ASSIGNMENT OF OTHELLO
In Act ? scene iii, Iago convinces Othello in the space of the one scene that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Do you think that Shakespeare manages to make it realistic?
During this lengthy, Shakespeare make the scene very realistic, I will start my draft look at Iago's lie and luck. Iago's l luck it very realistic, and everything happens at exactly the right time. Iago use language very wisely and use lots of example to let Othello believe that Cassio make love with Desdemona.
Iago is luck because of Emilia stealing the handkerchief. This is lucky because Desdemona lost her handkerchief by accident and Emilia steals it, this can let Othello trust that Desdemona have something with Cassio.
Another lucky thing is that Othello seen that cassio leave very soon when cassio seen him. This does not make sense to Othello if he comes back alone, but the point is he comes back with Iago, and Iago say:" Hah? I like not that." Then Othello become surprised and ask Iago:" what do you say?" then Iago feint and say:" Cassio my lord? No sure, I cannot think it that he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing your coming." This make Othello suspicion.
Shakespeare uses language to make the scene realistic. E.g. when Othello and Iago seen that cassio leave and Iago say:" my noble lord." This makes Othello attention, then Othello ask him what happen, this answer is that which Iago want hear, and Iago say:" I did not think he had been acquainted with her." Then he says:" indeed?" this makes Othello suspicion and say:" indeed? Ay indeed. Discern'st thou aught in that? Is he not honest?" in here, Shakespeare use language very realistic, Iago's question make Othello think about it more, and step by step sentence by sentence to let Othello believe his lie.
Iago is jealousy of Cassio. As he says:" he hath a daily beauty in his life, that makes me ugly." The same is true of Desdemona:" so will I turn her virtue into pitch." As for Othello, Iago is suspicious that he may have slept with his wife, and is also resentful that Othello chose cassio over him as lieutenant. This is the reason why he hates Othello and cassio. E.g. as Iago said to Othello:" I do beseech you, though I perchance am vicious in my guess( as I confess it is my nature's plague to spy ...
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Iago is jealousy of Cassio. As he says:" he hath a daily beauty in his life, that makes me ugly." The same is true of Desdemona:" so will I turn her virtue into pitch." As for Othello, Iago is suspicious that he may have slept with his wife, and is also resentful that Othello chose cassio over him as lieutenant. This is the reason why he hates Othello and cassio. E.g. as Iago said to Othello:" I do beseech you, though I perchance am vicious in my guess( as I confess it is my nature's plague to spy into abuses, and of my jealousy shapes faults that are not) that your wisdom from one, that so imperfectly conceits, would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble out of his scattering, and unsure observance: it were not for your quiet, nor your good, nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom, to let you know my thoughts."
And he said:" oh, beware my lord, of jealousy, it is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss, who certain of his fate, loves not his wronger: but oh, what damned minutes tells he o'er, what dotes, yet doubts: suspects, yet soundly loves?"
Othello's reaction to Iago's scheming is surely realistic. As he say:" no, Iago, I'll see before I doubt, and when I doubt, prove." Because he is love with his wife and has, as yet, no reason to doubt her fidelity. When Othello hears of cassio's drunken brawl, he gives the audience a glimpse of his fiery temper:" my blood begins my safer guides to rule and passion...leads the way." And another proof of Iago is that Othello think Desdemona not so good for him is because he is a black man, and he doesn't do much good for her.
Iago use language very skillfully to persuade Othello that Desdemona's adultery is not in doubt, he merely has provide the proof, which he will do very soon. Iago plays on Othello's sense of insecurity as an outsider who is unfamiliar with Venetian customs and Venetian women. This suggests that all Venetian women commit adultery, and Othello should have expected this. Knowing this insecurity to be a major weakness in Othello, Iago makes his suggestion seem more believable by reminding Othello how Desdemona "did deceive her father, marrying you." This implies that if she can betray a loves one once, she can do it again. Iago threatens Othello's reputation. He compares his own" who steals my purse steals trash, "tis something, nothing:" with the "good name" of Othello. By the end of this conversation, Othello is in no doubt that" this honest creature (doubtless) sees, and knows more, much more than he unfolds."
Othello is not gullible; he makes lots of baffle in Iago's lie. This is because Iago use very little actual proof, but allows the working of the human mind to make associations and judgments on our fellow human being. And Iago is very lucky.
Sometimes, Othello can not trust Iago, but he won't suspect Iago. Because in the scene, Othello describes Iago as a man of" honesty and trust." As we know, Iago is describes as "honest" no less that 57 times during the course of the play, and relies on this to achieve his ends!
When Iago leaves Othello alone, Othello blames himself for Desdemona's alleged infidelity like most of us in his situation, he believes it must be his fault she has betrayed him. Is it because he is "black" or "declin'd into the vale of years?" this seems a very realistic portrayal of a man trying to make sense of desperate situation.
Therefore, the handkerchief, picked up by Emilia, is found at exactly the right time. Iago" will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, and let him find it. "Iago knows now that Othello's weakness and vulnerability will help the "poison" to work in his mind and cause his downfall.
This handkerchief is important as Emilia say:" what handkerchief? Why that the Moor first gave to Desdemona, that which so often you did bid me steal." This says that the handkerchief is Othello first gave to Desdemona and if Desdemona gave it to cassio, this can let Othello become very pique and trust that Desdemona make love with Cassio.
In his soliloquy, Othello wrestles with his conscience, torn between suspicion and loyalty. He becomes furious with Iago, who has to change tactic once again, and act as a sympathetic friend "I am sorry to hear this." Othello and Desdemona's love has always been seen as pure and devoted. Othello is unable to bear the thought of anything less "when I love thee not, chaos is come again."
When Othello demands "ocular proof," Iago's quick wit is tested once more. He resorts to one of his most repugnant images "would you the supervision grossly gape on? Behold her topp'd?" this is a master stroke, and frighteningly realistic. Iago know that the thing that would be utterly unbearable for Othello would be to witness his wife making love to another man.
Iago uses animal imagery to describe Desdemona and cassio's lovemaking to Othello. As he say:" were they as prime as goats as hot as monkeys, as salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross as ignorance." This contrasts sharply with what we know to be a tender loving relationship between Othello and his wife. He then goes on to tell an outright lie to Othello. Iago claims to have heard cassio talking in his sleep about "sweet Desdemona," and describes an adulterous encounter. His fatal blow is the mention of the handkerchief. This is important because it is Othello give to his wife as a gift, but if he seen someone else uses it, he will become very angry. He claims to have seen cassio "wipe his beard" with it, which would be a major insult to Othello.
Othello and Iago now seem to change places. Othello asks his ensign to kill cassio, and swears to kill Desdemona. Othello even adopts the same type of language as Iago, calling Desdemona a "lewd minx" and a "fair devil". Othello's passionate nature now dominates Iago's careful plotting, and he will not be swayed from his course. The final irony comes in the last two lines as Iago seems to have realized his purpose; "now art thou my lieutenant" and pledges to Othello "I am your own for ever."
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