Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Assignment #1: Character Analysis
Choose one of the characters that you have encountered in Act I of Othello and write a paragraph relaying your first impressions about that character. You can also respond to someone's first impression and either agree or disagree with it. When commenting, provide details for your reasoning.
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Othello
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Othello is that he is very noble. Even though he eloped with Brabantio's daughter, he did not try to hide from Brabantio when he went looking for him. He owned up to what was going on and faced him like a true man. He is a good guy. He is also very honorable. When he was told he had to go to war, he still went to respect his country and to show Barbantio that he is good for his daughter.
Apparently, Mackenzie agrees with the Duke's proverb about Othello that "If honor compensates for beauty's lack, your son-in-law is far more light than black."
DeleteI agree with you because like you said, Othello is not trying to hide anything. Othello did not charm Desdemona with drugs or potions. Instead, he charmed her with his stories and his love for her. He is willing to leave his woman behind to go to war for his country. If that is not noble, then I don't know what noble is!
ReplyDeleteEven though Desdemona hasn't been in the novel that much yet, my first impression of her was that she really loved Othello. The fact that she ran away with him and got married really shows her interest in him, and didnt care what other people thought about her. Brabantio is very disappointed in her and she understands, but her loyalty goes to her husband now.
ReplyDeleteThe character of Iago has conveyed interesting first impressions. There is dramatic irony in the fact that we know his malicious intentions, while many of the other characters do not, at least as of now. Iago's character seems to be very mysterious and plotting, as it is hard to tell what exactly he is scheming. We really do not know much on what motivates Iago to hate Othello as much as he does, except that he has no respect for his leadership due to lack of experience.
ReplyDeleteIago also hates Othello because it is rumored that Othello slept with his wife, Amelia. It is mentioned in the soliloquy we analyzed in class.
DeleteThanks Maria!
DeleteOne character that left an impression on me Rodrigo, because he is like Othello being very trusting. Rodrigo was also very generous with Iago and is being total taken advantage of. He does not seem to deserve being used the way he is in my opinion because he is just trying to get Desdemona to like him, but all his attempts have failed and yet he keeps trying. So I think that Rodrigo deserves better than what he's got.
ReplyDeleteI agree with. Even though Rodrigo is trying to find ways to get Desdemona to like him, Iago is using him and in a way manipulating him for his own personal uses. Rodrigo deserves better but sometimes when people are desperate to get something they want, they will take anything that is presented to them. This might be a foreshadow for future problems to occur since Rodrigo might end up following what Iago tells him.
DeleteOne character that made an impression was Iago, because his hate for Othello has empowered him to trick both Rodrigo and Othello of his true intentions. Iago is so evil and twisted that he is able to wear two faces to hide who he is and what he wants. He uses Rodrigo, a man he wouldn't normally talk to, for his money and pretends to be Othello's friend to hide his true intentions towards him.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of the Duke is that he is very simple, level headed, and wise. He shows concern while preaching proverbs to the people in attempts to comfort and teach them. He aims to maintain order and peace while trying to solve issues on all levels, country, state, and personal.
ReplyDeleteDesdemona
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Desdemona is that she is a very respectable young woman. She followed her heart, which was a very difficult thing to do in the given situation. She defied social expectations in order to be with Othello, and even made the decision to follow him to war. The fact that she is unwavering in her decision to be with her husband shows that her love is pure.
My first impression of Iago is that he is evil and has the potential to be manipulative. Although the characters in the play do not know that Iago is full of bad intensions and does not like many of the characters, the readers are aware of his true thoughts and feelings towards the characters. The readers know his true inner thoughts because of his soliloquy. I believe that Iago is going to be behind a majority of the conflicts that occur throughout the play.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Iago is that he is extremely selfish and evil. He only seems to care about himself. He is taking advantage of Roderigo and is trying to play the good guy on both Brabantio and Othello's side. This just shows that he is two faced and will do what it takes to get his way
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Iago was that he is an evil man and wants to take advantage of people he knows is weak and gullible. Iago likes to take advantage of Roderigo especially because Iago pretends to help him with a plan to win Desdemona back and to spend money on her. Iago is planning to keep all the presents to himself; he is very selfish and self-centered. Iago is also pretending to be Othello best friend but secretly hates him because Othello gave Cassio a higher ranking than him.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Othello is hes an all and all cool guy and not the type to spark fires and start things. He's honest and Nobel, that's how he's earned his high rank. Iago on the other hand is the complete opposite.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Iago is that he, most defiantly, will be causing a lot of problems in the future. He was able to convince Roderigo to use all of his money to buy Desdemona gifts. That showed that Iago could probably convince other people to do things that they otherwise would probably not do. It also showed that he has power and will use that to his advantage. Iago is smart about how he uses his power, so far. He definitely follows the saying, “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Iago is that he is an evil person who only cares about himself. He continues to serve Othello in order to serve his own purposes. Iago says "I follow him to serve my turn upon him.", clearly Iago is two faced and using Othello for all the wrong reasons. Its sad that some characters do not know Iago's true character.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Iago is that he's a very cunning, ambitious man. He's very intelligent and uses that to his advantage while stepping on other people to get what he wants. He's also very manipulative and good with words - so much that even though Roderigo knows his dark intents with Othello, he doesn't see Iago is also using Roderigo himself for his own benefits, even though they are supposed to be "friends."
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ReplyDeleteAlthough he only played a minor role in the Act 1, one character that left an impression on me was the Duke of Venice. Normally, when we see people of high or supremme power at times like when this setting is, they are tyrants who are power hungry and show no mercy. I was greatly surprised to see how intelligent this Duke was and how patient, compassionate, and understanding he was with Othello. Normally a man like him would be given no time to explain. Also, i was impressed on how he heavily relied on his Senators and other noble men, and took their opinions into consideration with much respect. He seems like a smart and fair leader, a true leader.
ReplyDeleteThe character that stood out to me the most while reading Othello was Iago. Iago reminded me of a lot of characters you see in movies. Iago is a very sneaky character, you think he is your friend one minute, but he could be plotting against you the next. I don't understand how not one character realizes what kind of a person Iago is. Iago is only in it for himself and all he wants to fo is start trouble.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning act, Othello is viewed as brave and courageous. He stood up to Barbantio and fought for his love. This shows that he his very loyal and willing to fight for what he believes in.
ReplyDeletedesdemona
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful and young , she is also her fathers pride and joy. But she also sticks up for herself. Desdemona does not agree to marry any of the rich men / or anyone expects her to marry. Instead she goes against her father and falls in love with othello
Othello
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Othello is that he is an honest and honorable man. He faces many problems due to the fact that he is of African descent, but he does not let that affect him and he speaks nothing but the truth and ultimately just wants to live out his life without any problems. He has earned his rank in the military and deserves mutual respect from everyone. I predict that him and Iago will bump heads in the future due to their major differences in personalities.
Iago
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Iago was he wasnt trust worthy at all. He only thinks about himself which shows hes comoletely selfish and arrogant. I feel he's going to be one of those characters that will cause alot of trouble in the play, but will get a taste of his own medicine in the end.
Brabantio
ReplyDeleteIn the opening act, Brabantio came off as a very stern and strict man. He did not tolerate when his daughter, Desdemona, ran off to elope with Othello. Othello, an old man of color, was not a substantial suitor to Desdemona in the eyes of Brabantio. After Desdemona and Othello were found and questioned, Brabantio had felt betrayed by his daughter. He would not let her come home after her antics. Forcing Desdemona to travel with Othello. Later, Brabantio hints to Othello that Desdemona has betrayed him and that she might do the same to Othello. This could possibly be foreshadowing future events in the play.
Iago because he shows an evil side to himself. He is two faced because he may act like a friend when he is really plotting to hurt you. As the play goes on I believe that Iago will become even more evil.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Iago was that he was a very evil, manipulative, twisted, and selfish man. He seems to take advantage of people and exploit their weaknesses while only caring about himself. Iago is currently taking advantage of Rodrigo's love for Desdemona and using that to his advantage. Iago is also playing Barbantio and Othello all at the same time. Iago certainly appears to be completely evil.
ReplyDeleteAlthough he only played a minor role in the Act 1, one character that left an impression on me was the Duke of Venice. Normally, when we see people of high or supremme power at times like when this setting is, they are tyrants who are power hungry and show no mercy. I was greatly surprised to see how intelligent this Duke was and how patient, compassionate, and understanding he was with Othello. Normally a man like him would be given no time to explain. Also, i was impressed on how he heavily relied on his Senators and other noble men, and took their opinions into consideration with much respect. He seems like a smart and fair leader, a true leader.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Desdemona was that she is a very respectful woman. She went after Othello because she fell in love with his charm and love for her. She didn't go after a guy for his looks and wealth, she followed her heart and didn't care what anybody else thought. She went against Brabantio's wishes and now her loyalty must go towards her husband, Othello. We can see that her love is real because she is willing to follow him to war.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Iago was that he was hurt by people who are close to him, but he chooses to allow his jealousy and anger control his better judgement. Iago chooses to take his anger out on Othello and Cassio, instead of clarifying what really happened. He acts two faced when he secretly creates a plan to seek revenge on Othello and Cassio, but puts a façade on when he pretends to care for Cassio and Othello.
ReplyDeletemy first impression of iago is he is verry smart and sly. he very cunnning and evil. he is very and angry and jealous and that contributs to him being trwo faced and wanting to take down mutiple people.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Desdemona is that she is very naive. She is charmed so easily by Othello and believes she is in love. She is also charmed by the fact that being with Othello is considered taboo and she is turned on by that. It will be interesting to see how she develops throughout the rest of the play.
ReplyDelete