Othello: Act 5

1. At the end of this scene we witness the murder of several characters. Did this ending satisfy you? Why or why not?

 

Yes, in a way, because in the end, Iago gets caught and gets what he deserves, Othello finally realizes the truth, and even though so any innocent people die, to me, true justice is served.

 

2. This play is considered to be one of the greatest tragedies of all time. Why is it so tragic (avoid the answer: they all died).

 

It is so tragic because of the manipulation carried throughout the story. This story shows true character of some people in this world, which is really tragic. People cheat on their loved ones, people are greedy, people are selfish, people lie to horrid extents, and people kill. To me, that is some of the most tragic things in life.  

 

3. What does the handkerchief symbolize?

 

The handkerchief, to Othello, symbolizes loyalty and love to Desdemona from him, and when he finds out that she has given it away, to him, he feels like her love for him has faded, and she has turned his love for her into something useless. The love is no more.

 

4. Examine Othello's last words. What do these words show us about him?

 

That is a true man who owns up to his mistakes even though it has ruined him. He admits to being a fool who trusted too much and was naïve to what was going on around him. Othello is ashamed for not understanding what trick that was being pulled on him, but he owned up to being such a fool.

Othello: Act 4

1. In Act 4 we learn the character of Desdemona. Choose two quotes that you believe best illustrate her character.

-I’d never do such a bad thing, not for the whole world!
  Desdemona is shown as a honest woman in my opinion, and she is truthful to admitting she would never be a "whore" and she believes it is a truthfully bad thing.
-That’s not what I wish. I love him even when he’s harsh and mean—Help me unpin this, would you? I love even his stubbornness, his frowns, his bad moods.
  This quote shows that she is a loyal woman to Othello, and sticking by their marriage by dealing with him when he is mean and rude sometimes.

2. How is Othello changing in Act 4? What is the effect of his public humiliation of Desdemona by slapping her?

He is becoming more bitter at heart and turning evil to get revenge on Desdemona and Cassio. He does not care about his reputation anymore because he thinks it is already ruined so why not express how he feels inside? So he acts out and feels betrayed.

3. At the end of Act 4 we get a glimpse into the private world of women. How does Shakespeare portray this world?

 

The women are curious, and talk about other women they think are less valuable than them, and wondering how some women could do such a thing. Shakespeare has portrayed them to be very emotional, and they want to fix everything that is going on in their life.

 

4. Analyze "The Willow Song". What is the literal meaning of this song? What does this song symbolize?

 

In the song, the woman's husband has cheated on her, and she is sad and crying; saying that she deserves this punishment. This song symbolizes the feelings that Desdemona feels inside from the situation that is going on.

Othello: Act 3

1. What is a tragic flaw? What do you believe is Othello's tragic flaw? What is your tragic flaw? Explain.

A tragic flaw is something a person has about themselves that can bring them harm. Othello's is that he is very naïve and very oblivious. My tragic flaw is that I am very gullible. I always feel bad for someone and take them in and always avoid conflict and help a person out, when in the end, I end up getting tore up and just used.

2. Below is the Shakespearean and modern version of Othello. Examine the quote about a good reputation. What does Iago mean through this quote? How valuable do you believe a reputation is? What is your reputation? What kind of name do you have amongst others? 

"A good reputation is the most valuable thing we have—men and women alike. If you steal my money, you’re just stealing trash. It’s something, it’s nothing: it’s yours, it’s mine, and it’ll belong to thousands more. But if you steal my reputation, you’re robbing me of something that doesn’t make you richer, but makes me much poorer."

"Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,

Is the immediate jewel of their souls.

Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis something, nothing:

'Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands.

But he that filches from me my good name

Robs me of that which not enriches him

And makes me poor indeed."

What Iago means is that when someone ruins your reputation, you lose certain potential that your reputation had you built up to have. You also lose relations with people, and have broken friendships. I, therefore, believe a nice reputation is good to have but it isn't everything, because a reputation is what society views you as, not yourself; and to me, as long as I feel that I am doing what is right and staying true to myself, that is all that matters. I believe I have an okay reputation of myself. People tend to view me as the one who is always out there, and dresses out of the box, and to be creative, and very LOUD. lol

 

3. Connect this quote to another film/movie/book or to your own personal life. 

Ideas can be like poisons. At first they hardly even taste bad, but once they get into your blood they start burning like hot lava.

Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons

Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,

But with a little act upon the blood

Burn like the mines of sulfur.

In my life, ideas have been ran across to me by people, and it is my choice to listen to it and take it to heart, or just shrug it off. But every idea is poison in a way, because it seems to be the potion to cure of how one feels, but it isn't always. In my life, there have been many ideas, but only few have actually been true.

Othello: Act 2

1. Choose one of Iago's soliloquies (end of 2.1 or end of 2.3) and thoroughly analyze it. 

As you analyze think about the following questions:

1. What is Iago saying?

2. Figurative language?

3. How is his rhetoric? His tone?

4. What is he revealing? Revealing about himself?

Iago is discussing to himself how his plan to ruin Othello and Cassio is going to play out; also explaining another motive to keep pushing him to fulfill the evil plan he has created. One example of figurative language in Iago's soliloquy is when he states, " I love her too, not simply out of lust, but also to feed my revenge" which represents a personification because lust cannot feed his revenge. Iago's rhetoric is very persuasive as he exclaims his plan to end Othello and wrath of hate towards him. His tone is carried by bitterness and evil to succeed in his master plan, as well as revealing to the audience how truly sneaky and mischievous he is.

2. In Act II Iago launches his plan to destroy Othello. What is his motive? Jealousy? Racism? Is he opportunistic? A sociopath? All of the above? None of the above? Use TEXTUAL SUPPORT. 

 

Iago's motive to destroy Othello is that not only does he believe he is not worthy to be a general, but he is jealous of him as he is suspicious that Othello has slept with his wife, as well as being a little racist as he does not like that he is black. Iago is also very deranged and a sociopath. He violates the rights of others such as his wife. This behavior is often criminal. He pronounces to Desdemona that, "No, it's true, or if it’s not, I’m a villain. You wake up to have fun, and you start work when you go to bed" about his wife and all women. Iago also disgraces his own wife by saying, "You make yourselves sound like saints when you’re complaining about something, but you act like devils when someone offends you."

 

3. Choose another character (from film, books, etc) that reminds you of Iago. Explain

In the movie, Frozen, a prince who is 12th in line for the throne is impatient to having power, so therefore he tricks prince Anna into marrying him, pretending to be romantically in love with her, then she is near death from an accident, the prince refuses to save her, and wants her to die, so he can ultimately have the power. The prince is related to Iago because he is pretending to be loyal to her, when truly all he wants is power.

3. Create two discussion questions from Act II that you would like to discuss with the class.

 

-Do you believe Iago's master plan will work?

-Do you have sympathy for Iago and think what he wants to do is okay, or are you against it?

No Fear Shakespeare: Act 1

1. What conflicts do you already see beginning to emerge? Choose two quotes from Act I that expose these conflicts. Explain why each quote is significant and what it reveals about the characters. 

 

-That’s how I always do it, getting money from fools.
Iago
He is talking about Roderigo, and how he is tricking him. This shows that Iago is very evil and mischievous. He is going to start very big conflict with the Duke, and many others if anyone finds out about his secret plan to ruin Othello.
-Keep an eye on her, Moor. She lied to me, and she may lie to you.
Brabantio
He is becoming a very bitter man and is not only very upset with Othello at heart, but his own daughter. Since she has lied to him about her loved one, it has caused a change of view towards his daughter. This is already causing conflict with the couple, especially his daughter.

2. Create three discussion questions of your choice based on Act I

-Do you believe Iago's secret plan will pull through and succeed?

-What is your view on Brabantio's outrage, do you believe he should be bitter with his daughter or understanding?

-Do you think that Othello will truly stop the Turks from taking over Cyprus or do you think his wife will distract him?

3. In a paragraph each, analyze the character of Othello and Iago (so far). 

-Othello is a very humble and honest man. He has worked very hard to have the job he has, especially dealing with all the accusations. He is very loyal, seemingly very brave and willing to do whatever it takes to do what is right for Cyprus. He also has a true heart of love for Desdemona, despite the forbidden love that her father disagrees upon, he truly loves her and does not want to lose her. Othello is also slightly blinded to his officer Iago who truly despises him.

-Iago is a conniving, and secretive. He is selfish and set out to only get what he wants which is to have Othello's job. He plans to turn everyone into fools so that he may get what he wants. Iago is also very tricky, faking to care about Roderigo as a friend, and as well as Othello. He plainly hates Othello and pretends to be loyal to him, when truly he could care less about him.