Good Guy Dies While Evil Guy Lives?

As I was reading the last act of Othello, I thought that Iago might end up dying. I thought Othello might kill him and then kill himself after. I imagined that Othello would be raging and end up killing Iago because he suggested that he kill Desdemona, who was faithful to Othello to the very end. Iago does face a future that could be worse than death because he is a prisoner (V.ii.281). Everything eventually fell apart for Iago and he does not get away. This makes the ending a little happier because the reader knows that Iago was caught and does not live his life happily ever after. I was sad that Emilia died because she was just starting to stand up for herself. She told Othello that Desdemona was faithful and she accused Iago of planting false rumors in Othello's mind. She tells Othello the truth about the handkerchief and Iago stabs his own wife and then makes a run for it (V.ii.224-234). I enjoyed reading this play and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading Shakespearean plays. Who will I recommend this play to? I bet I could find someone if they gave Shakespeare a chance. They could hate Shakespeare because of a preconceived notion, and you know that never turns out well.

Question #6

The stage directions in Act IV are extremely important. Iago tells Othello that he will talk to Cassio about Desdemona but he really talks to Cassio about Bianca. He tricks Othello and he becomes angry because he believes in Desdemona's infidelity. The stage directions are important because Othello is hiding as Iago talks to Cassio. If the reader missed the stage direction, (OTHELLO retires), there would be a great deal of confusion because Othello is talking out loud to himself (IV.i.90). He speaks his feelings as Iago and Cassio talk and it would be confusing to think that Othello was contributing to the conversation and the other characters were ignoring him. Many characters also leave and then return and it is important to note which characters are present and which are not. It is important for the reader to see which characters are present in a scene to understand which characters know certain information.

Question 2

The play, Othello, is a tragedy. The main character Othello dies as well as Desdemona, Emilia, and Roderigo as a result of Iago's evil plan. It is important for the audience to know that the play is a tragedy. Because I knew it was a tragedy, I understood the plot better and I could understand why certain events occurred. I knew that Desdemona would die because Iago persuaded Othello to kill her because Iago hated him. Because I knew it was a tragedy, I knew that a few characters would die. I expected it to happen and I could mentally prepare and try to figure out each motive, reason, or cause of the character's death. If I did not know the play was a tragedy, I would not have paid as close attention to Iago's reactions to certain characters or his true feelings about them.

Iago

In this play, Iago is the villain. He is the evil character that plots against the 'good guy' to meet a selfish desire. He wanted to be lieutenant, but he was denied this position. He made sure Cassio was no longer in the good grace of Othello. Iago heard a rumor that Othello slept with his wife, so he is making Othello suspicious of Desdemona's fidelity (I.iii.367-368). I like Iago's character. He is cunning and wise. He knows how to turn people against each other without them realizing who caused them to act that way. "He's a king mixer" and will do anything to get what he wants (A Hard Day's Night). Iago has gotten away with his deceit for a long time and no one suspects him.

Othello #5

Iago is very angry at the beginning of the play because Cassio was made lieutenant and he was not. He was jealous of Cassio; therefore, he plotted his revenge. In act II, Iago plans to get Cassio drunk so he will be discharged as Othello's lieutenant. Iago's jealousy overcame him and he could not accept the fact that he was not Othello's lieutenant and that someone younger was chosen. Another theme in this play is that hatred is often based on preconceived notions. Iago does not know much about Othello's character. Iago hates Othello because it was "thought abroad" that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia ( I.iii.367). This only fueled his hatred for Othello after he was not chosen to be lieutenant. He constantly refers to Othello as 'the Moor' which dehumanizes him.

Othello #3

The protagonist of the play is Othello and the antagonist is Iago. Othello and Iago are foil characters. Othello is honest and does not hurt others to get ahead. Iago is dishonest and is only concerned about personal gain. Roderigo is an important minor character. He is Iago's puppet. He does whatever Iago tells him to. Iago is cunning and uses Roderigo to turn people against each other. Iago tells Roderigo to "provoke him [Cassio]" to that Cassio will be dismissed as Lieutenant (II.i.255). Iago uses his 'friend' Roderigo to get what he wants. He knows Roderigo is easily manipulated if Iago promises that Roderigo will get Desdemona. Roderigo said, "I will incontinently drown myself" (I.iii.302). Iago uses his friend in his moment of weakness. Othello respects his friends and earns the respect of others.