Othello, the Moor of Venice / William Shakespeare / Act IV Scene ii

“she says enough. Yet she’s a simple bawd that cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,” (Shakespeare IV.ii.20-21).  Othello finally asked someone else about his wife.  She claims most fervently that Desdemona is not having an affair.  There is more misogyny portrayed in Othello because he does not believe Emilia. Emilia is Desdemona servant and is with her most of the time so one would think if something was up she would know about it. Iago did not think about her testimony enough in his planning although it still does not help save Othello from his fears.  In the end of the scene Emilia and Desdemona talk.  They blame men for women’s unfaithfulness.  I would think that they together could figure out that something was up.  

Othello, the Moor of Venice / William Shakespeare / Act IV Scene i

“Now will I question Cassio of Bianca…He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain from the excess of laughter,” (Shakespeare IV.i.91-97).  Iago is at it again.  He uses Cassio’s own feelings against him.  How does Iago come to know so much about everybody?  Just because he is considered honest how many people would trust him?  Iago frames Cassio without even giving him a hint that he has done so.  Bianca ends up perfectly helping Iago as well without even realizing it.  Why does Othello trust Iago so much without making better queries of others who might have seen their betrayal?  Why does Othello not find it odd that Bianca has such and interest in Cassio.  Iago can twist so many people to get what he wants without implicating himself. 

Othello, the Moor of Venice / William Shakespeare / Act IV Scene i

“Now will I question Cassio of Bianca…He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain from the excess of laughter,” (Shakespeare IV.i.91-97).  Iago is at it again.  He uses Cassio’s own feelings against him.  How does Iago come to know so much about everybody?  Just because he is considered honest how many people would trust him?  Iago frames Cassio without even giving him a hint that he has done so.  Bianca ends up perfectly helping Iago as well without even realizing it.  Why does Othello trust Iago so much without making better queries of others who might have seen their betrayal?  Why does Othello not find it odd that Bianca has such and interest in Cassio.  Iago can twist so many people to get what he wants without implicating himself. 

Othello, the Moor of Venice / William Shakespeare / Act 3

“I do not like the office. But sith I am entered in this cause so far,” (Shakespeare III ii 411-412).  Iago is once again lying through his teeth. He says it pains him to tell Othello this but he is lies in what he says and in that he is pained by what he says. Iago would be an excellent poker player.  Iago tricks Cassio into asking Desdemona to help hi get his position back wile Iago is actually using this to frame him.  Desdemona wants to help Cassio and this as well falls into Iago’s plans.  Othello causes Desdemona to lose her handkerchief which is really iconic.  He claims it has caused him grief that she lost it but he actually is causing his own grief by believing lies. Cassio actually has a woman of his own which he give the handkerchief to which is really weird. How is Iago going to frame Cassio is he does not possess the handkerchief?

Othello, the Moor of Venice / William Shakespeare / Act 2

“To suckle fools and chronicle small beer,” (Shakespeare II i 159). Iago is once more a terrible person.  He thinks all women are untrustworthy and manipulative. He also thinks women should only stay in the house and have children.  Iago does not treat his wife very well either.  In this act there is lot more dramatic irony as Iago continually plots and schemes.  Iago tells one person something then tells another the exact opposite.  He convinces Roderigo to sabotage Cassio because it will win him Desdemona.  He portrayed Cassio as a drunkard right after saying he was his friend.  He then portrays loyalty to Cassio and Othello when he is actually planning both their downfalls.

Othello, the Moor of Venice / William Shakespeare / Roderigo

“Put money in thy purse,” (Shakespeare I iii325-247).  Roderigo is a fool.  He is too trusting of Iago.  Everyone is too trusting of Iago.  Othello is a trusted general and is very calm when accused of using magic to attract Desdemona.  Why does Desdemona have to separate so totally from her father?  The people are racist even when they try not to be. The Duck hold Othello in high regards and wants him to lead his troops into battle against the ottoman fleet. Why is a moor fighting the Turks?  In the end of the act Roderigo wants to kill himself but Iago talks him out of it.  Iago does so in what seems to be a normal way but his advice of what to do with the rest of his life seems to be very manipulative.

Othello, the Moor of Venice / William Shakespeare / Iago

“Nine or ten times I had thought to have yerked him here under the ribs,” (Shakespeare I ii 4-5). This is a start to the open evilness of Iago in the play.  Iago tells Brabantio that the moor has stolen his daughter but then runs to Othello and warns him of Brabantio’s coming.  It shows dramatic irony that the audience knows Iago is the cause for Brabantio’s chasing of Othello.  Roderigo is portrayed to be at the mercy of Iago because Iago holds his purse strings.  He is talked into in part to help startup Brabantio.  The country is raciest witch is why it seems so unlikely to Brabantio that his daughter would marry a moor.  Roderigo likes Brabantio’s daughter which is why he is so sad she is married.  That is also what motivates him to wake up Brabantio. So far all the characters seem to be against Othello.