Thursday, February 28, 2013
My mistress' failures
"My mistress' eyes" by William Shakespeare
Pointing out his mistress' imperfections, Shakespeare initially comes across as a jerk, but in reality, he aims to humanize his mistress. He places her feet firmly on the floor, "My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground," (Shakespeare, 885) and by pointing out her flaws and her less-than-perfect qualities, he makes her real. In this way he can appreciate her as a woman, not as a fantasy. Rather than being swept away in lust by her beauty and perfection, he proves that he knows better than to set her on this pedestal and is able to see her and love her for who she really is.
Baby Girl to Barbie
"Barbie Doll" by Marge PiercyUnattainable perfection defined by the Mattel company has been chased by generations of girls and women. But, to be the Barbie doll, Piercy points out, comes at a heavy price. For some, the quest for Barbie-like perfection ends in tragedy. Piercy concludes her tragic poem with an ironic toast "To every woman a happy ending," (Piercy, 836). She says we are fulfilled or "consummated" by looking pretty. The author also explores the influence that other people and society have on us. From the point of birth, the "girlchild" is inundated with the notion that she should play with dolls, kitchen tools, and makeup. Then, in the vulnerability of puberty, her faults are brought to the front of her mind and she is advised to be something she isn't. Yet, the effect these words drives her to the tragedy of early death. Piercy's purpose is straightforward: the price of perfection is not worth the price of your life.
A Jury of Her Peers
"A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan Glaspell
Guilt and innocence. Only one or the other. But sometimes, the verdict doesn't matter so much as the motives behind the action. Glaspell's story creates suspense by inching through pieces of Mrs. Foster's life in order to find the reasoning behind her guilt. A delicate canary with a wrangled neck points to her guilt and symbolically tells the story of how Minnie's husband broke her. The Fosters' home paints the picture of a lost life. Mrs. Hale, Minnie's peer in position, feels Minnie's presence as they sift through rooms touched by her personal life, feeling the stress worked into her kitchen, her sewing, and her furniture, and ultimately the canary that they would hide to save a woman they found justified in her actions. "Then Martha Hale's eyes pointed the way to the basket in which was hidden the thing that would make certain the conviction of the other woman - that woman who was not there and yet who had been there with them all through the hour," (Glaspell, 425). You can tell so much about someone by their house and the way they live. Minnie's presence through her home compelled the "jury of her peers" to claim her guilty, but justified.
Guilt and innocence. Only one or the other. But sometimes, the verdict doesn't matter so much as the motives behind the action. Glaspell's story creates suspense by inching through pieces of Mrs. Foster's life in order to find the reasoning behind her guilt. A delicate canary with a wrangled neck points to her guilt and symbolically tells the story of how Minnie's husband broke her. The Fosters' home paints the picture of a lost life. Mrs. Hale, Minnie's peer in position, feels Minnie's presence as they sift through rooms touched by her personal life, feeling the stress worked into her kitchen, her sewing, and her furniture, and ultimately the canary that they would hide to save a woman they found justified in her actions. "Then Martha Hale's eyes pointed the way to the basket in which was hidden the thing that would make certain the conviction of the other woman - that woman who was not there and yet who had been there with them all through the hour," (Glaspell, 425). You can tell so much about someone by their house and the way they live. Minnie's presence through her home compelled the "jury of her peers" to claim her guilty, but justified.
Hunters in the Snow
"Hunters in the Snow" by Tobias Wolff
"Now we're going to the hospital,(Wolff, 199)" promised Frank. But he lied. He and Tub weren't really taking their friend to the hospital because they didn't care enough to get him there. The main theme of the piece is each person's individual focus on their own problems that overshadows their care for those around them. While Kenny lies, bleeding out, in the back of the truck, Frank and Tub explore their personal struggles with overeating and a romantic scandal. The author purposely leaves the story unfinished (we do not know if Kenny reaches the hospital in time) to point to the greater meaning that the issues we face as humans are never fully resolved. The story is filled with symbolism such as Kenny's life-threatening accident that reveals that no matter the extremity of another person's situation, it is difficult for us to look past our minor issues to help another.
"Now we're going to the hospital,(Wolff, 199)" promised Frank. But he lied. He and Tub weren't really taking their friend to the hospital because they didn't care enough to get him there. The main theme of the piece is each person's individual focus on their own problems that overshadows their care for those around them. While Kenny lies, bleeding out, in the back of the truck, Frank and Tub explore their personal struggles with overeating and a romantic scandal. The author purposely leaves the story unfinished (we do not know if Kenny reaches the hospital in time) to point to the greater meaning that the issues we face as humans are never fully resolved. The story is filled with symbolism such as Kenny's life-threatening accident that reveals that no matter the extremity of another person's situation, it is difficult for us to look past our minor issues to help another.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The Best Laid Plans
Othello - William Shakespeare
"This is the night / That either makes me or fordoes me quite." (V.i.132-133) says Iago. Well, Emilia spilled the beans. As predicted, her innocence and honesty saved the play in the end by spoiling Iago's plans. Had she not been treated like trash the whole play, she may have held a stronger loyalty to her husband in the end. Instead, she claims that she hopes he rots in hell for the lies he told and the crimes that were committed as a result of them. The webs that Iago wove so eloquently around his lies crumble with a single telling of the truth and he must admit defeat, "Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.
"This is the night / That either makes me or fordoes me quite." (V.i.132-133) says Iago. Well, Emilia spilled the beans. As predicted, her innocence and honesty saved the play in the end by spoiling Iago's plans. Had she not been treated like trash the whole play, she may have held a stronger loyalty to her husband in the end. Instead, she claims that she hopes he rots in hell for the lies he told and the crimes that were committed as a result of them. The webs that Iago wove so eloquently around his lies crumble with a single telling of the truth and he must admit defeat, "Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.
From this time forth I never will speak word." (V.ii.316). Now, the two honest characters have lost their lives for the evil workings of a single other. Othello, overcome by the horror of the situation and the actions he has committed, takes his own life so that he doesn't have to live with what he has done.
Shakespeare at his uplifing best.
Tainted Love
Othello - William Shakespeare
"For, of my heart, those charms, thine eyes, are blotted. Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted." (Act V.i. 35). In the first part of the quote, Othello describes how he perceives that Desdemona's love has been tainted by her unfaithfulness. But in the second, we see love gone wrong as he swears to kill her on the very sheets where lust overtook her. He claims that she has to die or she'll continue down the path of cheating. Still, before killing her he asks her if she has prayed for forgiveness of all her sins, revealing that a part of him really does not want to kill her. He manages to draw it out for almost the entire scene then finally decides to pull the trigger and murder the woman he loves all for the sake of jealousy, the tainter of love.Pawns and Players
Othello - William Shakespeare
"If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life," (Act IV.ii.208-211). The villain Iago has a sweet way with words. Once again, Roderigo has fallen prey to Iago's evil plan and is a pawn in his hands. As Iago continues to move his pieces around the board, the women (Emilia, Bianca, and Desdemona) are also treated as pawns, but their discussions towards the end of Act IV hint that they may become players in the game in the last Act. I think that things are starting to slip out of Iago's control because eventually the people he is playing have to come together and confront one another. Up to this point, Iago has done a good job of making sure they all stay away from one another, but, in order for this to be a tragedy, something is going to fall apart, and I think that Iago's time as ringmaster is almost up.
"If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life," (Act IV.ii.208-211). The villain Iago has a sweet way with words. Once again, Roderigo has fallen prey to Iago's evil plan and is a pawn in his hands. As Iago continues to move his pieces around the board, the women (Emilia, Bianca, and Desdemona) are also treated as pawns, but their discussions towards the end of Act IV hint that they may become players in the game in the last Act. I think that things are starting to slip out of Iago's control because eventually the people he is playing have to come together and confront one another. Up to this point, Iago has done a good job of making sure they all stay away from one another, but, in order for this to be a tragedy, something is going to fall apart, and I think that Iago's time as ringmaster is almost up.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Appearances vs. Reality
Othello - William Shakespeare
At this point, each individual (besides the ringmaster Iago) has a different perception of reality. They all play into a reality predetermined for them by Iago. He has Othello asking his wife "Are not you a strumpet?" (Act IV.ii.84). Iago ensures that every situation that falls upon Othello's eyes appears exactly as he wishes it: to point to an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. In reality, there is no proof that suggests that this is going on, but Othello's reality has been so tainted by Iago's lies and innuendos that he believes it. Desdemona and Emilia are mostly in the dark, as Iago wishes it and their innocence is the only hope for reality to penetrate the minds of Othello and Cassio as the play progresses. Cassio is also definitively outside of "the know" and cannot understand why Othello carries added resentment for him.
At this point, each individual (besides the ringmaster Iago) has a different perception of reality. They all play into a reality predetermined for them by Iago. He has Othello asking his wife "Are not you a strumpet?" (Act IV.ii.84). Iago ensures that every situation that falls upon Othello's eyes appears exactly as he wishes it: to point to an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. In reality, there is no proof that suggests that this is going on, but Othello's reality has been so tainted by Iago's lies and innuendos that he believes it. Desdemona and Emilia are mostly in the dark, as Iago wishes it and their innocence is the only hope for reality to penetrate the minds of Othello and Cassio as the play progresses. Cassio is also definitively outside of "the know" and cannot understand why Othello carries added resentment for him.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Oh But For Love
Othello - William Shakespeare
The things we do for those we love. In the end of the third act, the duo of Emilia and Iago have gained a pawn in their game against Othello: Desdemona's hankerchief. Through their interaction, we see how he still belittles her and she backtalks him (as women weren't supposed to do back then). I don't view her as completely aware of the evil surrounding her husband as she claims that "What he will do with it Heaven knows, not I. I nothing know, but for his fantasy," (Act III. iii. 298-300). But, she seem to know exactly how to trick Desdemona by copying the pattern. Her momentary evil is quickly forgotten though, as the poison in Othello's mind causes the cheating issue to come to a head, Iago gets what he wants. Successfully, he destroys Othello's happy marriage and Cassio's reputation with one foul swoop and takes over the position of lieutenant, all the while claiming that he says and does the things he does out of a love for Othello.
Girl Power
Othello - William Shakespeare
A man's weakness meets a woman's power. As Cassio's life falls apart, he imparts Emilia to help him get Desdemona to help him. How interesting that even though the men in the play think so little of women in general, the moment they are actually in trouble, they turn to the women in their lives to pick up the pieces. "Give me the advantage of some brief discourse With Desdemona alone," (Act III. i. 50-51) Cassio begs Emilia. In the conversation between Desdemona and Cassio, I began to wonder about Desdemona's passionate dedication and advocacy for Cassio. She even says that she won't let her husband sleep because she will keep him up talking about Cassio. Iago later fills us in about Cassio and Desdemona's past and how this connection is manipulated by Iago to plant a seed of doubt in Othello's trusting mind about his wife's faithfulness.
A man's weakness meets a woman's power. As Cassio's life falls apart, he imparts Emilia to help him get Desdemona to help him. How interesting that even though the men in the play think so little of women in general, the moment they are actually in trouble, they turn to the women in their lives to pick up the pieces. "Give me the advantage of some brief discourse With Desdemona alone," (Act III. i. 50-51) Cassio begs Emilia. In the conversation between Desdemona and Cassio, I began to wonder about Desdemona's passionate dedication and advocacy for Cassio. She even says that she won't let her husband sleep because she will keep him up talking about Cassio. Iago later fills us in about Cassio and Desdemona's past and how this connection is manipulated by Iago to plant a seed of doubt in Othello's trusting mind about his wife's faithfulness.
Racism and Lust
Othello - William Shakespeare
Racism plays a role in the play to reveal setting/time period and how each hero has a flaw. While dark skin is not viewed as a flaw today, it carried negative connotations to the people of this period. Roderigo and Iago address him as an "old black ram" (I. i. 86), using terms for animals signifying that he is less than human, instinctfull, and lustfull, rather, incapable of loving Desdemona. Even in complimenting him, the Duke calls him "far more fair than black" (I. ii. 286-287). Othello has obviously overcome the societal challenges placed before him and risen sufficiently in the army. He recognizes this himself and it is revealed that Desdemona fell in love with him because of his autobiographical storytelling.
Racism plays a role in the play to reveal setting/time period and how each hero has a flaw. While dark skin is not viewed as a flaw today, it carried negative connotations to the people of this period. Roderigo and Iago address him as an "old black ram" (I. i. 86), using terms for animals signifying that he is less than human, instinctfull, and lustfull, rather, incapable of loving Desdemona. Even in complimenting him, the Duke calls him "far more fair than black" (I. ii. 286-287). Othello has obviously overcome the societal challenges placed before him and risen sufficiently in the army. He recognizes this himself and it is revealed that Desdemona fell in love with him because of his autobiographical storytelling.
The Black, The White, and The Ugly
Othello - by William Shakespeare
The Black - Othello, the valiant protagonist who seems to have it all. He plays an important role in establishing the characters of the other men in the play because of his leadership role over them. In some ways, every man is compared to Othello in his performance, military finesse, and ability to gain a desirable woman. Still, his good nature and purity is emphasized. When confronted about his marriage to Desdemona, Othello answers that "My parts, my title, and my perfect soul Shall manifest me rightly," (Act I. ii. 31-32).
The White - The symbol of purity and simultaneous desirableness to each man presented is Desdemona. Her character portrays the ideal woman to both Othello and Roderigo, but Othello has her, leading Roderigo to bend easily into Iago's manipulating hands.
The Ugly - Iago, a particularly persuasive and observant villain who plays on the desires and weaknesses of his fellow men. Iago is weaving his web by playing everyone's friend; saying what they want to hear, yet filling their ears with exactly what he wants them to hear.
The White - The symbol of purity and simultaneous desirableness to each man presented is Desdemona. Her character portrays the ideal woman to both Othello and Roderigo, but Othello has her, leading Roderigo to bend easily into Iago's manipulating hands.
The Ugly - Iago, a particularly persuasive and observant villain who plays on the desires and weaknesses of his fellow men. Iago is weaving his web by playing everyone's friend; saying what they want to hear, yet filling their ears with exactly what he wants them to hear.
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