Othello
1. We are constantly being persuaded by our friends, family members, teachers, advertisements, and many other sources. The art of persuasion is an important tool to have; if you are really good at it, you can convince most people of just about anything. Discuss in terms of Othello and connect with life as you know it.
2. Are Othello's actions believably motivated? Explain why or why not.
3. Are Iago's actions believably motivated? Explain why or why not.
4. What would you have done if you were Othello? Would you have believed Desdemona (your spouse) or Iago (your friend)?
I think that everyone has experienced a Iago in there lives at one point or another. Espcially if you are a middle school girl. A modern toxic friend is Iago. Someone that seems like your friend at the time, but then starts using you for your other friends, your car, or your money.
ReplyDeletePersuasion is definitely a major part of life. People are constantly falling for peer pressure and putting themselves in bad situations. The people peer pressure are usually not so malicious as Iago though.
ReplyDeleteI think that Iago is like a girl when it comes to what Aly is saying. I feel like whenever girls fight they do exactly what Iago did to othello. They try to turn everyone against the person they are mad at or try to spread lies about that person.
ReplyDeleteI agree that when girls fight they use wild schemes and subtly mean words. Men just fight physically and get it over with. Iago is a lot like a girl.
ReplyDeletePersuasion seems to be a major a part in life especially now with scholarships and all. We are trying to persuade people to give us money. But i agree with Annie that persuasion usually isn't as malicious as Iago's.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Iago's actions are believable because he was angry for not receiving Cassio's position so his actions were started through anger and he wants his revenge. He is obvious willing to do anything to get what he wants like a child.
ReplyDeleteI think if I were Othello I would believe my friends over anybody. However my friends aren't crazy and evil like Iago... hopefully.
ReplyDeleteIf I were in Othello's situation I would try to believe my lover. I would not act before i tried to get the facts straight and i would ask my lover straight up if it was true then i would get the two of them in the same room and confront both of them then and there.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that Iago's motives are believable. I think he was just crazy because who goes on a crazy vengeful plot just for not getting a promotion. He's just psychotic.
ReplyDeleteWell Annie crazy people exist and Iago is one of them (hypothetically). I think that the whole situation is Othello's fault to some extent. He is so insecure with his relationship that he will believe Iago over his wife. Plus he did that whole "blood brothers" thing that took is to the weird level pretty quick.
ReplyDeleteOthello is a horrible character. He is gullible and blind to all of Iago's lies. He had many clues that could have pointed out how stupid Iago's lies were. Desdemona loved him and he murders her. What a weak person he is. I was appalled when he murdered her in such a disgusting manner too. I think Othello is my least favorite shakespeare tragedy we have read yet.
ReplyDeleteDesdemona is unrealistically pure. She is strong character to some extent but if someone was trying to smother me I would most definitley not just let them do it. I'd fight back. I realize this owuld be hard to do but still. I would've died with some dignity. Othello is stupid and Desdemona should have stuck up for herself more. Yes, it is good to be pure and sweet, but she needed to have a stronger backbone.
ReplyDeleteI liked Emilia. She was smart enough to catch on to Iago's antics. Obviously, not soon enough. But at least she was able to expose his true character and call him out on it! props to emilia! I enjoyed it when she discovers Desdemon's death and is appaled. She calls Othello out on his stupidity. This was a bold move for a women back in that time. She did not deserve to die.
ReplyDeleteIago was a briliantly bad character. He had no concrete motives to be as evil as he was. But he definitley made the play more interesting.
ReplyDeleteHe is so manipulative and portrayed as so innocent and gains everyones trust. He is the best villianous con man.