Jesus_Christ

Othello: Characteristics: Strong: We can see that Othello is a strong-willed man because even when accused of "charming" Desdemona he is sure of his status with the Duke and willing to go with Brabatino to see the Duke. "Whither will you that I go to answer this charge'" (Act 1, scene 2, line 104). Othello's strength is also shown when he says "Keep up your bright sword..." (Act 1, scene 2, line 76) We can see the power that he has is astounding. Another example that shows Othello strong and controlling nature is when he takes control of the brawl between Cassio and Montano after Roderigo agitated Cassio. Othelllo says " My blood begins my safer guides to rule..." (Act 2, scene 3, line 219) When Othello realizes that he has been tricked by Iago, he cannot handle the agony of the knowledge that he killed out of jealousy rather than for justice. His strong character comes out again and he acts as his own judge, jury and sentences himself. He kills him self with a knif and then lies in the bed and dies with dignity. "I kiss thee ere I killed thee..." (Act 4, scene 2, line 420) Calm: We see that Othello is calm and level headed even when accused of stealing Desdemona, and Brabantio comes to kill him. Othello tells him to "Keep up your bright sword, for the dew will rust them..." (Act 1, scene 2, line 76) Othello shows his calm and solider ability of not showing stress when Iago tells him the Desdemona is cheating on him. He just tells Iago to go away, and when Iago is gone is the time that Othello starts contemplating his situation with Desdemona. (Act 3, scene 3) Trusting: Even though Othello is a solider that has been in many dangerous encounters his is still trusting of people, and trusts Iago. He think Iago is a honest man that he can trust to tell him the truth about Desdemona, but that is one of the mistakes Othello makes that leads to his jealousy. An example of Othello trusting Iago: " A man he is of honesty and trust..." (Act 1, scene 3, line 223) It takes Iago a while before Othello believes that Desdemona is cheating on him because he is trusting of Desdemona and does not believe that she would ever cheat on him. It isn't till Iago makes up more lies about Desdemona and uses the handkerchief to make Othello think that she is cheating on him. Gullible/ Naive: Even though Othello is a solider who is experienced in dealing with dangerous and corrupt people he is still naive because he was not born in the European culture so he does not completely understand European people espeically women. So that is why Othello believes everything Iago tells him. Othello does not really have any other choice but to believe Iago as well becuase the way that Iago tells him is very believalb, and Othello did not really know Desdemona before they got married. Loving: Even though he has not known Desdemona that long in the beginng of the play we can see that Othello is very loving toward her. When he arrives from the ship in Act 2, scene 1, line 199-209 he shows his love and passion for her by saying that if after every storm she was there then he would want the storms to be bad. He also says that he will never be more happy than that moment of seeing her. In the end we can see that Othello regrets killing Desdemona because he does truly love her, and was stupid to believe antoher man about something that he should have known. Othello saays "Then you must speak of one tha tloved not wisely but too well..." (Act 5,scene 2, line 403) Role: Although at the beginning of the scene one in Act 1 Othello is not in the scene he is the subject of Roderigo and Cassio's conversations and is immiediately a important character. They talk about him negatively and make him seem like a man that is not worthy of being a general. And when describing Othello to Brabatino they describe him as man who stole Desdemona, and only thinks about his sexual desires. Othello continutes to be the main character in the play and also very improatnt in Iago's plan. Iago tricks Othello into believing that Desdemona cheated on him with his Lieutenant, Micheal Cassio. By telling him lies, and constonatly making sure that Othello did not stop hearing about it. In the end Othello plays a big role because he falls victim to Iago's evil plan of destroying his life, and we see that he kills Desdemona and him self.  How Othello Changed: In the beginning of the play Othello is a strong, valiant general that everyone respects. His speech if very confident and smooth and this can be seen when he is describing how Desdemona and him fell in love. (Act 1, scene 3, line 91-111) However when Iago pressures him Othello's speech becomes short, confusing, and un-confident and his tone becomes more frantic. The calm, level headed man we get to know becomes a completely different person when we get further into the play his attitude changes even more and he becomes more easily agitated and moody. When Desdemona can present him the handkerchief Othello freaks out and starts yelling more, clearly showing he no longer has control over himself. Starting in Act 4 Othello is suffering so much he just helplessly agrees with everything Iago says. "Think so Iago'" (Act 4, scene 1) Desdemona: Characteristics: Caring/Kind: Desdemona vows to help Cassio after his brawl with Montano that ended with Cassio being fired from his position as lieutantent. We can clearly see that when she says " I give thee warrant of they place. Assure thee, If i do vow a friendship, I'll perform it..." (Act 3, scene 3, line 22). This shows that she cares for Cassio and wants to help him get his position back. In Act 4, scene 2 when Desdemona begs for Othello to tell her what is wrong " Upon my knee, what doth your speech import' I understand a fury in your words, but not the words." (Act 4, scene 2, line 38). And later asks him if he is mad because her father asked him to go back to Venice that she too would loss respect for Brabatino. This shows that she really cares for Othello's well-being and making sure that he is happy that she will do anything including shunning her father to make sure he is. Weak/Obident: When Othello hits her in front of Lovdovico Desdemona obidently listens to Othello and starts to go away. Desdemona does not fight back or even talk back to Othello clearly showing that she is very weak and does not have the will power to fight back. When Desdemona is called back "Mistress" (Act 4, scene 1, line 280) she obidently comes back. Desdemona shows her obdient or submissive character when she take responsibility for her own murder, and in response to Emilia's question to her "O, who hath done this deed'" Desdemona replies my saying " Nobody. I myself..." ( Act 5. scene 2, line 151). That is because even though Othello should be blamed for her murder she feels that she should to be blamed for it. Loyal: Desdemona is loyal to Othello despite the fact that he startes abusing her physically and verbally. Desdemona just thinks it is a result of the stress from the news coming Venice and Othello is just a little bit on edge. " Something, sure, of state, Either from Venice, or some unhatched practise..." (Act 3, scene 4, line 161) Desdemona also shows her loyal nature when she promises Cassio that she will do everything in her power including constantly bothering Othello in order to help him get his job back. Desdemoan does not go back on her word and continuely askes Othello to take the time to talk to Cassio. Which only makes Othello more suspicious of her and gives evidence to what Iago is telling him. Desdemona shows her loyality to Othello even though he is distant and very rude to her when she says that she too would lose respect for her father if he brought about Othello's moody attitude. " If haply you my father do suspect an instrument of this your calling back, lay not your blame on me. If you have lost him, why, i have lost him too. " (Act 4, scene 2, line 53) Naive: Desdemona is very young and inexperienced and the way other characters talk about her we can clearly see that Desdemmona is very naive. When Othello becomes increasingly violent and agiatated she does not suspect it maybe a result of her talking about Cassio a lot around Othello. Desdemona is most naive when it comes to marital relationships and we can clearly see that when she asks Emilia if it's possible that woman would ever cheat on her husband. And this shows us why Desdemona does not even have a clue that Othello suspects her of being unfaithful to him. (Act 4, scene 3, line 68-69) Role: In the beginning of the play we do not know much about Desdemona except for she is very beautiful, wanted and eloped with Othello. She helps Othello prove that their love is true when she describes how much she loves him in front of the Duke. Later in the play Cassio and Iago tallk about her beauty except she does not yet play a crucial role. However later in the play Iago uses her as a pawn in his plan to destroy Othello. Iago does this by maker Desdemona seem like she is cheating on Othello with Cassio. He uses her affection and loyality to Cassio to make Othello jealous. Iago also takes advantage of Desdemona's lack of knowledge about marital relationships, and fidelity. How has Desdemona Changed: In the beginning of the play Desdemona is a free, happy spirit and this is clearly seen when Desdemona begs the Duke of Venice to go with Othello to Cyprus instead of staying at home where there is not any action." Let me go with him." Desdemona says to the Duke (Act 1, scene 3, line 294). Throughout the play she is devoted and loyal to Othello even though he grows more jealous, rash and angry. She tries her best to help him by asking what she did wrong that made him so angry but she is too naive to understand that Othello believes that she is not being faithful to him. In the end Desdemona is so frighted and puzzled to waht she did wrong she just submits to Othello and ultimately in the end blames her self for her own murder but forgives Othello. Which shows even though her happy and free personality went away she was still the loving and caring person Othello married. Iago: Characteristics: Manipulative/Devious: Throughout the play we can see the Iago is very manipulative in Act 1 Iago manipulates Roderigo to keep on trying to win over Desdemon just so he can get more money from Roderigo. He also convices Roderigo to tell Brabantino of Othello and Desdemona's marriage. Iago knows how the manipulative people through his speech and make them curious about what he has to say. For example he makes Othello curious when Cassio is dashing away from Desdemona in Act 3, scene 3. Almost every character in the play is manipulated by Iago either to keep his two faces image up or to execute his plan to destroy Othello for example: .1. First Roderigo is used to create the fight between Cassio and Montano. 2.Then Cassio is used to make Othello think that he is having an affiar with Desdemona. 3. Emilia is used to get more information and get the handkerchief that makes Othello believe that Cassio is indeed having an affair Jealous: Iago is a very jealous man and we can see it from the begin of Act 1, scene one when he says "One Micheal Cassio, a Florentine, a fellow almost damned in a fair wife..." (Act 1, scene 1, line 21). In Act 1 Iago heard a rumour that Othello had slept with his wife and even though he only had a small suspection he uses that as a reason to destroy Othello's life. Iago later also says that he thinks that Cassio slept with wife and gives that as a reason to destroy Cassio as well. Throughout the play we can see the Iago is a very jealous man who creates unreasonable reasons to take revenge. Cruel: Iago is a mean and cruel man he does not respect women and only feels that they are good for only a few things like making babies and cleaning the house. Iago is constantly rude and mean to his wife who always obeys what he tells her and clearly does not deserve the treatment the Iago gives her. In Act 2 we see that Iago has a very sinister and mean view toward women when he says the little sayings about certain women. " She never yet was foolish that was fair, for even her folly helped her to an heir." (Act 2, scene 1, line 151) Role: Iago's main role throughout the play is the very sinister villian that is out to destroy Othello's life. Everyone consideres him honest and loyal even though in reality he is a manipulative, evil, scheming man. Initally one of the reasons he gives to destroy Othello is that he has a small suspiousion that Othello slept with his wife and even though he does not really believe it to be true he proceeds with his plan to destroy Othello anyway. This clearly show how evil and diabolical Iago is. How has Iago Changed: Iago's motives and personality does not change postively in the play, but as the play goes on we see that Iago is scheming more and having more diabolical asides. It is like he is getting more evil as the play goes on and his objective of destroying Othello is getting closer.