Quarter Two Reflection

As quarter two comes to a close, my list of books read has grown by two. I have read two more plays Tartuffe and Othello. At first sight Othello looked like it would not be enjoyable to read because it was written in Shakespearian language. I soon discovered that I was wrong and that I could interpret Shakespeare’s writings, which has encourage me to read more of his works. The readings both involve a central character with alternative motives. These two characters are evil but concealed their true natures until they obtained what they wanted. I really enjoyed the readings as Molière used a lighter tone in writing about the hypocrite Tartuffe and Shakespeare used a heavier tone in writing the villainous Iago. As I read these plays I gained the knowledge of analyzing characters. I studied what makes that character noticeable by identifying their flaws. I still falter with annotation and analyzing the meaning behind the text. As next quarter approaches, I look forward to expanding my list even further with books that at first look menacing, but in reality aren’t.

“I’ve stepped my game up,” is a saying I would use to describe my writings this quarter. I am slowly breaking down the walls that have stopped me from advancing to the next level in my writing. Most surprisingly I improved in the area of analysis. First quarter made the analysis process a daunting task, but it is now longer intimidating and comes unexpectedly quick. For this reason my papers have reached a new level as my intellect becomes more present in my writing. There are still some unyielding walls that stand in my way of progressing, but I am not scared to tackle those. These walls pertain to my weaknesses in the areas of timed-writes and motivation. I want to learn how to use my process for writing the quarter papers in a productive way for my time-writes. I still have not found the motivation needed to produce a great writing and this is mostly a result from my laziness and tendency to procrastinate. My writing goal for next quarter is still the same as it was first quarter. I want to make Ms. Ahearn say "Wow" when she reads one of my works. I want her to be surprised and in shock at what I wrote. This is why I strongly look forward to the rigorous third quarter and its many readings.

The promises that third quarter will bring look surprisingly appetizing. I only hope to expand my literature knowledge more before I take the big leap to college. This class continues to prove its usefulness as the year goes on because I know that I am getting the best preparation for succeeding at a university. I write better papers with the steps Ms. Ahearn makes us take when preparing to write a paper and learn more tips for dissecting a reading. Senioritis has taken full affect, but I am not going to let this stop me from reaching my full potential in this class.

Characterization Paper

Literature’s Notorious Villain

“I hate the Moor!” is often repeated by Iago, the villain. He is a primary character who plans revenge on the “Moor”, Othello. Shakespeare wrote these two characters as a foil in his tragic play, Othello. Iago is easily identified as the villain who surprises the reader with his intelligence and talents. Shakespeare uses characterization in the play Othello to expose the nature of an ultimate villain in Iago.

Iago’s reasoning for his actions reveals his flaws. Early in Act one, Iago angrily recalls when Othello announced, “I have already chose my officer”, revealing his choice for the lieutenant position as Cassio. Iago’s flaw of jealousy is revealed as he mocks Othello and insults Cassio claiming, “And what was he? / Forsooth, a great arithmetician, one Michael Cassio.” He feels more experienced in war than Cassio, who is only skilled in numbers and knows about battles from books. Iago should have taken the rejection in stride and worked harder to get the position, however he chose to seek vengeance. By the end of Act two Iago changes why he sought revenge, stating to Roderigo, “I hate the Moor, and it is thought aboard that ′twixt my sheets ′Has done my office. I know not if’t be true, but I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety.” Iago believes that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia. He does not seek the truth and instead believes the rumor to be true. Iago is insecure, another of his flaws, and he is not sure of his position as a husband to Emilia. In Act two Iago changes his reason yet again. This time in one of his soliloquies he declares, “And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona a most dear husband. Now, I do love her too.” Iago lusts for her only to get even with Othello as he explains, “Till I am evened with him, wife for wife,” and “But partly led to diet my revenge.” Iago is jealous of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship wanting the same connection between him and Emilia. Iago constantly changes his reasons for seeking revenge to cover up the true reason for hating Othello.

Despite Iago’s flaws, he does have talents. He is talented at manipulation and playing at others flaws. Iago started his plan by targeting Othello’s flaws, “The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks man honest that but seem to be so.” Othello will trust anyone that hasn’t given him a cause not to. Gaining Othello’s trust was the only way Iago could succeed at his plan and he did gain it as Othello proclaimed, “O brave Iago, honest and just, that hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong.” Iago planted a seed of doubt in Othello that Desdemona was having an affair. Othello could not believe him at first affirming in response, “I do not think but Desdemona’s honest,” yet soon does with, “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore! Be sure of it. Give me ocular proof.” This proves Othello believes whatever seems true in appearance and does not search for any further information. Iago easily manipulates a scene to appear true with Othello’s prized handkerchief, which was entrusted in Desdemona’s care. Iago knew this was the greatest opportunity in manipulating Othello because the handkerchief proves as visible evidence that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio. Emilia was manipulated into giving Iago the handkerchief when she clarifies that the handkerchief is “That which so often you bid me steal.” Iago knew she would get it for him because her flaw is that she vies for his affection and attention, which she reveals when she offers, “I nothing but to please his fantasy.” Once Othello saw Cassio with the handkerchief, he went completely mad and Iago succeeded. This was Iago’s greatest display of his talents.

Iago manages to uses his methods to control secondary characters too. Iago wanted the lieutenant position. Cassio held the position, so Iago planned to get him fired. He succeeds once Othello reports, “Cassio, I love thee, but nevermore be officer of mine.” Now Iago controls Cassio by gaining his trust and manipulating his actions. With Cassio thinking he could trust Iago; he never discovers Iago’s true intentions. Iago was now one step closer to the lieutenant position. From the beginning of the play Iago is manipulating Roderigo. He is able to make Roderigo pay him for his deceptive services. “That thou Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine,” anguishes Roderigo as he expresses his impatience with Iago. What Roderigo does not realize is that Iago is using him as a pawn to set his plans in motion. Roderigo will do anything to gain the love of Desdemona, which Iago takes advantage of. Iago is a great actor and lair. He can twist any situations’ outcome in his favor as he plays everyone like a piece on one, giant chess board.

Iago is the ultimate villain. He never shows remorse for his actions, only taking them to the farthest extent. He wanted to, “Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me for making him egregiously an ass.” He does anything to accomplish this, going as far as encouraging the Moor to kill his wife for her supposed deception. He causes Othello to go completely mad, which shows as Othello talks about how he plans kill Desdemona. Iago encourages the act, suggesting he kill her by strangling her in the bed “she hath contaminated.” Once Iago is caught he still shows no remorse, imparting with, “From this time forth I never will speak word.” Iago knows what he has done and never once apologizes. He is instead reticent about why the events occurred. Iago meant as much harm as possible, which is demonstrated as he carelessly shares the words, “Now whether he kill Cassio or Cassio him or each do kill the other, every way makes my gain.” He meant for the deaths to occur and obviously did not care who would die as long as it was not him. Everyone else’s death was a gain for him in satisfaction. Characters refer to Iago as a villain, such as when Othello called him a “demi-devil” or when Emilia proclaimed, “Disprove this villain.” Iago knows he is a villain, which he encourages him to sarcastically ask the reader, “How am I then a villain?” He suffices this by saying he could not be a villain if he is counseling everyone for their better good. Since we know of his true nature, we know he is only joking. The reader is given a short-lived insight into Iago’s friendly side and who he could really be. All of Iago’s actions fit him into the mold of an ultimate villain because he never reveals his true motives and causes massive destruction without a care in the world.

Many negative words can be used to describe Iago such as schemer, manipulator, jealous, insecure, angry and villainous. He sought vengeance out of the feeling of injustice and seemed to gain everything he wanted. Iago is extremely flawed, which lead to his downfall. Iago becomes a prisoner of his own scheming. He may think he has gained all that he could ever imagine, but will soon face reality and crumble when he collides with his defeat. The reality is that he is a prisoner that shall face life in jail, death or exile and the defeat is that there is no one left who cares for him. Iago is a complex character that never fails to surprise the reader. He is a tragic villain.