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)?
4) I think Othello was consumed by feelings and jealousy. He reacted way too quickly, I am sure if he just tried to wait even one day he would realize that killing his beloved was a terrible idea! I, unfortunately, am a jealous person too so I understand how he felt. But it is important to realize that jealousy is a feeling and that feelings pass. I would probably feel as enraged as he had but wait before deciding what to do. I think I would just force myself to believe my spouse. It is really hard not to believe a friend though because they are supposed to have your best interest at heart.
ReplyDeleteOthello's actions are so not believably motivated!! He was persuaded by Iago that his wife was cheating! If he would have just asked Emilia he could have found out if it was true. Instead he trusted a coniving Iago and they all died.
ReplyDeleteOh and as a side note if you don't have trust in your spouse then it isn't a good relationship... so you should always trust or break it off!
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to say that though from an outside point of view... but if your "best friend" told you your significant other was cheating what would you think?
ReplyDeleteI would ask around! See if anyone has seen them around not just jump to conclusion and attack them with a pillow.
ReplyDeleteHahaha.... true about the pillow.But still, I think I have more trust in my friends. I am definitely the type to jump to conclusions. But past experiences and Othello have persuaded me to try to be calm and wait a bit before making accusations. Also jealously roots from insecurity which Othello was because he wasn't raised "proper" And sometimes I am because I am a teenage girl. So yeah this makes me not wanna be jealous haha
ReplyDeleteDea I agree with the whole jumping to conclusions and killing people. But he should have waited and asked Casio, Desdemona, and Emilia. The ending would have been way better as then everyone would be against Iago.
ReplyDeleteIago's actions were more motivated than Othello's. He wanted to advance his career but instead Casio got it. It was a bad decision however to manipulate peoples lives just to get a promotion. He did die though so he got what he deserved.
ReplyDeleteThis is sort of a boring blog. I just rambled on a bit, so sorry fellow readers/bloggers. I think Iago was just a crazed sociopath. He didn't care about anyone except himself, and the advancing of his career. I loathed his character.
ReplyDeleteIn Othello, Iago wrongly persuades several people to aid him in his attack on Othello. It's possible to persuade people to do things for good rather than bad, and in today's day and age, this perhaps more common. However, there are still people who use their powers of persuasion for evil. Today's people aren't unlike the people of Othello.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Othello's actions are believably motivated. He acted much too rashly. All he had to do was think, and he would have realized that there wasn't even enough time for Desdemona to commit adultery. Even if she had cheated on him, this doesn't make it OK for Othello to murder his spouse.
ReplyDeleteIago's actions are more believable, yet still somewhat ridiculous. His hatred of Othello is unrealistically enormous. Although he has a right to be upset when Casio is promoted over him, this does NOT merit his loathing of Othello and his plans to utterly destroy him.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Othello, I think I would have believed Desdemona. It would have looked suspicious, sure, but considering the small amount of time Desdemona spent apart from Othello, there is just no way she could have been unfaithful.
ReplyDeleteThe art of persuasion is held by very few. Apparently Othello didn't have it, but Iago was very good at it. It's too bad that Iago had to be evil, because he would've been a good car salesman. But I digress, the art of persuasion played a huge role in Othello, because it was the reason that Othello killed Desdemona.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay to feel angry or jealous sometimes, they're natural human emotions. The correct line of action, however, when feeling these emotions is to talk it out, or ask the person what the truth is. Othello didn't see it this way, and decided he'd be better off smothering his wife with a pillow. No bueno, Othello, no bueno.
ReplyDeleteIago is a jerk. Are his actions believably motivated? Not even in the slightest! He had every right to be upset that Casio was promoted over him, but there are better outlets for your anger than utter destruction of somebody.
ReplyDeleteIt's extremely hard not to believe your friend in a situation like that. You believe that your friends have your best interests in mind, but your spouse is your spouse, and you're supposed to trust them. I can't say I agree either way, because nobody took the time to sit down and talk it out like people.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Iago was this horrible person who did unspeakable things. You have to give him props. Othello OBVIOUSLY loved Desdemona. And people often say that it would take great force to break the strongest feelings of love, which I feel Othello felt towards Desdemona. That takes a great amount of courage, planning, and evil. Granted, I do not agree what he did but man, THAT guy knows how to throw a wrench in a happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteWe all have Iagoes in our lives. I guarantee that all people have experienced someone we trust turn on us or try to hurt us. There is not one person in high school who has not heard of a backstabber or some two faced person. It is completely unavoidable. There is only one thing to say about that, evil lies in the hearts of many.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Othello and all of that "proof" was there against Desdemona, as awful as it sounds, I would probably believe Iago. I would WANT to believe Desdemona, but that would be almost impossible. However, I would probably ask Emilia about the whole mess first, if anyone would know Emilia would. She's with Desdemona every waking minute of the day. But I guess that was too much common sense for Othello.
ReplyDeleteOthello's actions are motivated well. Iago is super cunning and he did well. The evil behind Iago was amazing and I was suprised how well he organized the whole thing. It was like he knew what exactly was going to happen the entire time. I was upset about the result of Othello's actions resulted in the death of two families. Stupid Iago.
ReplyDelete