Desdemona- First in Act I, her father Brabantio refuses to believe she could love Othello without Othello using witchcraft. Desdemona is often viewed as a very innocent, and at times a deceptive and lascivious character.
Othello- There are three main versions of Othello: self-obsessed Othello, lover Othello and warrior Othello. In Act 1, he is portrayed as the leader of Cyprus who is deeply in love with Desdemona. It is apparent in this Act that he is an outside- from some 'racial' (not racist) comments from other characters.
Iago- Iago is Othello's ensign; more like his sidekick. Othello considers Iago to be a very trustworthy friend to him. In Act 1, Iago is jealous because Cassio is lieutenant and not him. Iago is able to manipulate people into falling for the traps he sets without them being aware. Iago is very deceptive; "I am not what I am," everything which Iago presents himself as is a false show.
The reader is positioned to view Iago as the villain of the play as he strives to deceive the myriad of characters in his path of revenge against Othello. The most famous quote that portrays Iago as a deceiver is when he states, "I am not what I am" (I,68,66). It should be noted also that the audience is positioned to view Iago's motives with sympathy in the first scene of act 1. This is because the audience is hearing only the opinion of Iago regarding Othello. Thus, they identify Othello who has done Iago some wrong and perhaps that he should be punished.
Desdemona- In act 1 Desdemona is portrayed as an innocent, graceful young lady. Desdemona's father describes her as a, "Maiden never bold;with spirit so still and quite that her motion blushed at herself" (I,82, 94-96). This quotation exemplifies the sweet disposition in which Desdemona's character has taken on in the mind of the reader. However the audience is positioned to see her as deceitful as she hides her affair and marriage to Othello from her father-i which she had always been loyal and obedient. The character of Brabantio foregrounds this portrayal when he tells Othello, "She has deceived her father and may thee." (I,90,288)
Othello The reader is positioned to view Othello as a worrier due to his actions, speech and description of those around him. In act one Othello states, "The tyrant custom...hath made the flinty and steel couch of war my thrice-driven bed of down" (I, 87, 226-228). On the other hand, Othello is depicted as a soft-hearted man in the presence of love. In act 1 Othello seems to risk his himself many a time to uphold his love towards Desdemona, "...I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition put into circumspection and confine for the sea's worth" (I, 75, 25-28).
Desdemona-
ReplyDeleteFirst in Act I, her father Brabantio refuses to believe she could love Othello without Othello using witchcraft. Desdemona is often viewed as a very innocent, and at times a deceptive and lascivious character.
Othello-
There are three main versions of Othello: self-obsessed Othello, lover Othello and warrior Othello. In Act 1, he is portrayed as the leader of Cyprus who is deeply in love with Desdemona. It is apparent in this Act that he is an outside- from some 'racial' (not racist) comments from other characters.
Iago-
Iago is Othello's ensign; more like his sidekick. Othello considers Iago to be a very trustworthy friend to him. In Act 1, Iago is jealous because Cassio is lieutenant and not him. Iago is able to manipulate people into falling for the traps he sets without them being aware. Iago is very deceptive; "I am not what I am," everything which Iago presents himself as is a false show.
The reader is positioned to view Iago as the villain of the play as he strives to deceive the myriad of characters in his path of revenge against Othello. The most famous quote that portrays Iago as a deceiver is when he states, "I am not what I am" (I,68,66). It should be noted also that the audience is positioned to view Iago's motives with sympathy in the first scene of act 1. This is because the audience is hearing only the opinion of Iago regarding Othello. Thus, they identify Othello who has done Iago some wrong and perhaps that he should be punished.
ReplyDeleteDesdemona- In act 1 Desdemona is portrayed as an innocent, graceful young lady. Desdemona's father describes her as a, "Maiden never bold;with spirit so still and quite that her motion blushed at herself" (I,82, 94-96). This quotation exemplifies the sweet disposition in which Desdemona's character has taken on in the mind of the reader. However the audience is positioned to see her as deceitful as she hides her affair and marriage to Othello from her father-i which she had always been loyal and obedient. The character of Brabantio foregrounds this portrayal when he tells Othello, "She has deceived her father and may thee." (I,90,288)
Othello
The reader is positioned to view Othello as a worrier due to his actions, speech and description of those around him. In act one Othello states, "The tyrant custom...hath made the flinty and steel couch of war my thrice-driven bed of down" (I, 87, 226-228). On the other hand, Othello is depicted as a soft-hearted man in the presence of love. In act 1 Othello seems to risk his himself many a time to uphold his love towards Desdemona, "...I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition put into circumspection and confine for the sea's worth" (I, 75, 25-28).