Othello Act 4 and act 5

1.      ACT IV

     1. The conversation that Iago and Cassio had when Iago tricks Cassio into talking about Bianca and making the    conversation look like they were talking about Desdemona and even more so when Bianca came into the scene  with Othello’s handkerchief.

2.     2. The handkerchief seems to play a major role in this entire play. For one it ignites Othello’s rage towards Desdemona and Cassio and it seems to represent something like a signal flare.

3.      3. Othello wasn’t moved by Desdemona’s appeal because of his rage.

4.    5.   It shows that Emilia is more willing to cheat as oppose to Desdemona who seems to only be curious however would not do it.

5.    6. The scene when Iago is having the conversation with Cassio and Othello is listening nearby.

        ACT V

       1.       The conversation that Iago and Cassio had when Iago tricks Cassio into talking about Bianca and making the conversation look like they were talking about Desdemona and even more so when Bianca came into the scene with Othello’s handkerchief.

2.       4. In my personal opinion I believe Othello killed Desdemona because of the desire for revenge. Othello has low self esteem so when his eye candy wife is said to have betrayed him Othello can’t help but realize he won’t be able to get her back and the anger engulfs him and blinds his judgment.

          5. From the quote I believe he means that he didn’t choose the right people to love but he had the ability to love those people passionately.

      6. I believe so Othello’s speech restores him to his former glory simply because he didn’t ask for glory in the speech. Yes I agree with Cassio because Othello is still a caring person he was just deceived.

Othello my thoughts

                     At this point of the play I am intrigued by Iago’s intentions and his little scheme. I personally find this character interesting because of his ingenious methods to get what he wants. I know, I know, people think he’s evil and let’s face it he kinda is, but he’s still a genius. The way he’s able to play to people’s emotions and the way he reads how vulnerable a person can be is incredible. I commend him for his abilities. This play seems to point out the position women are in and how they were viewed during that time period. Obviously that view is terrible. Desdemona honestly having no say in the situation between her and Othello and all the crap Emilia has to deal with, it honestly shows women being the punching bag for men. (love it)

On Misunderstanding Oedipus

EE.r Dodds

On Misunderstanding Oedipus

                This article talks about Oedipus Rex not feeling like a tragedy. Later on in the article Dodds comments on Freud’s critique of the play and how Freud’s method of viewing the play as so philosophical was an incorrect method to view the tragedy . He talks about how Oedipus being man and every man is potentially Oedipus. What interests me about this article is Dodds accusation of man or rather Oedipus not viewing life as how Greeks would view their own lives, such as Odysseus. Dodds further goes on to impress me with his method of interpreting the play, viewing the play on a much broader scale hitting important ideas and compares Oedipus to the human intelligence.

an end to Oppsepus

1.  When Tiresias is called upon he reveals the kings guilt pretty vaguely. He uses riddles to kind of make Oedipus search for the answer and work for what he wants. I believe Sophocles intended for Oedipus to be ignorant of his flaws and to admit to it after a time of anguish.


3. I agree with the statement. If I were in the same situation I would probably take my sight as well but I wouldn’t feel at fault because I wasn’t the one who abandoned me to a sheep herder.


5.Jocasta is a character with her own developing character. A key speech or detail rather is her behavior between before the arrival of the messenger and soon after when she tries to stop Oedipus from finding the truth.


6.An example of dramatic irony in this play is the idea that Oedipus traveled far from his “parents” to avoid fulfilling his prophecy but because of his ignorance of his past he ends up fulfilling the prophecy anyway. This literary device provides the play a sense of humor.


7.  This method of reported death allows for the plot development and plot progression without spending time creating a scene and using props for recreating the scenes of violence.


8.  Oedipus blinds himself because his sight only brings him pain so he says whats the use of having eyes that bring nothing but pain. The brooches and pins were his mothers so it has some meaning to it, like his cleansing himself with his mother.


9.     I feel very sorry for him. I still like him as a character and I cant understand his situation obvious but it’s still a heavy burden to have.


11. The play seems to represent the gods as powerful and fair. Oedipus did ask for the curse so they granted that.


12.I think it ends happy because it ends with words of endearment for Oedipus.

The theme for this play is when your arrogance and ego controls your life it will ultimately lead to your demise.