Othello
William Shakespeare
Dramatic irony was used throughout the entirety of the play. Emilia says in Act 4, Scene 2, "I will be hanged if some eternal villain, Some busy and insinuating rogue, Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, Have not devised the slander. I'll be hanged else." (130-134). In other words, Emilia is betting on some seriously evil, lying jerk to be behind all of the wicked rumors. Well turns out Emilia was speaking to the evil person himself. Even though Iago obviously knew that he was the one behind it, both Emilia and Desdemona were clueless. Until the end, every one, except Roderigo at times, seemed to be completely clueless. The audience knew Iago intentions the whole time. However, the fellow characters fell in his trap. Dramatic irony was the most frequently used literary device throughout the play. The dramatic irony lends itself to the audience's idea that every one in the play was an idiot for falling under the trap. Plus, it was a result of the story being told from the perspective of Iago.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Foreshadowing
Othello
William Shakespeare
The example of foreshadowing I am going to use is one that is fairly obvious; it is basically just telling the reader what will happen eventually. The question is when and will it truly play out that way? Well it more or less does happen as Iago had suggested. "Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated." "And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker." (V.i.191-192&194-195). In Act 5, you'll never guess what happens!? Well Iago kills Cassio, but it looks like Roderigo did it. Then, Othello strangles Desdemona, because the idiot still did not believe her. There are several other less straightforward foreshadowing examples throughout the play. There was also a sense of "I know what will happen in the end" when beginning the play. Based on the type of play, a tragedy, and who it was written by lends itself to realizing people will die in the end. The question was who and how and why? Well now we have the answers.
William Shakespeare
The example of foreshadowing I am going to use is one that is fairly obvious; it is basically just telling the reader what will happen eventually. The question is when and will it truly play out that way? Well it more or less does happen as Iago had suggested. "Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated." "And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker." (V.i.191-192&194-195). In Act 5, you'll never guess what happens!? Well Iago kills Cassio, but it looks like Roderigo did it. Then, Othello strangles Desdemona, because the idiot still did not believe her. There are several other less straightforward foreshadowing examples throughout the play. There was also a sense of "I know what will happen in the end" when beginning the play. Based on the type of play, a tragedy, and who it was written by lends itself to realizing people will die in the end. The question was who and how and why? Well now we have the answers.
Dynamic Characters
Othello
William Shakespeare
In the first three acts, we saw Othello change from a calm and rational man to a man that was easily angered and no longer believed anything any one else but Iago said. In Act V, we see how Emilia fits into that role of a major and dynamic character. As Iago draws his sword, she says, "O thou dull Moor! That handkerchief thou speak'st of/ I found by fortune and did give my husband,/ For often with a solemn earnestness,/ More than indeed belonged to such a trifle,/He begged of me to steal it." (V.ii.224-228) That part of the scene as a whole shows Emilia's newly found courage. She not only stands up to her husband, but she also yells at Othello to get the point through his head that he was wronged. She does not fear her husband killing her; she tells everything she knows. What she told also helped the other characters figure out what Iago did. Emilia was the main doorway that exposed Iago, which made her a very important character in the play. Other characters also had dynamic qualities, but I felt Othello and Emilia were the two main ones.
William Shakespeare
In the first three acts, we saw Othello change from a calm and rational man to a man that was easily angered and no longer believed anything any one else but Iago said. In Act V, we see how Emilia fits into that role of a major and dynamic character. As Iago draws his sword, she says, "O thou dull Moor! That handkerchief thou speak'st of/ I found by fortune and did give my husband,/ For often with a solemn earnestness,/ More than indeed belonged to such a trifle,/He begged of me to steal it." (V.ii.224-228) That part of the scene as a whole shows Emilia's newly found courage. She not only stands up to her husband, but she also yells at Othello to get the point through his head that he was wronged. She does not fear her husband killing her; she tells everything she knows. What she told also helped the other characters figure out what Iago did. Emilia was the main doorway that exposed Iago, which made her a very important character in the play. Other characters also had dynamic qualities, but I felt Othello and Emilia were the two main ones.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Greatest Villain ?
Othello
William Shakespeare
How great of a villain is Iago? "Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore,/ Be sure of it, give me the ocular proof." (III.iii.360-361) I quoted this line because Iago is actually called a villain, but I do not believe that because he does not have proof of Cassio and Desdemona sleeping together he is a villain. Iago is the most extreme example of a two-faced person possible. I found it ironic when Othello and Iago were talking of how people should be what they appear to be. This is because Iago is nothing like what he appears to be to other people. I still have not been sold on the greatest villain thing, but maybe it'll all come together in the last two acts. I do not deny Iago ability to manipulate people to basically agree or do whatever he says. His ability to manipulate has made everything fall perfectly into his lap. I guess if no one ever decides to go against Iago, then he's this mass-manipulator-scary right? I mean I guess it could be. Like I said I haven't bought into the idea yet, but we will see how/if the last two scenes change my perceptive on the evilness of Iago.
William Shakespeare
How great of a villain is Iago? "Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore,/ Be sure of it, give me the ocular proof." (III.iii.360-361) I quoted this line because Iago is actually called a villain, but I do not believe that because he does not have proof of Cassio and Desdemona sleeping together he is a villain. Iago is the most extreme example of a two-faced person possible. I found it ironic when Othello and Iago were talking of how people should be what they appear to be. This is because Iago is nothing like what he appears to be to other people. I still have not been sold on the greatest villain thing, but maybe it'll all come together in the last two acts. I do not deny Iago ability to manipulate people to basically agree or do whatever he says. His ability to manipulate has made everything fall perfectly into his lap. I guess if no one ever decides to go against Iago, then he's this mass-manipulator-scary right? I mean I guess it could be. Like I said I haven't bought into the idea yet, but we will see how/if the last two scenes change my perceptive on the evilness of Iago.
The Handkerchief
Othello
William Shakespeare
So unless I just completely missed something, we first see the handkerchief when Emilia finds it. The handkerchief belongs to Desdemona and was a gift from Othello. Emilia says "My wayward husband hath a hundred times/ Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token,/ For he conjured her she should keep it,/ That she reserves it evermore about her/ To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out..." (III.iii.293-297) Iago has asked Emilia to steal this possession of Desdemona, but Emilia knows how much the handkerchief means to you so she says she will make a copy. However, Iago takes the handkerchief from Emilia. Iago decides to plant the handkerchief in Cassio's room. Cassio found it there and gave it to Bianca to copy the pattern. Will she though?..I don't know. I'm not sure of the larger significance of the handkerchief, but it is a prized possession to both Othello and Desdemona. Therefore, it could just continue to be a source of frustration between Othello and Desdemona. However, I feel there is something even greater to know about this handkerchief.
William Shakespeare
So unless I just completely missed something, we first see the handkerchief when Emilia finds it. The handkerchief belongs to Desdemona and was a gift from Othello. Emilia says "My wayward husband hath a hundred times/ Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token,/ For he conjured her she should keep it,/ That she reserves it evermore about her/ To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out..." (III.iii.293-297) Iago has asked Emilia to steal this possession of Desdemona, but Emilia knows how much the handkerchief means to you so she says she will make a copy. However, Iago takes the handkerchief from Emilia. Iago decides to plant the handkerchief in Cassio's room. Cassio found it there and gave it to Bianca to copy the pattern. Will she though?..I don't know. I'm not sure of the larger significance of the handkerchief, but it is a prized possession to both Othello and Desdemona. Therefore, it could just continue to be a source of frustration between Othello and Desdemona. However, I feel there is something even greater to know about this handkerchief.
Manipulation
Othello
William Shakespeare
At the end of Act 2, Iago manipulates several people to make them think differently than what is actually happening. He starts off by manipulating Cassio. Cassio is not a very good drinker, so he tries to restrain himself from partaking in the party after they won the war. However, Iago persuades him to drink with "their friends" in celebration. He then manipulates Montano into believing Cassio has a drinking problem. Montano asks, "But is he often thus?" Iago responds, "'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep." (II.iii.109-110) Therefore, basically Iago told Montano that Cassio gets drunk every night, so Montano becomes concerned for Cassio, which leads to Montano inadvertently triggering the fight. After this Iago manipulates Othello into believing that he actually cares about Michael Cassio and does not want to rat him out. All of these manipulations lend themselves to the dramatic irony. The reader knows that all of these characters are being manipulated and that all of them believe Iago is on there side, but he's not. As readers, you wonder how they could ALL fall for Iago's tricks.
William Shakespeare
At the end of Act 2, Iago manipulates several people to make them think differently than what is actually happening. He starts off by manipulating Cassio. Cassio is not a very good drinker, so he tries to restrain himself from partaking in the party after they won the war. However, Iago persuades him to drink with "their friends" in celebration. He then manipulates Montano into believing Cassio has a drinking problem. Montano asks, "But is he often thus?" Iago responds, "'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep." (II.iii.109-110) Therefore, basically Iago told Montano that Cassio gets drunk every night, so Montano becomes concerned for Cassio, which leads to Montano inadvertently triggering the fight. After this Iago manipulates Othello into believing that he actually cares about Michael Cassio and does not want to rat him out. All of these manipulations lend themselves to the dramatic irony. The reader knows that all of these characters are being manipulated and that all of them believe Iago is on there side, but he's not. As readers, you wonder how they could ALL fall for Iago's tricks.
1st Impressions
Othello
William Shakespeare
As Act 1 begins, we meet Iago and Roderigo. Iago explains that he does not like Othello, the Moor. He states that a reason why is that Othello didn't make Iago his Lieutenant. Then we already begin to see Iago's tricks that he plays. Him and Roderigo go to wake Brabantio in the middle of the night yelling he's been robbed, which in a sense was true, but Iago made it sound way more serious than it was (but maybe eloping was a big deal back in the day). Othello seems to think highly of himself. At least, he knows his position and his power. He says "Let him do his spite/ My services which I have done the signiory/ Shall out-tongue his complaints." (I.ii.18-19) Othello knows that the Duke is fond of him for the service his has done for the people. Roderigo at the end of the act reveals that he still loves Desdemona. Iago seems to use this drive in making Roderigo do his dirty work. Roderigo feels Iago is loyal to him, but I find it a little iffy. These three characters are the ones mostly developed in Act 1.
William Shakespeare
As Act 1 begins, we meet Iago and Roderigo. Iago explains that he does not like Othello, the Moor. He states that a reason why is that Othello didn't make Iago his Lieutenant. Then we already begin to see Iago's tricks that he plays. Him and Roderigo go to wake Brabantio in the middle of the night yelling he's been robbed, which in a sense was true, but Iago made it sound way more serious than it was (but maybe eloping was a big deal back in the day). Othello seems to think highly of himself. At least, he knows his position and his power. He says "Let him do his spite/ My services which I have done the signiory/ Shall out-tongue his complaints." (I.ii.18-19) Othello knows that the Duke is fond of him for the service his has done for the people. Roderigo at the end of the act reveals that he still loves Desdemona. Iago seems to use this drive in making Roderigo do his dirty work. Roderigo feels Iago is loyal to him, but I find it a little iffy. These three characters are the ones mostly developed in Act 1.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Story of an Hour
The Story of an Hour
Kate Chopin
Louise Mallard has had heart trouble in the past, so her sister Josephine, takes great lengths to tell her sister gently that her husband has died. However, Louise ends up dying from a heart attack from being so happy to find out that her husband was still alive. Ironic? I'd say so. The ending was also dramatic when Louise died of "joy that kills" (327/handout) the ending was abrupt and unexpected. The main character begins to feel a sense of freedom after learning her husband has died. I think this shows the bond that a wife and husband had during those days. A wife lived for her husband; they were not free to live for themselves. This is why Louise kept repeating, "'Free! Body and soul free!'"(327/handout). I think that this is different from today's society though. I think there are the married couples who continue to live for themselves, which is why they end up getting a divorce. But I think the couples that last are the ones where both the husband and the wife live for their spouse, not just the wife for the husband.
Kate Chopin
Louise Mallard has had heart trouble in the past, so her sister Josephine, takes great lengths to tell her sister gently that her husband has died. However, Louise ends up dying from a heart attack from being so happy to find out that her husband was still alive. Ironic? I'd say so. The ending was also dramatic when Louise died of "joy that kills" (327/handout) the ending was abrupt and unexpected. The main character begins to feel a sense of freedom after learning her husband has died. I think this shows the bond that a wife and husband had during those days. A wife lived for her husband; they were not free to live for themselves. This is why Louise kept repeating, "'Free! Body and soul free!'"(327/handout). I think that this is different from today's society though. I think there are the married couples who continue to live for themselves, which is why they end up getting a divorce. But I think the couples that last are the ones where both the husband and the wife live for their spouse, not just the wife for the husband.
You're Ugly, Too
You're Ugly, Too
Lorrie Moore
This story illustrates a teacher who is social awkward. Zoe's lack of confidence in herself is evident through descriptions of how she sees herself. "The mirror, however, tended to frighten her, startling her with an image of a woman she never recognized" (page 358). Her insecurities were illustrated through diction and situations within the plot of the story. The mentioning of the hair on her chin multiple times emphasized her ever present concerns about herself.
The title of this piece is "You're Ugly, Too", obviously. The main character, Zoe, views herself as an unattractive being. Her previous struggles with relationships depicts the "ugliness" in these men. The costumes that the people wear at the party help to show their insecurities or their ugliness. Not only is Zoe one who is under the "love me not" category, but also her previous boyfriends.
Lorrie Moore
This story illustrates a teacher who is social awkward. Zoe's lack of confidence in herself is evident through descriptions of how she sees herself. "The mirror, however, tended to frighten her, startling her with an image of a woman she never recognized" (page 358). Her insecurities were illustrated through diction and situations within the plot of the story. The mentioning of the hair on her chin multiple times emphasized her ever present concerns about herself.
The title of this piece is "You're Ugly, Too", obviously. The main character, Zoe, views herself as an unattractive being. Her previous struggles with relationships depicts the "ugliness" in these men. The costumes that the people wear at the party help to show their insecurities or their ugliness. Not only is Zoe one who is under the "love me not" category, but also her previous boyfriends.
Getting Out
Getting Out
Cleopatra Mathis
This poem was fairly easy to identify with, because this type of situation, being a couple going there separate ways, is a rather known situation these days. The imagery used in the poem easily depicts this splitting. Furthermore, the images help to show the multiple emotions felt by the speaker during this time. The phrase "heaving words like furniture" shows the anger of the couple. "Exhausted, we gave up" shows the tired and saddened couple. The last three lines show that the couple was not the normal couple that were happy to finally be going their separate ways. Instead, they were sad to be going apart. They saw that just their love was not enough to keep them together. The couple truly did love each other, but that wasn't enough to keep them together. She still has feelings for her ex-lover, but knows that they tried. Though it is sad to look back on, what happened was for the best.
Cleopatra Mathis
This poem was fairly easy to identify with, because this type of situation, being a couple going there separate ways, is a rather known situation these days. The imagery used in the poem easily depicts this splitting. Furthermore, the images help to show the multiple emotions felt by the speaker during this time. The phrase "heaving words like furniture" shows the anger of the couple. "Exhausted, we gave up" shows the tired and saddened couple. The last three lines show that the couple was not the normal couple that were happy to finally be going their separate ways. Instead, they were sad to be going apart. They saw that just their love was not enough to keep them together. The couple truly did love each other, but that wasn't enough to keep them together. She still has feelings for her ex-lover, but knows that they tried. Though it is sad to look back on, what happened was for the best.
Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics
Raymond Carver
The last line of this story is: "In this manner, the issue was decided." (335 [handout]) One of the questions after asks what is this issue. Based on the context, I would have to say the issue is who receives custody of the baby. A second question asks (number 5) if the title "Popular Mechanics" is a more effective title then the original title "Mine". I feel that the original title made sense with the plot of the story. The couple is arguing over who gets the child: it is the appropriate situation for a childish "it's my baby" "no it's mine" type of thing. However, the title is now popular mechanics, so how does that fit in? Well popular relates to known things, so I took that as something that was somewhat common. Mechanics is like engineering or the structure of something. Therefore, the title is like a common build or a common structure. This could mean that the author viewed this story as a common type of situation for families.
Raymond Carver
The last line of this story is: "In this manner, the issue was decided." (335 [handout]) One of the questions after asks what is this issue. Based on the context, I would have to say the issue is who receives custody of the baby. A second question asks (number 5) if the title "Popular Mechanics" is a more effective title then the original title "Mine". I feel that the original title made sense with the plot of the story. The couple is arguing over who gets the child: it is the appropriate situation for a childish "it's my baby" "no it's mine" type of thing. However, the title is now popular mechanics, so how does that fit in? Well popular relates to known things, so I took that as something that was somewhat common. Mechanics is like engineering or the structure of something. Therefore, the title is like a common build or a common structure. This could mean that the author viewed this story as a common type of situation for families.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
delight in disorder
Delight in Disorder
Robert Herrick
This poem uses many words such as distraction, confusedly, and careless to maintain the disorder portion of the title. The delight comes from the speaker admiring the woman. The woman wears all of these types of clothes that the speaker mentions and he states imperfections about them. For example in lines three and four, the speaker says "A lawn about the shoulders thrown|Into a fine distraction." The theme of the poem relates to the title of the poem. The theme being that beauty can be seen despite imperfections. The fact that there was no rhyme scheme and the phrases themselves varied in length also helped to enhance the feeling of disorder.
The phrase "wild civility" is an oxymoron. The phrase which it is in presents a picture of a poorly tied shoestring. Though there is a form, and the shoe is tied, though there is also a sense of disorder in the sense that it is maybe a loose or floppy tie. This just allows for another image of disorder.
Robert Herrick
This poem uses many words such as distraction, confusedly, and careless to maintain the disorder portion of the title. The delight comes from the speaker admiring the woman. The woman wears all of these types of clothes that the speaker mentions and he states imperfections about them. For example in lines three and four, the speaker says "A lawn about the shoulders thrown|Into a fine distraction." The theme of the poem relates to the title of the poem. The theme being that beauty can be seen despite imperfections. The fact that there was no rhyme scheme and the phrases themselves varied in length also helped to enhance the feeling of disorder.
The phrase "wild civility" is an oxymoron. The phrase which it is in presents a picture of a poorly tied shoestring. Though there is a form, and the shoe is tied, though there is also a sense of disorder in the sense that it is maybe a loose or floppy tie. This just allows for another image of disorder.
lonely hearts
Lonely Hearts
Wendy Cope
The speaker of this poem is a very desperate man of society. He wants a woman and he wants one now. He is tired of being lonely, and desires to find this woman to make him not lonely anymore. He basically says he will take whoever he can. Therefore, any standards he had set before are no longer present: so for example there's no longer a age limit of this girl he is longing for.
The lines "Can someone make my simple wish come true?" and "Do you live in North London? Is it you?" are repeated throughout this villanelle poem.(it's part of the structure) The question of whether the woman lives in North London makes me think that that is where the man lives (the setting). The question of can someone make his wish come true simply reinstates the desperation of the speaker.That appeared to be pretty much the extent of the poem though. However, I am guessing it is not that straightforward.
Wendy Cope
The speaker of this poem is a very desperate man of society. He wants a woman and he wants one now. He is tired of being lonely, and desires to find this woman to make him not lonely anymore. He basically says he will take whoever he can. Therefore, any standards he had set before are no longer present: so for example there's no longer a age limit of this girl he is longing for.
The lines "Can someone make my simple wish come true?" and "Do you live in North London? Is it you?" are repeated throughout this villanelle poem.(it's part of the structure) The question of whether the woman lives in North London makes me think that that is where the man lives (the setting). The question of can someone make his wish come true simply reinstates the desperation of the speaker.That appeared to be pretty much the extent of the poem though. However, I am guessing it is not that straightforward.
Eveline
Eveline
James Joyce
I found that the theme throughout this short story was that when making a decision about the future, it is important to not make the decision while focused on the past. When doing so, you can take yourself out of an opportunity to experience something new. Eveline has the struggle of staying at her home in Dublin or moving to Buenos Aires with Frank. Frank is an interesting character. He is described as a "kind, manly, open-hearted." (Joyce, 220). He is also a countryman and a sailor. Eveline's father did not like Frank saying that he knew his type of person. I am not quite sure if Frank is the type of person Eveline says, and if there was anything to provide the reader with a different idea I missed that one. However, I felt that Eveline viewed Frank as her rescuer or her way to escape her present life.(this could bias her view of Frank) I was confused at the end of the short story though on whether or not she ended up leaving or not. I interpreted it as she ended up not leaving because of.....but I was not sure. Hmm....
James Joyce
I found that the theme throughout this short story was that when making a decision about the future, it is important to not make the decision while focused on the past. When doing so, you can take yourself out of an opportunity to experience something new. Eveline has the struggle of staying at her home in Dublin or moving to Buenos Aires with Frank. Frank is an interesting character. He is described as a "kind, manly, open-hearted." (Joyce, 220). He is also a countryman and a sailor. Eveline's father did not like Frank saying that he knew his type of person. I am not quite sure if Frank is the type of person Eveline says, and if there was anything to provide the reader with a different idea I missed that one. However, I felt that Eveline viewed Frank as her rescuer or her way to escape her present life.(this could bias her view of Frank) I was confused at the end of the short story though on whether or not she ended up leaving or not. I interpreted it as she ended up not leaving because of.....but I was not sure. Hmm....
How I Met My Husband
How I Met My Husband
Alice Munro
I greatly enjoyed the twist at the end of the story of how the mailman was the man that actually became her husband. The choice of diction used by the narrator allows the reader to believe that Chris, the pilot, might actually be the husband. Even though the story is told as the woman looking back on when she was fifteen and met her husband, she tells the part of her and the pilot in a way that makes you think he is not the man that his finance claimed he was. "'He just made use of you and went off, you know that, don't you?" (Munro, 143) She awaits his letter everyday and the reader awaits his letter just the same. The narrator recalls how she believed that he was not the type of person to not stay true to his word, and this allows the reader to also believe the best in Chris. She did not speak down upon him at all, which also leads the reader to believe that maybe he isn't that bad of a guy.(Maybe I am just optimistic, but it made me feel this way) Imagine how coincidental it is to meet your future spouse while awaiting the return of the person you are with or plan to be with....very odd. I think it is even more ironic, because I am positive this has happened before in real life at one point in time, or a similar situation.
Alice Munro
I greatly enjoyed the twist at the end of the story of how the mailman was the man that actually became her husband. The choice of diction used by the narrator allows the reader to believe that Chris, the pilot, might actually be the husband. Even though the story is told as the woman looking back on when she was fifteen and met her husband, she tells the part of her and the pilot in a way that makes you think he is not the man that his finance claimed he was. "'He just made use of you and went off, you know that, don't you?" (Munro, 143) She awaits his letter everyday and the reader awaits his letter just the same. The narrator recalls how she believed that he was not the type of person to not stay true to his word, and this allows the reader to also believe the best in Chris. She did not speak down upon him at all, which also leads the reader to believe that maybe he isn't that bad of a guy.(Maybe I am just optimistic, but it made me feel this way) Imagine how coincidental it is to meet your future spouse while awaiting the return of the person you are with or plan to be with....very odd. I think it is even more ironic, because I am positive this has happened before in real life at one point in time, or a similar situation.
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