Blog #7, Othello, Act V (part 2)
Act V (part
2): Choose one of the following options
for your blog comment. When you post, title
your comment with the option you chose.
Remember to
sign your comment with your first initial, last name, and class period.
OPTION 1-
The Rise of
Emilia: As the characters gather in the bedchamber and attempt to make sense of
Desdemona’s death, Emilia slowly begins to realize the horrible truth. Review Emilia’s dialogue and pinpoint
evidence of her growing awareness about the truth behind Desdemona’s death. Does Emilia vindicate herself and deserve to
be forgiven since she confesses her role in Iago’s plan or is her involvement
too great to be forgiven? How has Emilia’s personality changed since the
beginning of the play? Based on her
comments and behavior, how would you summarize her transformation? Despite her heroic defiance in the face of
Othello and Iago, do you feel Emilia bears some of the blame for Desdemona’s
death? Consider the complexity of her
situation as you defend your opinion.
OPTION 2-
As the
climax of the play continues to unfold, Othello finally sees Iago for the
villain he is. Follow their final
exchange and locate two specific quotes for Othello and one specific quote for
Iago which best represent their feelings for one another. Then, offer a modern interpretation of what
each character means. (You may improvise based on the emotions each character
is feeling.) Why is it, that despite an entire play where these two characters
spoke at length, they now have so little to say to one another? In his final
comments, Iago states, “Demand me nothing; what you know, you know: From this
time forth I never will speak word.” (V.ii.303)
Ø Why might these be the final lines
for a character that used the power of his words throughout the entire play; to
plan, scheme and manipulate all those around him?
OPTION 3-
Predict the future:
The play’s resolution offers comments made by several characters which
in turn provide information about their future once the curtain closes. Using the direct comments found in the final
moments of the play, infer what future may await each character (Iago,
Lodovico, Montano, Cassio). As with many of Shakespeare’s other great tragedies
(Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth)
the character with the play’s final lines often reveals a glimpse of a future
beyond the text itself. With this in
mind, review Lodovico’s final speech and predict the future of Cyprus.
Option 3
ReplyDeleteIago
His crimes will be reported to the Venetian government, he will most likely be executed due to the time period.
Lodovico
He will go back to Venice to tell them about what Iago did, overall, his future shouldn't be too affected.
Montano
He should take Othello's place since he was next after him in the government.
Cassio
He will become the governor of Cyprus and decide what to do with Iago in terms of punishment.
Lodovico said he has to go back to Venice to tell them the bad news. Based on his last speech, I can say the future of Cyprus depends on who will be the general. If the general is good, then Cyprus should be well defended and not taken over by the Turks. If he is a bad general, then the Turks will advance towards the city and the city will ultimately fall to the Turks. It all depends on who the general is. I can imagine the city to be devastated since they lost a lovable lady and excellent general.
(C.Hill.1st period)
Option 1- Emilia's dialogue is that of guilt/regret. She had helped her husband in an attempt to salvage her marriage only for her friend to be murdered, partly by her actions. Should she be forgiven? Hard to say. In taking the handkerchief, she put a target on Desdemona's back for Othello. Even though she didn't intend this for Desdemona, her and Iago's scheming ended up in Desdemona's death. So, yes, I do believe she bears some blame. As for her personality change, in the end, she changed from a woman only focused on her own happiness to a woman who wanted the truth to come out. (A. Osborne 1)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Emilia had innocent intentions of stealing the handkerchief as an attempt to salvage her marriage. However, when she heard the argument between Othello and Desdemona about it she never gave it back. She definitely carries blame as she could've came clean and saved: Othello, Desdemona, and Roderigo's death. (C. Drucker 2)
DeleteOPTION 1: In the final act of this play, many important events happen including a conversation between Emilia and Othello. It begins because Emilia was sent to tell Othello the bad news about Roderigo and Cassio, but Emilia came just as Othello was killing Desdemona. This caused Emilia to called Othello a villain, but Othello says that it was Emilia husband, Iago, who gave him the idea in this first place. This is where Emilia begins to realize that everything that is going on is because of Iago. Eventually Iago joins the conversation, and Emilia exposes Iago to everyone. She explains her unknowing involvement in the situation of the handkerchief and pieces all of the rest of the story together as well. I believe that she should not be held accountable for her actions because she had no idea of Iago's master plan. It's interesting to see Emilia so animated because in the rest of the play she is very respectful and does exactly what she is told. She really proves her innocence when she stands up to Iago. This shows how important honesty and Desdemona are to her, and it has allowed her to grow as a person. I think the only reason Emilia should even feel bad is because she gave the handkerchief to her husband instead of back to Desdemona, but if she had known what Iago was going to do with it, I'm sure she would have never given it to him.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. She is very withdrawn and reserved throughout the play until the end. She shouldn't be help accountable; however, she should hold herself responsible for being so obeying to her husband in such an odd situation ( this could also be the 21st century in me ). Her character development was well executed.
DeleteOption 1
ReplyDeleteEmilia’s growing awareness about the truth behind Desdemona’s death begins when she just finds out that Desdemona died and is having a conservation with Othello. Othello mentions that Iago, her husband, was the one who revealed the “truth” to her. She starts repeating “My husband!” (5.2.152) Emilia does vindicate herself later on. I believe that she deserves to be forgiven even though she played a big role in the involvement of Iago’s plan. She never knew what was going to be done with the handkerchief and she trusted her husband to much to ever think that he would do something so monstrous with it. At the beginning of the play, Emilia is very loyal and honest to everybody but as the play goes on she becomes a strong feminist character that is not afraid to say what is on her mind. Despite her heroic defiance in the face of Othello and Iago, Emilia still bears some of the blame for Desdemona's death. Even after the handkerchief was given to Iago, she still had many chances to tell Desdemona what had happened especially when she witnessed Othello yelling at Desdemona. (E.Degue 7)
Option 3- I think Cassio will rule the military type thing they have in the country and be very good at doing so. Othello will be punished for the disgusting acts he committed. Iago will also be punished and tortured for the sins that he committed. The future of Cyprus should be pretty decent overall. The lying and skimming should be passed and everyone get along. There will always be drama just like anywhere but it wont be so harsh next time because they know what to look out for and what to do and not to do.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with your opinion. Iago will be punished but he won't rule the military. As for the future of Cyprus, it will be drastically affected. With no general, then the Turks can take over the island. Unless they get another general, Cyprus is done for. Hopefully they will get another general so they can defend the island.(C.Hill. 1st period)
DeleteOption 3-
ReplyDeleteI believe Iago will be publicly executed for his crimes against the moor. Cassio will likely die from the wounds he sustained in his previous battle. And finally, Lodovico will likely take Montano's position while Montano will move up to take Othello's position in society.
Option 2-
ReplyDeleteOthello
-I’m looking to see if you have cloven hooves like the devil. But that’s just a fairy tale. If you are a devil, I won’t be able to kill you.
-I’m not sorry, either. I want you to live, since to me, death is happiness.
Iago
-Don’t ask me anything. You know what you know. From this moment on, I’ll never say another word.
-I’m bleeding, but you didn’t kill me.
At the end of the play Othello knows some of Iago's plan that had been mostly successful until this point, as Iago was stabbed, and found out. Othello had trust Iago greatly, he was seemingly Othello's best friend. When he realizes Iago had betrayed him and lied to him causing him to kill his wife he gains a burning hatred towards him. Therefore Othello has little to say to Iago. Iago on the other hand, is furious that he, and his plan was revealed. He has little to say to Othello because he has a very bitter taste in his mouth, and his plan to destroy Othello's life worked. Iago's final words “Demand me nothing; what you know, you know: From this time forth I never will speak word” (V.ii.303) is because Iago and his plan was revealed. He does not want to say more of the plan that he brought to action because he doesn't want to reveal anymore of how he brought all of them to their demise.
3- What goes around comes back around.. Cassio will become a leader and determine the future for the city, but especially Iago. I would assume since majority of Iago's plan revolved around Cassio, with the assistance of the Venetian government, he would not be so kind with his punishment. However, without Othello, Cassio will not be able to do this on his own and the city will become different and have to adjust. Lodovico ends up the story teller. He will carry this story to Venice and inform everybody on what has happened.
ReplyDelete