Othello #7

In scene 5.2, all conflicts are resolved. Even though Othello, Desdemona and Emilia die, Iago does not get away with his insidious plot. He is taken away to be tortured and killed. Many characters refer to Iago as the devil or Demi-devil in this scene, seeing no motive behind the evil that he has bestowed upon them. Emilia even calls Othello the devil once she sees that he has murdered Desdemona: "O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil" (5.2.161). Emilia casts Othello off as a an outsider. He is no longer an admired general, he is a black, evil man who has been corrupted by the devil. Othello has been taken advantage of by Iago. Iago never reveals any further motives other than the position being taken from him. His plan seems to be a hyperbolic reaction to the initial injustice. Iago is an evil villain solely for the purpose of being an evil villain.

The Snow Man by Wallace Stevens

In this poem, the speaker illustrates a barren, calm, winter landscape. The pine trees are "crusted with snow" (line 3). The use of the word "crusted" makes one think of freezing temperatures and ice. In line 5 the speaker also describes the junipers as "shagged with ice", the use of the word shag evokes an image of freezing, rough, ice. It makes the reader picture ice that has been hanging on the junipers for a long period of time, as opposed to recently formed ice. The descriptive language provides a beautiful January scene, yet the poem ends with the line "beholds nothing that is not there and the nothing that is" (line 14-15). The poem progresses through lines of beautiful imagery but the last lines leave the reader with nothingness. There is misery in the wind and there is a landscape of nothing.

Othello #6 Sh*t goes dooooooown

Othello is overcome with emotion as he talks to Desdemona. He is no longer the strong, valiant, general from the beginning of the play. Although he receives no direct evidence of Desdemona's unfaithfulness, he still continues to slander her name. He calls her a whore, a strumpet and completely believes Iago's wild accusations. Othello no longer uses reason or logic. He lets his overwhelming emotions drive his decisions and actions. Yet, Iago is still able to completely manipulate not only Othello but the rest of the characters as well. Emilia has inclinations to believe that there is villain behind Othello's sudden distrust of Desdemona. However, Iago makes sure to chime in, claiming that this could not be the case. The characters are blinded by Iago's kind demeanor. He portrays himself as an honest and genuine gentleman but on the inside he is a heartless devil. Iago's aside in Act 5 scene 1 lines 12-17, embraces dramatic irony: "Now whether [Roderigo] kill Cassio, or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, every way makes my gain" (5.1.13-15). The characters remain clueless to Iago's ruthless plot. Yet the final steps to Iago's plan are in motion. He seems to be unaffected by Roderigo and Cassio's potential death and continues his manipulation. Iago seems to not care about Roderigo's death because Roderigo was beginning to suspect Iago of wrongdoing. In Iago's mind, Roderigo was an obstacle that needed to be taken out. Even though some people have suspicions of Iago's evil, he is able to persuade them into believing otherwise. However, Iago realizes what is at stake: "This is the night that either makes me or fordoes me quite" (5.1.150-151). This brief aside further demonstrates dramatic irony and highlights Iago's wickedness. He is completely amoral and feels no remorse for the evils that he has committed

Othello #5

Iago is extremely manipulative in Act 4 Scene 1. He fools Othello into believing that Cassio has slept with Desdemona and Othello is completely overwhelmed with emotion, so much so that he passes out. This over emotional reaction could be associated with his North African heritage. Moors are considered to be emotional and less controlled by reason. Or Othello's response could just demonstrate how much he truly loves Desdemona and how upset he is by her "unfaithfulness". Despite Iago's manipulation, Othello still does not suspect him of any wrong-doing. Iago's revenge plan far exceeds the initial injustice that was done to him. It leaves the audience wondering why Iago wishes to bring misery into Othello's life. Othello seems to be a very kind, respectful and modest gentleman. Yet, Iago's actions make the reader think otherwise. Does Othello really portray the man he is on the inside? Or is Iago just overreacting and overcome with jealousy? Othello still trusts Iago and he will until Iago's plans have been exposed. As Othello is beating Desdemona in public, it demonstrates his fiery emotion. He responds rapidly without actually figuring out the whole story. His calm, reasonable demeanor has been lost. His wild reaction completely contrasts the Othello that was previously showering Desdemona with compliments in the previous act. Iago's lies have completely changed how Venice views Othello. The once celebrated general is now a wild and irrational moor.

Cross by Langston Hughes

Before I read the poem Cross by Langston Hughes, I initially thought that it held some sort of religious meaning because of the title. I immediately associated the word cross with Jesus Christ and Christianity. I also thought that perhaps cross referred to the feeling of anger or fury. However, after reading the poem I realized that the title was referencing the speaker's mixed background, his mother black and his father white. The word cross has many denotations and it is clear that Hughes chose this title for a reason. The poem's subject matter came as a complete surprise to me because that idea had not came to me prior to actually reading the poem. Langston uses more colloquial language in this poem using phrases such as "old man" and referring to his mother as "ma". I believe that this is appropriate for the subject matter because it presents the idea that his aristocratic father did not help educate him. Considering that Hughes was raised during the time of racism and segregation it would be more common for African Americans to use colloquial language, not having access to equal educational opportunities. He presents the apparent difference between the lifestyles of white society and African American society, his father dying in a big white house and his mother in a shack. There is apparent inequality but what does this mean for the speaker? If he is mixed, what is his fate? This cross represents an even more complex criticism of his society.

Othello Act 1: Iago's Dilemma

At the beginning of this play, Iago finds himself in a misfortunate predicament. He is forced to work under a moor named Othello. Iago seems to dislike Othello primarily due to the fact that he is of Arabic descent. Iago plans to secretly work against Othello while showing false signs of loyalty to his command. He comes up with this elaborate lie that Othello is having sex with Barbantio's daughter: "now, very now, an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe" (1.192-93). The thought of Barbantio's daughter having an interracial relationship is deeply offensive to him. Barbantio wishes to punish Othello for this horrible crime. There is an apparent racist motive behind Barbantio's actions. The metaphor of the black ram mating with the white ewe further emphasizes the apparent contrast between these two classes of people. Othello is portrayed as this dark, vile creature while Barbantio's daughter is viewed as this pure, white and sacred lamb. The use of black and white imagery highlights the negative views this society has towards the moors.

Circles

One is too many and never enough,
Trading hard work and dedication for an utterly synthetic rush,
Happiness that comes with a price tag,
Making up for all that I lack,
My only friend, worth my time,
Or is that an illusion fabricated in my mind?
Defeated, depleted, motivation derived from a couple of lines.
Dazed, detached, unconscious bliss,
Voluntarily drowning in the abyss,
From the pearly gates of heaven, I hope mum cannot see,
The hopeless dark powers that are enveloping me.