English Literature AS and A2

Sunday, 10 July 2016

Whole text question- critical interpretation (Iago)

‘He is monstrous because, faced with the manifold richness of experience, his only reaction is calculation and the desire to manipulate… Ultimately, whatever its proximate motives, malice is motiveless; that is the secret of its power and its horror, why it can go unsuspected and why

Helen Gardner

To what extent do you agree with this view?

Viewpoint:

Iago is duplicitous and is full of rich experience in the art of manipulation but his imitate motives for his actions is motiveless malice. He uses this as his secret power to achieve his end goal and does with out being suspected.

Quotations to support this viewpoint (Chronological):

· “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve/For daws to peck at. I am not what I am” –Iago is not what he seems on face value, which shows he is a Machiavellian character.

· “…and something in him is as deeply rebellious and affronted by this as Satan, who in a sense can be called his disciple.” -just wants to rebel and cause pain. Shakespeare shows this through comparing Iago to the devil

· “Yet that I put the Moor/At least into a jealousy so strong/That judgment cannot cure.” - suggests he is just doing this because he is innately evil and for his own pleasure.

· “Demand me nothing: what you know, you know;/From this time forth. I never will speak word.” –Iago refuses to say why he did what he did even when his wife and Desdemona lay dead in front of him

Counter argument to this viewpoint:

Iago can also be seen to posses in his mind just reasons for his actions whether they be true or false to why he is working to encourage Othello’s tragic downfall and fuel his own spite.

· “’I have already chose my officer’”-“One Michael Cassio, a Florentine” – Iago has served alongside Othello and have become war companions but he chose Cassio over Iago to be his lieutenant fuelling his hatred

· “I hate the Moor;/And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets/ He’s done my office.” –The Moor has slept with my wife

· “kill two birds with one stone” –can cause Othello’s downfall due not giving Iago the promotion and can also get a promotion through framing that Desdemona and Cassio have been have an affair through poisoning Othello’s mind.

Conclusion:

Shakespeare presents Iago as both having intentions but also not having any intentions to justify his actions. Iago is a slighted and almost psychopathic character who enjoys inflicting pain on people. Iago falsely constructs reasons for his actions leading to the conclusion that he simply posses motiveless malignity.

Saturday, 2 July 2016

Mock extract question development- Othello

1. As well as the duplicity of Iago, Shakespeare also presents the duplicity of Othello in this scene, which is significant to the whole text. Shakespeare uses a dramatic method to set set the scene in the opening of the extract. The extract begins in 'Venice Outside the Saggitary'. Shakespeare arguable used a Saggitary as a stage prop as it has significant importance of Othello and represents his duplicity, vital to the audiences understanding of him. A Saggitary is a half archer, half man or a half beast and half man. This foreshadows how Othello changes throughout the play. At the start of the play he is represented as a man, a 'Valiant Moor' who has self control and is ordered and structured which is fitting for his role as a general for the Venetian state. However the archer/beast represents another side of him. The beast represents Othello's lack of control when he becomes overwhelmingly jealous. The beast inside of him begins to create chaos in Cyprus. Othello's lack of control is shown through him shouting 'Fire and Brimstone' in front of Lodivco and then striking Desdemona. This once noble man has fallen from a height of greatness, which is vital for a classical tragedy as Aristotle said. Another aspect of a classical tragedy is also evident as Aristotle said in his book the poetics that the tragic hero cannot be entirely good or entirely evil. In the play, Othello is presented to posses both good and bad meaning the audience are evoked to feel both pity and fear at him called pathos another vital part in a classical tragedy. Linking contextually, Elizabethan society would of had stereotypical representations of a 'Moor' from the start of the play and expect him to be uncivilized. Othello both conforms and challenges Elizabethan expectations.

2. At the end of the extract Othello is presented a clam and in control general that people respect. Othello's importance is shown in this extract as 'The senate hath sent about three several quests' to search for Othello as he is required to go to war against the Turkish to defend Cyprus. Othello is calm and collective about the senate’s request. Othello is shown to be guilty of hubris, which leads to his hamartia and the series of tragic events. Othello does not mind going to war and his ignorance and excessive pride is shows as he says: ' I will but spend a word here in the house/ And go with you'. Othello's hubris is that he is a respected war general, he has recently married a white senators daughter. Contextually, in Elizabethan society mixed raced marriages were unheard of and frowned upon, as many people believed that black people were only fit for slavery. To have married Desdemona as a mere 'Moor' is arguable another success to Othello which contributes to his hubris. Othello's, hubris also continues, as he believes him self to be in control of all circumstances due to his title and social but also political importance to the Venetian state. This is significant to the tragedy on a whole and also ironic which is one of Shakespeare dramatic techniques he uses throughout the play as when Othello arrives in Cyprus 'Chaos has come again'. Arguable the most tragic part of Othello is that it is due to Othello's hubris that has made him into a well-respected war general and a married man. However it is also his hubris that causes his tragic downfall.

Friday, 1 July 2016

Othello - Act 5 scene 2. Lines 1-233

“Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak./ 'Tis proper I obey him - but not now!" Emilia [5.2.192-193]

Questions: Act 5 scene 2 lines 1-233

1. Othello believes he should kill Desdemona, out of a sense of just for himself and other men. 'Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light:' Othello believes she is a whore and must suffer the consequences for her actions.

2. In this scene Shakespeare adhered to racial stereotypes are shown by Emilia when she discovered that Othello has killed Desdemona: 'O, the more angel she, And you the blacker devil!'. This quotation shows that Shakespeare is adhering to racial stereotypes as in Elizabethan society black people were represented as the devil. Shakespeare also explores black slavery in Africa, which was accepted and was very popular in the Elizabethan society: 'O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils', Othello wants to be punished by the devils and be whipped like he used to be when he was a slave.

3. Othello tells Desdemona that Cassio has confessed to sleeping with her. Othello believed this to be true because of the evidence Iago provided of Othello’s handkerchief that he gave Desdemona, which Cassio now has:

Othello

saw the handkerchief.

Desdemona

He found it then;

I never gave it him. Send for him hither;

Let him confess a truth.

OTH.

He hath confess’d.

4.Emilia says "Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak./ 'Tis proper I obey him - but not now!" [5.2.192-193] This shows that Emilia in an inhabitant of a patriarchal society where woman are expected to be mild, timorous, tractable and benign. However, Emilia overcomes the confines of patriarchy to defend her mistress amongst the devastating circumstances where she has found Desdemona murdered by her husband. Emilia becomes active, dominant, and strong in this situation, which goes against all of the ideological expectations of women in Elizabethan society. This question is also linked to question 5 and I believe it has been answered in terms of her language and behaviour. shown above.

6. In this act Emilia calls Othello a wide range of abusive terms when she discovers that Othello has killed Desdemona, her mistress and arguable her friend. This contrasts to how Othello is presented at the beginning of the play as Othello was presented as noble and described as 'Valiant Moor'. Emilia now due to the circumstances calls Othello: 'O, the more angel she, And you the blacker devil!', Emilia is racially abusing Othello as black people were associated with the Devil. Emilia then calls Othello 'As ignorant as dirt!' this is also a racial comment as black people were considered to be unintelligent and weak. The fact that Othello falls down proves this has he can not mentally understand the situation. Emilia also describes Othello as ''O thou dull Moor''. Iago kills his wife and in her last words sings:

Willow, willow, willow.

Moor, she was chaste; she lov’d thee, cruel Moor;

So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;

So speaking as I think, alas, I die.

Emilia dies remembering how cruel the Moor was, which evokes pity for Emilia and leaving the audience fearful of Othello. This is called Pathos an important element of Classical Tragedy that Aristotle stated in his book called the Poetics.

Thursday, 30 June 2016

Othello, Act 5, Scene 1

How does Shakespeare create a sense of fear and confusion in Act 5 scene 1? Consider:

Setting
Language
Structure of lines
Use of characters
Other dramatic methods

Shakespeare creates a sense of fear and confusion through a number of dramatic methods he uses in this extract. The extract begins with Rodrigo and Iago in Cyprus on a street. It is nighttime shrouded in mystery and darkness. Throughout Shakespeare uses the night as a dramatic method to foreshadow death, violence and evoke fear. One of Aristotle's criteria for a tragedy is Pathos, this is the ability to evoke pity and fear. In this scene Shakespeare evokes fear from the audience due to the uncertainty that the night and darkness bring. The audience recognise this due to the opening scene where Rodrigo and Iago are shouting outside Brabantio's house and confusion is created. Another scene that reinforces the audiences suspicion is Iago getting Cassio drunk during Othellos wedding celebrations where a brawl is started.

The extract is towards the end of the play and starts with Rodrigo discussing killing Cassio with Iago. A sense of confusion is created through Rodrigo's language that shows uncertainty and presents him as one of Iagos mere puppets. Rodrigo says:

'I have no great devotion to the deed,

And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.

’Tis but a man gone. Forth my sword; he dies.'

Rodrigo does not understand why he is killing Cassio but does not entirely question Iago and the 'deed' he must commit to. Rodrigo is only thinking about the telos of the action and his prize of Desdemona. Iago once again manipulates Roderigo and makes him believe something that is a lie.

For the first time in the whole play Shakespeare presents Iago as a character that is fearful because his plan can fall apart at any moment due to Rodrigo saying he will ask for all of his gifts back from Desdemona. However, this is very ironic as Iago has not been giving Desdemona any of Rodrigo's gifts but has just been pocketing them and coin for his personal gain. Even when Iago's plan is in the mist of falling away he is still presented as a powerful characters through his strength of manipulation and determination:

I have rubb’d this young quat almost to the sense,

And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,

He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold and jewels that I bobb’d from him

As gifts to Desdemona;

It must not be. If Cassio do remain,

He hath a daily beauty in his life

That makes me ugly; and besides, the Moor

May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril.

No, he must die. Be’t so. I hear him coming.

Above Iago takes part in an aside where he explains he thoughts and feelings towards Cassio. Jealousy, a key theme is evident in this small part as Iago explains his jealousy and intimidation that Cassio socially indirectly inflicts on Iago. Some people may also interpret this as fear. Iago is a motiveless malignity that has no reason for his actions, however it can be interpreted that Iago enjoys disrupting the social hierarchy and wants a promotion, specifically Cassio's job as Iago feels it has been stolen from him.

Monday, 20 June 2016

Othello Act 4, Scene 3 questions

Desdemona and Emilia
1. There are many differences shown in Act 4, Scene 3 between Desdemona and Emilia. Desdemona is very naive and passive and complicit in her own downfall due to not taking an active role herself to discover the truth.Desdemona simple acts as the perfect, obedient Elizabethan woman. Contrastingly though Emilia takes an active role and wants answers to why Othello is behaving in such a way and treating Desdemona in this way. Emilia is opinionated and presented to be strong and decisive. Emilia described previously exactly the deception which is occurring in the play but is yet to conclude that it is Iago behind it all.

2. Emilia does not mention the hankercheif to Desdemona, this may be because they are very distant from each other due to being from different social classes. Desdemona is a senators daughter and is marries to Othello a well respected general but Emilia is only an employee for Desdemona. This makes Desdemona's and Emilia's relationship strictly professional. However there is one scene when Desdemona sings 'Sing Willow' with Emilia, where for the first time they become so near to becoming close. After the song Emilia tells naive Desdemona just who the world is. Emilia does not want to discomfort Desdemona but provide an older comforting voice. Iago's and Emilia's relationship is very abusive. Iago does not pay any attention to Emilia and treats her poorly. Emilia gave the handkerchief to Iago to please him and is an arguable a last attempt to reconcile their marriage in a hope of one good night together.

Thinking question:

“Desdemona is presented in the play as a sexual subject who hears and desires, and that desire is punished because the non-specular (not reflective; different) or non-phallic sexuality it displays is frightening and dangerous.”- Karen Newman: Femininity and the monstrous in Othello.

To what extent do you agree with this view? Discuss and write down your ideas.

In Othello is can be argued that Desdemona is presented as as sexual subject due to her conversation with Emilia that reveals a non specular sexual side to her that is not previously shown in the play. Desdemona before meeting Othello, was a pure, white virgin the "perfect" Elizabethan woman. Now she is married with Othello she is presented as a non-specular Elizabethan woman due to taking an active role in her and Othello's sex life which in these times is un-heard of. Men by the ideologies of the time are strong, active and dominant and this continues into the bedroom. Desdemona takes a different and controversial role when she asks Emilia to: 'Lay on my bed my wedding sheets'. These sheets are significant and are a symbol of Desdemona loosing her purity and innocence. By Desdemona wanting these sheets on her bed shows a romantic but also a sexual; non-specular woman which is frightening and dangerous because of the society in which she lives.

Othello and Iago

1. Adrian Lester believe Othello has been since the age of seven.

2. Adrian Lester believes Othello is not born into a 'sense of nobility'. Adrian Lester thinks this impacts the character as it makes him very aware to people around him and his appearances.

3. Othello's status increases in Venice through marrying Desdemona a senators daughter and is set to inherit all of his wealth.

4. Rory Kinnear says Iago is disgruntled with Othello because he made Cassio his lieutenant rather then Iago .This annoys Iago as he believes Cassio is being given everything on a plate. This is significant as Othello and Iago were very close and Iago was Othello's most trusted friend who shared many of the horrors of war together.

5. Othello and Iago have in common that they have both experienced the horrors of war together and have both started from the bottom and worked their way up, according to Rory Kenner.

6. In the video around 4.20, Rory Kenner lists some of the ways Iago aims to bring down Othello and Cassio through: he is the agent of destruction, legitimate grievances, insinuation, getting people on side to ensure the most horrendous revenge on Othello.

Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Othello Act 4, Scene 2 questions

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Act 3 Scene 4 Big question

Thomas Rymer on the handkerchief
So much ado, so much stress, so much passion and repetition about an Handkerchief? Why was not this call'd the Tragedy of the Handkerchief? … Had it been Desdemona's Garter, the Sagacious Moor might have smelt a Rat: but the Handkerchief is so remote a trifle, no Booby, on this side Mauritania, cou'd make any consequence from it. [160]

I do not think Rymer's criticism that Shakespeare's use of the handkerchief as a dramatic device is flawed is valid. I believe this opinion as Rymers criticism on the play Othello if it was based around Desdemona underwear would not effect the play that significantly. I do agree that Othello should worry more if Cassio was walking around with Desdemona's underwear compared to a handkerchief. However a possession that holds high sentimental value and the powers that the handkerchief allegedly possesses is bound to cause Othello to become jealous as he believes Desdemona gave it to Michael Cassio, whom is good looking man with high social class. The importance of the handkerchief to Othello is profoundly projected by the speech he gives about it, in order to make Desdemona feel guilt and encourage to come fourth with the truth. He describes the handkerchief in a way which gives it super natural attributes, Othello says: "Twound make her amiable and subdue my father Entirely to her love; but if she lost it Or made a gift of it, my father's eye Should hold her loathly, and his spirits should hunt After are fancies." The whole speech talks about a warning that if a lover receives the handkerchief and looses it there love will fall about and all shall be lost. This superstition adds depth to the play, making it in my opinion believable to a Elizabethan audience meaning people can see how consequences can develop from something as simple as a handkerchief.