Designed for D. Mitchell's English A1 HL International Baccalaureate class at Socastee High School, this blog offers students key information, blog questions, assignments, and homework related to Part IV and Oral/Written Commentaries. Useful and fun links, as well as other resources, will also be included as time permits.
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Shakespeare’s use of foils emphasizes the polarity of the character’s Iago, and Othello. Throughout the play Iago’s “words and performances are no kin together” (IV. ii), proving the fact that he is a villain. On the other hand Othello is portrayed as “a full solider” (II. i) and brave completely opposing Iago. The two characters in this aspect differ so much that their contrasting qualities bring out their traits even more. Iago’s duel portrayals within the novel, the first being the audiences perspective and the other being the character’s perspective, further stresses the fact that Iago is not who he seems to be. Othello though has one side to him, honesty. The character’s difference in number of portrayals also shows the foil between the characters. Iago and Othello’s divergent qualities further emphasize their traits, proving that the two character’s are foils of one another.
ReplyDeleteI agree Shakespeare uses foiling to enhance the character qualities in Iago and Othello. If Iago and Othello were not such distinct foils then their personalities would not be so pronounced. They differ from each other in every aspect, even to the point where at the beginning of the play it is Iago who has most of the soliloquies and at the end it is Othello. However I also believe that Shakespeare uses foils to bring about Othello and Iago’s similarities. Iago is a man who lusts for power, Othello, having status and power, also loves power. Othello knows how successful and powerful he is when he feels he “should but teach him how to tell [his] story, ant that would wee her” (230). If it were not his high status and power he knows that Desdemona would not have fallen in love with him; for that he is boastful in his power. Iago jealousy and fear of being humiliated when he suspects his wife has not been faithful feels the urge to retaliate event thought “[he] know not if ‘t be true” (236). This is the same thing that Othello does with Desdemona, although he tells Iago “let me know more; set on thy wife to observe” (264) he does not wait to find out the truth before he starts his quest for revenge. Their similarities add to Iago’s ability to simplicity manipulate Othello because he knows him like he knows himself.
ReplyDeleteKayla, I disagree with your comment solely because I viewed the two differently. I do not see Iago as cowardice-the opposite of brave- but deceitful, honest, and conniving. By formulating his plan for revenge against Othello portrays a large amount of bravery due to the fact that trouble rounds the corner if he is to be caught, which he is in the denouement by Emilia. Also, Iago is in the army, which employs a brave connotation, which reinforces the idea of them not being foils. I see the relationship between Othello and Iago similar to that of a predator and its prey because Iago's hate for Othello drives him toward revenge, and Iago constantly targets Othello for his infidelity with
ReplyDeleteThroughout the Othello Shakespeare uses foils to characterize the antagonist, Iago. Iago believes that a reputation is what makes a man, and also that his has been slandered by Othello. Iago is seen to be a “treacherous villain”(295) as he manipulates Othello to create his own downfall. These two characters are shown to be foils as Iago is the villain and Othello is “honest and just”(294). Because Othello is characterized as such he expects his comrades to act the same to him but it is not so as Iago deceives him with a combination of truth and lies to make Othello go mad. Rodrigo is also seen to be a foil of Iago as he follows Iago without “wit or judgment”(289). Iago is wise and able to make others do what he wants just by speaking with them, and Rodrigo is just a follower who does what is told. Iago’s deceptiveness is characterized to the extremes by his actions and the foils of the novel.
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I agree with Kayla, in that Shakespeare utilizes the foils to emphasize the differences between Othello and Iago; however their two paths diverge from a single path of pride and the role it plays in sculpting one’s actions. In Iago’s second soliloquy of the play he informs Roderigo that “were [he] the Moor, [he] would not be Iago” (218) – or to say that if he possessed a higher station in the military, his need to constantly prove himself would not exist. Iago’s pride prevents him from accepting the lowly position of signer in the military, driving him to manipulate all, who he views as inadequate for higher positions. The supposed infidelity of Desdemona, strikes at Othello’s hubris, which he interprets as a “plague of great ones” (264). Great ones allude to Adam from the Bible, where in his case, a woman also brought upon his downfall. Othello’s tremendous pride (established by his self-placement with weighty historical figures) causes him to act out irrationally and murder his wife, demonstrating the lengths to which he will venture to save his honor. With Othello, as the protagonist, and Iago, as the antagonist, they serve as the foil of one another; yet, the two operate under the same drive, that of pride, and both attempt to redeem themselves by malicious means. The shared similarity between Othello and Iago, despite their differences, questions the universal of theme of good versus evil, in that perhaps a small margin exists between the two.
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In the tragic play Othello, Michael Cassio serves as a foil to the play’s protagonist. Cassio is impish and without self control whereas Othello is wise and noble. The foil displays the deep divisions between the two and helps reveal the motives which drive each of the characters. Othello’s entrance to the stage presents him as a valiant leader. He remarks that “[his] demerits may speak unbonneted to as a proud a fortune that [he has] reach’d” (223). However, Cassio seems to lack the strength and grandeur that Othello so greatly exemplifies. Iago acknowledges this by saying, “[he] never set a squadron in the field nor the division of battle knows” (217). Furthermore, each character’s backgrounds differ greatly. Othello is from exotic lands and King to the Moors as he tells the Venetian Court. Cassio’s background is mysterious for the audience’s knowledge of his past comes from Iago. He acknowledges that Cassio is “a Florentine…a great arithmetician” (217). Another great difference between the two is their view of women. Othello believes women to be revered and marriage a solemn sacrament. Cassio, on the other hand, views women merely as an object to be played with when he desires. He appears to lack the convictions held by Othello regarding relationships as seen with his mistress Bianca. Still, the two share certain traits; they serve the Venetian Crown, are susceptible to Iago’s manipulations, and have wounded reputations. Yet they still differ in how they carry themselves, most notably in what they do when wronged. Othello focuses on the one who wronged him while Cassio is soon to forgive and forget. For example, after Cassio is demoted by Othello, he simply pleads as a loyal servant saying “Dear general, I never gave you cause” (306). Othello dwells on each injury to his hubris, especially to the accusations of Desdemona’s infidelity. In the end, Cassio seems to be the better man, serving as a balance to the Moor’s tragic flaws and as an example to the audience with whom they can relate to and respect.
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I agree with Kayla, but Othello and Iago do have similarities. They are both men of action who need power. Thats where their similarities end; however, (as Kayla stated above) they are polar opposites in terms of character. Iago desires power whereas Othello requires power to make up for his skin color. In act V scene ii both Othello and Iago lose everything. Othello after suffocating Desdemona chooses to kills himself; Iago after killing his wife (for different reasons) and having his plan thwarted is stabbed, but still lives. Othello displays his courage to die while Iago exposes his cowardice as he tries to run away from death both before and after getting injured.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kayla that Iago's and Othello's contrasting qualities bring out their own traits. According to Othello Iago is honest and full of love. As a result of this Iago manipulates Othello into being jealous instead of being strong and faithful. Also, Iago controls Othello's actions and thoughts. Iago brings out the worse in Othello. However, Othello's hubris and successes cause Iago to become jealous and deceitful. I agree that these two characters are foils that bring out the main characteristics of each character.
ReplyDelete-Jon Morgan
In agreement with Kayla, Iago and Othello prove foils to one another, in other aspects such as the ones mentioned. For example, Othello, unilateral in personality though he may be, was successful in his life and career, unlike Iago, who is repeatedly put down for advancement in rank, and only reaches the level on ensign. Their relationships are foiled too, as Othello, (for what time it lasted) had a lovefilled relationship full of respect and admiration with Desdemona, while Iago's relationship with Emilia is full of nonchalance, disrespect, and manipulation. However, both characters do share one common fault in their issue of jealousy. Othello obviously expresses his jealousy of Cassio planted by Iago. But, Iago has not only hatred for Othello, but i believe jealousy for him as well in his extreme success in his life.
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ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses foils in this play to show not only the differences between Desdemona and Emilia, but also to show the differences between their opinions of their husbands and their relationships. In the play, Emilia serves as Desdemona's maid and friend. Emilia is married to Iago, and is a very strong personality, and she tends to think that men are selfish and use women. On page 275, Emilia is talking to Desdemona and says "'T is not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs and we are all but food; they eat us hungrily, and when they are full they belch us." While this statement is a playful pun, it also shows the audience that she has a more modern view on men. She later stands up to Iago, telling him that she "will not charm [her] tongue" and that it she is "bound to speak" (302). This shows that, while she loves her husband, she will not give up what she feels is right just because he tells her to. Desdemona, however, will go to any lengths to make her husband happy. On page 282, Othello becomes so engraged and jealous that he strikes Desdemona, leaving her sobbing. She, however, still continues to do what she's told, and even wonders what it was that she did wrong to deserve it. Later, when Othello orders her to bed, Desdemona foreshadows her own death by singing the song of the green willow. Even though there is evidence that Desdemona knew perfectly well that her husband was about to kill her, she still argues to Emilia that she " must not upset him now" (291). This shows us that Desdemona is willing to give her life for her husband, even though he is wrong in his accusations of her. From Shakespeare use of Emilia and Desdemona, we not only see their personality differences, but we also have an insight into how they each bring about their ultimate deaths.
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Shakespeare’s use of foils not only emphasizes the differing traits between characters, but also explores different themes in the play. One major theme that the foil of Emilia and Desdemona exemplify is that of role of women during the time period. Women during Shakespeare’s time, as throughout most of history, were to do their husbands’ bidding without question and basically be the property of their spouses. Where Desdemona’s personality and actions reinforce this archaic view, Emilia challenges it, especially towards the end of the play. Desdemona does not dare “offend [Othello]” (283) even after he had wrongly struck her in public. Instead of standing up for herself, she blindly obeys his commands. Even when he orders her to her room to her obvious death, she still does not “displease him” (291). When Emilia is questioned about her stance on the relationships between men and women, she states that she would defy her husband “i’ the dark” (292). Emilia acknowledges the servitude women are subjected to, though does not fully agree with it. She finally defies Iago at the end, refusing to “charm [her] tongue” (302) and reveals Iago for the plotting deceiver he is. Emilia's defiance directly foils Desdemona’s unwavering loyalty towards Othello to the end, blaming her death on herself, though he is in the wrong. Shakespeare utilizes this foil to bring the role of women to the attention of the audience
ReplyDeleteI agree with Drew that Iago is brave and not cowardly. Not only does the fact that he is in the army give Iago a brave image, but his job in the army shows his bravery. Iago carries the flag in front of the army. This entails a lot of bravery in that he shows his pride for his country and his fearlessness. Iago knows that with every decision he makes, in continuing his plan against Othello, that he could be caught and punished, yet he still proceeds.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses foils to highlight the contrasting character traits between Iago and Cassio. Cassio and Iago are both vying for Othello’s affections in order to stay on his good side. Although they have the same goal, they use different methods and they have different motives behind their actions. They are both after the position of Othello’s Lieutenant. Iago wants it because he believes that he deserves it above Cassio based on he and Othello’s past relationship. Cassio is looking to regain his position after a rowdy late-night disruption. Iago uses deception to make Othello second guess himself and the people around him while Cassio approaches the situation with friendliness through Desdemona. Shakespeare uses their shared goal with their different approaches to display their contrasting character traits.
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