Commentary on Iagos first soliloquy Essay Example

Commentary on Iagos first soliloquy Paper Towards the end of Act 1 in Shakespears Othello, we come across a significant soliloquy recited by an important character in the play, Iago. Throughout the play, Shakespear has used Iago as a working force towards the plot. The whole plot of the novel revolves around this character and what he plans to do next, and this seems clear by the end of Act 1. Thus, Shakespear providing the audience with Iagos soliloquies is like giving an overview of the what is about to happen, creating a clear picture in the audiences heads and then working towards it, and also a deep insight into Iagos character, and his point of view of how things are shaping out. Prior to Iagos first soliloquy, Iago has convinced Roderigo, who had seemed so sure of failure that he was planning on committing suicide, that he is going to get what he wants as long as he keeps paying Iago. Here, we see Iagos manipulative skills at work. Even though Iago has failed in an attempt to hurt Othello, he is determined to get what he wants, and thats how he conjures up another brilliant plan in his soliloquy. This time, he plans on using Michael Cassio, who is like his rival as he received the promotion instead of Iago. Iago is going to create a picture in Othellos head that Cassio is too close to his wife, Desdemona, and that they are having an affair. In this manner, Iago will have caused enough damage to Othellos relationship with Desdemona, and hence Othello, and since Othello would have fired Cassio from his position, he would have no choice but to employ Iago. According to his plan, he will steal Cassios place too, and cause pain to Othello, whom he hates. We will write a custom essay sample on Commentary on Iagos first soliloquy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Commentary on Iagos first soliloquy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Commentary on Iagos first soliloquy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In Shakepears portrayal of the characters in the play, Iago seems to have all of the forces to be working towards him. Due to this, Iagos plan seems to be inevitable. Iago is able to derive his purpose from all the people in society. He hates Michael Cassio as he took the promotion that Iago was supposed to have, and thus in his plan he is both going to use him against the Moor and get him fired from his military status. This plan of Iagos becomes a much easier task because of Cassios personality. Cassio, as mentioned in Iagos soliloquy, is a well mannered and handsome man, who would be the perfect man to cause jealousy and suspicion to any husband. This is seen in Iagos folloqing quote, He hath a person and a smooth dispose To be suspected, framed to make a woman false. Apart from Cassio, Iago hates the Moor (Othello) too, and hence his plans main focus is to cause Othello pain. The task of misguiding Othello into believing false stories about Desdemona and breaking his relationship with her is made easier for Iago because of the straightforwardness of Othello. He believes whatever appears to him, and hardly questions or suspects anything appearing right to him. Iago says in his soliloquy that, The Moor is of free and open nature, That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by the nose As assess are. This basically means that Iago, who as we have witnessed already as a master of manipulation, will have no difficulty in misguiding and manipulating Othello the way he wants to. Here in this quote Iago also makes a simili of Othello with an ass, which shows Iagos feelings towards Othello. Similarly, Iago makes another simili of Roderigo, who has been giving money to Iago for Iagos help in aquiring Desdemona, with a snipe, which is a long-billed bird, used as a symbol for worthlessness. Here also, we see the character of Roderigo from the point of Iago, and he has also been used by Iago as a source of profit. The most important advantage for Iago of all, is of course his reputation among all the people. All the people in Venice ironically think of Iago as one of the most honest and loyal people in the military staff, and hence everybody respects Iagos word the most and his views the most. Due to this, Iago will be easily able to manipulate Othello. This knowledge is known to Iago as he states in his soliloquy, He holds me well: The better shall my purpose work upon him. With all these things working in Iagos favour, it seems likely for Iago;s plan to work. Hence here Shakespeare seems to portray that all the forces are working for the evil

Tybalt is an agent of the tragedy Essays

Tybalt is an agent of the tragedy Essays Tybalt is an agent of the tragedy Essay Tybalt is an agent of the tragedy Essay Tybalt is an agent of the tragedy. The tragedy was always going to happen because the two lovers were star-crossed and were always going to end in a tragic manner. We know this because of the prologue and we know it because that is what happens in tragedies.Tybalt is Juliets favourite cousin and he is also a prominent member of the Capulet gang which regularly fights the Montague gang. It is inevitable that Romeo should fight Tybalt after Tybalt kills Mercutio, one of Romeos best friendswho was killed protecting Romeos good name. Romeo unwittingly caused his best friends death, so he felt that he had to kill Tybalt in an act of revenge.Tybalt, however, was one of Juliets favourite cousins and when she finds out who killed him, she nearly changes her mind about Romeo. However, as soon as the Nurse begins to criticise Romeo, she changes her mind and the tragedy really begins where the two lovers kill themselves.The chorus tells us at the beginning of the play that Romeo and Juliet are a Pair of star crossed lovers. The implication of this is that they are fated to die because it is written in the stars.Both Romeo and Juliet have a sense of foreboding about the future and refer to the stars. In Act 1 scene 4 before going to the Capulets ball Romeo says:My mind misgives some consequence, yet hanging in the starsforfeit of untimely death.Later when he is told of Juliets apparent death he says:Then I defy you, stars!In Act 5 scene 3, just before taking the poison he says:Will I shake the yoke of inauspicious stars from this world wearied flesh.One of the ingredients in a tragedy is that there is usually a tragic flaw or weakness in the central character, which leads to their downfall. However, in the case of Romeo and Juliet the central reason for their deaths lies outside their characters. It is the family feud rather than any weakness in the lovers personalities that leads to the tragic end.There are several references in the play that suggest that the deaths are the result of divine workings. In Act 5 scene 3 the Friar says to Juliet:A greater power than we can contradict hath thwarted our intents.He is suggesting that the events are beyond human control. Later, when telling the Prince about what happened, he repeats this idea by saying:I entreated her come forth and bear this work of heaven with patience.The Prince also supports this notion when speaking to Romeo and Juliets parents:Heaven finds means to kill your joys with love.The Prince seems to be implying that the families have been punished because of their feuding.It would of course be possible to argue that the events of the play also turn on chance and wrong turnings. However, I hope that the above points will add to the arguments that you have already constructed for your assignment.How could it not be an important bit in the play?! The two lovers have been together for their wedding night, wake up, and find out that daylight is going to part them probably (they think) for some time, as Romeo has been banished to Mantua for killing Tybalt. Juliets family is waking up and will discover Romeo soon. No wonder Juliet says:O now be gone! More light and light it grows.And no wonder Romeo replies:More light and light: more dark and dark our woes.Its a key scene, emotionally the best thing that can happen to two young lovers now turns out to be the beginning of what is possibly the worst thing that could happen to any two human beings, i.e. undeserved death .But its also the poetry which makes it so sad and powerful; when Juliet says:Some say the lark makes sweet division.This doth not so, for she divideth us.It is as if she is almost pouting childishly to make their parting less important or final, and the sort of joking pun on divideth/division seems almost designed to comfort herself. But the lark is also an innocent, beautiful, natural creature and a reminder that she is too, and Romeo also, and that their forthcoming deaths (which we know already, from the P rologue) are to be all the more unnatural.The rest of the story you doubtless know: Juliets plan to take a sleeping pill for forty-eight hours and then escape to Mantua backfires. Romeo gets a message to say shes dead, kills himself just a few terrible seconds before Juliet wakes up, as happy as during her night of passion with Romeo, to find her lovers dead body next to her, in the cold tomb to which she had been taken.A fine play, and portrait of young love struck down enjoy it!This answer is posted on behalf of Fee.Star-crossed is a phrase that comes from the prologue to Romeo and Juliet. It literally means not favoured by the stars, or unfortunate. This is the first sign we have that the actions of the characters may be controlled by fate or the stars. Many references to fate are spoken by Romeo. Romeo comments that he fears the role of fate if he goes to the banquet at the Capulets: my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars. In act five scene 3, Romeo says tha t in death he will shake the yoke of inauspicious stars.Of course, the role of fate is only one explanation for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. It is important to remember other key reasons such as the feuding families, the nature of young love and so on.When we first see Romeo he is a typical thoughtless young man, in love with love, ready to take silly risks in order to see the girl he fancies he is in love with. He uses the language of conventional courtly love to talk about her, look at Act 1 Scene 4:I am too sore enpierced with his shaftBut once he sees Juliet, in Act 1 Scene 5, he is shocked into using quite different language:Oh she doth teach the torches to burn bright.Have a look at these two scenes in detail and see how he is changing from a conventional young man with conventional emotions into a passionate lover.Look at the way the relationship between Romeo and Juliet matures him. In Act 3 Scene 1 he actually tries to get out of a fight between the Montagues and Capule ts:Villain I am none therefore farewell.He is in a wonderful mood because of his relationship with Juliet and he is also no longer the sort of lad who likes a fight for the sake of it. It is a great shame that this doesnt work with Tybalt!Despite his killing of Tybalt he still tries to maintain his relationship with Juliet, look at the mature way in which they carefully plan their future. I think it is not so much Juliet who changes him, but the relationship that he has with Juliet that changes him. Go back and have a look through the play and see what you think.

Lives of the Artists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Lives of the Artists - Essay Example Specifically, I will discuss what distinguished Brunelleschi’s work from that of his predecessors. Before he expounds on the biography of Brunelleschi, Vasari provides his own evaluation of the great architect’s work. Vasari says that Brunelleschi had a truly lofty genius and credits him with building the most beautiful, the tallest and the most remarkable structure among those that have ever been built either in his time or in the times of antiquity. His role as a father of the Renaissance style of architecture is explained in the following way: â€Å"he gave a new form to architecture which had been going astray for hundreds of years† (Vasari 110). In Vasari’s opinion, before Brunelleschi, men had spent fortunes in vain attempting to construct desirable buildings. Their efforts resulted in having buildings devoid of any sense of order since they were constructed using bad methods. Those buildings lacked grace in a shameful way and displayed poor design and â€Å"the worst kind of decoration† along with weird inventions. Brunelleschi managed to create new forms on the basis of Classical Roman architecture which he combined with the achievements of Tuscan and late Gothic architecture. Unlike his predecessors, Brunelleschi introduced the concept of order to the art of construction. In his view, based on multiyear observations of the remains of Roman architecture, proportion was the ground for beautiful constructions. It allowed constructing buildings with clear space and mass, which were easily comprehended, contrary to the complexity of the Gothic form. Building symmetrical and proportional buildings became possible due to the introduction of the linear perspective by Brunelleschi. These geometrical calculations helped to erect buildings that followed mathematical order. The method of perspective, according to Vasari, was