Here we are at the end. Heartbreaking, but - why does Iago live? Who do you think is the antagonist now that you have read the whole play? Has your opinion changed from Wednesday? What do you notice about Othello's last speech?
My opinion hasn't changed from Wednesday. I still think Iago is the antagonist. I know it's typical to assume that but he is the one that caused all the problems in the play and ultimately lead to the deaths of many characters which, in my book, categorizes him as a the enemy. Many could argue that Othello could be the antagonist because he killed the woman he supposedly "loved" but honestly, Othello wouldn't have snapped like that had Iago not given him the idea that Desdemona cheated on him. Iago had only evil intentions throughout the play which makes him the enemy. It was just unfortunate that the other characters didn't notice his evil nature until the end. I just think Iago is horrible and only cares about gaining confidence in himself and getting the job he wants an. He is so sad and miserable and jealous that he finds delight in stealing other peoples happiness because deep down he doesn't think it's fair they are happy and he's not. At the end of the play he is to be executed and rightfully so. In Othello's last speech he's telling Lodovico and the others how he wants to be remembered. He wants to be remembered as who he actually was before the crime he committed, not good but not bad, one that either loves too well or is easily jealous. This speech brings out how ambiguous his character is.
My opinion has not changed from Wednesday I still feel that Iago is the antagonist in all this because he causes all the problems and puts up the obstacles that Othello has to deal with and try to overcome. It's a classic story of hero verses villain; with Othello being the protagonist and Iago being the antagonist. However I have a hard time with Othello being the protagonist since he does nothing to stop Iago evil doings. Gr. I am so mad that Iago lives I was hoping Othello would end him once and for all!! I would say that the reason he lives is so he can see all that damage that he has caused because that would affect any normal human being but as we all know Iago is far from being a normal or civil human. So I am having a hard time with the fact that he is still alive. Maybe his punishment is waiting for him. As Jade mentioned Othello’s last speech does show his ambiguous character when he pleads to be remembered for the man he use to be and not the man he turned into after having a strong dose of jealousy thrust upon. Does this speech mean that he regrets killing Desdemona? Or is he at peace knowing that she is out of this horrible mess and he is soon to join her in heaven?
I believe that Iago is the protagonist and Desdemona is the antagonist. Iago drives the play like you would a brand-new Chrlyser Lebaron, so picking him for the protagonist is obvious. Iago, wanting to strip Othello from his morality and ability to love, manipulates Othello and everyone around him, causing Othello to murder Desdemona and hold contempt for Cassio. Desdemona, wanting Othello to accept the the truth and return the man she married, let herself die to prove her love for him. Now, Iago did achieve part of his goal because Othello did fall from grace, but Desdemona's death and Emilia's evidence restored his sanity, even if it was just before he killed himself.
It is a stretch. I am fully aware.
Othello's last speech is his heartbreaking expression of how far he fell from grace and humanity and love. He is filled with foul regret. He wants the good in his life to be remembered; the road he used to walk before he was led astray by Iago and strengthened by jealousy. His vile actions can no longer exist within his earthly body and he knows it.
Iago's last words are, "from this time forth I never will speak a word," (5.2.342). Iago's power stemmed from his verbal prowess and acting ability, therefore I find this line quite noble given this circumstances. It is as if he is renouncing his evil ways. Maybe he did not achieve the satisfaction he expected with Othello's defeat. I am not sure, but it warrents some discussion.
Act 5 Discussion Points: Why is it that even after Othello knows Iago killed Roderigo, he believes Iago’s lies? What was the point of Iago sending Roderigo to kill Cassio? Why couldn’t he do it himself? What is the significance of Barbantio’s death? How does it add to the dramatic Irony of the play? What is the significance of Emilia’s song before she dies?
Antagonist = Desdemona. Desdemona is the exact opposite of what Iago (the protagonist) stands for. Desdemona can not be manipulated by Iago. Desdemona’s action was to accept her death to prove her love towards Othello. Unfortunately Othello doesn’t realize this until after her death.
I think that Iago live because Shakespeare meant what he said through Othello - "death is happiness." It is very possible that Iago is to live so that he can be made to suffer
My opinion still remains that Emilia is the antagonist as as one of Iago's goals was to probably to get away with the whole plan, and she thwarted that when she outed him
In Othello's las speech he told the officials to tell the story as it happened. He did not want to be remembered as someone that he was not. He want them to remember both the end and the beginning. This shows that Othello's nbler natue is returning to him
Why is it that Iago does not stay behind and finish the job with Cassio and Roderigo? Why leave them both to die as opposed to kill them himself?
What is Othello trying to impress when he says he must kill Desdemona? Does he really believe it or is he just convincing himself it must be done? Personally, it is my belief that even though Othello was gun-ho to kill Desdemona earlier, he is almost totally unable to actually carry it out, and he needs that piece of "justice" to convince himself to carry it out
My view of who is the protagonist has not changed. Iago moves the plot along more than any other character in the play. Even if you do perceive "Othello" as a clear-cut struggle between good and evil (I personally don't think things are nearly so black-and-white), Othello doesn't really set the plot in motion. He is the center of the story, but he is not the one doing the heavy lifting, so to speak.
However, my view on the antagonist has altered (of course I was pretty unsure of the antagonist before this. Taylor Kingman had a very persuasive case for Desdemona being the antagonist. I don't want to be the kind of guy that says "I'm gonna go along with what this guy is saying", but I really do agree that Desdemona's almost undying love for her husband does make her the closest person in the play to an antagonist to Iago.
I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but I love the way this play ends- precisely because it's so infuriating. I love unconventional endings because, instead of doing all the thinking for the audience by wrapping everything up into a neat little package, the force the audience to think. Whether you love this ending or hate it, you can't deny that it made you think. It set off a reaction in you. That is precisely what it's supposed to do. The idea that the villain succeeds in what he set out to do- that he gets everything he wanted- coupled with the fact that Iago's fate is uncertain while Othello, Emilia, and Desdemona lay dead hammers home the message that the episodes of life do not usually end neatly- it's brilliant. That being said, I admit that you have to let this ending sit with you for a while before you start liking it. But that's what's so great about it. There aren't many endings in entertainment that you can truly just sit and ponder endlessly, and when endings like that do happen, I find it magical.
Iago doesn't necessarily live, he just doesn't die in the play (which is because it is a tragedy, and he's a jerk), but he might be killed later on for what he did.
I think that Cassio is the antagonist, because he is always doing something to inconvenience Iago, be it being promoted ahead of him, to him living to testify against Iago's claims. So my opinion changed from Othello to him.
What I noticed about Othello's speech (besides being really freaking sad) is that he wants people to remember him for the good things.
Iago lives to be tormented for the rest of his life by the memory of the innocent lives that were stolen from Iago's villainous acts. He also doesn't die because Othello views death as happiness, and happiness is the last thing Othello want's for Iago. However I really wish Othello would have taken revenge and killed Iago.
I still believe that Iago is the protagonist in this play because his character and motivation is what drives the play to its tragic ending. However, my opinion of the antagonist changed from Othello to Emilia because she continued to speak against Iago to uncover Iago's villainous work, which led to the truth being revealed, and of course her innocent death.
I noticed that Othello generally wanted people to remember him for how he used to be before jealousy took over his mind. He wants to be honored for the good things, and not the bad.
I believe Iago lives as a punishment for all the horrible thing he caused. He is a representative of the horrendous things that happened in Cyprus. Hopefully, with all the others dead, his life will be miserable and he will be reduced to the same, unbalanced mental state that he inflicted on others.
Originally, I agreed with Taylor and others that Desdemona was the antagonist. You can create a valid case that Desdemona's inability to be manipulated by Iago blocked Iago from changing Othello into a immoral killing machine. But, I also believe that you can make a case that the officers of law in Venice such as Lodovico and Gratiano hinder Iago the most from getting what he wants. To complete these horrible deeds of manipulation, Iago was forced to move the cast to a different location. Who knows how long he could have been plotting to do what he did in Cyprus, but was unable to do so because everyone was in Venice. I believe because the Officers of Venice knew Othello and how he carried himself and how a mentally balanced, proud person he was created the biggest barricade to Iago, and eventually caused the exposure of his deeds. Without the structure and balance of Venice, this story would not have taken place in the unbalanced, animalistic Cyprus.
Shakespeare ended this play in the best possible way. Othello telling the others not to leave out details and saying he was a good man poisoned by too much love really rapped the play up in the best way possible. Even though I would have liked Iago to be exposed earlier, that was not possible, so ending the play placing Othello back into his originally stature served as the best conclusion possible.
My opinion hasn't changed since Wednesday. I believe that Iago is the protagonist, as he is the character who moves the plot forward with his actions. The antagonist is slightly harder to decide though. I would say the antagonist would be Othello, seeing as his denying of Iago's claims (for a while) seems to be the only thing that opposes Iago for the majority of the play. I am not sure what Othello's final speech means. It is in verse, but not rhyming verse or anything special. Could it reveal something about his self-image? It makes it seem like he cares a lot of his image in the eyes of others.
Iago lives because he lives in all of us--there is that part of us that lives to bring others down. He is that part of human nature that cannot be erased no matter how virtuous the person. Take Othello, for example. He was a great man, but his downfall was to fall prey to that side of his nature; the distrust, the jealousy.
I think now, as I had an inkling before, that Desdemona is the antagonist--neither Othello nor Iago--and that Iago is the protagonist. Though Desdemona does not act directly against Iago, she is still his greatest obstacle. Not only that, but she wants what he doesn't, which is for Othello to remain whole.
As for Othello's last speech, I'm not sure what I am looking for. It is in verse, yes, but other than that the only thing that comes to mind is the absence of askance for forgiveness. Were I in his place I would have begged for forgiveness, for being only human and falling to the trickery of malice. Not for acquittal, but simply the full weight of accusation off my shoulders. Does he not ask forgiveness for being human because he cannot forgive himself?
Iago survives because Othello decides not to kill him when he has the chance. Instead of killing the villain, he wounds him, therefore giving him punishment through pain. If he had killed Iago, then peace would have come to him and no punishment would befall his life. It may seem that Iago’s evil ways would have ended when he said “From this time forth I never will speak word,” however, let us not forget that all famous quote: “I am not what I am.” This may show that Iago is in fact once again putting on a mask to help himself and twist others into believing that he is the “Honest Iago.” To be honest, I think that he is going to get away with all of it sooner or later. He will use his poisonous words to subdue more individuals and escape, or avoid jail altogether. He will start a new life in a new city, and try to destroy the best of them. I am going to guess that most of us are in agreement that Iago is the Protagonist. Some would argue that the “bad guy” cannot be the protagonist, but most signs point to the former. In case you have not noticed, Iago drives the plot, sets in motion pretty much everything, has the most lines, and is more than likely the most developed character in the whole play. Yes, Othello is the Tragic Hero, but I do not believe he is the protagonist, instead I believe the opposite. Othello is in the way of Iago’s goals, which are (from what I gather at the moment) to destroy the love between Desdemona and Othello, tear Othello’s life apart, remove him from his venerated position, and to possibly convince the masses that even the most highly regarded Moore in Venice and Cyprus is still deep down just a black, beastly, monster that cares for nothing, and that would kill out of anger and jealousy on a whim. Othello’s pureness, strong heart, love, and strength of doing what is just, stands in the way of Iago. Unfortunately, his venomous language proved too powerful, even for the epitome of a hero. My opinion on the matter has changed a lot since Wednesday. Wednesday, I was still trying to put all of this together, and my mind was not set in stone on what I believed. Now however, I am passionate about my decisions on Othello and Iago. After reading Othello’s final speech, I realized something: Iago lost. Yes, Iago brought Othello down to his level. Yes, Othello’s mind was corrupted and raw anger and jealousy ruled his conscious. Yes, Othello murdered Desdemona, and executed himself. However, in Othello’s last words he admits his faults, and becomes himself again. He asks that he be remembered for being Othello, the great general. When he dies, the Othello that Iago created was no more. Othello died loving Desdemona. That proves that Iago lost. Iago was trying to destroy the core of Othello, the pureness of him, and the love he had. “Killing myself, to die upon a kiss,” he said. He died knowing what he did, and loving Desdemona. That is what matters, that is why Iago lost. In the end, the Othello we knew and loved murdered the monster Iago created, thus freeing himself. His last breath was that of a loving man.
My opinion has changed since Wednesday, and now I agree with Ryan. I believe that the protagonist is Iago, and the antagonist is Othello, not Desdemona. Desdemona resists Iago's manipulation, but this does not hinder him. He works around it and is still completely able to accomplish his main goal, the destruction of Othello. Othello, on the other hand, denies Iago's accusations about Cassio and Desdemona, at least for a while. Iago's greatest challenge is to overcome Othello's moral and doubtful inclinations in order to ruin his life and change him into the monster we see in Act 4.
Taylor, I do not think that Iago's last words mean that he is unsatisfied with Othello's defeat, but the opposite. He realizes that his deceptive speech has caused the tragedy of Othello, and that he does not need to speak anything else. It is as if he knows that Othello will kill himself. Iago knows that he has already won.
Great job folks! I have to agree with Aidan that the ending is perfect. I would hate for it to be "Hollywoodized" - and my soul bleeds at the beauty of Othello's last speech. I cry every time because the nobility of the man returns. I know that many of you want to know who I think the antagonist is, given that Iago is the protagonist. All I am going to say is that I agree with a proposal put forth in this blog - but I am not telling which one. The wonderful thing about these plays is that you can argue multiple perspectives. As a director, I like to play with this on stage. For example, my root action statement for Macbeth was very different each time I produced it. That is my joy:) I would love to find a way to produce Othello at Newberg, but that choice is yours, not mine.
My opinion still hasn't changed. Granted, my group formed our root action statement with knowledge of the action of the 5th act. I believe that Iago is the protagonist and Desdemona his antagonist. The fact that Iago lives while the other characters is heartbreaking but we also have the vengeful, masochistic satisfaction of knowing he will be tortured and have to live with his actions instead of having the relief of death which his victims have received. He is finally exposed for what he has done, and the effect of this on the other characters is quite cathartic. Othello's last speech is beautiful and makes me incredibly sad at the same time. The audience can see his realization of terror at what he has done, and the incredible sorrow which consumes him. The play ends on a sad note, yes, but that is not a bad thing. It perfects the buildup of action before it, and does not cheapen the raw emotion which has just been expressed. I very much agree with Aidan's discussion on this issue. One other thing that stood out to me was that even after being slandered and on the brink of death at the hands of her husband, Desdemona still tries to save Othello's honor by insisting to Emilia that she had somehow smothered herself and even asked to be commended to her "kind lord." It is incredible to me that after enduring so much against her she is still able to do this.
Carlin- I love your view on the reason why Iago lives. I really have to agree with you, but I do have to add to it. I feel that not only did he live because he lives on in us, but also because death would've been too kind. As Othello says "For in my sense 'tis happiness to die" and Iago deserves no happiness. I also like to think that Iago almost regrets what he did, that maybe he feels the pain of these deaths, which is why he says "I will never speak a word". The word is the tool of his trade, and without it he cannot wreak this havoc again. One thing I noticed about Othello's very last words were that not only were they in verse, but also in rhyme. "I kissed thee, ere I killed thee: no way but this/ Killing myself, to die upon a kiss." And as for the antagonist, I'm pretty sure its Desdemona. Originally I though it was Othello, but I couldn't find a strong motive or action that denied Iago. Not only that, but if Othello was the antagonist, the climax would've been when he gave in to Iago's persuasions, and doubted Desdemona. On the other hand, if Desdemona was the antagonist, the climax would be when Othello sees he was wrong. Not only that, she has a strong motivation (supporting Othello, getting him to see the truth) and a very strong action (giving herself up for death to preserve her love with Othello).
I think that Iago is the protagonist and Othello is the antagonist. Othello is the antagonist because no one made him kill Desdemona, he chose to fall into Iago's trap no matter how elaborate it was. Iago's fate is undecidable. I cannot judge what should happen to him, who can judge who lives and who dies? Oh well. Overall my favorite character was Iago. My least favorite character was Othello.
My opinion about the protagonist has remained the same...if we define the protagonist as the character that most moves the plot of the play along, it can be no other than Iago, because without his actions very little would've happened. The question over the antagonist in this play is a tough one, but I have to say that I'm not sure it can be Othello. How does he get in the way of Iago? He is used as a tool by Iago, and is completely manipulated, regaining himself at the end of the play. The last couple monologues he has are heart-wrenching because you see him come back to himself and realize the full scope of his actions. But I am going to have to say that the best antagonist I can come up with is Desdemona. A hard choice, but she is the one character that seems to get in the way of Iago's attempts at control.
I agree Mary, it is a powerful action that Desdemona makes at the end of the play, defending Othello before she dies. She has gone through so much, and lost her honor and the trust of her husband, and even her life, but she remains selfless. That is what really makes her the Christ-figure in Othello, because of her sacrifice...
Desdamona is the Antagonist Iago is the Protagonist I know that there is a lot of debate behind that and a lot info to support it with, but I like looking at characters as not main and supporting, but more as a drive in the play and seeing what characters interact and how they affect each other.
Shakespeare writes the most beautiful speeches ever. He should write them for the president!
I think Iago lives because Othello wants him to suffer and death would be to easy. My thought as to who the antagonist is has changed. I think it is Emalia because I feel she is always doing the opposite of Iago who I feel is the protaganist.
I cannot help but to agree full heartedly with the fact that Iago is the protagonist, him being the unstoppable force behind it all and could easily be argued that this is his play. Leaving Desdamona is the antagonist, seeing how she seems to be the only character to not fall in the gallows of Iago's mind games. She stays true to her soul and dies for the one she loves.
Iago deserves to die, but I believe living in the horrible world he created for himself is enough punishment. Iago has bloody hands and a filthy conscious that he now must live with as long as he lives. As Aiden said above, this play ended beautifully. Of course, it pains us all to watch Othello fall from grace and take his own life, but we are left with an emotional attachment to the play. Though I hoped Othello would conquer Iago in the end.
I believe Iago lives because Lodovicodesides that killing Iago for his actions would be the way out because Iago before imbarking on this tiraid to see the world burn probably new that the punishment for his actions would be death but if his life was spared and totured even after admitting his scemes it would be the true punishment that would make him wish he was dead.
When Othello is making his speach i feel he is coming to the realization that killing desdamona is a mistake but he continues to confince himself that him killing her is out of love and that it will save anyother man from the same fait and his emotions of anger over power his omotions of love and finally kills her.
I would have to say that desdamona is the antagonist because she does nothing to creat her fait or fix it she just loves othello and in the end its her love that kills her.
I found the fact that Iago lives to be a bit odd...but if you take the character of Iago as the portrayal of the human capacity for hate, then it really wouldn't make sense to kill him, because you would lose the aftermath of “victorious hate” in a human – if that makes sense :)
I would definitely agree with the other posts that Iago is the protagonist, as he is the one deceiving others and thus motivating them into action (like the witches in Macbeth). As far as antagonists go, it’s a tough call, so I would say that Desdemona fits it the most, as she seems almost out of the power of Iago.
In Othello’s last speech, I noticed that it seemed very different from his other speeches. It seemed devoid of all the pride and strength of a soldier, like the others had been. You could almost see that he was broken inside. :(
i still feel like Desdemona is the antagonist through the play.
I believe that Iago lives because death is too good for him and would never fully serve as punishment.
Othello's last speech broke me. It seemed almost detached from the real world as though he was proving himself to a higher being (or Desdemona). His speech was almost an apology but emotionally different. i am not quite sure how to describe what i am thinking.
aaaaaagh... on Othello's last speech is heartbreaking. oh...
i agree with everyone's decision that Iago is the Protagonist and Desdemona is the Antagonist.
and i think that Iago deserves to live. only because he can suffer and rot here instead of die and just let his cations be resulted in an easy death requiring no conscious thought or regret on his part or anyone else. it also makes who ever kills him also a bad person. the world is such a crappy place, it's worse to live in it, then to die and leave it.
I agree that Iago is the protagonist and Desdemona is the antagonist. He tries to destroy Othello by manipulating everyone around him and the only person that he can't manipulate is Desdemona, so she stands in the way of his plans. Othello's speech was so sad!I agree with Tori about proving himself to higher being, possibly Desdemona and seemed more like an apology. I think he deserves to live.
I feel like Othello wanted Iago to live so that he might be able to feel even a shred of the despair and betrayal that Othello felt after finding out the truth. As Othello says "I’d have thee live, For in my sense ’tis happiness to die." (V.ii.303-304). Why should Iago be granted death when he could be subjected to torture and the suffering that he inflicted on others? Death would be too easy, too good for him.
As for the Antagonist/ protagonist.... Iago is most certainly the Protagonist as we have all agreed upon. But rather than Othello or Desdemona being the Antagonist, I feel that it is Emilia. Iago could have gotten away with all of his scheming and plotting if Othello and Cassio hadn't found out. as it was, Emilia tells Othello everything, and denounces Iago in front of members of the court. By doing so, she not only defies her role as a wife and woman (of the time), but she also reveals all the acts that Iago has committed against Othello. I used to feel that it was Roderigo, merely because Roderigo is the first one that ever had stood up against Iago. However, just by standing up to him, he does not thwart Iago's plans, merely puts more into action (namely, the plotting of Roderigo's own death) whereas Emilia stops all further actions Iago may have been planning.
My opinion hasn't changed from Wednesday. I still think Iago is the antagonist. Iago is the one who caused the characters to do what they did. Othello wouldn't have killed Desdemona if Iago hadn't planted the idea in Othello's head that Desdemona was cheating on him. I think Iago was left a live to suffer.
Iago is definitely the antagonist. He drives the play forward and creates the climax. Othello's speech at the end shows how Othello has changed throughout the play. He starts out as a great noble character who loses his way, but at the end, he finds a part of who he was, but he can't become who he was, because he left a part of himself in Desdemona who he killed just 5 minutes before. If only he had waited 5 minutes! Iago lives, because Othello wants him to suffer just as he had, in this way, justice is being brought about, finally bringing an end to the chaos Iago has brought about.
Okay, I have a couple more things to say I suppose :) I have said one of Othello's last monologues again and again recently because I used it for acting comp, and I think Othello is a man defeated inside. I think he lets Iago go because he has nothing left, no reason to pursue him because he has just killed his wife and realized that if was for nothing. His own guilt and shame are wildly evident, and he calls for his punishment in his last lines before he kills himself...
This is horridly late! But anyway, Iago being the protagonist the only realistic antagonist is Desdemona. This is because she is the only character who completely avoids Iago's manipulation. They also have opposing motves. Desdemona's being the desire to make Othello happy and Iago's is to destroy Othello's reputation. In the end Iago is triumphant in the purest form of his desire, to destroy Othello, and so I believe he is left alive in order to solidify his victory. My opinion hasn't changed from Wednesday and that is because I was able to draw conclusions as to the root action based on correct predictions of the end of the play. Also, act five is almost purely resolution and since most of the conflict happens earlier it is easy to choose the antagonist and protagonist. Othello's last speech is interesting to me because I think he is wholly responsible for Desdemona’s death. He blames Iago and although Iago had manipulated him, the cause of Desdemona’s death ultimately comes down to Othello’s weakness of character.
My opinion hasn't changed from Wednesday. I still think Iago is the antagonist. I know it's typical to assume that but he is the one that caused all the problems in the play and ultimately lead to the deaths of many characters which, in my book, categorizes him as a the enemy. Many could argue that Othello could be the antagonist because he killed the woman he supposedly "loved" but honestly, Othello wouldn't have snapped like that had Iago not given him the idea that Desdemona cheated on him. Iago had only evil intentions throughout the play which makes him the enemy. It was just unfortunate that the other characters didn't notice his evil nature until the end. I just think Iago is horrible and only cares about gaining confidence in himself and getting the job he wants an. He is so sad and miserable and jealous that he finds delight in stealing other peoples happiness because deep down he doesn't think it's fair they are happy and he's not. At the end of the play he is to be executed and rightfully so.
ReplyDeleteIn Othello's last speech he's telling Lodovico and the others how he wants to be remembered. He wants to be remembered as who he actually was before the crime he committed, not good but not bad, one that either loves too well or is easily jealous. This speech brings out how ambiguous his character is.
My opinion has not changed from Wednesday I still feel that Iago is the antagonist in all this because he causes all the problems and puts up the obstacles that Othello has to deal with and try to overcome. It's a classic story of hero verses villain; with Othello being the protagonist and Iago being the antagonist. However I have a hard time with Othello being the protagonist since he does nothing to stop Iago evil doings.
ReplyDeleteGr. I am so mad that Iago lives I was hoping Othello would end him once and for all!! I would say that the reason he lives is so he can see all that damage that he has caused because that would affect any normal human being but as we all know Iago is far from being a normal or civil human. So I am having a hard time with the fact that he is still alive. Maybe his punishment is waiting for him.
As Jade mentioned Othello’s last speech does show his ambiguous character when he pleads to be remembered for the man he use to be and not the man he turned into after having a strong dose of jealousy thrust upon. Does this speech mean that he regrets killing Desdemona? Or is he at peace knowing that she is out of this horrible mess and he is soon to join her in heaven?
Taylor Kingman
ReplyDeleteI believe that Iago is the protagonist and Desdemona is the antagonist. Iago drives the play like you would a brand-new Chrlyser Lebaron, so picking him for the protagonist is obvious. Iago, wanting to strip Othello from his morality and ability to love, manipulates Othello and everyone around him, causing Othello to murder Desdemona and hold contempt for Cassio. Desdemona, wanting Othello to accept the the truth and return the man she married, let herself die to prove her love for him. Now, Iago did achieve part of his goal because Othello did fall from grace, but Desdemona's death and Emilia's evidence restored his sanity, even if it was just before he killed himself.
It is a stretch. I am fully aware.
Othello's last speech is his heartbreaking expression of how far he fell from grace and humanity and love. He is filled with foul regret. He wants the good in his life to be remembered; the road he used to walk before he was led astray by Iago and strengthened by jealousy. His vile actions can no longer exist within his earthly body and he knows it.
Iago's last words are, "from this time forth I never will speak a word," (5.2.342). Iago's power stemmed from his verbal prowess and acting ability, therefore I find this line quite noble given this circumstances. It is as if he is renouncing his evil ways. Maybe he did not achieve the satisfaction he expected with Othello's defeat. I am not sure, but it warrents some discussion.
Act 5 Discussion Points:
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that even after Othello knows Iago killed Roderigo, he believes Iago’s lies?
What was the point of Iago sending Roderigo to kill Cassio? Why couldn’t he do it himself?
What is the significance of Barbantio’s death? How does it add to the dramatic Irony of the play?
What is the significance of Emilia’s song before she dies?
Antagonist = Desdemona. Desdemona is the exact opposite of what Iago (the protagonist) stands for. Desdemona can not be manipulated by Iago. Desdemona’s action was to accept her death to prove her love towards Othello. Unfortunately Othello doesn’t realize this until after her death.
I think that Iago live because Shakespeare meant what he said through Othello - "death is happiness." It is very possible that Iago is to live so that he can be made to suffer
ReplyDeleteMy opinion still remains that Emilia is the antagonist as as one of Iago's goals was to probably to get away with the whole plan, and she thwarted that when she outed him
In Othello's las speech he told the officials to tell the story as it happened. He did not want to be remembered as someone that he was not. He want them to remember both the end and the beginning. This shows that Othello's nbler natue is returning to him
Why is it that Iago does not stay behind and finish the job with Cassio and Roderigo? Why leave them both to die as opposed to kill them himself?
What is Othello trying to impress when he says he must kill Desdemona? Does he really believe it or is he just convincing himself it must be done? Personally, it is my belief that even though Othello was gun-ho to kill Desdemona earlier, he is almost totally unable to actually carry it out, and he needs that piece of "justice" to convince himself to carry it out
My view of who is the protagonist has not changed. Iago moves the plot along more than any other character in the play. Even if you do perceive "Othello" as a clear-cut struggle between good and evil (I personally don't think things are nearly so black-and-white), Othello doesn't really set the plot in motion. He is the center of the story, but he is not the one doing the heavy lifting, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my view on the antagonist has altered (of course I was pretty unsure of the antagonist before this. Taylor Kingman had a very persuasive case for Desdemona being the antagonist. I don't want to be the kind of guy that says "I'm gonna go along with what this guy is saying", but I really do agree that Desdemona's almost undying love for her husband does make her the closest person in the play to an antagonist to Iago.
I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but I love the way this play ends- precisely because it's so infuriating. I love unconventional endings because, instead of doing all the thinking for the audience by wrapping everything up into a neat little package, the force the audience to think. Whether you love this ending or hate it, you can't deny that it made you think. It set off a reaction in you. That is precisely what it's supposed to do. The idea that the villain succeeds in what he set out to do- that he gets everything he wanted- coupled with the fact that Iago's fate is uncertain while Othello, Emilia, and Desdemona lay dead hammers home the message that the episodes of life do not usually end neatly- it's brilliant. That being said, I admit that you have to let this ending sit with you for a while before you start liking it. But that's what's so great about it. There aren't many endings in entertainment that you can truly just sit and ponder endlessly, and when endings like that do happen, I find it magical.
Iago doesn't necessarily live, he just doesn't die in the play (which is because it is a tragedy, and he's a jerk), but he might be killed later on for what he did.
ReplyDeleteI think that Cassio is the antagonist, because he is always doing something to inconvenience Iago, be it being promoted ahead of him, to him living to testify against Iago's claims. So my opinion changed from Othello to him.
What I noticed about Othello's speech (besides being really freaking sad) is that he wants people to remember him for the good things.
Iago lives to be tormented for the rest of his life by the memory of the innocent lives that were stolen from Iago's villainous acts. He also doesn't die because Othello views death as happiness, and happiness is the last thing Othello want's for Iago. However I really wish Othello would have taken revenge and killed Iago.
ReplyDeleteI still believe that Iago is the protagonist in this play because his character and motivation is what drives the play to its tragic ending. However, my opinion of the antagonist changed from Othello to Emilia because she continued to speak against Iago to uncover Iago's villainous work, which led to the truth being revealed, and of course her innocent death.
I noticed that Othello generally wanted people to remember him for how he used to be before jealousy took over his mind. He wants to be honored for the good things, and not the bad.
I believe Iago lives as a punishment for all the horrible thing he caused. He is a representative of the horrendous things that happened in Cyprus. Hopefully, with all the others dead, his life will be miserable and he will be reduced to the same, unbalanced mental state that he inflicted on others.
ReplyDeleteOriginally, I agreed with Taylor and others that Desdemona was the antagonist. You can create a valid case that Desdemona's inability to be manipulated by Iago blocked Iago from changing Othello into a immoral killing machine. But, I also believe that you can make a case that the officers of law in Venice such as Lodovico and Gratiano hinder Iago the most from getting what he wants. To complete these horrible deeds of manipulation, Iago was forced to move the cast to a different location. Who knows how long he could have been plotting to do what he did in Cyprus, but was unable to do so because everyone was in Venice. I believe because the Officers of Venice knew Othello and how he carried himself and how a mentally balanced, proud person he was created the biggest barricade to Iago, and eventually caused the exposure of his deeds. Without the structure and balance of Venice, this story would not have taken place in the unbalanced, animalistic Cyprus.
Shakespeare ended this play in the best possible way. Othello telling the others not to leave out details and saying he was a good man poisoned by too much love really rapped the play up in the best way possible. Even though I would have liked Iago to be exposed earlier, that was not possible, so ending the play placing Othello back into his originally stature served as the best conclusion possible.
My opinion hasn't changed since Wednesday. I believe that Iago is the protagonist, as he is the character who moves the plot forward with his actions. The antagonist is slightly harder to decide though. I would say the antagonist would be Othello, seeing as his denying of Iago's claims (for a while) seems to be the only thing that opposes Iago for the majority of the play.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what Othello's final speech means. It is in verse, but not rhyming verse or anything special. Could it reveal something about his self-image? It makes it seem like he cares a lot of his image in the eyes of others.
Iago lives because he lives in all of us--there is that part of us that lives to bring others down. He is that part of human nature that cannot be erased no matter how virtuous the person. Take Othello, for example. He was a great man, but his downfall was to fall prey to that side of his nature; the distrust, the jealousy.
ReplyDeleteI think now, as I had an inkling before, that Desdemona is the antagonist--neither Othello nor Iago--and that Iago is the protagonist. Though Desdemona does not act directly against Iago, she is still his greatest obstacle. Not only that, but she wants what he doesn't, which is for Othello to remain whole.
As for Othello's last speech, I'm not sure what I am looking for. It is in verse, yes, but other than that the only thing that comes to mind is the absence of askance for forgiveness. Were I in his place I would have begged for forgiveness, for being only human and falling to the trickery of malice. Not for acquittal, but simply the full weight of accusation off my shoulders. Does he not ask forgiveness for being human because he cannot forgive himself?
Cody Ridenour said....
ReplyDeleteIago survives because Othello decides not to kill him when he has the chance. Instead of killing the villain, he wounds him, therefore giving him punishment through pain. If he had killed Iago, then peace would have come to him and no punishment would befall his life. It may seem that Iago’s evil ways would have ended when he said “From this time forth I never will speak word,” however, let us not forget that all famous quote: “I am not what I am.” This may show that Iago is in fact once again putting on a mask to help himself and twist others into believing that he is the “Honest Iago.” To be honest, I think that he is going to get away with all of it sooner or later. He will use his poisonous words to subdue more individuals and escape, or avoid jail altogether. He will start a new life in a new city, and try to destroy the best of them.
I am going to guess that most of us are in agreement that Iago is the Protagonist. Some would argue that the “bad guy” cannot be the protagonist, but most signs point to the former. In case you have not noticed, Iago drives the plot, sets in motion pretty much everything, has the most lines, and is more than likely the most developed character in the whole play. Yes, Othello is the Tragic Hero, but I do not believe he is the protagonist, instead I believe the opposite. Othello is in the way of Iago’s goals, which are (from what I gather at the moment) to destroy the love between Desdemona and Othello, tear Othello’s life apart, remove him from his venerated position, and to possibly convince the masses that even the most highly regarded Moore in Venice and Cyprus is still deep down just a black, beastly, monster that cares for nothing, and that would kill out of anger and jealousy on a whim. Othello’s pureness, strong heart, love, and strength of doing what is just, stands in the way of Iago. Unfortunately, his venomous language proved too powerful, even for the epitome of a hero.
My opinion on the matter has changed a lot since Wednesday. Wednesday, I was still trying to put all of this together, and my mind was not set in stone on what I believed. Now however, I am passionate about my decisions on Othello and Iago.
After reading Othello’s final speech, I realized something: Iago lost. Yes, Iago brought Othello down to his level. Yes, Othello’s mind was corrupted and raw anger and jealousy ruled his conscious. Yes, Othello murdered Desdemona, and executed himself. However, in Othello’s last words he admits his faults, and becomes himself again. He asks that he be remembered for being Othello, the great general. When he dies, the Othello that Iago created was no more. Othello died loving Desdemona. That proves that Iago lost. Iago was trying to destroy the core of Othello, the pureness of him, and the love he had. “Killing myself, to die upon a kiss,” he said. He died knowing what he did, and loving Desdemona. That is what matters, that is why Iago lost. In the end, the Othello we knew and loved murdered the monster Iago created, thus freeing himself. His last breath was that of a loving man.
My opinion has changed since Wednesday, and now I agree with Ryan. I believe that the protagonist is Iago, and the antagonist is Othello, not Desdemona. Desdemona resists Iago's manipulation, but this does not hinder him. He works around it and is still completely able to accomplish his main goal, the destruction of Othello. Othello, on the other hand, denies Iago's accusations about Cassio and Desdemona, at least for a while. Iago's greatest challenge is to overcome Othello's moral and doubtful inclinations in order to ruin his life and change him into the monster we see in Act 4.
ReplyDeleteTaylor, I do not think that Iago's last words mean that he is unsatisfied with Othello's defeat, but the opposite. He realizes that his deceptive speech has caused the tragedy of Othello, and that he does not need to speak anything else. It is as if he knows that Othello will kill himself. Iago knows that he has already won.
Great job folks! I have to agree with Aidan that the ending is perfect. I would hate for it to be "Hollywoodized" - and my soul bleeds at the beauty of Othello's last speech. I cry every time because the nobility of the man returns. I know that many of you want to know who I think the antagonist is, given that Iago is the protagonist. All I am going to say is that I agree with a proposal put forth in this blog - but I am not telling which one. The wonderful thing about these plays is that you can argue multiple perspectives. As a director, I like to play with this on stage. For example, my root action statement for Macbeth was very different each time I produced it. That is my joy:) I would love to find a way to produce Othello at Newberg, but that choice is yours, not mine.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion still hasn't changed. Granted, my group formed our root action statement with knowledge of the action of the 5th act. I believe that Iago is the protagonist and Desdemona his antagonist.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Iago lives while the other characters is heartbreaking but we also have the vengeful, masochistic satisfaction of knowing he will be tortured and have to live with his actions instead of having the relief of death which his victims have received. He is finally exposed for what he has done, and the effect of this on the other characters is quite cathartic.
Othello's last speech is beautiful and makes me incredibly sad at the same time. The audience can see his realization of terror at what he has done, and the incredible sorrow which consumes him. The play ends on a sad note, yes, but that is not a bad thing. It perfects the buildup of action before it, and does not cheapen the raw emotion which has just been expressed. I very much agree with Aidan's discussion on this issue.
One other thing that stood out to me was that even after being slandered and on the brink of death at the hands of her husband, Desdemona still tries to save Othello's honor by insisting to Emilia that she had somehow smothered herself and even asked to be commended to her "kind lord." It is incredible to me that after enduring so much against her she is still able to do this.
Carlin- I love your view on the reason why Iago lives. I really have to agree with you, but I do have to add to it. I feel that not only did he live because he lives on in us, but also because death would've been too kind. As Othello says "For in my sense 'tis happiness to die" and Iago deserves no happiness. I also like to think that Iago almost regrets what he did, that maybe he feels the pain of these deaths, which is why he says "I will never speak a word". The word is the tool of his trade, and without it he cannot wreak this havoc again.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I noticed about Othello's very last words were that not only were they in verse, but also in rhyme.
"I kissed thee, ere I killed thee: no way but this/ Killing myself, to die upon a kiss."
And as for the antagonist, I'm pretty sure its Desdemona. Originally I though it was Othello, but I couldn't find a strong motive or action that denied Iago. Not only that, but if Othello was the antagonist, the climax would've been when he gave in to Iago's persuasions, and doubted Desdemona. On the other hand, if Desdemona was the antagonist, the climax would be when Othello sees he was wrong. Not only that, she has a strong motivation (supporting Othello, getting him to see the truth) and a very strong action (giving herself up for death to preserve her love with Othello).
I think that Iago is the protagonist and Othello is the antagonist. Othello is the antagonist because no one made him kill Desdemona, he chose to fall into Iago's trap no matter how elaborate it was. Iago's fate is undecidable. I cannot judge what should happen to him, who can judge who lives and who dies? Oh well. Overall my favorite character was Iago. My least favorite character was Othello.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion about the protagonist has remained the same...if we define the protagonist as the character that most moves the plot of the play along, it can be no other than Iago, because without his actions very little would've happened. The question over the antagonist in this play is a tough one, but I have to say that I'm not sure it can be Othello. How does he get in the way of Iago? He is used as a tool by Iago, and is completely manipulated, regaining himself at the end of the play. The last couple monologues he has are heart-wrenching because you see him come back to himself and realize the full scope of his actions. But I am going to have to say that the best antagonist I can come up with is Desdemona. A hard choice, but she is the one character that seems to get in the way of Iago's attempts at control.
ReplyDeleteI agree Mary, it is a powerful action that Desdemona makes at the end of the play, defending Othello before she dies. She has gone through so much, and lost her honor and the trust of her husband, and even her life, but she remains selfless. That is what really makes her the Christ-figure in Othello, because of her sacrifice...
Also, thank you Aiden for putting into words why the end of this play is so brilliant.
ReplyDeleteDesdamona is the Antagonist
ReplyDeleteIago is the Protagonist
I know that there is a lot of debate behind that and a lot info to support it with, but I like looking at characters as not main and supporting, but more as a drive in the play and seeing what characters interact and how they affect each other.
Shakespeare writes the most beautiful speeches ever.
He should write them for the president!
I think Iago lives because Othello wants him to suffer and death would be to easy. My thought as to who the antagonist is has changed. I think it is Emalia because I feel she is always doing the opposite of Iago who I feel is the protaganist.
ReplyDeleteI cannot help but to agree full heartedly with the fact that Iago is the protagonist, him being the unstoppable force behind it all and could easily be argued that this is his play. Leaving Desdamona is the antagonist, seeing how she seems to be the only character to not fall in the gallows of Iago's mind games. She stays true to her soul and dies for the one she loves.
ReplyDeleteIago deserves to die, but I believe living in the horrible world he created for himself is enough punishment. Iago has bloody hands and a filthy conscious that he now must live with as long as he lives. As Aiden said above, this play ended beautifully. Of course, it pains us all to watch Othello fall from grace and take his own life, but we are left with an emotional attachment to the play. Though I hoped Othello would conquer Iago in the end.
I believe Iago lives because Lodovicodesides that killing Iago for his actions would be the way out because Iago before imbarking on this tiraid to see the world burn probably new that the punishment for his actions would be death but if his life was spared and totured even after admitting his scemes it would be the true punishment that would make him wish he was dead.
ReplyDeleteWhen Othello is making his speach i feel he is coming to the realization that killing desdamona is a mistake but he continues to confince himself that him killing her is out of love and that it will save anyother man from the same fait and his emotions of anger over power his omotions of love and finally kills her.
I would have to say that desdamona is the antagonist because she does nothing to creat her fait or fix it she just loves othello and in the end its her love that kills her.
I found the fact that Iago lives to be a bit odd...but if you take the character of Iago as the portrayal of the human capacity for hate, then it really wouldn't make sense to kill him, because you would lose the aftermath of “victorious hate” in a human – if that makes sense :)
ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree with the other posts that Iago is the protagonist, as he is the one deceiving others and thus motivating them into action (like the witches in Macbeth). As far as antagonists go, it’s a tough call, so I would say that Desdemona fits it the most, as she seems almost out of the power of Iago.
In Othello’s last speech, I noticed that it seemed very different from his other speeches. It seemed devoid of all the pride and strength of a soldier, like the others had been. You could almost see that he was broken inside. :(
i still feel like Desdemona is the antagonist through the play.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Iago lives because death is too good for him and would never fully serve as punishment.
Othello's last speech broke me. It seemed almost detached from the real world as though he was proving himself to a higher being (or Desdemona). His speech was almost an apology but emotionally different. i am not quite sure how to describe what i am thinking.
aaaaaagh... on Othello's last speech is heartbreaking. oh...
ReplyDeletei agree with everyone's decision that Iago is the Protagonist and Desdemona is the Antagonist.
and i think that Iago deserves to live. only because he can suffer and rot here instead of die and just let his cations be resulted in an easy death requiring no conscious thought or regret on his part or anyone else. it also makes who ever kills him also a bad person. the world is such a crappy place, it's worse to live in it, then to die and leave it.
I agree that Iago is the protagonist and Desdemona is the antagonist. He tries to destroy Othello by manipulating everyone around him and the only person that he can't manipulate is Desdemona, so she stands in the way of his plans. Othello's speech was so sad!I agree with Tori about proving himself to higher being, possibly Desdemona and seemed more like an apology. I think he deserves to live.
ReplyDeleteHow horribly depressing could this possibly be?
ReplyDeleteI feel like Othello wanted Iago to live so that he might be able to feel even a shred of the despair and betrayal that Othello felt after finding out the truth. As Othello says "I’d have thee live,
For in my sense ’tis happiness to die." (V.ii.303-304). Why should Iago be granted death when he could be subjected to torture and the suffering that he inflicted on others? Death would be too easy, too good for him.
As for the Antagonist/ protagonist.... Iago is most certainly the Protagonist as we have all agreed upon. But rather than Othello or Desdemona being the Antagonist, I feel that it is Emilia. Iago could have gotten away with all of his scheming and plotting if Othello and Cassio hadn't found out. as it was, Emilia tells Othello everything, and denounces Iago in front of members of the court. By doing so, she not only defies her role as a wife and woman (of the time), but she also reveals all the acts that Iago has committed against Othello. I used to feel that it was Roderigo, merely because Roderigo is the first one that ever had stood up against Iago. However, just by standing up to him, he does not thwart Iago's plans, merely puts more into action (namely, the plotting of Roderigo's own death) whereas Emilia stops all further actions Iago may have been planning.
My opinion hasn't changed from Wednesday. I still think Iago is the antagonist. Iago is the one who caused the characters to do what they did. Othello wouldn't have killed Desdemona if Iago hadn't planted the idea in Othello's head that Desdemona was cheating on him. I think Iago was left a live to suffer.
ReplyDeleteIago is definitely the antagonist. He drives the play forward and creates the climax. Othello's speech at the end shows how Othello has changed throughout the play. He starts out as a great noble character who loses his way, but at the end, he finds a part of who he was, but he can't become who he was, because he left a part of himself in Desdemona who he killed just 5 minutes before. If only he had waited 5 minutes! Iago lives, because Othello wants him to suffer just as he had, in this way, justice is being brought about, finally bringing an end to the chaos Iago has brought about.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I have a couple more things to say I suppose :) I have said one of Othello's last monologues again and again recently because I used it for acting comp, and I think Othello is a man defeated inside. I think he lets Iago go because he has nothing left, no reason to pursue him because he has just killed his wife and realized that if was for nothing. His own guilt and shame are wildly evident, and he calls for his punishment in his last lines before he kills himself...
ReplyDeletejust some thoughts :)
This is horridly late! But anyway,
ReplyDeleteIago being the protagonist the only realistic antagonist is Desdemona. This is because she is the only character who completely avoids Iago's manipulation. They also have opposing motves. Desdemona's being the desire to make Othello happy and Iago's is to destroy Othello's reputation.
In the end Iago is triumphant in the purest form of his desire, to destroy Othello, and so I believe he is left alive in order to solidify his victory.
My opinion hasn't changed from Wednesday and that is because I was able to draw conclusions as to the root action based on correct predictions of the end of the play. Also, act five is almost purely resolution and since most of the conflict happens earlier it is easy to choose the antagonist and protagonist.
Othello's last speech is interesting to me because I think he is wholly responsible for Desdemona’s death. He blames Iago and although Iago had manipulated him, the cause of Desdemona’s death ultimately comes down to Othello’s weakness of character.