Post by MCF on May 2, 2008 16:35:50 GMT
Hi,
Here is, for those of you who didn't make it to the revision class, the notes / quotation analysis you missed.
In the first Scene of Act 1, Othello is characterised as being isolated due to his ethnic origins. This is shown when Roderigo and Iago try and manipulate Brabantion, Desdemona's father:
Iago: "An old black ram is tupping your white ewe."
It is Shakespeare's intention to portray Othello as an animalistic savage through his use of crude racial imagery. Othello is described as being "an old black ram". This is done to highlight the contrast between himself and his wife, Desdemona. The term ram suggests he is aggressive and has the same qualities as those of an animal. "Black" makes reference to his race and is used to further isolate him as being not of Venice. However, Desdemona is described as being a "white ewe" as she is female, innocent and young compared to savage Othello. Shakespeare uses the word "tupping" to make their relationship seem underhand and that Othello is taking advantge of his beautiful daughter. His isolation is further emphasised, as Othello is not reffered to by name and instead such terms as "thick-lipped" and "the Moor."
However, Shakespeare shows Othello to being nothing like the image that is created of when. When he is confronted by an aggressive crowd led by Brabantio, he tries to diffuse the sitution rather than inflame it:
Othello:"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them."
Such eloquent and sophisticated speeches come in stark contrast to the crude and vulgar imagery that was used to describe him. Othello is telling Brabantio that he will not need his weapons as he has no intention of fighting. Instead, he offers some advice: they should put their swords away, as they will not be needed nd keeping them out will only lead to them being rusted. He is polar opposite to Iago who seems to revel in conflict whereas Othello seeks to avoid it.
The idea of Othello being an honourable and valiant General is continued when he offers to listen to Brabantio's irrational claims of witchcraft:
Othello: "Where will you that I go To answer this your charge?"
This shows that Othello is very confident in his relationship with Desdemona. This highlights the depth of their feelings for each other and again emphasises Othello's reluctance to engage in conflict. Furthermore, Shakespeare lists all of the things that Othello is prepared to give up if he is found to be guilty. They built up to a climax with "my life". This suggests that he is very confident that Desdemona will support his claims as he is prepared to pay the ultimate price if he is proven wrong.
Iago is shown to try and reassert his powers of manipulation by regaining control of Roderigo. This is shown when Iago tries to reassure him after he has contemplated suicide:
Iago: It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor - put money in thy purse - nor h is to her."
Iago is shwon to be trying to convince Roderigo that Desdemon will become bored and struggle to conent herself. He believes her "blood will become dull with the act of sport" and will requirea fresh conquest. He is implying that Desdemon needs to be continously sexually satisfied and that Othello will no longer be able to satisy her. Shakespeare's use of the word "sport" suggests that Iago us saying that Desdemona merely views sex and relationships as a game. He uses parenthesis to give us a clear indication of Iago's intentions and motives. The phrase "put money in thy purse" is repeated throughout the play and shows that Iago's concern is mor about money than any real feelings of responsibility for Roderigos well-being.
We begin to see the impact that Act 3, Scene 3 has had on Othello when he becomes more like the stereotypical primitive black savage. Through discussions with Iago he believes that his wife has cheated on him and he quickly goes through a metamorphosis: changing into a man who is eaten up by jealousy:
Othello: I will chop her into messes, cuckhold me!"
This is a very emphatic statement and shows the strength of Ohtello's feelings. Shakespeare's use of the term "cuckhold" is suggesting that Desdemona has cheate don Othello and as such, has discredited him amonst his friends and society as a whole. His language has lost its poetic elegance and has more in common with the crude and vulgar language, which is more commonly associated with Iago.
Through discussions with Iago, Othello begins to plot the downfall of his wife and the "guilty" Cassio. Iago offers his master some advice regarding how he should go about committing this crime:
Iago: "Do it not with poison; strangle her in the bed, even the bed she hath contaminated."
Iago offered to be Cassio's "undertaker", leaving Othello to kill his wife. It is decided that he should strangle her whilst she sleeps. Shakespeare repeats the word "bed", in order to intensify Othello's jealousy and rage. It is Iago's intenton to remind Othello f what she has done. The word "contaminated" has connotations of something being dirty and soiled, this is relevant as Othello believes she has solied their marriage by her infidelity.
Hope this helps. ;D
Here is, for those of you who didn't make it to the revision class, the notes / quotation analysis you missed.
In the first Scene of Act 1, Othello is characterised as being isolated due to his ethnic origins. This is shown when Roderigo and Iago try and manipulate Brabantion, Desdemona's father:
Iago: "An old black ram is tupping your white ewe."
It is Shakespeare's intention to portray Othello as an animalistic savage through his use of crude racial imagery. Othello is described as being "an old black ram". This is done to highlight the contrast between himself and his wife, Desdemona. The term ram suggests he is aggressive and has the same qualities as those of an animal. "Black" makes reference to his race and is used to further isolate him as being not of Venice. However, Desdemona is described as being a "white ewe" as she is female, innocent and young compared to savage Othello. Shakespeare uses the word "tupping" to make their relationship seem underhand and that Othello is taking advantge of his beautiful daughter. His isolation is further emphasised, as Othello is not reffered to by name and instead such terms as "thick-lipped" and "the Moor."
However, Shakespeare shows Othello to being nothing like the image that is created of when. When he is confronted by an aggressive crowd led by Brabantio, he tries to diffuse the sitution rather than inflame it:
Othello:"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them."
Such eloquent and sophisticated speeches come in stark contrast to the crude and vulgar imagery that was used to describe him. Othello is telling Brabantio that he will not need his weapons as he has no intention of fighting. Instead, he offers some advice: they should put their swords away, as they will not be needed nd keeping them out will only lead to them being rusted. He is polar opposite to Iago who seems to revel in conflict whereas Othello seeks to avoid it.
The idea of Othello being an honourable and valiant General is continued when he offers to listen to Brabantio's irrational claims of witchcraft:
Othello: "Where will you that I go To answer this your charge?"
This shows that Othello is very confident in his relationship with Desdemona. This highlights the depth of their feelings for each other and again emphasises Othello's reluctance to engage in conflict. Furthermore, Shakespeare lists all of the things that Othello is prepared to give up if he is found to be guilty. They built up to a climax with "my life". This suggests that he is very confident that Desdemona will support his claims as he is prepared to pay the ultimate price if he is proven wrong.
Iago is shown to try and reassert his powers of manipulation by regaining control of Roderigo. This is shown when Iago tries to reassure him after he has contemplated suicide:
Iago: It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor - put money in thy purse - nor h is to her."
Iago is shwon to be trying to convince Roderigo that Desdemon will become bored and struggle to conent herself. He believes her "blood will become dull with the act of sport" and will requirea fresh conquest. He is implying that Desdemon needs to be continously sexually satisfied and that Othello will no longer be able to satisy her. Shakespeare's use of the word "sport" suggests that Iago us saying that Desdemona merely views sex and relationships as a game. He uses parenthesis to give us a clear indication of Iago's intentions and motives. The phrase "put money in thy purse" is repeated throughout the play and shows that Iago's concern is mor about money than any real feelings of responsibility for Roderigos well-being.
We begin to see the impact that Act 3, Scene 3 has had on Othello when he becomes more like the stereotypical primitive black savage. Through discussions with Iago he believes that his wife has cheated on him and he quickly goes through a metamorphosis: changing into a man who is eaten up by jealousy:
Othello: I will chop her into messes, cuckhold me!"
This is a very emphatic statement and shows the strength of Ohtello's feelings. Shakespeare's use of the term "cuckhold" is suggesting that Desdemona has cheate don Othello and as such, has discredited him amonst his friends and society as a whole. His language has lost its poetic elegance and has more in common with the crude and vulgar language, which is more commonly associated with Iago.
Through discussions with Iago, Othello begins to plot the downfall of his wife and the "guilty" Cassio. Iago offers his master some advice regarding how he should go about committing this crime:
Iago: "Do it not with poison; strangle her in the bed, even the bed she hath contaminated."
Iago offered to be Cassio's "undertaker", leaving Othello to kill his wife. It is decided that he should strangle her whilst she sleeps. Shakespeare repeats the word "bed", in order to intensify Othello's jealousy and rage. It is Iago's intenton to remind Othello f what she has done. The word "contaminated" has connotations of something being dirty and soiled, this is relevant as Othello believes she has solied their marriage by her infidelity.
Hope this helps. ;D
