explaining his perspective on women, and further showing that he thinks that women are simply good for sex, babies, and keeping track of their husband’s beer.
In act 2, scene 3, lines 49-53, Iago targets Cassio for his occurring feelings for Desdemona, which he easily manipulates to obtain his goal. Iago explains to the audience his intention to get Cassio drunk and make him do something he regrets. "If I can fasten but one cup upon him With that which he be hath drunk tonight already" (2.3.49-50). Iago shows affection to Cassio on his outer shell but within himself, he wants to make a mockery out of Cassio. Iago increasingly gets better at manipulating characters in the play for his own benefit.
In Act 2 Scene 1, lines 122 through 125, Iago is depicted as very sexist with crude views about women. Throughout the play, his character says very rude things about the women in his life as well as women in general. Iago is very opinionated when it comes to what women are useful for, and how much they matter. Overall, this passage demonstrates why the women in Othello do not like Iago, and try to stay away from his sexist views.
ReplyDelete1.3.92-111
ReplyDeleteThis passage shows that Othello is a powerful man in Venice because this speech makes the Duke and Senators consider Othello innocent when it is just his word against Brabantio's who is another powerful man in Venice. This passage also shows how well spoken Othello is that he can make people believe his innocence in one short speech. Othello also manages to tell his life story while dismantling the claims against him which helps him convince the Duke and Senators because they realize how much they owe him for what he has done for Venice. He also restores his honor in this speech showing his ability to turn a negative situation into a positive one by telling the Duke and Senators how he won Brabantio's daughter after being accused of bewitching her.
(1.3.362-368)
ReplyDeleteIn this passage, we see how Iago believes people think. This exposes the way he changes people's opinions and persuades others so successfully. We begin to have a better understanding of why he hates Othello so much. He says that people have the ability to make themselves think what they want and this further displays how he convinces himself that othello has been sleeping with his wife. The passage shows how Iago plants feelings inside of people and let's them grow into greater, more overwhelming feelings.
In Act 1, scene 3, lines 430-33, Shakespeare reveals Iago’s motivation for bringing Othello down. This is the first of many monologues Iago gives to the audience, and it already displays to readers the twisted logic that Iago will use to manipulate people throughout the entire play. In these lines, Iago blatantly states that he does not know for sure if Othello slept with his wife, but plans on taking revenge “for mere suspicion in that kind,” (Shakespeare 1.3.432). This characterizes Iago in a negative way from the very beginning. It also is a reflection of the tactics he uses against other people: he instilled in himself feelings about a person without any concrete evidence, consequently nurturing feelings (jealously and anger) toward Othello that will cause him to act in rash and spiteful ways.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"To suckle fools and chronicle small beer." 2.1.175
ReplyDeleteThis passage is said by Iago, the obvious sexist, racist, and misogynist. Throughout the length of our reading so far, Iago has been portrayed as everything other than good. He is selfish, cruel, dishonest, and has several other unattractive traits. I chose this passage because I felt that it portrayed his character the best. To give context, this passage takes place as Desdemona is asking Iago his opinion on women. She asks what he thinks the purpose of a beautiful, smart, and all around perfect woman would be. This line is Iago's response. He says that even the most perfect woman is only used for taking care of the children and bringing men beer. As I stated previously, this passage portrays Iago's personality and values perfectly.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"'O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the / worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on / a deserving woman indeed, one that in the authori- / ty of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very / malice itself?'" (2.1.158-162)
ReplyDeleteThis passage, a quote from Desdemona's conversation with Iago, develops Desdemona and Iago's respective characters as well as various themes. Desdemona's rejection of Iago's sexist ideas starkly contrasts with his past descriptions of how women should act. Also, Desdemona's surety illustrates her confidence as a woman and defies Iago's expectations for or picture of how a woman should act. Her closing question for Iago perfectly illustrates her resolve and her close similarities to Othello, her husband. Finally, Desdemona's articulate response breaks down whatever misconception the reader could have left of Desdemona's intellect or dependence.
During 2.1.155-196 Iago is clearly characterized as manipulative. Because he is so mad at Othello, and wants to make Othello jealous of him, he takes any opportunity he can to fulfill his plan. Because Cassio is has already kissed Desdemona as a greeting, he is happy when they go off and talk to each other. While they are talking, Iago is basically narrating everything they say and trying to make it look like Cassio is falling in love with Desdemona. He does this because he thinks that if it appears that Cassio and Desdemona are in love, Othello will be jealous, which is part of his plan.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Othello is the main character of this play, the reader isn't actually introduced to him until the second scene, and I think this represents a big theme in this book, and allows for Othello to reveal important and vital parts of himself to the reader. "Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints." (Shakespeare 1.2.20-21). This is the first line Othello says in the play, and it reveals his prideful, virtuous, and calm personality. This is the complete opposite of the personality Iago has described to Brabantio at the beginning of the book. This quote completely changes the perception of blackness in this time period and of Othello in the readers eyes. In the beginning of the book, most readers are bound to believe Iago's characterization of Othello because he is the only character that has been introduced, but this quote and the rest of Othello's calm reactions to his racially influenced characterizations remind the readers of the importance of awareness, and the detrimental effects of ignorance.
ReplyDeleteIn Othello, Shakespeare portrays Iago as an extremely sexist character, and does this by showing Iago making generalizations about women. “‘To suckle fools and chronicle small beer (Shakespeare 2.1.175).’” Iago had just described what his idea of the ‘perfect woman’ is, and this quote is his response to Desdemona asking what that ‘perfect woman’ is good for. He simply responds that even the perfect woman is only good for nursing babies and keeping track of her husband's beer. This clearly depicts his ignorance and his sexist attitude towards women by explaining his perspective on women, and further showing that he thinks that women are simply good for sex, babies, and keeping track of their husband’s beer.
ReplyDeleteIn act 2, scene 3, lines 49-53, Iago targets Cassio for his occurring feelings for Desdemona, which he easily manipulates to obtain his goal. Iago explains to the audience his intention to get Cassio drunk and make him do something he regrets. "If I can fasten but one cup upon him With that which he be hath drunk tonight already" (2.3.49-50). Iago shows affection to Cassio on his outer shell but within himself, he wants to make a mockery out of Cassio. Iago increasingly gets better at manipulating characters in the play for his own benefit.
ReplyDelete