"I humbly thank you for't. I never knew
A Florentine more kind and honest."--Cassio (1403: III. i. 37-38)
This quote is an instance of dramatic irony. The audience has been informed from Iago's soliloquies that everything he is advising people to do is for his own gain. He could care less if Roderigo gets the girl. There is dramatic irony because the characters think that Iago is really trying to help them. Roderigo thinks that Iago is giving him advice on how to win Desdemona's heart. However, Iago is using Roderigo to make people mad, so that he can get the position he wants. Likewise, Cassio thinks that Iago is helping him get back in favor with Othello, but he is actually tricking him and setting him up to mess up even more. The purpose of the dramatic irony is to reveal to the audience another side of Iago's personality. It also creates suspense because readers are drawn into the action because they know Iago's true intentions. It is effective because the characters act as if they truly believe that Iago is being helpful. The characters and readers have different understandings of situations, so they are expecting different results.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Plays: Othello 2
"Come on, come on. You are pictures out of doors,
Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds."--Iago (1386: II.i.109-112)
This quote from Othello contains metaphors. In this situation, Iago is talking about his wife. The things he is saying about her do not seem to be flattering. in fact, they are rather offensive. He is basically saying she is too loud, in the way, and the opposite of what one would want in a wife. I think this is rather rude. This quote and the way Iago treats his wife in general is a way for us to learn his character. He treats people as means to get what he wants. He is only concerned with his own goals and needs. I think that Iago not only treats his wife badly, but he also uses and takes advantage of all of his "friends." Iago seems to be a pretty selfish, grudge-holding, and mean person. I am a little puzzled; however, that Iago doesn't seemed satisfied with his wife, yet he is super angry at Othello for sleeping with her.
Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds."--Iago (1386: II.i.109-112)
This quote from Othello contains metaphors. In this situation, Iago is talking about his wife. The things he is saying about her do not seem to be flattering. in fact, they are rather offensive. He is basically saying she is too loud, in the way, and the opposite of what one would want in a wife. I think this is rather rude. This quote and the way Iago treats his wife in general is a way for us to learn his character. He treats people as means to get what he wants. He is only concerned with his own goals and needs. I think that Iago not only treats his wife badly, but he also uses and takes advantage of all of his "friends." Iago seems to be a pretty selfish, grudge-holding, and mean person. I am a little puzzled; however, that Iago doesn't seemed satisfied with his wife, yet he is super angry at Othello for sleeping with her.
Plays: Othello 1
"Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this." --Roderigo (1362: I. i. 1-3)
This play begins in medias res. It begins in the middle of something and readers are uncertain as to what was going on prior to our introduction. I am not sure what the purpose of this is, but readers are able to infer what the conversation was about because some of it is given to the readers. However, we are never told what Iago was not supposed to tell Roderigo. The scene that begins the play is hardly introductory. Like I said before, we are thrown into the thick of things right off the bat. In the first few pages, we begin to know that Iago is upset because he was not picked to be the Lieutenant even though he had the seniority and skills. At this point, I do not think that readers are missing out on anything by the play starting in medias res because Shakespeare wouldn't have started the play without vital information. The information at the beginning and Iago's wrath over not being pick for lieutenant carries on throughout the act as something constantly gnawing at his conscience and driving him crazy.
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this." --Roderigo (1362: I. i. 1-3)
This play begins in medias res. It begins in the middle of something and readers are uncertain as to what was going on prior to our introduction. I am not sure what the purpose of this is, but readers are able to infer what the conversation was about because some of it is given to the readers. However, we are never told what Iago was not supposed to tell Roderigo. The scene that begins the play is hardly introductory. Like I said before, we are thrown into the thick of things right off the bat. In the first few pages, we begin to know that Iago is upset because he was not picked to be the Lieutenant even though he had the seniority and skills. At this point, I do not think that readers are missing out on anything by the play starting in medias res because Shakespeare wouldn't have started the play without vital information. The information at the beginning and Iago's wrath over not being pick for lieutenant carries on throughout the act as something constantly gnawing at his conscience and driving him crazy.