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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Iago's Destructive plot directly affects Emilia and Iago's marriage. Emilia loves her husband, but begins to question his feelings when she attempts to tease him with the retrieval of Desdemona's handkerchief (III.iii). Iago uses his own wife as a pawn in his master plan, displaying the unimportance of Emilia to him. Emilia's soliloquy (265) tells the audience that she goes along with Iago's plot, or what little she knows of it, because she wants "nothing but to please his fantasy" (265). Iago does not care about Emilia the way she does for him, he will take her out if need be. Iago and Emilia can be perceived as complete opposites. Emilia is a loving and faithful wife while Iago is a cunning and destructive man, ready to take out the world to get what he wants. A healthy marriage is far from expected between Iago and Emilia. One loves the other unconditionally, and the other could care less. Ultimately Iago and Emilia appear as each others' foils, and will most likely lead to each others' downfall.
ReplyDelete-Lori
Othello and Desdemona start out as the perfect couple; a couple that has overcome parental disapproval, racial differences, and general opposition of their union. However, Iago's plot pulls this couple apart as he manipulates Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Michael Cassio. On pages 229 and 230, Othello is telling Brabantio and the Duke how he won Desdemona, saying that "she loved [him] for the dangers [he] had pass'd, and [he] loved her that she did pity them"(230). Desdemona then speaks in affirmation of this claim, telling her father and the Duke of her undying love for Othello. This shows their incredible compatibility and love for one another. It also shows how well their relationship is going. This, however, doesn't continue to be the case. When Iago hints that Desdemona might be unfaithful, Othello refuses to believe it, saying that "if she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself" (265). However, with further hinting, Othello becomes green wtih envy. He loves Desdemona so much that he can not stand to lose her. Desdemona realizes this when he orders her to bed suddenly, and yet she still dismisses Emilia as her told her to, saying that she doesn't want "to displease him now" (291). Because of Iago's plan, Othello eventually becomes so jealous that he kills Desdemona, saying "I will kill thee, and love thee after" (298). However, when she regains consciousness for a moment as Emilia enters, Desdemona continually insists that she killed herself; she loves her husband so much that she will take the blame for his actions, even when those actions end her life. From these observations, it can be concluded that Desdemona and Othello would have had a successful relationship if Iago's plan had not torn them apart. It is obvious that they do love each other very much; maybe even too much.
ReplyDelete- Taylor!
From outward appearance, the relationship between Emilia and Iago lacks both passion and affection; however, if one looks upon the motivation of their malicious acts, one will view the underlying love between the two. The majority of the couple’s tension emanates from Iago’s side of the marriage, for Othello once occupied a position “ ‘twixt [Iago’s] sheets” (236) with Emilia - Iago maintains the affair as one of his motives for revenge throughout the play. Monosyllabic diction, such as “twixt,” demonstrates the clipped and agitated tones of Iago in regards to his philandering wife. Yet, if Iago harbored no feelings of affection toward Emilia, a betrayal – such as adultery – would not impact him greatly nor drive him to a murderous scheme. The accusation appears as a false claim to justify Iago’s plot; however, Emilia’s justification of adultery as a tactic for a wife to transform her husband into a “cuckold to make him a monarch” (292), indirectly confirms her own infidelity. Shakespeare juxtaposes cuckold and monarch as two positions, one of weakness and one of strength, to indicate the extremes to which Emilia will resort to elevate her husband’s position in the military. Although Emilia failed to remain faithful to Iago, she sacrifices her honor to increase the honor of her husband – a tradeoff, which confirms her love of Iago. Through actions, not necessarily exchanges between the two, Iago and Emilia demonstrate their love for one another; even Iago’s murder of Emilia emerges as the execution of his pledge of “wife for wife” (244) as redemption of his cuckold status and Emilia’s honor.
ReplyDelete-Alexis
The relationship between Desdemona and Othello goes from being extremely loving in the introduction of the novel to one of hate in the resolution. After arriving in Cyprus, Othello proclaims that he has “found great love” in Desdemona that gives his “soul’s joy”. He is so happy with her and his life that he is content but little does he know that things will soon change. After Iago manipulates their relationship his views change and he is depressed by the “curse of marriage”(264) as his heart is broken at the thought of losing Desdemona. Iago uses their great love as a weapon against Othello to create an anger that cannot be controlled and lead to his ultimate downfall.
ReplyDelete-CORNNELL
The relationship between Othello and Desdemona is a love and hate relationship. It began as one full of love, and through horrible events and Iago’s corruption of their relationship it became one of hate vs. love, and at the end became one of tragedy and love. Their love is proven in the beginning by Desdemona leaving Othello and Othello willing to stand up and give his live to prove his love. Othello says that it’s true that he “have ta’en away [Brabantio’s] daughter” (228). However, Othello’s love for Desdemona changes with Iagos manipulation, and as he believes that Desdemona is unfaithful he begins to harbor a hate for her, that developed out of love. This sort of hate is strong and from it he kills Desdemona. The reader knows however that Desdemona is faithful, and when Othello realizes it he kills himself from the regret he feels for killing that which he loved so dearly. He last says that “Killing myself, to die upon a kiss” (307) enforcing the idea that he originally loved her, and because of the guilt, must kill himself as a sort of revenge. Desdemona loves Othello throughout the entire novel, as is prove by not only her leaving her father to be with him, but also her ultimate sacrifice at the end of the novel when Othello kills her. Desdemona loved Othello so much as to come back to life and tell Emilia that her that the killer was nobody but her herself. This is what makes this novel such a tragedy, not only did both lovers die, but in the end Desdemona stayed loyal to the crazy and jealousy ridden Othello.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lori. Iago uses his wife Emilia in order to carry out his destructive plan eventually leading to the downfall of their marriage. Iago uses his wife Emilia to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief as Lori said. Throughout the play Iago constantly tells Emilia how worthless and unimportant she is. Emilia trying to win the love of her husband and agrees to help Iago carry out his plan as he says in her soliloquy as Lori clarified in her blog. Although Emilia agrees to help Iago carry out his destructive plan she is clueless of Iago’s full destructive plan, which leads to Othello murdering Desdemona. Emilia finally understanding Iago’s plans reveals Iago on page 303 (V, ii), which leads to her death by Iago stabbing her showing the unimportance of her to Iago. Iago and Emilia are never to be expected to have a happy marriage due to their opposite polarities. Therefore it appears that they are the foils to the downfall of each other. Emilia reveals Iago to Othello leading to the downfall of Iago and due to Emilia revealing Iago leads to her death.
ReplyDelete-Forrest
I disagree with Alexis’s argument. I believe that Emilia is the only one who feels any love in their relationship and I feel that both Iago’s and Emilia’s actions indicate a tragically one sided relationship. Emilia’s desperation at her unrequited love influences her to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief. As Emilia is torn between what actions she should take regarding the handkerchief, she justifies her decision to give it to Iago by saying, “I nothing but to please his fantasy” (265). Emilia is repeatedly forced to play the part of the loyal dog in their relationship; repeatedly beaten but always crawling back. After bringing her husband the handkerchief in hopes of some affection, Iago, “snatching it” (266), disregards poor Emilia. Throughout the play, Iago uses Emilia as just another one of his many pawns, eventually murdering her when she became a threat to his ambitious plot, just as he did with Roderigo. It is not customary to sacrifice someone you love as a pawn to further your own position. Iago’s words to Emilia are scathing, but his actions are even more so. And in many ways I feel that Emilia’s fate is more tragic than Desdemona’s, for Emilia’s husband will never loathe or even regret his actions.
ReplyDeleteIn the play Othello written by Shakespeare the protagonist , Othello marries the daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio, Desdemona. Othello and Desdemona share a strong bond for each other and show their love, through the protection they have on their interracial marriage. Othello a black Christian Moor and General of the Army of Venetian who holds strong power and is respected upon greatly in the venetian society marries the daughter of a white senator. The marriage is not looked up upon because of the different races, in Act 1 Scene III Desdemona stands up for her marriage to her father by saying “ I do perceive… Moor my lord”(231). As a young women in this time period she is very brave to have stood up to her father, telling him how she is now divided, not only his, but also her husbands. Othello’s love for Desdemona is strong, he took the risk to marry a white women no matter other’s opinions. Throughout this play Shakespeare shows Othello and Desdemona’s love for each other as being strong and how Desdemona shows respect for her husband, by taking the blame for the alleged affair, although she was not apart of one. In Act V, Scene II Desdemona says “ Nobody; I myself. Farewell;”(301) when answering to Emilia’s question as to who had killed Desdemona. Desdemona lost her life, but still showed respect for her husband and took the blame. Therefore I believe Othello’s love for Desdemona’s was true, and meaningful, were as Iago and Emilia’s love was merely just a title, with no emotion.
ReplyDeleteAs confusing as it sounds, I agree with Stephanie about disagreeing with Alexis. Another point to consider is that of reputation. Iago does not desire revenge because he cares about Emilia, but rather because of honor and reputation, an issue he uses to his advantage many times throughout the play. While Othello cannot stand the thought of an unfaithful Desdemona because he loves her so greatly, Iago cannot stand the thought of his reputation dirtied with a whore for a wife. This could be wrong however, as Iago hypocritically contradicts himself when he speaks of reputation depending on who is manipulating. I think reputation is a main factor in the hate towards his wife and discredits that some love must exist for him to long for vengeance. However, the rest of Alexis’s post was very interesting and something I had not even considered.
ReplyDeleteI believe that neither couple is or was ever even close to being perfect. If Othello ever had any doubts in his wife regarding faithfulness, their relationship was ill-fated from the start. Othello had already predetermined that what he has heard about Desdemona was true before even confronting her about it. Othello decides he “will kill thee” (IV, ii) and informs Desdemona a few minutes before murdering her. I believe that they loved each other, however, I do not believe it hurting loved ones out of love. It is too much of a paradox for it to ever work. Iago and Emilia were ill-fated from the start as well because Iago is a pathological liar. Iago neglects to tell the truth to everyone including his spouse which is frown upon. This shows the role of women throughout the drama as well. When Emilia questions Iago about his disloyalty to his lord, Iago answers with a stab at his wife, Emilia. I think that Emilia loved Iago blindly but Iago just kept Emilia around for someone to blame or for an alibi.
ReplyDeleteI believe that neither couple is or was ever even close to being perfect. If Othello ever had any doubts in his wife regarding faithfulness, their relationship was ill-fated from the start. Othello had already predetermined that what he has heard about Desdemona was true before even confronting her about it. Othello decides he “will kill thee” (IV, ii) and informs Desdemona a few minutes before murdering her. I believe that they loved each other, however, I do not believe it hurting loved ones out of love. It is too much of a paradox for it to ever work. Iago and Emilia were ill-fated from the start as well because Iago is a pathological liar. Iago neglects to tell the truth to everyone including his spouse which is frown upon. This shows the role of women throughout the drama as well. When Emilia questions Iago about his disloyalty to his lord, Iago answers with a stab at his wife, Emilia. I think that Emilia loved Iago blindly but Iago just kept Emilia around for someone to blame or for an alibi.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Tim:
ReplyDeleteWhen Othello believes in the idea that his wife has been unfaithful, he transforms into the “green-eyed monster” (Act III, Scene III) that was part of him all along. Never did I think that Desdemona ever had hate for Othello, even at the hour of her death. “Commend me to my kind lord”, Desdemona states at the moment of her death in Act V, Scene II. Even after being suffocated by Othello, she stills refers to him as “kind”, showing the love that she never lost for him through everything that had happened. When Emilia asks her who had hurt her, she remains loyal to Othello by replying, “nobody; I myself” (Act V, Scene II). I also believe that throughout the whole play, Othello never lost his love for Desdemona. When Othello realizes that Desdemona was innocent, he also comes to the realization that he “loved not wisely, but too well” (Act V, Scene II). Furthermore, from the beginning to end, love never faded between Desdemona and Othello.
-Julia