Othello's fit towards Desdemona has brought about three effects in me:
1-'It shows how much Othello love's Desdemona'
irronically enough this is one of the thoughts which did come to mind. you might think that this proves how meek his love for her is but its actually quite the opposite. as people the more we love someone the more we want to believe everything that person says, but also the more we love the more harsh we can be towards our love. we are more likely to forgive a friend for something, such as a lie, then we are to forgive our lovers, partners or spouse. the reason being because we "refuse" to believe that this particular person would "ever betray our trust". if it had been any other woman whom had done such a thing to him in the past i honestly believe he simply would have accused her of being a whore and moved onto another, but since it was "his Desdemona", his love, the woman whom he trusted his heart to, it hurt tenfold.
2-'It exposed how deeply insecure Othello is'
yes it does. it was the partially the fact that he thought that Desdemona was perverted for loving a "moor" that helped seal in his mind the lies of her infidelity. he came to the conclusion that she was "not normal" because, of all the suitors she had, all fair skinned as she was, she choose him, and in his mind this thought was unconcievable. granted when she said "i saw Othello's visage in my mind" she's admitting that she did not find him all that attractive but, if he would have had confidence in that he as a person was good enough for her and that she was not looking for someone who "looked" suitable but "was", for her, then he would have not thought her perverted for loving a man such as he.
3-'It is too "over the top" to be believed'?
no it is not. i dont really understand what this means, i mean isn't this what shakespeare is about? taking the ordinary and transforming it into something remarkablbly extraordinary and "over the top"? i mean for instance, coud two children love as truly and as deeply as Romeo and Juliet? Could a woman be as dutiful as Desdemona and defend her husband even, when it was he who tried and succeded in killing her? must all people recieve a most profound eulogy BEFORE they die? even if they were murdered or are committing suicide? remember shakspeare was ALL ABOUT THE DRAMA, it was and is what we love about him.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
"Unnatural" Marriage
When Barbantio learned oh his daughters marriage to Othello he claimed this act was "unnatural". Is this acceptable? Was it true? According to the definition in the OED unnatual could be defined as "5. At variance with what is natural, usual, or to be expected; unusual, strange". before we make judgement we have to understand that this sort of union in times of shakespeare were very rare, especially among high society. it was expected of high society to marry high society, not that othello was not considered high society, but he was frowned upon because he was black. though he was a general in the army and had a good reputation it was this factor which made their union unnatural. blacks were considered not so much as inferiors, i believe, as "others". it was a way of classifying those which did not fit the "tradional" appearance or stature of what high society expected. Barbantio being of this high society and having brought his daughter up well he was, like any parent of his time, expecting her to marry "well", and unfortunetly for him Othello did not fit that criteria. so yes we can understand why he would say that she was bewitched into falling in love with othello and why he was so angry.
now a days society, for the most part, is quite tolerant of interracial marriages/unions. in this country alone the number has gone up tremendously since the law which made interracial marriages illegal was abolished in 1967. i come from an interracial family. if i were to find myself in this situation as Desdemona and Othello, i know that my parents would not disagree with my choice of partner. even if we were not in interracial family i know that they would not disagree because my parents are very bohemian and believe that when in love all is fair and good and that a good marriage is based on the acceptance of others as they are. they feel that problems will come regardless and its on how you are able to over come them together that makes you stronger.
im lucky to have been born as i am.though i know that my parents union was not an easy one to come by, becuase even in my family there are still those who view my parents marriage as somewhat strange and unusual. they believe that my brothers and i must have a hard time because we are "confused by whom we really are", but i can assure you such is not the case. that is why i sort of understand why in many countries mixed unions are not acceptable. such as for instance in some indian and islamic countries. parents expect their children to marry someone who has most in common with them. to many this aspect includes same ethnicity, religion and background.some countries i do believe take this matter to an extreme souch as for instance in Arabic nations. there are laws which give family members the right to kill any woman who chooses to marry outside of her tribe.
i dont feel many people oppose these unions so much because of racial factors, more so that they believe that by having such things in common the union has a more probable chance of lasting. though i do not agree with this mentality i do understand their perspective and respect their beliefs.
now a days society, for the most part, is quite tolerant of interracial marriages/unions. in this country alone the number has gone up tremendously since the law which made interracial marriages illegal was abolished in 1967. i come from an interracial family. if i were to find myself in this situation as Desdemona and Othello, i know that my parents would not disagree with my choice of partner. even if we were not in interracial family i know that they would not disagree because my parents are very bohemian and believe that when in love all is fair and good and that a good marriage is based on the acceptance of others as they are. they feel that problems will come regardless and its on how you are able to over come them together that makes you stronger.
im lucky to have been born as i am.though i know that my parents union was not an easy one to come by, becuase even in my family there are still those who view my parents marriage as somewhat strange and unusual. they believe that my brothers and i must have a hard time because we are "confused by whom we really are", but i can assure you such is not the case. that is why i sort of understand why in many countries mixed unions are not acceptable. such as for instance in some indian and islamic countries. parents expect their children to marry someone who has most in common with them. to many this aspect includes same ethnicity, religion and background.some countries i do believe take this matter to an extreme souch as for instance in Arabic nations. there are laws which give family members the right to kill any woman who chooses to marry outside of her tribe.
i dont feel many people oppose these unions so much because of racial factors, more so that they believe that by having such things in common the union has a more probable chance of lasting. though i do not agree with this mentality i do understand their perspective and respect their beliefs.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Eccentric Love! True Love!
Though its not really in sonnet-formation here's my sonnet from Bennedick to Beatrice.
Through trickery if fell captive
Of a love i knew not of before.
For a maiden whose witful reaction
Threatened to put me through the floor.
Tis was her cunningness for which i fell
Her jocund i most adored.
A maiden whom can drive Satan out of hell
And wish a chap he never born.
But, my heart was hers before she asked.
A pawn in Cupid's hand twas i became.
I fell so quickly, like a maid at task,
Or a child too eager to join a game.
But tis she i worship like Elders at Stonehenge
My love forever hers, till the sands of time do end.
Friday, October 3, 2008
(the two sides of Bennedick)
-NO! IT CANT BE TRUE!
-why would Claudio lie. he is a man of true honor and worth. there would be no reason for him to stay. he has every right to go. she's a whore. there are witnesses to prove her dishonesty.
-but....
-no but's! the truth has been found what are you waiting for let us be gone, good man.
-but.. (he looks to beatrice)
-dont tell me! you are honestly thinking of staying and comforting her? are you mad? be as you told your good friend, who now must be wishing he had yielded to your warning of love and marriage, and leave. if this be true of the fair Hero what can be expected of her parrot-tongue cousin. be wise man and leave.
-but Beatrice! she seems to believe in her cousins innocence
-of course she would! she's her cousin
-no. beatrice is not like that. she wouldnt defend someone so hernestly if she knew that they were not being truthful.
-your seeing more to her then is. with that quick tongue she probably has already rehearsed what she was going to say.
-but i want to be with her. this could be my chance to prove my love to her.
-Love! i laugh at the word. look where it got claudio.
-what is there to doubt? did you see Hero with the lover they claim she be with that night.?
-no! but others did and that is enough.. besides think of your self and your name. what would other say if you associate with anyone of that family? a whore she is! and not even her father believes her words to be true. do you want to tarnish all that you have built till. now!
-ahh it was not Beatrice but Hero who was accused.
-yes but beatrice is guilty by association. will you go against your good friend all for the sake of a woman? you? who swore never to fall to cupids game?
-claudio was illusioned. he was enamored with Hero. his love not solid but fickle. but my love for Beatrice is true and i will prove it to her!
-forget claudio. do you remember what you said could be done to you if you ever fell in love? good man you will never be able to hold you head high again.
-i will and do so proudly with my love at my side.
-as if she will believe you!
-It's settled I will stay by love's side and be her support!
-fine. its your funeral!
-NO! IT CANT BE TRUE!
-why would Claudio lie. he is a man of true honor and worth. there would be no reason for him to stay. he has every right to go. she's a whore. there are witnesses to prove her dishonesty.
-but....
-no but's! the truth has been found what are you waiting for let us be gone, good man.
-but.. (he looks to beatrice)
-dont tell me! you are honestly thinking of staying and comforting her? are you mad? be as you told your good friend, who now must be wishing he had yielded to your warning of love and marriage, and leave. if this be true of the fair Hero what can be expected of her parrot-tongue cousin. be wise man and leave.
-but Beatrice! she seems to believe in her cousins innocence
-of course she would! she's her cousin
-no. beatrice is not like that. she wouldnt defend someone so hernestly if she knew that they were not being truthful.
-your seeing more to her then is. with that quick tongue she probably has already rehearsed what she was going to say.
-but i want to be with her. this could be my chance to prove my love to her.
-Love! i laugh at the word. look where it got claudio.
-what is there to doubt? did you see Hero with the lover they claim she be with that night.?
-no! but others did and that is enough.. besides think of your self and your name. what would other say if you associate with anyone of that family? a whore she is! and not even her father believes her words to be true. do you want to tarnish all that you have built till. now!
-ahh it was not Beatrice but Hero who was accused.
-yes but beatrice is guilty by association. will you go against your good friend all for the sake of a woman? you? who swore never to fall to cupids game?
-claudio was illusioned. he was enamored with Hero. his love not solid but fickle. but my love for Beatrice is true and i will prove it to her!
-forget claudio. do you remember what you said could be done to you if you ever fell in love? good man you will never be able to hold you head high again.
-i will and do so proudly with my love at my side.
-as if she will believe you!
-It's settled I will stay by love's side and be her support!
-fine. its your funeral!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Bennedick and Beatrice?
do they really make an excellent couple? don Pedro tends to think so and quite frankly so do i. but then again leonato does not believe so and his reasons are legit.
PRO- beatrice is a woman of strong mind and character. she is honest and straighforward never bashful when speaking her mind and capable of holding her own among men of high rank. this is a pro because i think that bennedick would do well with a wife like so. of all his friends he seems to be the lightest of the characters. joking and quick to respond to any question or comment made. he is like she. strong minded, honest, well liked and respected amongst his colleges. though he has no thought of settling down he has somewhat of a respect for women and doesnt bring them down unless its in talk of marriage regarding himself and even then its light. neither character could be seen paired with someone of a lighter spirit such as beatrice and claudio and bennedick with hero. they needed someone who can match their wits and thus be an equal to them.
CON-because they are both so strong minded they clash. it seems that they once held a relationship and it did not last and so they both ended up pretty bitter. this could be because they were constantly punning each other and not very mindful of feeling of love. like leonato said "if they were but a week married, they would talk themselves mad". i can see this relationship as bennedick saying onething or another to make beatrice angry and her response being quick and aimed to hurt as much as she recieved. like for instance during the ball when she was talking bad about bennedick to him though she was not aware it was him, he later on confessed that he wished to have replied to her comment but could not do so for fear of expossing himself. so if the relationship was to go about as they are right now thinking quite lowly of each other it would once again break off on bad terms.
PRO- it would seem that they both do want a relationship but fear commitment. beatrice does not want to be "overmastered with a piece of valiant dust" and bennedick would rather not trust any woman then to "mistrust any" or in other words commit to one and then be suspicious of her. they talk big and proudly and usually those who do are those that are most afraid of that which they mock the most.
PRO- beatrice is a woman of strong mind and character. she is honest and straighforward never bashful when speaking her mind and capable of holding her own among men of high rank. this is a pro because i think that bennedick would do well with a wife like so. of all his friends he seems to be the lightest of the characters. joking and quick to respond to any question or comment made. he is like she. strong minded, honest, well liked and respected amongst his colleges. though he has no thought of settling down he has somewhat of a respect for women and doesnt bring them down unless its in talk of marriage regarding himself and even then its light. neither character could be seen paired with someone of a lighter spirit such as beatrice and claudio and bennedick with hero. they needed someone who can match their wits and thus be an equal to them.
CON-because they are both so strong minded they clash. it seems that they once held a relationship and it did not last and so they both ended up pretty bitter. this could be because they were constantly punning each other and not very mindful of feeling of love. like leonato said "if they were but a week married, they would talk themselves mad". i can see this relationship as bennedick saying onething or another to make beatrice angry and her response being quick and aimed to hurt as much as she recieved. like for instance during the ball when she was talking bad about bennedick to him though she was not aware it was him, he later on confessed that he wished to have replied to her comment but could not do so for fear of expossing himself. so if the relationship was to go about as they are right now thinking quite lowly of each other it would once again break off on bad terms.
PRO- it would seem that they both do want a relationship but fear commitment. beatrice does not want to be "overmastered with a piece of valiant dust" and bennedick would rather not trust any woman then to "mistrust any" or in other words commit to one and then be suspicious of her. they talk big and proudly and usually those who do are those that are most afraid of that which they mock the most.
Monday, September 15, 2008
we are asked today to write about examples from the movie Shakespeare in Love or facts that we've read about in Shakespeare's World that somehow stood out to us and of which we thought had an impact on his writting. with no particular order i choose to write about the following:
1- in the movie the women of Shakespeare's time had no more value then to be a bed companion and possess the ability to bare children. i found this ironic because england has been known to have some of the most amazing rulers of its time many of which happen to be females. shakespeare probably saw the irony of this and probably wished to either express his disagreement or his irony to this matter by making the heroines of his plays to be strong characters. ie Caterina in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW; Desdemona, OTHELLO; Juliet, ROMEO AND JULIETA. these ladies all had strong wills and were not afraid to go against anyone for what they wanted.
2-the death of his characters happen to be SO DRAMATIC! before someone dies, or kills themselves or another then a dramatic speech is made and the act is turned into something poetic. ironic because according to the handout SHAKESPEARE'S WORLD death in the times of shakespeare were simply gruesome, public displays of slaughters. it was customary that some 20 to 30 people were executed in one day. so i guess this may have influenced shakespeare's writting in that he may have wanted to show people this this act which has been taken and turned into something ordinary and common should not be taken so lightly and that people deserve to be given some sort of respect in their last hours.
3-the men of shakespeares time considering their views of women seem to me to be very pesimistic towards love. since women were treated so poorly and used for just about only two important thing (sex and reproduction) they didnt see fit to believe in love. in the movie even the queen did not give it much credence. but shakespeare seemed to be a dreamer. he felt that in order to write he needed to be in love or believe to be in love. when he went to go visit the apothecary in the movie to talk about his lack of ability to write anything it was because he did not feel corresponded in his love to Rosaline (who happens to be a common whore because later on after confessing to her he finds her in bed with someone else leaving him heartbroken). shakespeare yearned to be in love and to show that this was more then just a fleeting emotion. he wished to show that this was something powerful and motivating that once truly found is not easily dismissed, (ie: sonnet #116) and also once found and lost it can be disastrous (ie: Venus prophecy on Love after Adonis death) could be one the reason why he is remebered for his great and oh so tragic love stories and remarkable sonnets.
1- in the movie the women of Shakespeare's time had no more value then to be a bed companion and possess the ability to bare children. i found this ironic because england has been known to have some of the most amazing rulers of its time many of which happen to be females. shakespeare probably saw the irony of this and probably wished to either express his disagreement or his irony to this matter by making the heroines of his plays to be strong characters. ie Caterina in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW; Desdemona, OTHELLO; Juliet, ROMEO AND JULIETA. these ladies all had strong wills and were not afraid to go against anyone for what they wanted.
2-the death of his characters happen to be SO DRAMATIC! before someone dies, or kills themselves or another then a dramatic speech is made and the act is turned into something poetic. ironic because according to the handout SHAKESPEARE'S WORLD death in the times of shakespeare were simply gruesome, public displays of slaughters. it was customary that some 20 to 30 people were executed in one day. so i guess this may have influenced shakespeare's writting in that he may have wanted to show people this this act which has been taken and turned into something ordinary and common should not be taken so lightly and that people deserve to be given some sort of respect in their last hours.
3-the men of shakespeares time considering their views of women seem to me to be very pesimistic towards love. since women were treated so poorly and used for just about only two important thing (sex and reproduction) they didnt see fit to believe in love. in the movie even the queen did not give it much credence. but shakespeare seemed to be a dreamer. he felt that in order to write he needed to be in love or believe to be in love. when he went to go visit the apothecary in the movie to talk about his lack of ability to write anything it was because he did not feel corresponded in his love to Rosaline (who happens to be a common whore because later on after confessing to her he finds her in bed with someone else leaving him heartbroken). shakespeare yearned to be in love and to show that this was more then just a fleeting emotion. he wished to show that this was something powerful and motivating that once truly found is not easily dismissed, (ie: sonnet #116) and also once found and lost it can be disastrous (ie: Venus prophecy on Love after Adonis death) could be one the reason why he is remebered for his great and oh so tragic love stories and remarkable sonnets.
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