My Mistress' Eyes

I liked My Misstress' Eyes by William Shakespeare because it is the first work I have read so far in this unit that has a happy ending.  The beginning of the story is very critical of women, as has been a common theme throughout this gender unit.  The speaker of the poem says, "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red..." Essentially, the speaker continues in this way, pin pointing a number of his mistress' flaws. He says her eyes aren't that pretty, even coral is more red than her lips, her hair is like wire, her breath smells bad, etc.  All of these criticisms gave me the impression that this poem was about, once again, a man displeased with the imperfections of a woman, a woman who yet again cannot fill all of the demands placed on her by stereotypes and society. However, the poem ends quite nicely.  The speaker says, " And yet, by heave, I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare." The speaker is saying that despite all of these imperfection he can find about his mistress, he loves her.  His love for this woman is rare because he loves her for all of the negatives that he can see along with the good. This is a happy ending.

Barbie Doll

This poem deals with a common theme of the stereotypes of woman as perfectly pretty and kind, like a Barbie Doll.  This comparison to a Barbie doll I have heard many times, because the problem of being compared to such an unrealistically image of a woman is a legitimate problem in contemporary society. this poem fits nicely into the gender unit because it deals with such a widespread issue among women. I don't at all mean to preach, but to explain my point of view on this subject in relation to this poem.  In the beginning of Barbie Doll, Marge Piercy discusses toys that young girls are often given to play with. Among the ones that she mentions are a doll, a stove, and an iron.  How ironic.  Even as babies, girls are taught to have a perfect body and to grow up to cook and clean for men.  I'm not at all a "feminist" as one might describe this view, but there is no doubt that these toys are not sexist.  Furthermore, the poem discusses the issue with the expectations of the physical appearance of women.  "She was healthy, tested intelligent", this statement tells of a beautiful woman, inside and out.  The poem continues, however, "Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs." This statement is consistent with society because people truly look past inner beauty to criticize those who don't fit the impossible mold of a "Barbie Doll". Finally the girl in this poem kills herself because she has tried so hard to fit this impossible stereotype, and can't.  She dies in the effort of making herself "perfect".  This is the ironic and sad part, that she gave up a beautiful life to try to make others like her.  It is even more sad that it is so true.

Hunters in the Snow

I didn't very much like Tobias Wolff's Hunters in the Snow.  The characters all seem like horrible people, and then the plot and ending of the story are extremely bizarre.  Kenny enjoys teasing almost to the point of cruelty, resulting eventually in his getting shot.  Frank is married and has children, but is having an affair with a fifteen year old.  And then there is Tub, who searches for pity for his being overweight, but secretly is a glutton.  None of these characters appeal to me whatsoever.  And then there is the plot of this story, which along with the characters is also frustrating.  The story begins with chaos, in Kenny almost running over Tub with the truck, and also ends in chaos.  Kenny gets shot, Tub admits to his gluttony, Frank admits to his affair, and the reader is finally left with the question of whether Kenny lives or dies, thanks to Frank and Tubs idiocy of losing the list of the directions. The end really angered me because I figured that after all the odd curve balls that the author threw into the plot, like Kenny getting shot or Frank having and affair or Tub being a glutton, that the characters had finally grown and realized a little out about each other. I thought that some progress had been made and that these characters might be able to grow closer in the bonds of their friendship after realizing each others' weaknesses and problems. However, the story ends with, "'I'm going to the hospital,' Kenny said.  But he was wrong.  They had taken a different turn a long way back". The characters won't be able to grow in their friendship because it is most likely that Kenny will die because of an erroneous mistake on Tub's part.

A Jury of Her Peers

Susan Glaspell's A Jury of Her Peers is, to put it frankly, very creepy.  The way Mrs. Wright is described by Mr. Hale reminds me of horror movies that I have before seen, where the murderer is so demented and soul-less, that he/she is not in the least bit perturbed by what they have one.  The murder of Mrs. Wrights husband is terrifying, being choked by a rope in your sleep? I clearly am not a fan of horror stories.  This story was clearly part of the gender unit for a reason.  Sexism is evident throughout the entire story, especially in the dialogue.  The men degrade the usefulness and intelligence of the woman over and over again.  One instance is when Mr. Hale says, "But would the woman know a clue if they did come upon it?" The derogatory phrases are one after another, and this phrase is even further ironic because it is the women who find clue after clue. This irony arises more as the woman stumble upon more and more evidence.  After they discover the quilt and bird cage, Mrs. Hale says, "If they're going to find any evidence, I wish they'd be about it. I don't like this place".  This is so ironic because the cage and quilt are both huge pieces of evidence, and both of the women are aware of this.  They simply refuse to admit that they have found the incriminating evidence in order to protect Mrs. Wright, a woman who is treated unfairly and works hard every day without reward just like them.

Othello: Tragedy

Shakespeare's Othello shares many characteristics with the other tragedies of his that I have read. Like Caesar, the tragic hero in Othello, whom also happens to be the namesake of the play also alike Caesar, dies because of a tragic flaw.  Othello's flaw happened to be his extreme love for Desdemona and his belief in a villain. Like another one of Shakespeare's tragedies, Romeo and Juliet, the couple in love are almost doomed from the start.  In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and Juliet's families are enemies.  This is not the situation in Othello, but Othello and Desdemona did get married despite her father's wishes, and Othello made many other enemies through his marriage as well, as many men desired Desdemona. Also, in both tragedies the male member of the tragic relationship kills himself as a result of the death of his partner.  Romeo kills himself under the impression that Juliet had already done so, and Othello kills himself after killing Desdemona in his rage, "Of one whose hand, Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe. Of one whose subdued eyes, Albeit unused to the melting mood, Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their medicinal gum. Set you down this,And say besides that in Aleppo once, Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk Beat a Venetian and traduced the state, I took by the throat the circumcisèd dog, And smote him, thus. Stabs himself." (V.ii.364-372).

Othello: A Possible Flaw in the Plan

Iago apparently has everyone convinced of his saintly personality, everyone besides Roderigo.  Roderigo is angered at Iago because he had been promised that Desdemona would become bored of Othello and fall in love with him, but he hasn't seen any improvements in this area. Furthermore, Roderigo has been giving Iago jewels to give to Desdemona as tokens of his affections, and  now doubts that Iago has even given these to Desdemona. Roderigo says, "I have heard too much, and your words and performances are no kin together." (IV.ii.181-182). He continues, "I tell you ’tis not very well. I will make myself known to Desdemona. If she will return me my jewels I will give over my suit and repent my unlawful solicitation. If not, assure yourself I will seek satisfaction of you." (IV.ii.190-194).  It seems to me that Roderigo might possibly be the hiccup in Iago's plan that I have been anticipating.  With plan as intricate as Iago's, I would be amazed if absolutly nothing went wrong. However, Othello is one of Shakespeare's tragedies, so the likelihood of the villain being successful is far greater.

Othello: The Handkerchief

The handkerchief, though a seemingly small and insignificant object, obviously plays an important symbolic role throughout William Shakespeare's Othello. In the beginning of the play, the handkerchief, formerly owned by Othello's mother, serves as a symbol as Othello's love and commitment to Desdemona.  He gives it to her as a token of his love, and says that as long as she keeps this handkerchief, he will love her.  However, the handkerchief has chaotically changed hands many times, mirroring the chaos that is Othello and Desdemona's relationship.  When Bianca shows up with the handkerchief claiming that she found it in Cassio's bedroom, this is the concrete proof that Othello needed of Desdemona's infidelity.  "As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad. And his unbookish jealousy must construe Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behavior Quite in the wrong.—How do you now, lieutenant?" (IV.i.125-132). The handkerchief has switched roles, now serving as a symbol of Desdemona's supposed infidelity and Othello's newfound hate.

Othello: Not Only Evil, Also Smart

Perhaps the reason why Iago is considered by some to be the best villain of all time is that he is not only purely evil, he is also smart.  He is cunning, which allows his evil plans to follow through, so far without even a hiccup.  A prime example of Iago's cleverness is in his convincing of Othello of Cassio's guilt in the situation with Desdemona.  Othello wants concrete proof of Desdemona and Cassio's crimes, and Iago manages to lure Cassio into providing the proof himself. "Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, A huswife that by selling her desires Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature That dotes on Cassio, as ’tis the strumpet’s plague To beguile many and be beguiled by one. He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain From the excess of laughter. Here he comes. As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad. And his unbookish jealousy must construe Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behavior Quite in the wrong.—How do you now, lieutenant?" (II.i.83-93).  Just as Iago plans, Othello is completely convinced and outraged to the point that he tells Iago to kill Cassio and makes plans himself to kills Desdemona.  He is even further enraged by the fact that Cassio is laughing at his apparent affair with Desdemona, proving that he doesn't even love her.  Othello's rage at this revelation shows his still-remaining love for his wife. 

Othello: Cassio Falling in the Trap

Even after he loses his position under Othello as a result of Iago's manipulation, Cassio continues to fall deeper into Iago's trap.  Iago convinces Cassio that Desdemona, Othello's wife, might be the key to convincing Othello to reinstate Cassio as one of his officers.  Cassio takes this advice, though he doesn't entirely believe that it will work, because he is desperate to regain his noble reputation.  This can only end badly.  First, the entire idea was Iago's, the root villian of the story who is intent upon every honorable characters' ruin. Also, he had already planned in previous scenes to make Othello believe that Cassio was being intimate with his lover, Desdemona.  Cassio's further interaction with her in his pleading for her to intercede on his behalf will probably come off looking very bad, especially because he no longer works for Othello and has no apparent reason to be speaking with his wife.  Cassio wastes no time in requesting to see Desdemona, "Why, no. The day had broke Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago, To send in to your wife. My suit to her Is that she will to virtuous Desdemona Procure me some access."  Iago's planning has been entirely successful so far, so it is only expected that this plan will follow through as well.  I wonder what Othello's reaction will be when he is convinced that Cassio and Desdemona are together.

Othello: Iago's Intentions

I can't help but to be curious as to Iago's malicious intentions regarding Othello.  It seems that he doesn't  wish to kill him, because manipulations and "sucking-up" would not help him at all in this regard.  I think that he must plan to prosper from some sort of downfall of Othello. Maybe he hopes to take Othello's place with the Italian navy? Or to inherit his favorable place among the leaders of the state like the Duke.  Then again, how would the downfall of Cassio help in any of these matters, other than the amount of personal audience that Iago would then have with Othello if he were appointed as his right-hand-man. Overall, Iago's manipulations grow more and more obvious, especially in regards to Cassio. In Act II Scene i, "If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in." This passage is Iago discussing how Cassio's courtesy towards women could actually end up getting him in trouble.  Then toward the end of Act II, Iago actually causes the demotion of Cassio when he pressures him into getting drunk amongst the end-of-war celebrations.  In his drunken state, Cassio makes foolish decisions that confirm his demotion and the success of Iago's wicked plan.  It should be interesting to discover what other havoc Iago's manipulations and sly intentions might provoke.  

Othello: Cassio vs. Iago

Othello's two most influential comrades, Cassio and Iago, are very different from one another.  Cassio is obviously a man of good character.  He is respectful and polite and gives his commander, Othello, the utmost respect.  Iago, on the other hand, is malicious and rude.  He is manipulative of everyone for his own selfish purposes, and while he is not unctuously trying to promote his disguise of an honest reputation, he is mean and rude to everyone.  For example, because he has no reason in particular to impress his wife because she has nothing that he wished to attain, he is incredibly inconsiderate to her. He tells Cassio, "In faith, too much. I find it still, when I have leave to sleep. Marry, before your ladyship, I grant, She puts her tongue a little in her heart And chides with thinking."  In this passage Iago is criticizing his wife for essentially talking to much.  This is how he greeted her.  Cassio on the contrary greets Emilia with, "Good ancient, you are welcome.—Welcome, mistress. (kisses EMILIA) Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, That I extend my manners. 'Tis my breeding That gives me this bold show of courtesy."  Clearly Cassio is the man of better character, though he may not be the man of better wit.

Othello: The War

I find it odd that this war between the Italians and Turks isn't quite ringing any bells with me. I don't remember ever learning about a war like this in history classes, though I'm sure that it did actually happen.  Also, it is a little strange to me that the Italians would hire a Moor as a commander in their army.  What is the reason for Othello, the Moor's, allegiances to Italy.  He did discuss being a slave and I wonder if he was enslaved somewhere in Italy.  It is clear that the majority of the plot of this story will have little to do with the actual war, as the Turks are seemingly defeated at the beginning of Act II. This ending of the war acts almost like foreshadowing in that it reveals that the plot will be centered around the relationships of the characters of the story rather than the war.  Other foreshadowing that has thus far been present is the straightforward intent of Iago to manipulate all those around him into doing what he wants.  In Act I Scene 3, Iago explains how Othello is easy to manipulate, "The Moor is of a free and open nature That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by th' nose As asses are."  I'm sure Iago's manipulations will dominate the plot of the story.