What do you think Emilia was trying to prove when she implicated or agreed with Desdemona when she implied that she had some ideas about cheating on Othello with Lodovico? Why do you think she is now trying to justify Othello’s actions towards Desdemona, when in the beginning of the play she had no pity for him? What type of character do you think Emilia is starting to become, is she still a background character, or do you think she is starting to bring vital information or inferences to the play? Do you think that Emilia would act the same way if it was her and Iago in this situation, why or why not?
I think that Iago's comment simply shows that he disliked Othello because he was black. Iago looked over all of Othello's accomplishments and felt that Desdemona would become tired of Othello because he didn't have the qualities of a "white man." The way Iago described Othello in the passage on page 352 was really no difference in how "african americans" were portrayed during the civil rights movements. Iago hated the fact that a "black man" received a lot of respect and was married to a "white woman" that loved him regardless of his skin color.
I think that Emilia was trying to gently trying to suggest indirectly that Desdemona should find happiness elsewere other than with Othello. Emilia was comforting Desdemona due to Othello's abuse, and should find happiness. She was trying to prove that women shouldnt be subordinate to men as they were thought to be, or categorized as being whores or virgins. She felt that men and women were equal and the reason they are unfaithful are the same. I dont believe that Emilia is trying to justify Othello's actions towards Desdemona but merely just advising her to find happiness with someone else. Emilia is seemed to be blossoming as a character and coming more out of her background character. I agree that she is bring vital information to the play especially the subject of equality between genders, and how women are portrayed. I believe that if Emilia relationship with Iago was similar to Desdemona's and Othello's, she would have the same thoughts about finding happiness and equality. During this time its very different for women to say that women are equal as men. I feel that she would try to find happiness if she was in Desdemona's shoes.
1. I do not believe that Desdemona was implying or even unconsciously thinking about cheating on Othello. She deeply loves her husband. An example of Desdemona’s loyalty to Othello is shown when she states, “So would not I my love doth so approve him, That even his stubbornes, his cheques, his frowns—Prithee, upin me,--have grace and favour in them.” When Emilia declares that it would have been better if Desdemona had never seen Othello, Desdemona denounces this statement. All that Desdemona mentions about Lodovico is that he is a proper man and that he speaks well. It is Emilia who says that he is handsome and goes on to make a comment that elaborates on his physical appearance. In addition, Desdemona changes the attention from Lodivico by singing a sad song she learned from her mother’s maid, who sang the song after she had been abandoned by the man she loves. With all of the previously stated evidence, I do not believe Desdemona is considering cheating on her husband. In the beginning of the play, Emilia did not have pity on Othello, and Emilia is still not trying to have pity on Othello. The only reason Emilia is now trying to justify Othello’s actions is for her own self-interest. She has had thoughts of cheating; therefore, when she makes comments that seem to justify Othello, she is only trying to justify her own thoughts. The song that Desdemona sings makes her think about infidelity. She asks Emilia if she would cheat on her husband for “all the world.” Emilia responds, “The whole world is a huge thing: it is a great price. For a small price.” In contrast to Emilia, Desdemona states, “In troth, I think thous wouldst not.” This statement is another factor that supports the claim that Desdemona was not considering cheating on Othello. Emilia takes the opportunity to insert her opinions about women and their lustful natures for sex and the justification of infidelity. In addition, she says that men are at fault if their wives cheat on them. This mindset of Emilia leads the reader to believe that she has definitely previously had thoughts of cheating. Emilia is emerging as a key figure in moving along the plot. Shakespeare is smart in choosing characters, and each one of his characters is essential to the plot. Nevertheless, at this point in the story, Emilia is certainly moving out of the background as shown with her bold opinions about women and sex and infidelity. Even if Emilia’s relationship with Iago was somewhat similar to Desdemona’s and Othello’s relationship, she would not act the same way as Desdemona. Based on Emilia’s comments about women’s lustful natures for sex and happiness, if Iago was not acting kindly to her or pleasing her desires, she would seize the opportunity to try to form a romantic relationship with Lodivico or any other man who pleasures her eye.
6 comments:
Titiana's Questions:
What do you think Emilia was trying to prove when she implicated or
agreed with
Desdemona when she implied that she had some ideas about cheating on
Othello
with Lodovico? Why do you think she is now trying to justify
Othello’s actions
towards Desdemona, when in the beginning of the play she had no pity
for him?
What type of character do you think Emilia is starting to become, is
she still
a background character, or do you think she is starting to bring vital
information or inferences to the play? Do you think that Emilia would
act the
same way if it was her and Iago in this situation, why or why not?
How are 334, 352 passages on page 352 by IAGO reflective of 17th Century racial attitudes?
I think that Iago's comment simply shows that he disliked Othello because he was black. Iago looked over all of Othello's accomplishments and felt that Desdemona would become tired of Othello because he didn't have the qualities of a "white man." The way Iago described Othello in the passage on page 352 was really no difference in how "african americans" were portrayed during the civil rights movements. Iago hated the fact that a "black man" received a lot of respect and was married to a "white woman" that loved him regardless of his skin color.
I think that Emilia was trying to gently trying to suggest indirectly that Desdemona should find happiness elsewere other than with Othello. Emilia was comforting Desdemona due to Othello's abuse, and should find happiness. She was trying to prove that women shouldnt be subordinate to men as they were thought to be, or categorized as being whores or virgins. She felt that men and women were equal and the reason they are unfaithful are the same. I dont believe that Emilia is trying to justify Othello's actions towards Desdemona but merely just advising her to find happiness with someone else. Emilia is seemed to be blossoming as a character and coming more out of her background character. I agree that she is bring vital information to the play especially the subject of equality between genders, and how women are portrayed. I believe that if Emilia relationship with Iago was similar to Desdemona's and Othello's, she would have the same thoughts about finding happiness and equality. During this time its very different for women to say that women are equal as men. I feel that she would try to find happiness if she was in Desdemona's shoes.
1. I do not believe that Desdemona was implying or even unconsciously thinking about cheating on Othello. She deeply loves her husband. An example of Desdemona’s loyalty to Othello is shown when she states, “So would not I my love doth so approve him, That even his stubbornes, his cheques, his frowns—Prithee, upin me,--have grace and favour in them.” When Emilia declares that it would have been better if Desdemona had never seen Othello, Desdemona denounces this statement. All that Desdemona mentions about Lodovico is that he is a proper man and that he speaks well. It is Emilia who says that he is handsome and goes on to make a comment that elaborates on his physical appearance. In addition, Desdemona changes the attention from Lodivico by singing a sad song she learned from her mother’s maid, who sang the song after she had been abandoned by the man she loves. With all of the previously stated evidence, I do not believe Desdemona is considering cheating on her husband.
In the beginning of the play, Emilia did not have pity on Othello, and Emilia is still not trying to have pity on Othello. The only reason Emilia is now trying to justify Othello’s actions is for her own self-interest. She has had thoughts of cheating; therefore, when she makes comments that seem to justify Othello, she is only trying to justify her own thoughts. The song that Desdemona sings makes her think about infidelity. She asks Emilia if she would cheat on her husband for “all the world.” Emilia responds, “The whole world is a huge thing: it is a great price. For a small price.” In contrast to Emilia, Desdemona states, “In troth, I think thous wouldst not.” This statement is another factor that supports the claim that Desdemona was not considering cheating on Othello. Emilia takes the opportunity to insert her opinions about women and their lustful natures for sex and the justification of infidelity. In addition, she says that men are at fault if their wives cheat on them. This mindset of Emilia leads the reader to believe that she has definitely previously had thoughts of cheating.
Emilia is emerging as a key figure in moving along the plot. Shakespeare is smart in choosing characters, and each one of his characters is essential to the plot. Nevertheless, at this point in the story, Emilia is certainly moving out of the background as shown with her bold opinions about women and sex and infidelity. Even if Emilia’s relationship with Iago was somewhat similar to Desdemona’s and Othello’s relationship, she would not act the same way as Desdemona. Based on Emilia’s comments about women’s lustful natures for sex and happiness, if Iago was not acting kindly to her or pleasing her desires, she would seize the opportunity to try to form a romantic relationship with Lodivico or any other man who pleasures her eye.
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