"Aye, that's the way. Dull not device by coldness and delay." II.iii.350-351
Othello is much different from other plays, or Shakespearean plays. The reader is gaining information from the antagonist's point of view. This creates a weird understanding towards the antagonist. Although Iago is deceitful and dishonest, we know what his motivations are and understand. This also creates suspense because it makes us want to tell the protagonists what's really going on. Personally, I don't like Iago. Although we are supposed to have an understanding for him, I don't. What put me off the most was the rude comments about different types of women. However, it is true his soliloquies keep me wanting to know more.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Othello Act II
"If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, The one's for use, the other useth it." II.i.129-130
During scene one of act II, Iago speaks disrespectfully about women to Desdemona and Emilia. On the other hand, Cassio treats them both with respect. He kisses their hand and calls them 'madame'. This separates the protagonists and the antagonists. Iago, the antagonist, is shown here as disrespectful and rude. He is trying to ruin Othello through manipulation of Cassio and Desdemona. Although this scene is not the determinant of the antagonist/protagonist, it shows the true characters of the two. This scene also shows Iago as a foil character. In the scene, he speaks disrespectfully about women and shows his true character. However, in front of Othello and Cassio, he is honest and trustworthy.
During scene one of act II, Iago speaks disrespectfully about women to Desdemona and Emilia. On the other hand, Cassio treats them both with respect. He kisses their hand and calls them 'madame'. This separates the protagonists and the antagonists. Iago, the antagonist, is shown here as disrespectful and rude. He is trying to ruin Othello through manipulation of Cassio and Desdemona. Although this scene is not the determinant of the antagonist/protagonist, it shows the true characters of the two. This scene also shows Iago as a foil character. In the scene, he speaks disrespectfully about women and shows his true character. However, in front of Othello and Cassio, he is honest and trustworthy.
Othello Act I
"I have 't. It is engendered! Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light." I.iii.383-384
Above is an example of one of Iago's dramatic soliloquies. His soliloquies are the reason this play has dramatic suspense. Through his soliloquies, we learn that he has a devious plan to ruin Othello because there is suspicion he slept with Emilia, Iago's wife. In act I, we don't know the plan, which creates suspense. We also see Iago manipulate Othello and others to like him, even though it is only part of his plan. The fact the audience knows this and the characters don't creates dramatic suspense. The contrast of the audience's knowledge and Iago's kind interactions with others also informs us of the characteristics that make him a foil character. Iago is deceitful and dishonest, and his soliloquies tell us the truth of this.
Above is an example of one of Iago's dramatic soliloquies. His soliloquies are the reason this play has dramatic suspense. Through his soliloquies, we learn that he has a devious plan to ruin Othello because there is suspicion he slept with Emilia, Iago's wife. In act I, we don't know the plan, which creates suspense. We also see Iago manipulate Othello and others to like him, even though it is only part of his plan. The fact the audience knows this and the characters don't creates dramatic suspense. The contrast of the audience's knowledge and Iago's kind interactions with others also informs us of the characteristics that make him a foil character. Iago is deceitful and dishonest, and his soliloquies tell us the truth of this.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
You're Ugly, Too
"He stared at the top of Zoe's head. 'Great bone.' Zoe nodded. 'Great tits,' she said." -pg. 363
The costumes that these two are wearing are irony in themselves. Zoe, while talking to Earl and being at the party, acts more like a guy. She is dressed as a bonehead (haha, get it?). Earl is dressed as a woman. If that isn't irony enough, their actions and words switch their genders as well. Zoe has a hair growing on her chin and plucks it off. She also tells jokes that are crude and many people do not think are funny. She even jokes about love. Earl, on the other hand, seems to be very sensitive. He talks longingly about love and sadly about love lost. He also tells Zoe that blues will bring out her eyes and skin well.
The costumes that these two are wearing are irony in themselves. Zoe, while talking to Earl and being at the party, acts more like a guy. She is dressed as a bonehead (haha, get it?). Earl is dressed as a woman. If that isn't irony enough, their actions and words switch their genders as well. Zoe has a hair growing on her chin and plucks it off. She also tells jokes that are crude and many people do not think are funny. She even jokes about love. Earl, on the other hand, seems to be very sensitive. He talks longingly about love and sadly about love lost. He also tells Zoe that blues will bring out her eyes and skin well.
The Lottery
"They stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed." -pg. 264
The mention of the pile of stones is foreshadowing what lottery is really meant. The title and the light-heartedness of the story made me think this lottery was something positive. Instead, the person who wins doesn't win money. They in fact win the chance to be stoned to death. The mention of the stones and the light jokes foreshadows the stoning. The creepiest part, however, is how everyone is so light-hearted and jolly about this event. They seem to even look forward to it. The lottery still goes on in this town because it's tradition and they know of nothing else.
The mention of the pile of stones is foreshadowing what lottery is really meant. The title and the light-heartedness of the story made me think this lottery was something positive. Instead, the person who wins doesn't win money. They in fact win the chance to be stoned to death. The mention of the stones and the light jokes foreshadows the stoning. The creepiest part, however, is how everyone is so light-hearted and jolly about this event. They seem to even look forward to it. The lottery still goes on in this town because it's tradition and they know of nothing else.
The Drunkard
"'Whilst, woman, whilst, whilst!' he hissed, dancing from one foot to the other. 'Do you want the whole road to her?'" -pg. 351
The humor in this story is obvious, but has underlying irony. The fact that a twelve year old is drunk is fairly humorous to anybody reading this story. However, there is also irony and seriousness in the kid being drunk. The seriousness is in how the family feels about drinking and alcoholism. Since the father has had drinking problems, being drunk is a serious matter to the family. The irony in this is that the kid being drunk has prevented the father from being drunk. It is also ironic how the father doesn't care the whole town knows of his drinking, yet tries to hide his son's drunkenness from the town. The father is mad at his son for drinking the beer, yet his carelessness and distracted attention was the real reason the kid was drunk. This is directly correlated to how the father acts in real life.
The humor in this story is obvious, but has underlying irony. The fact that a twelve year old is drunk is fairly humorous to anybody reading this story. However, there is also irony and seriousness in the kid being drunk. The seriousness is in how the family feels about drinking and alcoholism. Since the father has had drinking problems, being drunk is a serious matter to the family. The irony in this is that the kid being drunk has prevented the father from being drunk. It is also ironic how the father doesn't care the whole town knows of his drinking, yet tries to hide his son's drunkenness from the town. The father is mad at his son for drinking the beer, yet his carelessness and distracted attention was the real reason the kid was drunk. This is directly correlated to how the father acts in real life.
Popular Mechanics
"Bring that back, he said. Just get your things and get out, she said."
The style of this story is very important to the plot and tone. The whole story does not contain any question marks to indicate speaking. However, we can interpret who is saying what very clearly. The purpose of this style is simplicity. Simplistic style allows us to know that the argument and the plot are very simple as well. What each person is saying does not matter, nor does what they're fighting about matter. The climax of the story is at the end, when they rip apart the baby (gruesome, I know). Therefore, the simplistic style makes us realize the importance of the baby being ripped apart because of the fighting. The fighting itself and who is saying what is not the importance of the story.
The style of this story is very important to the plot and tone. The whole story does not contain any question marks to indicate speaking. However, we can interpret who is saying what very clearly. The purpose of this style is simplicity. Simplistic style allows us to know that the argument and the plot are very simple as well. What each person is saying does not matter, nor does what they're fighting about matter. The climax of the story is at the end, when they rip apart the baby (gruesome, I know). Therefore, the simplistic style makes us realize the importance of the baby being ripped apart because of the fighting. The fighting itself and who is saying what is not the importance of the story.
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