The Taming of The Shrew: Induction and Act One

In particular, we will examine Taming of the Shrew and how it relates to gender, family, and class.

Notes

Induction:

This is the only Shakespeare play that has an induction. The main thing to note here is that The Taming of the Shrew is a play within a play. They are producing this play in front of Christopher Sly (who they convinced is a Lord).

Act I Points of Interest:

• Dowry: The money, goods, estate that a wife brings to her husband upon marriage
• In this culture the eldest daughter must wed first, then the youngest. Women were not allowed to hold jobs and they depended on a man for survival. In order to guarantee that all children were secure and taken care of, a Father would refuse to marry younger daughters off until older ones were first married. This ensured that everyone in the family had a match.
• Katherine is a Shrew. Ill tempered and full of rage.
• Bianca is a mild mannered young lady who has Germio and Hortensio both competing for her affection. However, she cannot marry until Katherine is first married. 

Questions

Induction and Act 1

Describe each character:

• Katherine-Bold, freely spoken, determined, referred to as the shrew
• Bianca-younger sister of katherine, beautiful, modest
• Gremio-older man who seeks bianca's hand in marriage
• Hortensio-younger than gremio, seeks to marry Bianca
• Petruchio-foolish, wealthy, seeks Katherine's hand in marriage
• Lucentio-Noble, wealthy, seeking an adventure, he wants to marry Bianca
• Compare Katherine and Bianca to modern day people

Katherine and Bianca I don't know that they put me in mind of two sisters. They do put me in mind of people in general though. I know it sounds corny, but I think very much of my friend Chelsey, when I read of Bianca. She is gorgeous, modest, beautiful in every way possible. She is highly sought after, and could have any guy she wants, and so I relate the two. As for Katherine, I like to think I am like her. I am determined, and I am called bitter, and many other names. I speak what is on my mind, and I try to tell it like it is. I just think that I relate to this character.

1.

The Induction portrays role-playing. Who acts the part of whom? Why? How does such role-playing address issues of gender and class? What effects might these representations have on the play? Sly is playing the role of a lord. There are servants in the story and the page is used to pretend to be his wife. She is viewed as a sex object though. You can tell that the actual lord has money because he has servants, and is obviously of the upper class. Women are obviously not regarded with much respect. I think it sets the time of the play.

2.

From the outset, we learn from Bianca's suitors that Katherine is the less desirable of the two sisters. Examine and question this claim. How are Biance and Katherine different? What makes Katherine rather than Bianca the shrew? They view her as less desirable because she is older, and she is freely spoken. She speaks what is on her mind, and that is a trait that is not viewed positively in this time period. Because of these traits she is viewed as undesirable and as a shrew.

Othello Movie Review

Ugh Katie I am wracking my brain for ideas to write about. I thought about doing a high school rewrite, but I feel like that would be cliché because the movie "O" was high school based. So, now I am thinking of what to do. So, I am just going to keep talking to myself, and pretend like you are there. Maybe I will tweet you. I tweeted you. Now to wait for a response. I am just trying to think. I know the rewrite has to be based on Othello. It's like I said, I don't want to do a high school setting. Those are already popular as it is. I would like to do something different, if I could just think of something. I swear I feel like I could write a brilliant story. Let's think. I don't know. I swear you better not judge me because when you read this you will die. Like you may see an entirely new side of me. It's an ugly side. I mean it's evil. It is not pleasant. So, I am still brain storming a topic, and I am having no such luck. What to write about? Let's see. I was thinking about writing something to do with school, but not like high school. I was thinking college related, but I feel like there are enough rewrites with stuff like that. So, let's think. I wish I could come up with something that wouldn't change the ages too much. What if I wrote something army related? I would feel bad though if I wrote something about soldiers killing other soldiers, but it happens right? I mean their are t.v shows where soldiers kill other soldiers, so would it technically be so bad if I based it on the army? I just feel like if I done it that way it would be controversial, but let's face it Othello in general is going to be controversial.


Cast:
Othello- Owen
Iago- Ian
Roderigo- Roger
Emilia- Emily
Desdemona- Destiny
Michael Cassio- Mike
Bianca- Bianca
Minor Characters- which are of no concern to me quiet honestly



Setting: Fort Stewart, Georgia
             Afghanistan


I would change it so that the characters were in Afghanistan, and they were fighting. Owen is the general, and Iago, Roger, and Mike are all soldiers under his command. Owen is a Major General, and he is going to recommend who is to be the Lieutenant General, which is second in command. Ian saved Owen's life, yet when they get back home, and the award/ promotion is given, Mike is the recipient. This is what outrages Ian, and causes him to go on his downward spiral.

Roger obviously will love Destiny.
Owen will obviously be black.
I would try to keep the ages as close to the same as possible.

After they get back from the war, and they begin their leave, Mike, Ian, and Owen decide to go out one night. While they were out, they encounter Destiny and her friend Emily. They are out at the movies, and this is where Destiny first meets Owen. He asks if he can take her out sometime. She agrees. The two continue to see each other for the three months that Owen and his soldiers are on leave. Owen decides to propose to Destiny, but this is a bad idea seeing as it is the first time he is set to meet Destiny's dad. When he gets there, her dad doesn't know that Owen is black, and he is clearly unhappy about it. He doesn't hold his tongue about how he feels either. So, then while they are eating, Owen decides to reveal his feelings of love for Destiny, and ask her father for permission to marry his daughter. He then gets down on one knee, and proposes. Well, this sets Destiny's father over the edge, and he has a heart attack. Destiny says yes anyway, and on the day that the two get married, her father dies of heart failure. As a sign of his love on the day that Owen leaves to return to Afghanistan, he gives to destiny his medal that he received for good conduct. It is a red and white ribbon with a medal on the end of the ribbon.

So, while they are gone on leave yet again, Mike gets into trouble with some of the other soldiers while he is drunk, courtesy of Ian. So, he is forced to return home. While he is preparing to leave, Ian tells Mike to speak to Destiny, and to have her tell him to speak on behalf of Mike, and give him his title back. He says that Owen will not refrain from listening to her. This entire time Roger is killing Ian by aggravating him with questions demanding to know when he is going to get to be with Destiny. So, while Mike is back home Ian decides to take advantage of this, and to turn Owen against Mike and Destiny. So he begins to tell him one night of his suspicions while they are on guard duty, and it is just the two of them. While they are watching for god only knows what, Ian says that he is curious about how Destiny is doing. Owen replies that she is good, and that every time he talks to her she brings up Mike. He then says that he is considering reinstating Mike. That's when Ian seems to sound disappointed and like he is holding something back. So, finally he says that he just isn't sure about Destiny being by herself with Mike back home, and he has heard from Mike, and he talks about this girl, and the things that they do. He calls her a sex maniac, etc. This begins to start the downward spiral of Owen.

Finally they get to go back home for leave. When they get back, Owen demands to see the medal that he gave to Destiny. She shows it to him, and it is while she shows it to him, that she drops it, and Emily takes it, and gives it to Ian. Ian then gives it to Mike, and tells him to give it to Bianca, who is actually the whore that he is involved with. So, he does. Ian continues to plan his psycho plan of bringing Owen down. That night Owen and Destiny consecrate their marriage for the first time. Note that Owen is going to be older like Othello is from the play, and Destiny will be young like Desdemona. The next day, Ian decides that it is time for him to really kick things into gear. Owen is visiting Ian, and telling him about how things with Destiny went, and how he can't bear the thoughts of her cheating on him. Then Mike comes to see Ian, and that is when Owen hides, and Ian convinces Mike to tell him about his dinner plans with Bianca, and how had given her the medal earlier, and now he was hoping to see some action tonight from her. He never refers to her as Bianca though, but rather as a whore. So, then this outrages Owen, and he decides that tonight will be the night that he kills Mike and Destiny. He cannot bear anymore. So, Ian convinces him to let him take care of Mike.

Later that night, when Mike is coming back from dinner with Bianca, Roger is hiding waiting to attack Mike. So as Mike walks by, Roger attacks him from behind, and the Mike overcomes him. Seeing as he can't identify his attacker because he is wearing a mask the two struggle for what would seem to be forever, but was really just a few seconds. By this time, Ian realizes that if you want to get the job done, you must do it yourself, so he takes his gun, and shoots Mike in the leg. By this time though, Mike had already taken his gun, and shot Roger in the chest. It would prove to be fatal if given the time. By this time though people are showing up because they heard the gunshots, and so Ian removes Roger's mask,  so that they could see who the attacker was. Mike is unconscious from blood loss. Ian hurries and hides, and then comes running, claiming that he came running the moment he heard the shots. Then when he realizes that it is Roger who "attacked" Mike, he shoots him in front of everybody. He calls him a traitor and says that he would have been charged with treason, and he would have got the exact same thing either way. Then he calls for help for Mike. He really shot Roger so that way he couldn't talk, and tell on him.

Meanwhile, Owen is visiting Destiny who is by this time in her room, alone. She is sleeping when Owen comes in. It is already late, and with the way he had been acting she didn't know if he would be  coming to join her or not, so she went on to sleep without him. He comes in, and while he is in there, he becomes outraged, and he begins to choke her. She of course wakes up, and while he is choking her, Emily comes to the door. Then after Owen thought that she was dead, he opens the door to see what Emily needs. She sees her friends, and asked what happened. Owen says he has no idea that he just got there. Then Destiny wakes up and says that she was attached by a white man wearing a mask. Emily says this is awful we must do something. Owen confesses Then Emily goes psycho, and at this point in time, Ian shows up, to bring the news about Mike. This is when Emily reveals her stealing the medal for Ian. Ian who still has the gun from earlier kills her. Then he is arrested, and due to be charged with as many crimes as possible. Owen is about to be arrested when all of a sudden, he lurches for the gun that has been seized from Ian. When he gets it, he points it at everybody, makes his speech about being fooled by a white man, and then shoots himself.


The End.

Othello Act Five

1. At the end of this scene we witness the murder of several characters. Did this ending satisfy you? Why or why not?

Define satisfied Katie!!!!!! Was I pleased? No. Was I displeased? No. I really dislike this story though because I feel like some justice wasn't served, and like more characters died than necessary. Yet, I am glad that Cassio was proved innocent, and Iago is going to be tortured. Does that make me a cruel human being? Ahhh, who cares. He deserves it. I feel like this ending was stupid. I honestly hate this story. Like it was so messed up. I think it is a Shakespeare thing. I don't know I feel like bluhh about the ending of this story. It just is what it is, nothing more and nothing less.

2. This play is considered to be one of the greatest tragedies of all time. Why is it so tragic (avoid the answer: they all died).

It's considered tragic??? What?!?!?! It's tragic that we have to read it!!!! Who writes this kind of stuff???? Seriously. If you ask me it is not a tragedy, it is just what happens when Shakespeare was high and writing. If everybody else wants to consider it a tragedy then I guess I will write about how "tragic" it is-even though it is not tragic. I don't care if I didn't use the dash right Katie. I don't need to know how to English, just how to stick my hand up a cow's butt. If I had to pick a reason why it was tragic, I would say because of the fact that a manipulative and evil person can ruin the lives of innocent people who didn't deserve it. Iago was a jerk. He ruined the lives of countless people, whether by his own doing or as a consequence of his actions. That would be my reason for it being "tragic". 

3. What does the handkerchief symbolize?

I think the handkerchief is a symbol of love. It was Othello's first give to his lover, Desdemona. It symbolizes love to Desdemona and to Othello. Othello also uses it as a symbol for faithfulness and devotion. He believed if she did not have it then she was cheating on him. 

4. Examine Othello's last words. What do these words show us about him?

He is dumb. He is noble. Yet so dumb. He wants the world to learn from his mistakes, and he wants them to know what happened. Yet, he chose a cowards way out of life. I know I don't have much room to talk, but what I tried to do was cowardly too. He ran from his problems and the consequences of his actions rather than facing them head-on. 

Othello Act Four

1. In Act 4 we learn the character of Desdemona. Choose two quotes that you believe best illustrate her character. 

DESDEMONA

Quote 1:I swear to God you’re accusing me wrongly!

Quote 2:Oh God, Iago, what can I do to win my husband back again? Please go to him, my friend. I swear I have no idea why he stopped loving me. Here I’m kneeling to swear that if I ever did anything to destroy his love for me, either by thoughts or actions, or if I ever took pleasure in anyone else, or if I never did love him, or don’t love him now—even though he tries to shake me off—then I hope I have a life of misery! Unkindness is powerful, and his unkindness may kill me, but it’ll never destroy my love. I can’t say “whore.” It makes me sick to say the word even now. I wouldn’t do the thing that would make me a whore for all the money in the world.

These two quotes illustrate her character because she is defensive, and knows that she did not have an affair on her beloved. She is determined to have her husband believe her. She is foolish though without realizing it. Nobody knows that Iago is behind all of this, but she goes to hime for help. She is desperate for her husband to know that she is not having an affair. So I admire her for being bold enough to stand up for herself, and try to convince her husband. Yet if I was her I would just be like well I don't care if you believe me or not, and if that is how you feel then we are done. 

2. How is Othello changing in Act 4? What is the effect of his public humiliation of Desdemona by slapping her?

He is becoming consumed with jealousy. He is outraged with the thoughts of cheating on him. He is becoming angry and bitter. He is no longer the calm and collected person that he was at the beginning of the play. 

3. At the end of Act 4 we get a glimpse into the private world of women. How does Shakespeare portray this world?

He portrays two women talking. Desdemona and Emilia. It is similar to two best friends talking if you ask me. They are talking about their problems, and the things going on in life. It it as Desdemona is going to bed, and Emilia is there with her. It is a private conversation with the two. He portrays it by talking about the way women think and what they say and do. He talks about how women learn form men. 

4. Analyze "The Willow Song". What is the literal meaning of this song? What does this song symbolize?

The song symbolizes pain and desperation. Not only that but it also symbolizes fear. Desdemona's fear of what is going to happen to her. The literal meaning of the song is unclear to me. I'm not really sure what it means, but I have a feeling it is not good. 

Othello Act Three

1. What is a tragic flaw? What do you believe is Othello's tragic flaw? What is your tragic flaw? Explain.

A tragic flaw is a characteristic of a person that if taken advantage of could cause them extreme emotional and possibly even physical damage. Othello's tragic flaw is that he is naive, and he will listen to anything. He is easily manipulated because of how naive he is. My tragic flaw is that I am a prideful person. This pride makes me hold grudges, and often time it causes me to make stupid decisions.

2. Below is the Shakespearean and modern version of Othello. Examine the quote about a good reputation. What does Iago mean through this quote? How valuable do you believe a reputation is? What is your reputation? What kind of name do you have amongst others? 

"A good reputation is the most valuable thing we have—men and women alike. If you steal my money, you’re just stealing trash. It’s something, it’s nothing: it’s yours, it’s mine, and it’ll belong to thousands more. But if you steal my reputation, you’re robbing me of something that doesn’t make you richer, but makes me much poorer."

"Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,

Is the immediate jewel of their souls.

Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis something, nothing:

'Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands.

But he that filches from me my good name

Robs me of that which not enriches him

And makes me poor indeed."

He means that every person has a reputation to others. This reputation is what describes who we are, regardless of whether it is true or not. He is just telling the truth in this quote. Nobody else can own your reputation, but if they trash it and destroy it, then they haven't helped themselves, but they have hurt you. I hate reputations, but they are "valuable". Society places too much on reputations. I think that sometimes they can be important, but you ought now judge too heavily on a reputation because you don't know if it is true. I don't know what my reputation is to be exact. I can't read other peoples minds. I know how I act and what I say,  and I know that sometimes people don't always see you for how you are. There are misconceptions. I know that I have made numerous mistakes in my lifetime, and they are mistakes that will live with me forever. To some people that is all they see is the mistakes. To others they see the better side of me. My positive attributes. I am known as a pure bitch to some people, and to others I am as nice as they come. That is a misconception though because there are plenty of people out there that are nicer than myself. My reputation depends on our past relationship, or what somebody has heard about me. Somebody who has heard nothing but bad things about me will say I have a bad reputation. Others who have heard good things will say I have a good reputation. I know who I am, and what I stand for. I know the mistakes I have made, and the things that I have said. Ultimately I would like to think I have a positive reputation, however, I know that this is probably not true. There are people who think poorly of me. I work everyday to better myself, and to make my life better, and to live the life that is best for me.

3. Connect this quote to another film/movie/book or to your own personal life. 

Ideas can be like poisons. At first they hardly even taste bad, but once they get into your blood they start burning like hot lava.

Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons

Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,

But with a little act upon the blood

Burn like the mines of sulfur.

 I can relate this to my life easily because it is the story of my life. There are moments in my life that have made me into who I am today. There are things in my life that I have struggled with. I used to think so negatively about myself. I used to be able to dismiss it, but then it grew harder to blow it off. It got to the point where I felt so depressed all of the time. One day the thought of suicide popped into my head. I told myself that I was crazy, and that I couldn't do that. I just dismissed it. I done this several times, until it became harder and harder. Finally I decided I would try. So I did. Obviously and thankfully I was not successful because I wouldn't be as strong as I am and I wouldn't be as lucky as I am, or as privileged as I am had it not been for the fact that I failed. The thought of suicide was nothing to me at first, but then it kept popping back in my head over and over.

Othello Act Two

so·lil·o·quy

  [suh-lil-uh-kwee]  

noun, plural so·lil·o·quies.

1.

an utterance or discourse by a person who is talking to himself or herself or is disregardful of oroblivious to any hearers present (often used as a device in drama to disclose a character's innermostthoughts): Hamlet's soliloquy begins with “To be or not to be.”

2.

the act of talking while or as if alone.

1. Choose one of Iago's soliloquies (end 2.1 or end 2.3) and thoroughly analyze it.

As you analyze think about the following questions:

1. What is Iago saying?

2. Figurative language?

3. How is his rhetoric? His tone?

4. What is he revealing? Revealing about himself?

IAGO-2.1

I think Cassio really does love her, and it’s perfectly likely that she loves him too. I can’t stand the Moor, but I have to admit that he’s a reliable, loving, and good-natured man. He’d probably be a good husband to Desdemona. I love her too, not simply out of lust, but also to feed my revenge. I have a feeling the Moor slept with my wife. That thought keeps gnawing at me, eating me up inside. I won’t be satisfied until I get even with him, wife for wife. If I can’t do that, I can at least make the Moor so jealous that he can’t think straight. If that piece of Venetian trash Roderigo can do what I need to carry out my plan, I’ll have power over Cassio. I’ll say bad things about him to the Moor. I have a feeling Cassio seduced my wife as well. I’ll make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, even though the joke will be on him the whole time. I’ve got a good plan, though I haven’t worked out the details yet. You can never see the end of an evil plan until the moment comes.

In this soliloquy Iago begins to reveal his innermost thoughts. He speaks of his hatred for the Moor, and how he plans to enact revenge upon him. He goes about justifying his actions though. He says that he cannot stand the Moor,and he feels as if he slept with is wife. He wants to make the man suffer because he has  a suspicion. Yet, he has no evidence, so where does he get his motive? He seeks revenge. It is something he needs. He also contradicts himself by speaking of his dislike of Othello, and then talking about how admirable he is, and the positive qualities he has. His real identity is coming out as a thief and a rat. A true villain. He is lying to everybody, deceiving them. He is playing everybody as pawns in his game, using them to his greater advantage.  He is revealing his true inner nature, and intentions. He is playing on the old law and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, when he says a wife for a wife. His tone and demeanor are angry, and he is consumed with vengeance.


2. In Act Two Iago launches his plan to destroy Othello. What is his motive? Jealousy? Racism? Is he opportunistic? A sociopath? All of the above? None of the above? Use textual support.

His motive is revenge and anger. He is outraged at the thought of Othello sleeping with his wife. Then he is infuriated because he is a slave, and he feels that he has been robbed. Robbed of his dignity, and robbed of second in command. A title that he feels he deserved. He just feels cheated. This drives his quest for revenge. He  is a sociopath. When he talks to himself, he reveals his true intentions. To be able to carry this plan out, you would have to be a sociopath. He hides all of his inner emotions. He doesn't let anybody see his true thoughts or feelings.

3. Choose another character that reminds you of Iago. Explain.

Iago from Aladdin is similar to Iago. So is Jafar from Aladdin. Jafar plays as consultant to the Sultan, just as Iago plays consultant to Othello. They are both manipulative, and influence the other so that they can achieve what they want. They also manipulate Aladdin. Nobody would ever expect them to be deceiving, yet in both stories the audience knows different.

4. Create two discussion questions from Act 2 that you would like to discuss with the class.

Now what do you think of Iago?

Do you sympathize with Othello, or do you still resent him for marrying Desdemona? 

Othello Act One

1. What conflicts do you already see beginning to emerge? Choose two quotes from Act I that expose these conflicts. Explain why each quote is significant and what it reveals about the characters. 

It is already apparent that there is conflicts between Iago and The Moor. Now there are conflicts with Othello (The Moor) and his father in law. 

Barbantio: You evil thief, where have you hidden my daughter? You devil, you’ve put a spell on her! Anybody with eyes could tell you that a beautiful and happy young girl like her, who’s refused to marry all of the handsome young men of the city, wouldn’t run off with a black thing like you unless she’d been bewitched. You’re something to fear, not to love. It’s obvious to everyone that you’ve tricked her, drugged her, or kidnapped her. That’s probably what happened, so I’m arresting you.—Arrest this man as a practitioner of black magic. Grab him. If he struggles, use force!

This quote reveals Barbantio's opinions of Othello. He is upset, and it is important because it foreshadows further conflicts between the two, and conflicts with his new wife, too. 

Iago: That’s how I always do it, getting money from fools. I’d be wasting my skills dealing with an idiot like that if I couldn’t get something useful out of him. I hate the Moor, and there’s a widespread rumor that he’s slept with my wife. I’m not sure it’s true, but just the suspicion is enough for me. He thinks highly of me. That’ll help. Cassio’s a handsome man. Let’s see, how can I get his position and use him to hurt Othello at the same time? How? How? Let’s see. After a while I’ll start telling Othello that Cassio is too intimate with Desdemona. Cassio is a smooth talker and a good-looking guy, the sort of man that people would expect to be a seducer. The Moor is open and straightforward. He thinks any man who seems honest is honest. People like that are easy to manipulate. So it’s all decided. I’ve worked it out. With a little help from the devil, I’ll bring this monstrous plan to success.

This quote reveals Iago's true personality. He is a liar, and he deceives people. He is an evil person. This quote suggests further conflicts between The Moor, Cassio, Iago, and Roderigo. 

2. Create three discussion questions of your choice based on Act I

Do you think Barbantio has a right to be upset with his daughter and Othello?

Do any of the chapters of How to Read Literature Like A Professor apply to the story so far?

How do you feel about the marriage of Desdemonda and Othello? 

3. In a paragraph each, analyze the character of Othello and Iago (so far). 

Othello seems to be a noble and well mannered man. He has obviously had a rough life, yet he has still worked to make something out of himself. He is obviously well respected by the Duke, and is thought of as a highly skilled soldier. Yet, he has his flaws. He knew that Desdemonda's father would b upset with him for making her his bride, so he married her in secret. This makes him out to be rude and foolish. At the same time he is wise because he knew that he would not allow it if he asked. He seems to be a smart individual who is honest. 

Iago is a sketchy character. He is a liar and a thief. He has stolen from somebody he calls his friend. He is smart to be able to pull this off. It makes me question his true intentions. I have no respect for him. Perhaps it is a good thing he was not appointed to the position that Cassio got. He seems to be very manipulative.