"I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of Holy Writ. This may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison." - Iago (III.iii.322-326)
Iago is extremely cunning. I've been blown away by how well he's manipulated people. He's made it look so easy. He convinced Roderigo not to commit suicide and to sell everything. He got Cassio drunk and got him fired, but then turned around and pretended to try to help him get his job back. At the end of Act III Scene iii, he actually becomes lieutenant. He convinced Othello, who was so sure of his love for Desdemona to want to kill her. Othello quickly jumped to the conclusion that his wife is cheating on him without confronting either one. Iago has everyone convinced that he's an honest, good person when he's really trying to get everyone killed.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Othello - Shakespeare - Question 4
"(aside) He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do, I will gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true, 'Tis so, indeed." Iago (II.i. 164-168)
How is the dramatic suspense created? Contrast the amount of information posessed by the audience as the play proceeds with the knowledge that various individual characters have: what is the effect of such a contrast?
The dramatic suspense is created by the audience's knowledge of Iago's plan in contrast to what other characters believe of him. The audience is aware that he is plotting to get revenge on Othello, but the other characters are unaware of this. Iago is often described as "honest Iago," but this is far from the truth. Othello believes that Iago is a loyal officer. Roderigo is under the impression that Iago is trying to help him win Desdemona because they are friends. Cassio receives council from Iago in which Iago tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to help him get his job back. Cassio thinks that Iago is being helpful, but he is really manipulating Cassio into putting Iago's plan for revenge into action. This contrast creates suspense as the audience waits for the other characters to discover Iago's plan. All if these characters trust Iago, but the audience knows his true intentions.
How is the dramatic suspense created? Contrast the amount of information posessed by the audience as the play proceeds with the knowledge that various individual characters have: what is the effect of such a contrast?
The dramatic suspense is created by the audience's knowledge of Iago's plan in contrast to what other characters believe of him. The audience is aware that he is plotting to get revenge on Othello, but the other characters are unaware of this. Iago is often described as "honest Iago," but this is far from the truth. Othello believes that Iago is a loyal officer. Roderigo is under the impression that Iago is trying to help him win Desdemona because they are friends. Cassio receives council from Iago in which Iago tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to help him get his job back. Cassio thinks that Iago is being helpful, but he is really manipulating Cassio into putting Iago's plan for revenge into action. This contrast creates suspense as the audience waits for the other characters to discover Iago's plan. All if these characters trust Iago, but the audience knows his true intentions.
Othello - Shakespeare - Question 3
"Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor," (I.iii.363-366)
Identify the protagonist(s) and antagonist(s). Are there any foil characters? What dramatic functions are served by the various minor characters?
The protagonist of this story is Othello while the antagonist is Iago. Othello is a hero to the city of Venice and is in love with Desdemona. Iago hates Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant and for the rumor that Othello has slept with Iago's wife. Iago is the antagonist because he is purposely trying to ruin Othello's marriage as revenge.
Emilia and Desdemona are foil characters and this is evident in how they talk to Iago in Act II, Scene i, lines 100-162. Emilia is very quiet and timid while Desdemona is assertive and unintimidated by Iago's rudeness.
The main purpose of the minor characters is so that Iago can manipulate them to carry out his plan for getting revenge on Othello. Roderigo is used to alert Barbantio of Othello and Desdemona's marriage. Iago gets Cassio drunk so that Roderigo will get in a fight with him and he will lose his job. The minor characters, without Iago, would not make much of a difference in the lives of Othello and Desdemona.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
"The Drunkard" by Frank O'Connor
"He had long months of abstinence behind him and an eternity of pleasure before." (pg. 346)
I think that the title refers to both the father and the son, each in their own way. Obviously, the father enjoys drinking too much. It is tearing his family apart. However, the son is the one who gets drunk in the story. Also, I believe the story has to do with becoming like one's parents, which is something many children dread. Alcoholism runs in families, so I believe that the son will become an alcoholic. The mother predicts this when she is yelling as the father. Also, this is encouraged by the mother's praise of the son when he wakes up.
I think that the title refers to both the father and the son, each in their own way. Obviously, the father enjoys drinking too much. It is tearing his family apart. However, the son is the one who gets drunk in the story. Also, I believe the story has to do with becoming like one's parents, which is something many children dread. Alcoholism runs in families, so I believe that the son will become an alcoholic. The mother predicts this when she is yelling as the father. Also, this is encouraged by the mother's praise of the son when he wakes up.
"Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carter
"She would have it, this baby. She grabbed the baby's other arm. She caught the baby around the wrist and leaned back.
But he would not let go. He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard.
In this manner, the issue was decided" (page 345 [handout]).
I believe the meaning of this work was to symbolically show how divorce tears a family, and especially a child, apart. The parents must have once loved each other enough to get married and have a child. Now, for whatever reason, they are splitting up. Many children blame themselves when this happens. It tears them up inside. Also, when parents can't agree on time, children must split their time. This can be difficult, as parents may live far away from each other. All in all, I believe this is the author's interpretation of how divorce affects a child.
But he would not let go. He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard.
In this manner, the issue was decided" (page 345 [handout]).
I believe the meaning of this work was to symbolically show how divorce tears a family, and especially a child, apart. The parents must have once loved each other enough to get married and have a child. Now, for whatever reason, they are splitting up. Many children blame themselves when this happens. It tears them up inside. Also, when parents can't agree on time, children must split their time. This can be difficult, as parents may live far away from each other. All in all, I believe this is the author's interpretation of how divorce affects a child.
"You're Ugly, Too" by Lorrie Moore - Question 1
"This was what she'd become: a woman alone at the movies with everything in a Baggie." (pg. 363)
What is the significance of Zoe's many eccentricities-for instance, her keeping all her pocketbook items in Baggies, and her unusual way of interacting with her students? Does her eccentricity make her more of less sympathetic of a character.
Zoe's eccentricities are details to show how she does not fit into society. In a way, she has chosen to be herself, but this also means she is lonely. This all results in her almost pushing Earl off the balcony. At this point, she stops attempting to make friends with him. I don't know if I would say I feel sympathy for her, but I definitely feel pity for her. She's just different, and she doesn't have anywhere that she fits in. She's kind of in a mid-life crisis. She's in a job that she hates, she's single, but her sister is getting married. Nobody pictures his or her life to be this way.
What is the significance of Zoe's many eccentricities-for instance, her keeping all her pocketbook items in Baggies, and her unusual way of interacting with her students? Does her eccentricity make her more of less sympathetic of a character.
Zoe's eccentricities are details to show how she does not fit into society. In a way, she has chosen to be herself, but this also means she is lonely. This all results in her almost pushing Earl off the balcony. At this point, she stops attempting to make friends with him. I don't know if I would say I feel sympathy for her, but I definitely feel pity for her. She's just different, and she doesn't have anywhere that she fits in. She's kind of in a mid-life crisis. She's in a job that she hates, she's single, but her sister is getting married. Nobody pictures his or her life to be this way.
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson - Question 1
"The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green." (pg. 263)
What is a "lottery"? How does the title lead you to expect something very different from what the story presents?
The primary definition of lottery from dictionary.com is "a gambling game or method of raising money, as for somepublic charitable purpose, in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for certain prizes." However, the fourth definition is "any happening or process that is or appears to bedetermined by chance." The cultural connotation of lottery is in line with the first definition. The title creates the illusion that this lottery has a positive result. Besides the title, the first part of the story creates the image of a peaceful day in a happy small town. The only hint that this is a stoning is the children's gathering of stones, yet this detail is disregarded. This makes the ending all the more surprising.
What is a "lottery"? How does the title lead you to expect something very different from what the story presents?
The primary definition of lottery from dictionary.com is "a gambling game or method of raising money, as for somepublic charitable purpose, in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for certain prizes." However, the fourth definition is "any happening or process that is or appears to bedetermined by chance." The cultural connotation of lottery is in line with the first definition. The title creates the illusion that this lottery has a positive result. Besides the title, the first part of the story creates the image of a peaceful day in a happy small town. The only hint that this is a stoning is the children's gathering of stones, yet this detail is disregarded. This makes the ending all the more surprising.
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