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Post by Mr. Thomas on May 27, 2014 10:23:06 GMT -5
"My heart is turned to stone..."
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Post by georgebaroudos on May 27, 2014 17:16:21 GMT -5
George Baroudos
Mr. Thomas
English 11
27 May 2014
A- The harsh reality is some people are heartless in this cruel world. Iago is one of those heartless people who have no regard for people’s feelings. Iago ultimately gets what he wants; he gets the position he has wanted since Othello came. But this is not his end goal, he wants to do away with Othello. This determination and heartlessness is such an unfortunate theme within the world. Determination can be used for the wrong thing and it can bring serious harm to other people. Iago has it out for Othello because I believe he thinks Othello slept with his wife. This is ridiculous and Iago should realize the man Othello is but is unfortunately blinded by his determination to end him.
D- “If any such there be, heaven pardon him” (158). I think this quote speaks directly to the type of person Desdemona is. If someone was talking in Othello’s ear she does not wish bad upon him or her. Desdemona would rather them be pardoned and accepted for the cruel person they are. This all comes as she is talking to Iago who is whispering all of these foul things into Othello’s ear, but Desdemona only wishes him the best. The sickest part is that sometimes the nice guy does finish last and that’s where the tragedy comes from. Shakespeare exposes his audience to the fact that bad things happen to good people and that’s just how it is.
I– In many ways I believe Iago is like Tom Buchanan. In both cases they strive to be the alpha male. They must believe that they are truly the superiors and they both have to be in control of all situations. They feel lost when they are not in control of the situation. I also believe they both use their wives because they do not cherish them like a husband should do. Marriage is a sacrament and I don’t believe these men follow that and they take their wives for granted and it is not right. In many senses they keep their wives in the dark and that allows them to think and wonder. They are unsure of their husband’s actions and that must bother them. But because they cannot defy societal codes they chose not to act.
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Post by frankclarke on May 27, 2014 18:02:36 GMT -5
Francis Paul Clarke Junior
Mr. Sean Thomas
English 11
27 May 2014
A. Iago is making some serious moves. As time progresses, his manipulations go deeper and deeper since no one has caught on to him yet. This can really be compared to today’s world with greedy people. For example, Bernie Madoff was making billions and billions of dollars, continuously lying to his customers that they were making money, when in fact they were not. He continued this until he was caught, and when he was caught he gave it all up right away and gave no fight. This is because he knew he was in so deep he couldn’t hide it anymore. Hopefully this happens to Iago
C. As I stated above, Iago becomes more and more ruthless with his demands on Othello. For example, Othello says that he will kill Desdemona by poison, but Iago has other plans. He wanted to wait until she went to sleep, and Othello can strangle her to death. This is so beyond f-ed up it’s getting weird. Why does he want to be so damn ruthless? Is he doing this just in-spite of Othello? He’s already got the position he thought he was snubbed out of, what else does he want? This guy is certainly a character, and desires to be the Alpha-male and will stop at nothing to get there.
E. I also found it quite appalling that Iago, who at first didn’t want to kill Desdemona, now, decides Othello should do it. He also tells Othello that he will take care of Cassio. He’s clearly got some big plan that we’re un aware of, but it seems as though at first he was just going in head first. He had no idea what to do, but now each move he makes is a precise one. You can’t help but respect a man who knows what he wants, but the ends do not justify the means!
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Post by epoccia on May 27, 2014 18:38:37 GMT -5
Eddie Poccia
English 11
Mr. Thomas
5/27/14
Othello Act 4 Scenes 1-2
It seems like Iago is going out of his way to ruin the lives of Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio. He already got what he wanted, which was the position of lieutenant. It seems like he is just torturing people out of pure joy. I think this shows that Iago is truly evil and he can't be trusted by anyone anymore.
I agree with Frank that not only is Iago ruining people's lives out of pure pleasure, but he is doing it in such a violent manner. He tells Othello to strangle his own wife instead of poison, which would probably be less painful. He also decides that he will kill Cassio himself.
I really can't believe that Othello is listening to everything Iago says. He literally believes everything he says and he is looking to him for guidance on how to deal with this situation. Iago is the last person to look to for help. Othello is not even trying to find out information from other sources. He is completely reliant on Iago.
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Post by scanley73 on May 27, 2014 19:05:39 GMT -5
A. Something that I have been thinking about for the past few days is that Iago is actually the protagonist in this story. The protagonist doesn’t have to be a good guy. The protagonist is the character that the story follows and the story is definitely following Iago. We get insight into his plan and he is the character that we know more about. Also, he is seen almost everywhere whereas Othello is mostly only seen in scenes involving Iago. We even get to see Iago’s thought process throughout the play. Therefore it only makes sense that he is the protagonist despite the fact that he is clearly a villain.
I. In response to Frank’s confusion about Iago, I think that there is definitely a twisted element to what he is doing now. He has gotten the position that he wanted but as I mentioned in class he is too far into his scheme to pull out now. He can’t simply be like “I helped you this far but now I feel like pulling out”. He should try and end the ruse now and simply cut loose ends like Roderigo. However, he still wants to hurt Othello and chooses to continue this. He also doesn’t need to be as brutal as he is being with what Frank mentioned about strangling Desdemona
C. One thing that doesn’t make sense to me is how Othello couldn’t hear what Cassio was saying. I imagine they were living in tents so if Othello were able to see them he should have been able to hear them because tents aren’t that big.
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Post by eointunney on May 27, 2014 20:05:35 GMT -5
Eoin Tunney
Mr. Thomas
English11
27 May 2014
D. In this Act 4 scene 1 and 2, we witness a completely new side to Othello. Othello has basically been torn down and rebuilt into a new man full of hatred and anger. Through the lies of Iago, Othello has been created into this new cruel person. He has listened to every one of Iago’s lies, which has only made him angrier towards Desdemona and Cassio. But now Othello has the brutal urge of killing the two. He says he wants to poison Desdemona, but Iago tells him to strangle her; which is a lot harsher. And Iago says that he is going to take care of Cassio, but I can only imagine what Othello is actually planning to do.
E. These scenes are honestly terrible for Desdemona. She has no idea what is going on and she being brutally abused by Othello. The new Othello slaps Desdemona across the face for “cheating” on him. This new mean spirited Othello doesn’t even have the respect to talk to his wife and actually find out the truth. Out of all of this hysteria, Desdemona is suffering the most, and she is the one that deserves it the least.
B. It is so difficult to hate Iago because his plan is so brilliant. He perfects every aspect it, and he always finds the best thing that will make it even more believable. In scene 1 of act 4, we see how he makes Othello believe that Cassio is talking about Desdemona, even though he’s talking about Bianca. In this staged event, Iago also makes it more believable by having Bianca hold up the handkerchief (which wasn’t intended). Through all of this trickery, Othello promotes Iago to the job that he wanted, but Iago still wants to make Othello’s life hell.
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Post by bourdonm15 on May 27, 2014 20:10:37 GMT -5
Matthew Bourdon
English 11
Mr. Thomas
5/27/14
B. It was pretty frightening how mad Othello gets and how he hits Desdemona in front of other people. “[striking her] Devil! Desdemona: I have not deserved this.” (Page 189) This shows that Iago has Othello so mad that he does not even think anymore before he does something that could hurt his reputation. He hates both Cassio and Desdemona so much that he wants to get rid of the two as soon as possible. It is amazing how just an act ago Othello loved Desdemona with all his heart and said that he would never deny her of anything but now he hates her, wants to kill her, and he strikes her in front of people in the government of Venice.
C. We see that Emilia gets a notion and is suspicious of the right thing, that someone is manipulating Othello and telling him false things, how does she not know that it is Iago through his response? “The Moor’s abused by some villainous knave,… Iago: Speak within door!” (Page 203) Why else would Iago want Emilia to speak in a lower voice? She should pick up on this and realize that her husband that hates her is honestly the one that is manipulating Othello. The handkerchief is another big clue to lead her to this conclusion.
I. I agree with Frank’s comment on Iago. It is really sickening but it just proves more that Iago does all of this just for fun and just for the thrill.
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Post by johnrice on May 27, 2014 20:13:26 GMT -5
John RIce
Mr. THomas
May 27 2014
Discussion Board Post
A. As we see in this act and the multiple scenes that we read today, Iago will not stop for anything, or anyone to be exact. He ultimately has achieved what he set out for, yet we see that he continues for more. He realizes that not one person has caught onto his scheme and he is just fooling everyone in through the ranks as easiiy as can be. I believe that he has found his “rhythm” and there is no way to stop him. Every lie comes so naturally to him. Every addition to the plan hatches in Iago’s brain so easily. This can be directly related to the one and only Walter White from Breaking Bad. Walter achieved his 700,000 dollars in a fairly short amount of time. He continues to break the law. Without going to far in depth he decided he cant stop, he wants more, and he knows he wont get caught. Until he does.
D. I am going to have to agree with the 400 God Francis Paul Clarke Junior. He pointed out that Iago at first advised Othello not to kil Desdemona. This was all, as we found out, part of the plan. He was leading Othello along, careful not to get caught. Now, a few acts later, Iago is advising strangulation instead of poison. A complete turn around. This just goes to show how well Iago has followed the plan, and how well he has drawn Othello into this lie.
C. To be completely honest, I really cant help but feel sorry for Desdemona. Due to the fact that Iago has drawn up this whole lie, her life is being ruined. She is trying so hard to convince her husband that she is honest but just cant do it. I just want to go into the play and yell at Othello, “BELIEVE HER!!!” Its so hard to read because there is nothing Desdemona can say that will change Othellos point of view. This also suggests how ruthless Iago is. He knowingly ruined the lives of many with no remorse.
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Post by connor on May 27, 2014 21:11:50 GMT -5
Connor Ryan
Mr. Thomas
English 11
5/27/14
Iago is changing as he becomes more successful with his plans and how he has not gotten caught yet. He becomes very greedy. He reminds me of some people in modern times. We are constantly seeing people become more greedy once they are making money. Iago's plan is becoming more and more worse as times goes on. His motives are changing and he is doing things that he would not do from the start. He now thinks killing Desdemona is a good idea when that was not part of the plan from the beginning.
C. I am very curious as to where this scene is going to lead. As we see Iago's plan constantly becoming worse when will he draw the line and stop. I do not think he is going to stop because he has became to over powered with greed. I think this is going to end up with Iago dead. I think he will die because he is going to become to greedy and he is going to expose himself to somebody.
E. I think Iago is becoming more and more dangerous as the play goes on. He is becoming more skilled at tricking Othello into believing things that are not true. He is also becoming better at pushing Othello past his point. Iago knows that Othello will need physical proof and that is why he set up Cassio with Othello behind a wall. With Iago's skillful word choice he is able to trick Othello into thinking the most simple actions to mean that there is something between Cassio and Desdemona.
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Post by Sgarlato on May 27, 2014 21:22:41 GMT -5
Stephen Sgarlato
Mr. Thomas
English 11
5/27/14
A. What surprised me the most was when Othello slapped Desdemona in public. Like I knew that around this time the women where suppose to do everything for the men and a lot of mistreatment would occur but I didn’t think that Othello was that type of man. He seamed to me as a very down to earth, wife loving person, like he respected his wife greatly. And even if he still is then this action of him slapping his wife is a huge part to the story.
C. I am a little confused with the whole “whore incident”. Like I know Othello implied that Emilia is a pimp but why. What did she do that he would say this? Or is this like just a thing to call people back in that time.
I. I agree with what Connor said about how Iago has become so overwhelmed with power and greed that he will not stop his plan. Eventually this has to lead somewhere and his plan is starting to get thin. I mean Iago doesn’t seem like the type of guy to just give up and the cliché in these types of Shakespeare books is that someone always dies in the end due to someone’s plan or because someone got too overrun with power.
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Post by johnmarano on May 27, 2014 23:37:50 GMT -5
John Marano
Mr. Thomas
English 11
May 27, 2014
B. I really am starting to enjoy the play as it begins to fiercely heat up. To this point, there were many vital scenes that enabled the reader to almost predict what would happen. I tried to predict but what we have just learned today was absolutely crazy and completely unexpected. I thought the most important part of Act 4 was the conversation between Iago and Othello. I found it so insane honestly to learn of the plans of Othello to literally smother his wife based on assumption. I think this scene was so important because now as readers we are actually able to predict what will happen within the Othello household. I wonder if my newly formed predictions will actually be proven true. This scene really shaped the entire ending of the play and that is why it is so important.
C. This reading, like all, did bring about some questions as I begin to wonder what will happen next. First off, how is Othello actually considering killing his own wife. Also, is Iago actually insane because obviously the original plan is no longer valid since he got his position. Another question… will Emilia eventually find out that her husband is the one behind all of this? She is already suspicious of the behaviors of Othello so will she eventually find out that she kind of played a role in all of this? Will Iago actually end up killing Cassio or is he just leading Othello on to make sure his plan is fully successful. Finally, aren't people going to know that Othello will be behind the murder of Desdemona especially since it is evident that he has just hit his wife?
D. A quote that really grabbed my attention and stood out to me was when Othello had just struck Desdemona. Lodovico says, “Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate call all in all sufficient?” This quote was actually interesting because it shows Lodovico’s opinion on Othello after one interaction. For some reason this quote made me think of Iago’s plan. He desperately desires to steal Othello’s position and now Lodovico is judging Othello’s position. I also found this quote interesting because it shows how easily Othello is judged by almost everyone.
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djmat
New Member
Posts: 39 
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Post by djmat on May 28, 2014 22:47:43 GMT -5
Osman Mat
Mr. Thomas
English 11
May 28, 2014
A. I kind of find it unrealistic how Othello is able to strike his wife and then call her a whore but not mention what he has been told. I assumed Othello was the type to approach things head on but he has not mentioned what he has been told to Desdemona at all. I feel like in reality someone would actually confront the person that is cheating on the and ask them why they were having an affair. The way everything is playing out between Desdemona and Othello does not feel organic to me. It is almost as if the situation is a bit forced.
C. Why does Emilia not question Othello about anything that he does? She seems to know there is something going on and she does not really investigate, she just brings it up in a conversation. I feel like she can be a very strong character because Shakespere has made very strong female characters before like in Macbeth. Lady Macbeth was able to influence her husband to go through with killing the king but all the other females in this play seem to be a bit more submissive unlike Lady Macbeth.
I. To respond to Stephen, I think since Emilia is trying to protect Desdemona Othello thinks Emilia knows or is apart of the affair. At this point Othello is like at wits end and is seeing red. He is not really thinking about what he is saying and is not really getting the entire truth so he just says what ever he is thinking at the time. It is something a lot of people do when they are furious and it is hard to stop or filter what those people are saying when they are that angry.
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Post by Matthew Ko on Jun 2, 2014 10:03:20 GMT -5
Matthew Ko
Mr. Thomas
English 11
27 May 2014
Othello – Act 4 – Scenes 1 – 2
E. As Othello gets riled up about Desdemona and Cassio, he implies, “Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone. I strike it, and it hurts my hand” (183) stating what his intentions are and his feelings as of now. It’s crazy how it has finally come to the point where Othello wants to kill his own wife. He is so gullible when it comes to Iago and his stories of deception. Othello has completely turned his personality and only vengeance beholds him in his place. It’s unpleasant to see how this story unfolds being that Desdemona did nothing wrong to deserve this judgment.
B. When Othello strikes Desdemona, everything just paused. A couple that was so woven together even to a point where Desdemona was betraying her father, finds herself being striked by her spouse. I feel as if Othello has no turning point this far into the field of lies being that he is abusing her and refuses to believe anything Desdemona says. The handkerchief really pulled out a crazy trick and now everyone is in a position they do not want to be in.
C. A rising question that I have yet to figure out is if Othello will come to his senses. Will the truth finally be told? Will Iago get caught? It seems to be that Iago will somehow get caught after doing all these dreadful things. Normally, people don’t get away with these things because they are so different from the social norm.
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