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Post by Mr. Thomas on May 19, 2014 10:20:06 GMT -5
"He...errs in ignorance and not in cunning."
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Post by johnmarano on May 19, 2014 17:39:57 GMT -5
John Marano
Mr. Thomas
English 11
May 19 2014
B. I wanted to point out that so far up to scene 3, I feel the most important part of the play is Desdemona’s persuasion of her vulnerable husband Othello. We already know of the deceptive plans of Iago, which would only “succeed” if Cassio regains his position as lieutenant. It shocks me that Desdemona actually believes Cassio’s plead of innocence and convinces her husband to give this obviously untrustworthy man another chance. It basically seems as if Desdemona is playing a role in the plan of Iago’s. I also thought this was utterly important because if Cassio regains his position, it seems as if Iago has succeeded and something horrible will happen to Othello.
C. Some questions I had for the reading were: What is the significance of the “green eye monster?” I wasn’t sure if I had grasped the meaning but I thought it had something to do with jealousy. Also, why is Desdemona so easily convinced about Cassio? She barely even questions him as he is begging for another chance. She doesn’t even seem to have concern for the previous wrongdoings of Cassio. Lastly, are there any issues where Othello isn’t so compliant to his wife? So far everything we have seen was Othello doing things because of his wifes request. Will this be a major factor for the rest of the play?
D. There was one quote in today’s reading that really stood out to me because we have spoken about something similar earlier on in the play. It was said in the conversation between Othello and Desdemona as she is convinces her husband to give into agreeing with her about Cassio rejoining. “I will deny thee nothing.” To me this was so important because it shows how Othello is “whipped” or in other words shows how submissive he is to his wife. Also this quote foreshadows how he is definitely going to give Cassio another shot. I found this so important because Othello is basically saying that whatever Cassio will ask of him, he will accept just because his wife asked. This is definitely not going to end up well.
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Post by georgebaroudos on May 19, 2014 18:02:21 GMT -5
George Baroudos
Mr. Thomas
English 11
19 May 2014
A- I like the fact that often times Shakespeare portrays the clown or the fool as the most honest person in his plays. Usually these type of people never take anything serious and they cannot be trusted. But Shakespeare does the complete opposite by making them honest. I think relates to the saying don’t judge a book by its cover. I think that within my own life and society as a whole we are quick to make judgments based on looks or reputations. Sometimes we have to take a look at the whole spectrum and then analyze who that person is as a person. It is the unfair reality but that is how it is.
D- “It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” (196-197). This is very true of Iago even though he says it! Just as a cat manipulates a mouse, Iago manipulates all the people around him in order to fufill his plan of taking down Othello. Iago has mastered this skill and has everything working for him at the moment. He has used the goodness of people and turned it into bad. He is exploited all of these people’s weaknesses in order to plan against Othello. Othello is the prey and he is an unusual prey considering his stature and his reputation, but everybody has a weakness.
I – Iago in some ways reminds me of Gatsby. Both have talented the art of lying to others. In doing so they ultimately strive to get what they want. They have no problem using others as a path to attaining what they want. I think Gatsby initially used Nick to get what he wants, but I do think this changed as he learned of Nick’s character. I think Iago is much worse of a person then Gatsby. But I do believe when they are determined they will do anything to get what they want. This involves lying and hurting the people they care about. I think in some senses they are both self centered and have no problem using people and lying.
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Post by frankclarke on May 19, 2014 18:29:15 GMT -5
Francis Paul Clarke Junior
Mr. Thomas
English 11
May 19, 2014
A. With the story unraveling before our eyes, we see that Iago is becoming more and more deceptive. We see his plan thicken, and take root. The parallels between Iago and Frank Underwood are uncanning. We see Iago deceiving and playing on all people’s emotions. Iago controls Desdemona for her nice nature, and uses Cassio as bait. Since he put him in the situation with the drinking, and slowly using it against him. Just like Frank. Frank used Peter Russo and his drinking problem against him, to manipulate him with Rachel Posner to drink, and then Frank swooped in and killed him! We shall only see what Iago does now.
D. “Nothing, my Lord; or if – I know not what.” This is the line that Iago uses to capture and hold Othello’s attention. (Act 3 Scene 3 line 39) Iago is manipulating what Cassio intends to do without saying it. He essentially lies without lying, putting thoughts into Othello’s head, making him doubt Cassio as opposed to Iago attempting to convince Othello of something Cassio has done wrong.
B. We see a continuous theme of trust between everyone and Iago. Iago has manipulated everyone! They continue to say “ A Florentine more kind and honest.” (44), He manipulates Cassio to talk to Desdemona, who then gets Othello skeptical. It’s really interesting on how we continue to see a piece to Iago’s plan, and we never really know what’s going to happen next. This is a case of both dramatic, and situational irony!
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Post by frankclarke on May 19, 2014 18:29:30 GMT -5
Francis Paul Clarke Junior
Mr. Thomas
English 11
May 19, 2014
A. With the story unraveling before our eyes, we see that Iago is becoming more and more deceptive. We see his plan thicken, and take root. The parallels between Iago and Frank Underwood are uncanning. We see Iago deceiving and playing on all people’s emotions. Iago controls Desdemona for her nice nature, and uses Cassio as bait. Since he put him in the situation with the drinking, and slowly using it against him. Just like Frank. Frank used Peter Russo and his drinking problem against him, to manipulate him with Rachel Posner to drink, and then Frank swooped in and killed him! We shall only see what Iago does now.
D. “Nothing, my Lord; or if – I know not what.” This is the line that Iago uses to capture and hold Othello’s attention. (Act 3 Scene 3 line 39) Iago is manipulating what Cassio intends to do without saying it. He essentially lies without lying, putting thoughts into Othello’s head, making him doubt Cassio as opposed to Iago attempting to convince Othello of something Cassio has done wrong.
B. We see a continuous theme of trust between everyone and Iago. Iago has manipulated everyone! They continue to say “ A Florentine more kind and honest.” (44), He manipulates Cassio to talk to Desdemona, who then gets Othello skeptical. It’s really interesting on how we continue to see a piece to Iago’s plan, and we never really know what’s going to happen next. This is a case of both dramatic, and situational irony!
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Post by epoccia on May 19, 2014 18:54:27 GMT -5
Eddie Poccia
Mr. Thomas
English 11
5/19/14
Othello Act 3 Scenes 1-3
Iagp is so good at making others look bad by acting concerned. He is with Othello when they return to Desdemona and they see Cassio leaving. He gets Othello interested when he says that Cassio looked suspicious. Now Othello is worried for the first time in the play and he now has the idea that Cassio is sleeping with his wife on his mind. Iago's skill at manipulating people is unrivaled by anyone else in the play.
Desdemona is in full control of Othello. She can get anything she wants out of him. As it was said earlier in the play she is "the general's general." Desdemona seems to be the second most clever person in the play. She can probably be just as manipulative as Iago is she wanted to.
I really feel bad for Cassio in this play. He is being manipulated by Iago the most so far. He had his position stripped from him because Iago got him into a drunken brawl and now he was caught talking to Desdemona. It just must suck to be him right now and it's all because of Iago.
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Post by eointunney on May 19, 2014 19:17:29 GMT -5
Eoin Tunney
Mr. Thomas
English 11
19 May 2014
D, It is honestly amazing how well Iago can control the other characters. We see his control over Cassio and Roderigo; and now he is gaining the same control over Othello. By using his persuasive language Iago now has Othello right where he wants him, and he has also set his master plan up to succeed. The more he tricks people the more people trust him.
E. In these three scenes we see how much control Desdemona has over Othello. Desdemona can ask Othello for anything and there is now way that Othello will say no to her. Othello would probably give his job to Desdemona if she asked. Iago was very clever in seeing this power of Desdemona and he knew exactly how to use it to fit his plan.
I. I thought Frank’s comparison between Iago and Frank Underwood was extremely accurate. If this play was placed into today’s world House of Cards would probably be most accurate to the story. Frank Underwood acts like Iago throughout the first two seasons. Another example of Frank Underwood’s controlling/persuasive nature would be when he got the President Walker to fire his chief of staff Linda Vasquez.
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Post by scanley73 on May 19, 2014 20:14:51 GMT -5
A. I noticed while we were reading today that this is an exact opposite of how Macbeth went. Throughout Macbeth, Macbeth’s plans never went his way. However, in Othello, Iago’s plan is working perfectly. Everything that Iago needs to work ends up working. He needs Cassio to be a flirt and he is. He needs Cassio to flee when Othello walks into the tent and he does. Cassio even just happens to wound a major authority in Cyprus to get him stripped of power. Whereas for Macbeth everything was going wrong and he was driven to madness. It seems like things may go very smoothly for Iago.
C. One thing that does confuse me is why Cassio flees Othello’s tent. He wants his job back so it would make sense for him to be there to assist in his case. Since he says that he really wants his job back and it was just a stupid mistake it would make sense for him to be there so that he can argue his case along with Desdemona.
I. To answer John’s question about Desdemona, she is so quick to aid Cassio because of two reasons. One she is not swayed by political conflicts like Othello is. Also, as Iago mentioned, she is a naturally good person. This is the reason he is using her because he knows that because she is such a trusting person she will take up any charity case that she can get her hands on. Especially since Cassio is a good friend of Desdemona
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Post by johnrice on May 19, 2014 20:47:12 GMT -5
John Rice
Mr. Thoma
English 11
May 19, 2014
Discussion Board Post
D. “It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” (196-197). This (as said in class) is one of the most famous quotes in Shakespeare, and I can totally understand why. Throughout this play, Iago has used his own words to perfectly describe the way he is acting or treating others. This line is no different as is shows how Iago can manipulate everyone around him. He feeds into the niavness of everyone, and his ability to manipulate everyone. All of his lines show how calculated and thoughtful his plan to destroy Othello is.
D. Another very important quote is when Iago says that Cassio may not be fully showing who he really is. He says that Cassio may not be fully honest. This is a direct contridiction to what Iago said earlier in the play when he told Roderigo that he will not show who he truly is. Again this line shows how calculated and manipulative Iago is. He sees his plan unfolding perfectly and he continues to lie his way through life in order to keep his plan on track.
I. I really believe that Georges comparison between Jay Gatsby and Iago is perfect. As George said both characters have the great ability to lie their way throughout their life. When these characters wanted something, they decided they were going to try and get it no matter what. Iago wants Othello's position int he army so he has manipulated everyone as a part of his plan to bring down Othello. Jay Gatsby as we saw turned his life upside down in order to win Daisy. He lied about his entire life in order to try and get Daisy. Crazy comparisons.
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djmat
New Member
Posts: 39 
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Post by djmat on May 19, 2014 22:06:27 GMT -5
Osman Mat
Mr. Thomas
English 11
19 May 2014
I. I can not say I completely agree with George's comparison between Jay Gatsby and Iago because Gatsby was not actually the type to try and hurt someone. He never came off as malicious or conniving to me. It just seemed as if he wanted to live out his dream and lied to get it. But Iago on the other hand is the kind that will turn on you in a second and he seems to take pleasure in manipulating the other characters in the story. Iago just comes off as evil and almost the total opposite of Gatsby.
A. I would like to point out how much power Desdemona has even though she is a female during a time when women had no rights. The entire time she is talking to Othello he is telling her that he will not deny her and earlier in the play she stood up for her and her husband against her father. She has a lot of persistence and reminds me a bit of Lady Macbeth. They are a bit different but they both have the power of persuasion.
C. I just can not really understand how Othello can be the main character but at the same time being manipulated so well. At this moment in the play he does not seem like a main character. Is this play truely about Othello and why does make Othello seem almost to normal to stand out?
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Post by rodriguezj15 on May 19, 2014 22:40:34 GMT -5
Joel Rodriguez
Mr. Thomas
English 11
May 19, 2014
Othello
A. I was just watching Thor, the movie, and Iago reminds me of Loki. Loki was overlooked by his father on a position to be the god of their realm. His father chose Thor, his brother, instead. Despite liking Thor, Loki didn’t like this and conceived a plan for Thor to get banish from the kingdom, by instigating a fight with another realm. Thor being hot-headed fell into a trap and got into the fight. This got him banished, and got Loki the position. But as payback Loki killed his father and took the throne instantly. The similarities are very apparent between these two characters.
D. My favorite line comes from Iago when he says, “Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none! (III: 3 ln: 147-149)” Again it has Shakespeare’s signature irony, but the irony is beginning to get annoying. It’s like it’s mocking me. But what Iago is saying to Othello is that men should honest and speak what’s on their mind, and if they do not they are not men. But Iago is playing it smart, because Othello wouldn’t expect anybody to call them self out.
I. To answer Collin’s question about Cassio fleeing Othello’s tent, I got some theories. First, he probably thinks Othello is furious about the incident. Second, it probably goes to show Othello’s intimidation on people. Third, Cassio is going behind his back to talk to his wife, which if Cassio was man enough he would go straight to Othello.
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Post by bourdonm15 on May 19, 2014 23:29:26 GMT -5
Matthew Bourdon
Mr. Thomas
English 11
5/19/14
B. Iago does a great job at manipulating Othello into believing that Cassio has done something wrong. “What dost thou think? Iago: Think my lord?” (Page 125) This is interesting because it shows how slick Iago is and how he knows the weak points of everyone and knows how to use them to his advantage. Othello is constantly pulled in to this state of mind that whatever Iago is thinking is important and it is because Iago set it up this way. Since Othello thinks that Iago is one of the most honest and kind people he has ever met, it is obvious that Othello is going to think that whatever Iago says is truthful and important. Iago is a clever villain.
F. I find it amusing how Iago constantly sends subliminals to people in the story and these characters never pick up on the contradictions he says. A very clever contradiction that Iago makes about himself is, “Men should be what they seem; or those that be not, would they might seem none!” (Page 127) This is contradictory because Iago says that men should always be real and never put on a fake act because if they did they would not be their real selves. This is hilarious because this is exactly what Iago is doing, what he is saying men should not do he is doing it. This is also dramatic irony as we know that he is really a bad guy in disguise but the characters do not know.
I. I agree with Joel’s comment on Shakespeare’s irony. It annoys me how none of the characters ever pick up on the subliminal messages.
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Post by matthewko on May 21, 2014 20:13:30 GMT -5
Matthew Ko
Mr. Thomas
English 11
19 May 2014
D. I enjoyed when Othello replies to Iago, "No Iago, Ill see before i doubt; when I doubt, prove; And on the proof, there is no more but this: Away at once with love or jealousy" because this proves Othello's sense of loyalty. He's not letting Iago get into his head too easily and requests proof in order to actually make accusations against his wife. Since there is a decent amount of the play left, I think Iago will still find some way to sneak some evidence in, in order to progress. Overall, Othello is standing up strong but who knows what could happen.
E. We have come to see Iago's plan unfold little by little. Cassio is being praised more and more where as Iago is trying to snip little hints towards Othello to try and persuade him of the affair. It's interesting to see Iago work both sides because it must be so hard to put on a mask every time you talk to Othello. It's quite entertaining to see how this can occur and what the reactions are with the people surrounding Iago.
C. As Othello gets the hint of Cassio liking Desdemona and their affair, I wonder if he will take out his anger on both of them or just one. It's tough to blame your wife for another person's attitude towards her. When all hell breaks loose, it's interesting to see which side all the characters jump to.
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Post by fotia15 on May 21, 2014 20:30:40 GMT -5
a. I enjoyed the beginning joke with the clown and the musician. Shakespears play on words has a habit to make me laugh. I enjoy also how in a serious book they have these breaks of comedy to kind of recapture their audience. I think comedy is the best way to capture people... not in a creepy way. It helps people fall into the story alittle more even if it is a serious one.
e. I dislike how much othello trusts in Iago. Everything he says shows such devilish meaning that it shocks me that he thinks that his a trust worthy person. I really dont want othello to get hurt in this mess, i think hes a good guy and totally undeserving of this mess of events. Iago is definitely the skum of the earth and i hope he gets what he deserves. Even though i doubt it will happen i hope that othello catching iago in his plan, and set him straight. Either othello or cassio needs to really look into their relationships with iago and notice that they are just getting played.
I. Why does desdemona feel so compelled to help Cassio? I mean sure he hasnt done anything bad to her, but its not really her place to be stepping in. And does she not notice how in ove Cassio with her? It hurts to see this marriage fall apart i hope that someone stop this.
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