1. Venice is presented in the first act as a society orientated around conflict whether its the Venice Vs Cyprus conflict or the conflict between the characters themselves. The interactions change dependent on the person because Othello is a black man living in a racist society he is treated differently but he is also treated differently because of his status as a general. Although Iagos status is lower than Othellos he is often treated better by his counterparts because he is white.The society is also patriarchal so therefore Desdemona is treated differently when compared to male characters.
2. In Act 1 scene 1 Iago appears quite trustworthy and honest and he seems to be rightfully angry at Othello as far as the audience know Iago has always been loyal to Othello and he has had more experience than Cassio but yet Cassio is chosen to fulfil a more important role. However the audience starts to see how disloyal Iago really is when he goes behind Othellos back and the audience begins to question Iagos opinions when they see how honourable Othello is. Iago and Roderigo are friends but Iago manipulates him and its implied there could be something more between them.
3. Othellos speaks gently whereas Iagos speaks more aggressively as he is more manipulative. Iago often speaks vaguely so he doesn't look as manipulative as he really is
Sunday 31 January 2016
Friday 15 January 2016
Othello DVD
Basic plot
Why do Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio?
They wake him up to tell him that his daughter Desdemona has married Othello.
How does Brabantio believe Othello ‘won’ his daughter, Desdemona?
Charms/enchantment/witchcraft.
How does Othello believe he ‘won’ Desdemona?
He wooed her and told her stories of his life. He gets her to defend this statement.
What two reasons are there for Othello appearing before the senate?
His job '(he is a general)- going to Cyprus - Turkish invasion.
To defend his relationship with Desdemona that is being scrutinised.
What do we learn about Othello’s past?
That he was a slave.
What terms are used to describe Othello whilst in front of the senate?
'Black ram' 'the moor'
What is significant about Brabantio’s rhyming couplet “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to
see. She has deceived her father, and may thee.”?
It makes it easier for Othello to believe she is deceitful later in the play as she has deceived her father already.
Can you find an example of dramatic irony in Othello’s retort?
He calls Iago 'honest Iago' this is dramatic irony as he is betraying Othello and the audience is aware of this but Othello is not.
What does Iago persuade Roderigo to do?
Follow them to Cyprus
What do we learn from Iago’s soliloquy?
That he dislikes Othello strongly and is plotting his downfall.
Why do Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio?
They wake him up to tell him that his daughter Desdemona has married Othello.
How does Brabantio believe Othello ‘won’ his daughter, Desdemona?
Charms/enchantment/witchcraft.
How does Othello believe he ‘won’ Desdemona?
He wooed her and told her stories of his life. He gets her to defend this statement.
What two reasons are there for Othello appearing before the senate?
His job '(he is a general)- going to Cyprus - Turkish invasion.
To defend his relationship with Desdemona that is being scrutinised.
What do we learn about Othello’s past?
That he was a slave.
What terms are used to describe Othello whilst in front of the senate?
'Black ram' 'the moor'
What is significant about Brabantio’s rhyming couplet “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to
see. She has deceived her father, and may thee.”?
It makes it easier for Othello to believe she is deceitful later in the play as she has deceived her father already.
Can you find an example of dramatic irony in Othello’s retort?
He calls Iago 'honest Iago' this is dramatic irony as he is betraying Othello and the audience is aware of this but Othello is not.
What does Iago persuade Roderigo to do?
Follow them to Cyprus
What do we learn from Iago’s soliloquy?
That he dislikes Othello strongly and is plotting his downfall.
Wednesday 6 January 2016
Classical tragedy
A classical tragedy is a serious drama in which a the protagonist or hero meets with disaster either due to personal flaws or circumstance.
Tragedy originated in ancient Greece. It was influenced by other genres but originated in the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Thespis traditionally was the first person to represent a character rather than speaking as himself in a play in 534 BC . Choerilus, wrote approximatley one hundred and sixty tragedies. Pratinas of Philus author of fifty works. Their titles are their only real record., satyr plays were presented alongside tragedies at this time.
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and scientist born circa 384 B.C. He enrolled in Plato's academy at the age of 17 and was taught by Plato. He went on to teach Alexander The Great. His work became basis for western education. He tried to define the way tragedy works as a genre.
Poetics was written by Aristotle in 335 BC. The aim of tragedy, Aristotle writes, is to bring about a "catharsis" of the spectator and to make them feel sensations of pity and fear, and to purge them of these emotions so that they leave the theater feeling cleansed, with a heightened understanding of gods and men.
6 components of tragedy according to Aristotle. 1) Plot2) Character 3) Diction - the actual words spoken by the characters.
4)Reasoning - case being staged and opinions being expressed by characters.
5)Spectacle
6) Lyric Poetry (personal response to experience presented on stage)
Aristotle thought tragedies should purge pity and fear - an emotional release.
Aristotle thought can not be either all good or all bad they must be someone who the audience can relate too. Heros are usually the protagonists in tragedies the disastrous result that makes it a tragedy is usually bought about because of the tragic hero making a mistake bought on by a flaw in their character this often also results in their death.
Elements/ingredients of Classical tradgedyHamartia: The tragic hero must make a mistake, the hero must also be someone the audience can identify with. Kings make good subject matter because in a human society they have the top position in society.A flaw in the heros character leads to them making a mistake that in some way leads to their death.
Tragic Flaw: A flaw/trait that ultimately leads to the downfall of the character . It is often pride (hubris)
Hubris: Over confidence or pride. Which often leads to the hero ignoring significant warnings and breaking moral codes.
Peripeteia: a reversal of circumstances or turning point.
Anagnorisis: The moment in a play when a character makes a critical discovery.(recognition)
Catharisis: The purification of emotions.
Tragedy originated in ancient Greece. It was influenced by other genres but originated in the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Thespis traditionally was the first person to represent a character rather than speaking as himself in a play in 534 BC . Choerilus, wrote approximatley one hundred and sixty tragedies. Pratinas of Philus author of fifty works. Their titles are their only real record., satyr plays were presented alongside tragedies at this time.
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and scientist born circa 384 B.C. He enrolled in Plato's academy at the age of 17 and was taught by Plato. He went on to teach Alexander The Great. His work became basis for western education. He tried to define the way tragedy works as a genre.
Poetics was written by Aristotle in 335 BC. The aim of tragedy, Aristotle writes, is to bring about a "catharsis" of the spectator and to make them feel sensations of pity and fear, and to purge them of these emotions so that they leave the theater feeling cleansed, with a heightened understanding of gods and men.
6 components of tragedy according to Aristotle. 1) Plot2) Character 3) Diction - the actual words spoken by the characters.
4)Reasoning - case being staged and opinions being expressed by characters.
5)Spectacle
6) Lyric Poetry (personal response to experience presented on stage)
Aristotle thought tragedies should purge pity and fear - an emotional release.
Aristotle thought can not be either all good or all bad they must be someone who the audience can relate too. Heros are usually the protagonists in tragedies the disastrous result that makes it a tragedy is usually bought about because of the tragic hero making a mistake bought on by a flaw in their character this often also results in their death.
Elements/ingredients of Classical tradgedyHamartia: The tragic hero must make a mistake, the hero must also be someone the audience can identify with. Kings make good subject matter because in a human society they have the top position in society.A flaw in the heros character leads to them making a mistake that in some way leads to their death.
Tragic Flaw: A flaw/trait that ultimately leads to the downfall of the character . It is often pride (hubris)
Hubris: Over confidence or pride. Which often leads to the hero ignoring significant warnings and breaking moral codes.
Peripeteia: a reversal of circumstances or turning point.
Anagnorisis: The moment in a play when a character makes a critical discovery.(recognition)
Catharisis: The purification of emotions.
Monday 4 January 2016
The Hollow Men - T.S Eliot
Is doing nothing and remaining neutral worse than actively committing evil? Why or why not?
Marxists believe it is the peoples duty to change the society they are in and to reject the norms and values that exist due to a capitalist society. The hollow men in the poem are passive and they don't bring any change or progression to their surroundings. They are described as shadows and they are simply 'behaving as the wind behaves' they are empty and unmoved. Because of this they are completely passive and seem to live without thought or purpose. If the hollow men were committing an act even if it was considered an evil one at least they would be doing something significant A Marxist critic would view the hollow men negatively as they have no impact on society as they don't challenge it in any way but if they committed an act of evil they might be viewed differently because they were reacting to society in some way and fulfilling some kind of purpose rather than doing nothing at all. By committing an evil act they would be rejecting the false conciousness of society which would be viewed as better by Marxists than staying passive as they are conditioned too by capitalist ideas.
Marxists believe it is the peoples duty to change the society they are in and to reject the norms and values that exist due to a capitalist society. The hollow men in the poem are passive and they don't bring any change or progression to their surroundings. They are described as shadows and they are simply 'behaving as the wind behaves' they are empty and unmoved. Because of this they are completely passive and seem to live without thought or purpose. If the hollow men were committing an act even if it was considered an evil one at least they would be doing something significant A Marxist critic would view the hollow men negatively as they have no impact on society as they don't challenge it in any way but if they committed an act of evil they might be viewed differently because they were reacting to society in some way and fulfilling some kind of purpose rather than doing nothing at all. By committing an evil act they would be rejecting the false conciousness of society which would be viewed as better by Marxists than staying passive as they are conditioned too by capitalist ideas.
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