"My Mistress' Eyes"

“My Mistress’ Eyes” by William Shakespeare

Question 1

The speaker in the poem mocks the typical comparisons of love poetry. This indicates the exaggeration of beauty typically used in love poetry. These comparisons contribute to a negative and satirical tone in the first twelve lines of the sonnet. “My misstres’ eyes are nothing like the sun,” (Shakespeare, 885). This line of the poem makes fun of the commonly used cliché in love poetry, “your eyes are like the sun.” “Coral is far more red than her lips’ red,” (Shakespeare, 885). This recalls the comparison of lips being red as coral. “But no such roses see I in her cheeks,” (Shakespeare, 885). Love poems often make comparisons of their lover having cheeks as red as roses. A common cheesy comparison in love poetry is comparing a lover to a goddess. Shakespeare makes fun at this comparison in his poem. For example, “I grant I never saw a goddess go, my mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground,” (Shakespeare, 885).

"Barbie Doll"

“Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

Question 1

Barbie dolls are supposed to be the superficial beauty that every girl dreams of being. Barbie’s are stick thin, have long legs, and a perfect face. A classmate said to the girl, “You have a great big nose and fat legs,” (Piercy, 835). The girl “possessed strong arms and back,” (Piercy, 835). The girl having strong arms and back indicate she is not stick thin, but full and healthy. Barbie dolls are lifeless and therefore do not possess human qualities. The poem describes the girl as lifelike and human through words such as “intelligent,” “healthy,” and “apologizing.” Because people only saw appearance in the girl, she strived to become more like a Barbie doll. The lifelessness of a Barbie doll is emphasized through diction in the poem. For example, “In the casket displayed on satin she lay with the undertaker’s cosmetics painted on,” (Piercy, 836).

"Hunters in the Snow"

“Hunters in the Snow” by Tobias Wolff

Question 5

In the beginning of the short story, Tub appears to be a stock character. He is the primary object of Kenny’s jokes. For example, “ ‘You ought to see yourself,’ the driver said. ‘He looks like a beach ball with a hat on, doesn’t he? Doesn’t he Frank?’ ” (Wolff, 187). All Kenny does is make fun of Tub and Tub just takes it. Tub falls behind while hunting, and Kenny and Frank think that it is funny to move the truck and act like they are leaving. Tub appears to be a stock character, but he is a fully realized individual. When Kenny goes through a pattern of saying he hates things and then shooting them, he points the gun at Tub. In defense, Tub shoots Kenny. At this moment, we realize that Tub initiates action and is not just an object in people’s jokes. Another instance where we realize Tub’s individualism is where he talks with Frank about his problems. He mentions that he lies to his wife about why he is fat. This reveals that Tub has insecurities and problems that every individual has. Knowing that he has a family to take care of contributes to the characterization that Tub is a fully realized individual.

"A Jury of Her Peers"

“A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell

Question 3

The men in the story share the common assumption that women work in the kitchen and take care of the house. For example, “ ‘Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?’ ” (Glaspell, 412). Men also believe that women are not capable of intelligent and critical thinking especially when it comes to finding criminal clues.  “ ‘But would the women know a clue if they did come upon it?’ ” (Glaspell, 413). They try to show that women are not their inferiors by leaving them on their own to do things and trusting them. In addition, after stating typical stereotypes about women, the men would appear to be appreciative of what women did. For example, “ ‘And yet,’ said he, with the gallantry of a young politician, ‘for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies?’ ” (Glaspell, 412). Their assumptions are ironic because they were unable to find any evidence of Mrs. Wright murdering her husband. Instead, the women found evidence and decided not to share it with the men. The women stuck together because they knew the hardships that Mrs. Wright had to face. The clues that led to finding the evidence were through details that only women would have noticed, such as the stitching on a quilt and the messiness of the kitchen. Keeping the evidence is in a way getting back at the men for their assumption that women are inferior.

Othello Acts IV & V

Othello by William Shakespeare

Desdemona

Desdemona is a truly faithful wife. She not only proves this with her conversation with Emilia, but also during her own murder. During the time Othello was angry with her, she still forgave and loved him. “My love doth so approve him that even his stubbornness, his checks, his frowns… have grace and favor in them,” (IV, iii, 18-20). When Othello tells Desdemona that he will murder her, she does not get up from her bed. She tries to persuade him not to kill her because she has faith that he will act reasonably. Moreover, when Emilia interrupts the murder, she hears Desdemona’s voice and asks Desdemona who murdered her. Desdemona’s response is, “Nobody, I myself. Farewell,” (V, ii, 122). Even when Othello murdered Desdemona despite her pleas for mercy, Desdemona does not rat him out.

Othello Acts IV &V

Othello by William Shakespeare

Bianca

Towards the end of Act IV scene i, Iago uses Bianca to carry out his deceitful plans. Through his act of deceiving Othello, he talks to Cassio about Bianca, but he makes Othello believe Cassio is talking about Desdemona. Bianca comes in to talk to Cassio in that moment about a handkerchief she found in his bedroom. By presenting Desdemona’s handkerchief, she provides ocular evidence that what Iago says is true. “This is some knix’s token, and I must take ou the work? There, give it your hobbyhorse,” (IV, I, 144-146). Cassio’s attitude towards Bianca is not serious. This attitude is conveyed in the conversation with Iago, which further angers Othello. Despite what Othello hears about Desdemona (really Bianca), he becomes angry because he loves Desdemona. He hates Cassio not only for his actions but for how he mocks Desdemona. Although a minor character, Bianca becomes a huge contribution to the success of Iago’s plans.

Othello Acts IV & V

Othello by William Shakespeare

Foreshadowing

In Act IV, we see foreshadowing from Desdemona and Emilia. “If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me in one of those same sheets,” (IV, iii, 22-23). Desdemona foreshadows her own death. She mentions sheets which foreshadows her death in her own bed. Emilia foreshadows revenge upon her husband. Moreover, she reveals her true feelings about men and her true personality. Iago has definitely underestimated Emilia. “Yet we have some revenge. Let husbands know their wives have sense like them,” (IV,iii, 89-90). In Act V, Emilia becomes a dynamic character in becoming confident and attacking Iago with questions about Desdemona after her death. Her revenge comes through her change to her being at the “top” of the relationship.

Othello Acts IV & V

Othello by William Shakespeare

Dramatic Irony

In Act IV, Emilia, Iago, and Desdemona have a conversation about someone feeding false rumors to Othello. This situation is ironic because we know that the person doing this is Iago. More irony comes from the fact that Iago is present in the conversation. In addition, Emilia does not know that the “villainous knave” she is talks about is her own husband. “The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave, some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow,” (IV, ii, 139-140). More irony appears with Desdemona at the end of Act IV. Emilia and Desdemona are talking about women who would dare to cheat on their husbands. Desdemona says to Emilia, “Beshrew me if I would do such a wrong for the whole world,” (IV, iii, 74-75). The irony comes from the fact that Othello believes that Desdemona has been cheating on him. Desdemona admits that she will never cheat on Othello and always be faithful to him. The irony in this moment portrays the tragedy about to unfold upon this loving couple.

Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Desdemona’s behavior towards her father in Act I, set her up for suspicious and deceptive behavior. Her behavior helps Iago plant a seed of doubt in Othello regarding Desdemona. Brabantio says, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee,” (I, iii, 289-290). This line reveals an element of foreshadowing, which is a literary technique Shakespeare often employs in his plays. In Act III, Iago remind Othello of her behavior towards her father to increase Othello’s doubt. “She did deceive her father, marrying you,” (III, iii, 207). Desdemona’s sweet nature towards other men will increase Othello’s suspicions. Her early deception towards her father will blind Othello. He will forget that she left her father for his love.

Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Iago

Iago is perfect in the art of deceiving others. His understanding of human nature and reputation of being an honest man lead others to put absolute trust in him. For example, in Act III, Othello says, “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit of human dealings,” (III, iii, 259-261). Iago is two faced and establishes his motives for his behavior early on in the play. Iago strongly dislikes Othello because Iago suspects that his wife cheated on him with Othello. Moreover, Iago is angry that he does not have a high-ranking military position with Othello. Iago’s two-faced nature is exemplified when he says to Othello’s face that he loves him and acts as a loving friend to him when he actually despises Othello. For example, “My lord, you know I love you,” (III, iii, 118). The only person who knows Iago’s nature is Roderigo. However, Iago is even deceiving him by acting as if he is trying to persuade Desdemona to leave Othello. Iago is able to use peoples wishes and motives to align his own scheme.

Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Dramatic Irony

The primary literary element in Othello is dramatic irony. This tool makes the audience cringe at characters unwillingly listening to Iago who easily deceives them. An example of dramatic irony is present in Act III with Cassio’s interaction with Desdemona. The audience knows that Cassio and Desdemona are friends. Cassio is only asking for her help in gaining back his position through Othello’s forgiveness. Othello sees this interaction as harmless. However, Iago, the driving force of the dramatic irony in this play, deceives Othello to suspect a relationship between Cassio and Desdemona. The audience, along with Iago, knows that Cassio was only asking for help in getting forgiveness and that Othello should suspect nothing. The dramatic irony of this situation is revealed through Iago’s soliloquies. For example, “Myself the while to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife. Aye, that’s the way. Dull not device by coldness and delay, (II, iii, 348-351).

Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Racism

Othello’s African American ethnicity plays a large role in Othello because it is a source of dislike towards him. Throughout Acts I and II there are remarks about race, which reveal the typical stereotypes that Othello deals with. When Brabantio reacts to finding out that Desdemona married Othello, he says, “Get weapons, ho!” (I, i, 179). This statement reveals the attitude that African Americans were viewed as less than human. Had Desdemona married a white man, Brabantio would not have reacted this way. Another example of a remark about ethnicity is when the Duke speaks highly of Othello to Brabantio. “Your son-in-law is far more fair than black,” (I, iii, 287). This remark not only characterizes Othello as educated and well-mannered, but  it also implies that African Americans were viewed as inferior and ill-behaved. In Act II, Iago talks to Desdemona about women, and even in this setting negative remarks towards ethnicity are made. For example, “If she be black, and thereto have a wit, she’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit,” (II, i, 132-133). In this remark, black means ugly. Othello’s ethnicity early in the play is appearing to be an important factor throughout the whole.