In Act 1 Scene 1 of Twelfth Night the duke of Illyria proclaims his love for music saying that it makes him feel even more in love: "If music be the food of love, play on, give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, the appetite may sicken, and so die." (I.i.1-3). He says that he loves a woman named Olivia: "O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first, methought she purged the air of pestilence. That instant was I turned into a hart, and my desires, like fell and cruel hounds, e'er since pursue me." (I.i.20-24). Valentine tells him that Olivia is not seeking love out of respect for her dead brother: "The element itself, till seven years' heat, shall not behold her face at ample view; but like a cloistress she will veiled walk, and water once a day her chamber round with eye-offending brine: all this to season a brother's dead love, which she would keep fresh and lasting in her sad remembrance." (I.i.27-33). This doesn't seem to affect Orsino too much as he continues to babble on about "how will she love when the rich golden shaft hath killed the flock of all affections else that live in her." (I.i.36-38). It seems to me that Orsino is so desperately in love with Olivia that he will do anything to be with her, which is a little scary. It also seems like he has never even met Olivia and just views her from a distance, which makes the situation even more creepy.
In Act 1 Scene 2 Viola arrives to Illyria on a ship. Apparently her brother died but she hopes that maybe he is still alive: "My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance he is not drowned." (I.ii.4-5). Viola and the captain discuss the duke and Olivia and Viola decides she wants to work for the duke: "Conceal me what I am, and be my aid for such disguise as haply shall become the form of my intent. I'll serve this duke." (I.ii.53-55). I'm not completely sure why Viola has to disguise herself as a man, but I guess that's why this is considered a comedy.
In Act 1 Scene 3 Sir Toby and Maria talk about Toby's bad drinking habits. Maria advises him to stop drinking so much: "Your cousin, my lady, takes great exceptions to your late hours." (I.iii.5-6). Toby doesn't think he has a drinking problem and doesn't want to change his ways: "Confine? I'll confine myself no finer than I am. These clothes are good enough to drink in, and so be these boots too. And they be not, let them hang themselves in their own straps." (I.iii.10-13). Sir Andrew enters and is intoduced to Maria. He tries to woo her , but ends up failing: "Ay, sir, I have them at my finger's ends. Marry, now I let go your hand, I am barren." (I.iii.77-78). Toby and Andrew talk about Olivia and Andrew thinks he should go home because he has no chance with her: "Faith, I'll home tomorrow, Sir Toby. Your niece will not be seen; or if she be, it's four to one she'll none of me." (I.iii.102-104). Toby reassures him that there is still hope: "She'll none o' th' Count. She'll not match above her degree, neither in estate, years, nor wit; I have heard her swear't. Tut, there's life in't, man." (I.iii.106-108). After reading this scene I think that Toby is a drunk, Maria is bitter and is sick of men and Andrew is just plain stupid.
In Act 1 Scene 4 Viola enters in her disguise, dressed like a man named Cesario. The duke asks Viola to talk to Olivia and tell her how much he loves her: "O, then unfold the passion of my love; surprise her with discourse of my dear faith; it shall become thee well to act my woes." (I.iv.24-26). Viola has a problem with this because she herself is in love with the duke: "Yet a barful strife! Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife." (I.iv.41-42). It's odd to me that Viola has already fallen in love with the duke when she has just met him. He hasn't even showed any affection for her whatsoever. He thinks she's a man!
In Act 1 Scene 5 Viola speaks with Olivia. She tells Olivia that the duke loves her: "With adorations, with fertile tears, with groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire." (I.v.256-257). Olivia says that she does not love him: "Your lord does know my mind; I cannot love him." (I.v.258). After talking to Viola/Cesario, Olivia feels like she has fallen in love with Cesario: "Even so quickly may one catch the plague? Methinks I feel this youth's perfections with an invisible and subtle stealth to creep in at mine eyes." (I.v.296-299). I think it's a little strange that Olivia has fallen in love with Cesario, especially since Cesario is actually a woman. I knew this would happen right when the duke arranged for Cesario to speak with Olivia. This play has been pretty interesting and strange so far and I think it will get even more strange as it progresses.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Othello Act 3 Scenes 3 and 4, Act 4 Scenes 1, 2 and 3, and Act 5 Scenes 1 and 2
In Act 3 Scene 3 Desdemona wants to give Cassio another chance and reassures him that Othello won't be angry with him: "Do not doubt, Cassio, but I will have my lord and you again as friendly as you were." (III.iii.4-7). Othello and Iago enter and Cassio leaves because he is uncomfortable: "I am very ill at ease, unfit for mine own purposes." (III.iii.32-33). Desdemona tells Othello that Cassio feels bad about what happened and Othello should talk to him: "I' sooth so humbled that he hath left part of his grief with me to suffer with him. Good love, call him back." (III.iii. 52-54). Iago and Othello are then left alone and Iago starts to ask questions about Cassio. Othello becomes suspicious: "Nay, yet there's more in this? I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings, as thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts the worst of words." (III.iii. 130-134). Iago tells Othello to watch Desdemona: "Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio." (III.iii.197). Othello begins to think that Desdemona is cheating on him: "She's gone. I am abused, and my relief must be to loathe her." (III.iii.266-267). Othello and Desdemona leave for dinner and Desdemona drops her special handkerchief. Emilia gives it to Iago who plans on using it to frame Desdemona: "I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin and let him find it." (III.iii.318-319). Iago tells Othello that he saw Cassio with Desdemona's napkin and Othello wants Cassio dead: "Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio's not alive." (III.iii.469-470).
In Act 3 Scene 4 Desdemona and Othello meet up. Othello asks Desdemona for her napkin but she obviously does not have it. He keeps bugging her about where it is and she keeps avoiding the question. She even changes the subject at one point: "Why, so I can; but I will not now. This is a trick to put me from my suit: pray you let Cassio be received again." (III.iv.87-89). Othello gets angry and leaves. Everyone wonders why Othello is angry so Iago goes to talk to him. Meanwhile, Bianca enters and Cassio asks her to make a copy of Desdemona's napkin: "I know not neither, I found it in my chamber. I like the work well. Ere it be demanded, as like enough it will, I would have it copied." (III.iv.187-189).
In Act 4 Scene 1 Iago and Othello have a conversation about Desdemona and Cassio. Iago tells Othello that Desdemona and Cassio were in bed together: "With her, on her; what you will." (IV.i.35). Cassio arrives and Othello hides while Cassio and Iago talk about Bianca. Cassio claims he doesn't love her and Bianca angrily storms in with Desdemona's handkerchief. With this, Othello is certain she is cheating on him. Othello plans to kill Desdemona: "Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated." (IV.i.209-210). Iago offers to kill Cassio: "And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker." (IV.i.213). Lodovico and Desdemona enter. Othello shows his anger towards Desdemona and hits her. Lodovico is astonished by this.
In Act 4 Scene 2 Othello and Emilia discuss Desdemona. Emilia says that Desdemona is a good person and whoever says otherwise is evil: "If any wretch have put this in your head, let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse, for if she be not honest, chaste, and true, there's no man happy." (IV.ii.15-18). This is ironic because it was her own hsband who said this about Desdemona. Desdemona and Othello speak of Desdemona's infidelity and she has no idea of what he is accusing her of: "By heaven, you do me wrong!" (IV.ii.80). Iago comes in, acting like he has no idea what is going on and why Othello said what he said: :Beshrew him for 't! How comes this trick upon him?" (IV.ii.128-129). Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio in exchange for Desdemona.
Nothing much happens in Act 4 Scene 3, but in Act 5 Scene 1 Roderigo attempts to kill Cassio. Roderigo is killed by Iago and Cassio is wounded.
In Act 5 Scene 2 Othello smothers Desdemona and he admits it: "She's like a liar gone to burning hell. 'Twas I that killed her." (V.ii.128-129). Iago kills Emilia after she tells Othello the truth about the handkerchief. Othello chases down Iago and stabs him and later stabs himself. Before he dies, Othello kisses Desdemona, knowing he falsely accused her.
After reading this entire play, I definitely blame Iago, but everyone had the chance to ignore him and move on with their lives. If Othello didn't listen to the rumors that Iago told him, he wouldn't have killed his wife and ultimately himself. Even if the rumors were true, he could have calmly discussed the matter with his wife. He should believe his wife anyway instead of some random guy. Isn't marriage based on trust? In the end,Othello's jealousy overcame him and he handled things in the worst way possible.
In Act 3 Scene 4 Desdemona and Othello meet up. Othello asks Desdemona for her napkin but she obviously does not have it. He keeps bugging her about where it is and she keeps avoiding the question. She even changes the subject at one point: "Why, so I can; but I will not now. This is a trick to put me from my suit: pray you let Cassio be received again." (III.iv.87-89). Othello gets angry and leaves. Everyone wonders why Othello is angry so Iago goes to talk to him. Meanwhile, Bianca enters and Cassio asks her to make a copy of Desdemona's napkin: "I know not neither, I found it in my chamber. I like the work well. Ere it be demanded, as like enough it will, I would have it copied." (III.iv.187-189).
In Act 4 Scene 1 Iago and Othello have a conversation about Desdemona and Cassio. Iago tells Othello that Desdemona and Cassio were in bed together: "With her, on her; what you will." (IV.i.35). Cassio arrives and Othello hides while Cassio and Iago talk about Bianca. Cassio claims he doesn't love her and Bianca angrily storms in with Desdemona's handkerchief. With this, Othello is certain she is cheating on him. Othello plans to kill Desdemona: "Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated." (IV.i.209-210). Iago offers to kill Cassio: "And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker." (IV.i.213). Lodovico and Desdemona enter. Othello shows his anger towards Desdemona and hits her. Lodovico is astonished by this.
In Act 4 Scene 2 Othello and Emilia discuss Desdemona. Emilia says that Desdemona is a good person and whoever says otherwise is evil: "If any wretch have put this in your head, let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse, for if she be not honest, chaste, and true, there's no man happy." (IV.ii.15-18). This is ironic because it was her own hsband who said this about Desdemona. Desdemona and Othello speak of Desdemona's infidelity and she has no idea of what he is accusing her of: "By heaven, you do me wrong!" (IV.ii.80). Iago comes in, acting like he has no idea what is going on and why Othello said what he said: :Beshrew him for 't! How comes this trick upon him?" (IV.ii.128-129). Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio in exchange for Desdemona.
Nothing much happens in Act 4 Scene 3, but in Act 5 Scene 1 Roderigo attempts to kill Cassio. Roderigo is killed by Iago and Cassio is wounded.
In Act 5 Scene 2 Othello smothers Desdemona and he admits it: "She's like a liar gone to burning hell. 'Twas I that killed her." (V.ii.128-129). Iago kills Emilia after she tells Othello the truth about the handkerchief. Othello chases down Iago and stabs him and later stabs himself. Before he dies, Othello kisses Desdemona, knowing he falsely accused her.
After reading this entire play, I definitely blame Iago, but everyone had the chance to ignore him and move on with their lives. If Othello didn't listen to the rumors that Iago told him, he wouldn't have killed his wife and ultimately himself. Even if the rumors were true, he could have calmly discussed the matter with his wife. He should believe his wife anyway instead of some random guy. Isn't marriage based on trust? In the end,Othello's jealousy overcame him and he handled things in the worst way possible.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Othello Act 2 Scene 3 and Act 3 Scenes 1 and 2
In Act 2 Scene 3, Othello and Desdemona's wedding celebration is going on. Cassio is on guard and Iago joins him. Iago convinces Cassio that it is too early to be guarding: "Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' th' clock." (II.iii.13-14). They start to talk about Desdemona and Iago thinks that she is a flirt and is capable of cheating on her husband: "What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation." (II.iii.21-22), and "And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?" (II.iii.24-25). Cassio is convinced that she is attractive yet modest: "An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest." (II.iii.23). Iago then encourages Cassio to have a few drinks to celebrate Othello: "Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello." (II.iii.27-30). At first Cassio resists and says he shouldn't drink: "Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking; I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment." (II.iii.31-34). Iago finally convinces Cassio to have a drink and he gets drunk: "Why, very well then. You must not think then that I am drunk." (II.iii.115-116). Cassio chases Roderigo threatening to hurt him: "A knave teach me my duty? I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle." (II.iii.144-145). Montano steps in: "Nay good lieutenant! I pray you, sir, hold your hand." (II.iii.148-149). Cassio threatens to hit Montano if he interferes: "Let me go, sir, or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard." (II.iii.150-151), and they get into a fight. A bell is rung and Othello enters. Montano is bleeding and Othello demands to know what happened. Cassio is so drunk he can't even remember what happened: "I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore." (II.iii.287-288).
It is clear to me now that Iago is nothing but trouble and is doing a good job of making everyone's lives miserable. He was the one who convinced Cassio to drink even though Cassio made it clear that he gets drunk easily. I think it's all part of Iago's scheme to separate Othello and Desdemona.
In Act 3 Scene 1 Cassio has musicians play for Othello to ask for his forgiveness: "Masters, play here. I will content your pains. Something that's brief; and bid "Good morrow, general." (III.i.1-3). A clown enters and tells the band to go away: "But, masters, here's money for you; and the general so likes your music that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it." (III.i.11-13). Cassio tells the clown that he wants to speak to Desdemona. Emilia enters and tells Cassio that Desdemona and Othello are discussing the matter: "The general and his wife are talking of it, and she speaks for you stoutly. The Moor replies that he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus and great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom he might not but refuse you. But he protests he loves you, and needs no other suitor but his likings to bring you in again." (III.i.42-47).
Desdemona supports Cassio, but Othello thinks that no one will take Cassio's side because the odds weren't in his favor considering the situation.Othello is willing to hear what Cassio has to say about it. I think Othello is being realistic. He trusts Cassio and supports him, but he knows the citizens won't take his side because they only know one side of the story.
In Act 3 Scene 2 Othello gives Iago some letters to deliver and looks at the fortification. I still have suspicions about Iago, but I guess I'll have to keep reading to find out his true motive.
It is clear to me now that Iago is nothing but trouble and is doing a good job of making everyone's lives miserable. He was the one who convinced Cassio to drink even though Cassio made it clear that he gets drunk easily. I think it's all part of Iago's scheme to separate Othello and Desdemona.
In Act 3 Scene 1 Cassio has musicians play for Othello to ask for his forgiveness: "Masters, play here. I will content your pains. Something that's brief; and bid "Good morrow, general." (III.i.1-3). A clown enters and tells the band to go away: "But, masters, here's money for you; and the general so likes your music that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it." (III.i.11-13). Cassio tells the clown that he wants to speak to Desdemona. Emilia enters and tells Cassio that Desdemona and Othello are discussing the matter: "The general and his wife are talking of it, and she speaks for you stoutly. The Moor replies that he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus and great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom he might not but refuse you. But he protests he loves you, and needs no other suitor but his likings to bring you in again." (III.i.42-47).
Desdemona supports Cassio, but Othello thinks that no one will take Cassio's side because the odds weren't in his favor considering the situation.Othello is willing to hear what Cassio has to say about it. I think Othello is being realistic. He trusts Cassio and supports him, but he knows the citizens won't take his side because they only know one side of the story.
In Act 3 Scene 2 Othello gives Iago some letters to deliver and looks at the fortification. I still have suspicions about Iago, but I guess I'll have to keep reading to find out his true motive.
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