Othello Act 2 Scene 1

Visual Component:


The return of Othello - Othello is meeting with Desdemona.
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/othello-act-ii-scene-1-the-return-of-othello-54949


Summary
Montano, the governor of Cyprus, talks about the storm with two gentlemen that Turkish fleets were destroyed in the tempest. Iago, Desdemona, Emilia and Roderigo arrived, soon Desdemona asks about Othello. While everybody waits for Othello's ship, Iago criticizes women saying they are all deceptive and hypocritical. Desdemona laughs at Iago's prejudice toward women. When Cassio and Desdemona talk about the news of Othello, Iago notices that Cassio takes Desdemona's hand and asserts that Cassio will lose his position of lieutenant. Othello arrives safely, and greets Desdemona, and thanks Cypriots for their welcome, and orders Iago to unload ships. After everybody goes to celebrate the drowning of Turks, Iago reassures Roderigo that Desdemon will soon leave Othello and fall in love with a more handsome man, Cassio. Iago convinces Roderigo to starts a quarrel with Cassio which will make Cassio fall out favor with Othello. In a soliloquy, Iago states his suspicious that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. Iago wants to sleep with Desdemona to get his revenge, if he failed, Roderigo will accuse Cassio of sleeping with Desdemona and finally torture Othello to madness. 


Literary Devices
There are many literary devices being used in this scene. First of all, in the beginning of the scene, there is much description of the sea in powerful imagery, “It is a high-wrought flood ...On the enchafed flood.”(2.1.2-18). Shakespeare is conveying the power, beauty and danger of the oceans to an audience who may never experienced it. The storm is a symbol of unrest, it marks the end of the peaceful part of the play, and prefigures the disruption of the emotions that follows. It also foreshadows for upcoming tragic events that Othello would suffer. Then, Iago criticizes women as deceptive and hypocritical through a device of juxtaposition, "You are pictures out of door, bells in your parlors,wildcats in your kitchens..." (2.1.122-123). Iago is juxtaposing bells and wild-cats to show how women act nice in parlors, where people are watching, but evil in kitchens, where they are alone. Iago also shows his prejudice toward women, “She never yet was foolish that was fair; For even her folly helped her to an heir.” (2.1.151-152). It is alliteration and paradox - for alliteration, it repeats the same sound in the beginning of the words to attract reader’s attention, for paradox - Iago uses “foolish” to describe women of those who don’t take advantage of their beauty are foolish but women who use their beauty are also foolish. Again, Iago shows his racist toward women. Another example is that, "Oh heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best.” (2.1.158-159), it is antithesis. Desdemona is saying that Iago praises her in a fake way, but he makes it sound believable. She could be saying he praises the worst people in the best way. Desdemona sees right through his games which also indicates that Iago is good at speaking or he is a fake man. Overall, Shakespeare uses literary devices to strengthen and also enrich his language in order to express his theme in an effective way.

Interesting Question
Q: Why does Othello's ship survive in the storm, but Turkish fleet doesn't?
A: I think one of the reason that Othello's ship could survive in the storm is that Othello's ship is much more advanced and powerful than Turkish's so that it could protect Othello's ship from being destroyed by the dangerous storm. Another reason could be that Turkish's fleet experiences the most dangerous time of the storm while Othello's ship experiences the least dangerous time of the storm. 


Class Activity - Role of Storm
The storm is a destructive force of nature, and it always symbolize the violence and tragedy. In Othello,the storm is like human's emotion that can be built up to increase the tension in both nature and human emotion. Under the bad weather, all evil things will come out to contribute to the development of plot.  The storm is a symbol of unrest, it marks the end of the peaceful part of the play, and prefigures the disruption of the emotions that follows. It also foreshadows for upcoming tragic events that Othello would suffer. The dangerous storm represents Iago's evil plan that would bring Othello to death. Furthermore, the storm changes the development of the play. The storm that destroys Turkish fleet means that there will be no military battle involved in the play, instead, Iago's manipulation will take the centre of the stage and become the main part of the play. The storm also symbolize the love between Desdemona and Othello which is ruinous and unrest. The desperate storm creates a tense atmosphere which makes audiences feel nervous, disturbed, and get ready for the upcoming tragedy. 


Class Activity - Comparison of Iago's Soliloquy
Iago's soliloquy at the end of Act 1 Scene 3
Iago is stating his hatred for Othello and he ia suspicious that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. Iago declares his plans, to cheat Roderigo out of his money, to convince Othello that Cassio has slept with Desdemona, and finally use Othello's honest nature to bring him to demise.

Iago's soliloquy at the end of Act 2 Scene 1
Iago is stating that he still feels suspicious that Othello has slept with Iago's wife, Emilia. Iago wants to sleep with Desdemona not only out of lust, but also Iago wants to get even with the Moor " Wife for wife"(2.1.286). Iago also states that if he is unable to get his revenge, Roderigo will accuse Cassio in order to make Othello believes that his lieutenant, Cassio has slept with Desdemona which will finally torture Othello to madness.

In both Iago's soliloquies, Iago explains clear what his motive is and what he's plan is going to be. Compared to Iago's soliloquy at the end of Act 1 Scene 3, Iago is now suspicious that Cassio also has slept with his wife without a specific reason. In the soliloquy in Act 2 Scene1, Iago is planning to use Roderigo to help him carry out his plan. By using soliloquy, Shakespeare is able o portray Iago's mind and inner emotions. In both soliloquies, Iago plays with audiences by manipulating their expectations so that they will never uncover Iago's true character.

Othello Act 1 Scene 3

visual Component:

Othello, Desdemona, the duke, Brabantio and officers.

http://personal.colby.edu/personal/l/leosborn/wsengraving/oth13.htm

Summary:
The duke meets the senators to discuss the Turkish invasion of Cyprus saying that Turks have turned toward Rhodes. One senator guesses that Turks' change of target aims to mislead Venetians because Cyprus is far more importance than Rhodes. Then, the message of Turks joining with more forces toward Cyprus proves Turks' tricks. Then, Othello, Brabantio, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo and some officers arrive. Brabantio accuses Othello for stealing his daughter, Desdemona. The duke is initially believes Brabantio but then turns his side to Othello after Othello's explanation. Othello admits marrying Desdemona but denying the use of magic. Desdemona comes in and states her true love for Othello due to his story. The duke is persuaded by Othello and dismisses Brabantio's accusation toward Othello. The duke decides to send Othello to Cyprus to defend the island. Othello accepts and requests Desdemona to go with him. The duke agrees. After they leave to prepare for their voyage, Iago advises Roderigo to follow Othello to Cyprus and threatens suicides in order to win Desdemona's love. Iago plans to use Othello's honest to bring him to demise.

Literary Devices:
There are many literary devices being used in this scene. Shakespeare uses literary devices in his text to bring richness and clarity and further conveys a deeper meaning of his language. For example, "The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida"(1.3.391-392), it is an example of simile. Iago compares the Othello's taste of food to the delicious taste of locusts and then to the bitter taste of coloquintida. By using the simile, Iago expresses his wish of Othello's change to a bitter situation. " Look to her, Moor, if though hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee."(1.3.333-334), it is an example of foreshadowing. Brabantio foreshadows that Desdemona will deceive Othello later because she deceived her own father right now. The use of foreshadowing raises reader's interest and curiosity of following the plot. "So please your Grace, my ancient. A man he is honesty and trust. To his conveyance I assign my wife..."(1.3.321-324), this is another example of foreshadowing. Othello thinks Iago is honest and he trusts Iago, and it foreshadows Iago's betrayal later because from what we know, Iago is deceitful and is not loyal to Othello. Again, it makes readers want to read more. "After some time, to abuse Othello's ear..."(1.3.438), it creates a suspense because, as the readers, we are curious about what Iago is going to do to destroy Othello and how Othello is going to response to Iago's betrayal. Overall, by using literary devices, Shakespeare makes his language more colorful and meaningful and it is one of the reasons why Shakespeare's works are famous.

Interesting Question:

Q: Would Brabantio give up his plan of divorcing Othello and his daughter, Desdemona?

A: I think Brabantio would not give up divorcing Othello and his daughter because Brabantio does not know Othello too much and still keeps his bad impression on Othello. He thinks Desdemona decieves him so Desdemona will deceive Othello too later on. In order to protect his daughter from possible hurts in love, he might keep planning to separate them.

Class Activity:
Record all the instances of "eyes", "vision" and "seeing" you can find. 
What conclusions can you draw about how Shakespeare is using this symbol?

Shakespare uses lots of "eyes","vision" and "seeing" to portray the characters. For example, a senator thinks Turks' retreat of Rohdos is "a pageant/To keep us in false gaze"(1.3.24). The use of "false gaze" easily describes Turks' purpose of misleading Venetians. Another example is when the messenger observes Turkish's return, "Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance"(1.3.44-45). "Appearance" is the "visions", so Venetians could see their motions by their appearance. "Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense-"(1.3.76), this an example of the use of vision. Since Desdemona is not blind, Othello must have used magic to steal her. Shakespeare uses "blind" to exaggerate Brabantio's worries about Othello's stealing of his daughter so that readers will easily believe in Brabantio's words that Othello does steal Desdemona. "To fall in love with what she feared to look on!" (1.3.116), the use of "look on" is an example of "seeing". Brabantio shows his racist toward Othello saying that his daughter, Desdemona, will not fall in love with Othello because of her fear of looking Othello's face. The use of "seeing" here describes Brabantio's character of racist and prejudice in order to make him distinctive compared to other characters. "By being in his eye.."(1.3.278), this is an example of "eyes". Desdemona states she doesn't want to be in his father's eyes which means she doesn't want to be presence seen by his father. By using "eyes", its description becomes vivid and imaginative. Shakespeare's use of "eyes","vision" and "seeing" in his language clearly portrays the character's inner emotions and creates a depth in his meaningful words. Furthermore, "eyes","vision" and "seeing" in Shakespeare's language are symbols that could also represent Shakespeare's' own inner emotions.

Othello - Act 1 Scene 2

Visual Component:

A struggle between Brabantio's and Othello's followers.

http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-othello-act-1-scene-2-2537410.html

Summary
Iago goes back to Othello's lodgings and tells Othello that he wants to kill Roderigo, but due to his conscience, he does not kill him. Iago then warns Othello about Brabantio's anger saying that Brabantio is coming with his men to divorce them. However, Othello feels confident and believes the strength in his love for Desdemona. Then, Cassio arrives with a party of men and brings a message that the duke of Venice wants to see Othello about a Turkish invasion of the Venetian colony of Cyprus. When Cassio and his men are ready to leave, Iago reminds that Othello is married. Before Iago speaks more, Roderigo, Brabantio and Brabantio's men arrive and want to subdue Othello. The fight between two parties seems to happen but is stopped by Othello's calmness reaction. Othello persuades Brabantio to accompany him to the duke, where Othello is summoned. Brabantio agrees to bring his issue before the duke.

Character Development
In the beginning of the scene, Iago claims that he wants to kill Rederigo because Roderigo loves Desdemona, who is Othello's wife, but he doesn't kill him because of his own conscious. By doing these, Iago wants to show his "loyalty" to Othello. Iago is a double dealer which means he is two-faced in character. When behind Othello, Iago is treacherous and tells Roderigo he hates Othello but pretends to be loyal when in front of Othello, "He will divorce you Or put upon you what restraint or grievance The Law (with all his might to enforce it on) Will give him a cable." (1.2.16-19) He warns Othello Brabantio's anger which is created by Iago. Iago is driving his force behind which develops the plot of the story. Iago's jealousy in Desdemona's love and ambitions in the position of lieutenant create a dangerous motive of revenge that would gradually destroy Othello. With Othello's absolute trust, Iago uses deception as his weapon to attack Othello but Othello does not know he is attacked by Iago. This is why Iago is dangerous. Iago will become more and more deceitful with Othello's trust.

Interesting Question

Q: Would the duke of Venice be on Brabantio's side in terms of Othello's marriage with Desdemona?

Ans: I don't think the duke of Venice would be on Brabantio's side. On one hand, everything Brabantio knows about his daughter's marriage is based on Iago's assertion which involves Iago's personal prejudice. Brabantio's accusation of Othello would convince the duke. On the other hand, Othello is confident in his love for Desdemona and he believes his honorable military services would outweigh Brabantio's grievance, therefore his explanation would be more convincible due to Othello's calmness and his sense of his own authority.


Class Activity:
Critique Othello’s personality. What do his strengths seem to be?  Are there indications of any weaknesses?
Othello is very confident and does not seem worried or stressed, "Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the Signiory. Shall out-tongue his complaints" (20-22). He believes his honorable military services would protect him from Brabantio's accusation. Othello is extremely calm and confident and shows a sense of his authority when he speaks in front of the struggle between Brabantio's and Othello's followers. Othello's strengths are strong military skills, his authority, calmness and intelligence. When he speaks, everyone stops naturally to listen to him. He knows clearly what situation he is in and knows how to handle Brabantio's accusation. Othello is smart because he asks Brabantio to complain before the duke, since he knows that duke would consider his importance in military so he would not be blamed. One of Othello's possible weaknesses is his overconfidence. He believes deeply in his own strength and trust Iago's loyalty.  He is heavily exposed to Iago who will bring him destruction someday.

Othello - Act 1 Scene1

Visual component

 

Iago and Roderigo are in front of Brabantio's house.

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Theater/artifact/26447/


Summary
The Othello begins with an argument between Iago and Roderigo, the suitor of Desdemona. After Iago knows that Desdemona has just married Othello, a general who Iago serves as an ensign, he becomes angry and tells Roderigo that he hates Othello. Even through Iago gets the support from "three great ones" of the city, Othello still promotes Cassio, who has no experience in battle, to his lieutenant. Iago and Roderigo go to the street outside of the house of Brabantio, Desdemona's father, crying that Brabantio's daughter is stolen by "thieves" and having sex with Othello. At first Brabantio thinks it's just Roderigp's trick but then he believes in Iago's inflammatory words and gets angry. Iago goes back to Othello to see the success of his plan. Brabantio and his men follow Roderigo to Othello.

Character Development
In act 1 scene1, the most important character is Iago who is the ensign of Othello and who hates Othello because Othello does not promote him to be lieutenant and Othello married Desdemona who Iago loves. Iago is deceitful, shown by "Call up her father. Rouse him, poison his delight, proclaim him in the street;"(1.1.74-76) Iago advises Roderigo to rouse Desdemona's family in order to create conflict and destroy Othello's marriage, “Awake! What ho, Brabantio! Thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! Thieves, thieves!” (1.1.86-88). He is very jealous with Othello for having Desdemona's love and is a racist,“Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.97-101). Iago tries to make a bad impression on Brabantio's mind about Othello so that he can easily raise conflict between them. In order to further provoke Brabantio's anger, he uses very uncivilized words to describe that: "the Moor are now making the beast with two backs" (1.1.130). By this way, he could make use of Brabantio's anger to destroy Othello's marriage in order to achieve his own purpose of revenging Othello. Iago is a dangerous character. He pretends to serve Othello and seeks opportunities to take revenge, "I follow him to serve my turn upon him."(1.1.45). From here, we can see the dark side of Iago's character and Iago's presence would be a risk to Othello's life. Iago is a very interesting character that promotes the development of the plot.


Interesting Question

Q: Will Roderido and Iago have a real relationship later on?

As: They will not have a real relationship later on because they are rivals in love. They both love Desdemona. They might have a relationship in way of using each other for their own purposes since they have a common enemy in love, Othello.