Journal #1

Act 5, Scene 1

Original Text:

(aside) I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense,

And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,

He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him

As gifts to Desdemona.

It must not be. If Cassio do remain

He hath a daily beauty in his life

That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor

May unfold me to him—there stand I in much peril.

No, he must die. But so, I hear him coming.

In this scene Iago and Roderigo enter the scene. Iago starts to talk about how he's going to commit something that he won't regret. In the stanza above Iago said "Now, whether he kill Cassio Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, Every way makes my gain.", ; he was basically meaning that he would be happy if either of them die because in his future they will no longer be able to exist. In this short meaningful stanza Iago gives of a couple of hints of who he could be talking to. In the beginning of him talking he starts to talk to himself, but then at short periods he tends to look up and or glance at his surroundings such as Roderigo. The punctuation affects me as the reader because it shows how he feels about the situation happening. While Iago is talking and Roderigo stands near, but not so much close by to hear his full conversation Iago's ego and voice determines that he is serious about killing Cassio. For Iago to describe the situation if it goes wrong shows that he wants to do right and get rid of someone , accurately Cassio at this point; if he messes up, then his life is in danger and it'll cause Othello to have more problems to worry about, since he won't have his right man to take out duties for him.

Journal #2

Brabantio (Desdemona's father)

Important scenes:

Act 1, Scene 2: accuses Othello of using magic against his daughter to gain love

Act 1, Scene 3: he brings Othello to trial before the Duke

Act 5, Scene 2: died of grief after losing his daughter.

Personally Brabantio see's that Othello is a man who is taking his daughter out of her young teen days into her woman days. Brabantio thinks at first that Othello is not the best person fit out for Othello, even though they're close and have done work together.On the second hand Brabantio seems to start to like Othello because he makes his daughter happy then she normally is. Brabantion, then gets close  to Othello to call him his son and his brother labeled him as their nephew. For Othello that was a big honor to feel welcomed by your wife's father who despite you for the person you are (the moor of Venice). From my perspective I think you can understand Brabantio especially from his appearances in scenes because in all the scenes that he's in something major happens. For example, in the last scene he appeared in, Act, 5, Scene 2 he died from the sadness from the death of his only child, Desdemona. Other scenes that Brabantio involves in has to do with Othello and his relationship to Desdemona or to the Duke's of Venice to try to make sure the marriage is positive of no problems.

Journal #3

Character- Iago

Reason- Anger/ Misunderstanding

Effect Scene: Iago's "I hate the moor speech" towards Othello that shows how much Iago despise and truly feel for Othello.

Cause Scene:

Iago just departed from seeing his dearly lovely wife Emilia to start his wonderful day at work. It was a typical Monday, but by time the day would end no one would be the same again. Iago went to Othello's office to see if he was their, but of course Othello wasn't at work yet because he would be so busy completing deeds for his wife Desdemona and doing other good things benefiting the city. At lunch time Iago talked among the other workers, employees, and people who did things for the kingdom. He noticed something strange also. Usually around the time of 1:20 each day his wife would call and tell him good news or about he mail he received about bills and advertisements. Iago then skipped lunch to go see his wife and hopefully make a little love before he has to go back and do work in the office. When he got inside his house his wife was on the couch crying, holding a piece of paper in her hand. Iago then read it and came to find out that Othello laid him off and he wouldn't be commanded to the next rank. Their wasn't any reasons given, but Iago felt his own rage and decided to make a poem to release his anger out. "I, hate, the moor . . .", THE END.

Journal #4

1. In my performance I will be acting as Iago. I will have to be loud, bold, taunting back and forth, and show my emotion towards the moor. My hand gestures and facial emotions should show how I feel and or who I am talking to in the scene.

2. In my part of the scene we're performing my character Iago will be having a satchel or knife. To be and have more creativity to the scene Iago will have a type of weapon to use it to make hand gestures and show how he's feeling towards the moor.

3. To make my groups performance stand out we will show emotion and good acting skills when presenting by facing the audience when talking and speaking loud with confidence. For a group each individual person worked as a good person to each study their part each and become dedicated to their parts of the scene.

Post performance journal: 

Lines in my scene that I were reading from was based from Iago’s perspective. One quote that I would like to analyze is “he hath a person and a smooth dispose to be suspected, framed to make woman false”. In my own point of view this quote means a lot and pertains to this play. The quote is important to the play because it has more then one meaning to Othello.  The quote is trying to say that Othello is a man that happens to be wrong at times and accuses woman of false things. By Iago saying that in his part of the scene it made the scene more exciting because it explained a little of a part why he has hatred, knowing that he works under the control of Othello he’s a person with the intentions of being a betrayal or outgoing person towards the situations that occur farther in the book. In the performance I gave the audience a hint that it was a good and important part of the scene by adjusting my voice to a different and much lower tone of voice, I had a weapon in my hand, and the way I was pasting back and forth could tell that Iago (me) either had a thought or concern of Othello for woman and his cares. When I delivered this quote it made me think to myself about how performing the scene made me get a better understanding of why Iago hated the moor, then when I was individually reading the book or listening to the audio.  

My groups performance went as expected because we put a lot of free time during school and english class into our scenes. Now that it is over I am proud that I know how to act better to let the audience realize who the character is talking to. If we did the performance over again I would try tom memorize my lines by heart, so I wouldn’t have to read off a paper and it could seem more creative.

Performing the play live in front of a audience changed my understanding of the book because it became more easier to view as a reader. By me and my group coming together and rehearsing our parts it gave me the idea that the story helped me learn more and become more interesting about what was going on.

Journal #1 4/23

(At the beginning of this part of soliloquy, Iago talks to Othello with slow speed and loyal tone. While he is talking, he puts his hand on his breast to show how loyal he is and all the stuff that he says is from his heart.)

That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ’t.

That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit.

(Iago talks to Roderigo with slow and deep voice in order to show how smart he is and how correct he is. Iago wants to persuade Roderigo to support his plan. While he is talking, he puts his right hand on Roderigo’s right shoulder in order to indicate the deep friendship between him and Roderigo.)

The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,

Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,

(Iago talks to himself with evil and vicious tone, and he smiles a little bit, when he talks. He touches his own face during his talking, so that we all can know how evil and horrible he is.)

And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona

A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,

Not out of absolute lust—though peradventure

I stand accountant for as great a sin—

But partly led to diet my revenge,

(Iago talks to his wife, Emilia, with angry and excited voice, because he suspects that both Othello and Cassio have sex with her wife. He needs to show how deeply he hates Othello and Cassio and how jealous he is, and he wants to find a fantastic excuse for his evil plan.)

For that I do suspect the lusty Moor

Hath leaped into my seat. The thought whereof

Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,

And nothing can or shall content my soul

Till I am evened with him, wife for wife.

Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor

At least into a jealousy so strong

That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,

If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace

For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,

I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,

Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb

(For I fear Cassio with my night-cape too)

Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me

For making him egregiously an ass

And practicing upon his peace and quiet

Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused.

Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.

Journal #2 4/24

I choose Roderigo to investigate. In the Act II, Scene I, Roderigo thinks that Desdemona doesn’t fall in love with Cassio, and Desdemona is a noble and pure lady. Iago tells him that Desdemona does fall in love with Cassio. Othello is too old for Desdemona, and Desdemona does need a handsome and young man instead of Othello. Iago tells this to Roderigo in order to persuade Roderigo to help him with his plan. We know that Roderigo loves Desdemona, and his motivation is his love to Desdemona. The words that Iago tells Roderigo affects Roderigo a lot. He trusts Iago and believes that Desdemona falls in love with Cassio. Therefore, Roderigo hates Cassio and it is easier for him to kill Cassio. In the Act IV, Scene II, Roderigo thinks that Iago cheats him and doesn’t help him get Desdemona. Iago tells Roderigo that he does help him and Othello and Desdemona will leave. He tries to persuade Roderigo to kill Cassio and tells him that this is the only way to make Desdemona remain, and Cassio believes Iago again. Roderigo’s motivation is also his love to Desdemona, and he wants Desdemona to remain, so he agrees Iago to kill Cassio.

Journal #3 4/25

Roderigo is a Venetian gentleman. He meets Desdemona once, and he falls in love with her. He is attracted by her beautiful appearance and noble temperament, and he really wants to get her. He is a person who is easy to believe in others. He trusts Iago and gives him a lot of jewelry and money in order to let Iago persuade Desdemona to love him. He wants to have sex with Desdemona, but he doesn’t reach his goal yet. Therefore, he is suspicious about Iago, and he asks Iago whether Iago has already told Desdemona about his plan or not. Iago cheats him again, and he trusts Iago again. He wants to have sex with Desdemona as soon as possible, and the only person who can help him with his plan is Iago who is good at cheating. His impatience makes his judgement gone, and Iago’s skills of cheating also makes him in a mess. He is a mediocre gentleman, and he doesn’t have the alert to others. It is impossible for him to identify Iago’s evilness immediately because of his mediocrity.

Journal #4 4/29

At the beginning of the scene, Roderigo is very angry at Iago, because he suspects that Iago cheats him. I need to use the body language such as pointing my finger at Iago and speak aloud in order to show Roderigo’s anger. After Iago persuading Roderigo, Roderigo calms down. I need to use a smooth tone to talk to Iago in order to show the convert of Roderigo’s emotion. When Roderigo talks to Brabantio, he is scrupulous, because he regards Brabantio as a signior and respects him. I need to speak these lines slowly in order to show Roderigo’s respect to Brabantio. I want to gesticulate, when Roderigo promises Brabantio in order to show Roderigo’s certainty. The item that my character is going to have is a set of keys, because Roderigo is a gentleman and rich, and a set of keys can show his wealth. Also, I want to wear a scarf to show Roderigo’s noblility. Using real emotion to work on our presentation will make it stand out. As a performance, we can be a little exaggerated, and I think that will make our performance look better. All of us memorized our lines and practiced over and over again. We talked about when Iago should exit and Brabantio should enter the scene, we also talked about what kinds of tones should we use when we present. All of use agreed on these.

Journal #5 4/30

“If she be in her chamber or your house let loose on me the justice of the state for thus deluding you.”(Scene 1A) This line is said by Roderigo, and he is talking to Brabantio. He promises Brabantio that Desdemona, who is Brabantio’s daughter, is living with Othello, and they have already fallen in love. If he is lying, he will be damned and punished. This line is important, because it makes Brabantio trust Roderigo and confirm that he will go along with Roderigo in order to check whether her daughter falls in love with Othello or not. I emphasized this line and struck my crutch during the performance in order to show this line’s importance. The tone of this line is steady, because this is a promise.

Our performance went as we expected and planned, and I think we did a good job on it. I’m so proud of our properties, for example, we had a scarf, a set of keys, a crutch, and a light. I want to mention that the crutch is really important to our performance, because when I wanted to emphasize something, I just stuck my crutch, so that I could show the importance of this point. If I had an opportunity to do it again, I would speak my lines more loudly and clearly, and I would express more emotion just like the performance of Haji and Nikki. Performing our scene more exaggeratedly could make our performance look funnier and better.

I understood better about the the relationship of different characters by performing it. For example, I was really confused about the relationship between Iago, Roderigo, and Brabantio at first, but after the practice and performance, I knew that Brabantio knows that Iago is a bad guy, and that’s why Iago needs to hide when Brabantio appears. Roderigo respects Brabantio, because Brabantio is a signior. Also, I understood more about Roderigo. Roderigo is a Venetian gentleman, and he is polite and his brain is easy. That’s why he is cheated by Iago over and over again. He is a rich man, so he gives his money and jewelry to Iago in order to get Desdemona, and that’s why I needed a set of keys when I performed.

Benchmark Journal 1 

(aside) I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense,

And he grows angry.  Now, whether he kill Cassio

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

Every way makes my gain.  Live Roderigo,

He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him

As gifts to Desdemona. 

It must not be.  If Cassio do remain

He hath a daily beauty in his life

That makes me ugly.  And besides, the Moor

May unfold me to him—there stand I in much peril. 

No, he must die.  But so, I hear him coming. 

Notes: 

Iago at this point has taken a few steps away from Roderigo turns his head, and is speaking to himself.  He has this look upon his face of sneakiness.  He isn’t talking angrily at all, but more of in a sneaky soft voice.  As he continues to speak to himself he becomes cautious, because he knows that if Roderigo even starts to get suspicious, he will be done, for that will be his life.  Then again he knows that Roderigo is not smart enough to figure him out.  Iago now looks at Roderigo and makes a decision that he must die.  In this speech any time that Iago says  Othello’s name or says the Moor his voice gets aggressive because he doesn’t like him at all.  While he is doing his speech to himself one hand is in his pocket while the other hand is on his mouth,covering it so that Roderigo does not see him speaking to himself.  

Benchmark Prep Journal #2

Emilia:

• Emilia was in a big scene,when she stole her handkerchief from Desdemona and gave it to her husband Iago in Act 3, scene 3. 
• Another was when Emilia was right there when Desdemona was getting screamed at by Othello for not knowing where the handkerchief was at in Act 3, scene 3. 
• Lastly, in Act 5 scene 2, Emilia had confessed to giving the handkerchief to Iago because he asked for it.  This was after Othello had killed his beloved wife.  

1. Emilia at first does not think anything of stealing the handkerchief from Desdemona because it was for her husband, and she will do anything for him.  She feels this way because Iago’s love for her has faded.  Emilia knows this because when she was talking to Desdemona she was babbling on about how a man should love his wife and how much Othello loves Desdemona and it kind of sounded like jealousy. She see’s how happy Othello is with Desdemona and she wants that with Iago again. She is willing to do anything at the moment to please her husband. Even though it is hurting someone else she thinks that she will gain from it in the end.  
2. Emilia was going on this whole time throughout the play with no idea on what Iago was plotting on doing, so when she gave him the handkerchief it just was the icing on the cake for him.  When Emilia went into Othello’s room and saw his wife suffocated she wanted to know why . When he started to explain, and he brought up the handkerchief it was a trigger, all she could say was “My husband?” She knew then that she was a part of Iagos plan.  She didn’t think that her husband would do such a thing but everything in her head started to make sense and she was able to see how bad of a person her husband Iago really was.  
3. We understand this character's motivations better when we concentrate only on their scenes because we are then able to have a close reading and analyze their state of mind. We are also able to put ourselves in their shoes and really understand their feelings towards the situation that they were put in to.  We can imagine the scene and understand how the surroundings effects the characters. We are also able to envision what their actions might have been like in the situation, like if they were pacing, yelling ,or talking to themselves. It would just help clarify the way the situation is taken under control. 

Benchmark Prep Journal #3 

The Duke of Venice was born as an only child.  His father and his mother were very wealthy people. The Duke as a child was spoiled, but only to a certain extent.  His parents wanted him to grow up to know how and want to make his own money even though he had money.  That is the reason why he is the Duke.  He strived to be on top because thats what his parents wanted him to do. The reason why the Duke is okay with Othello being black is because when he was younger his best friend was a little black boy, but his parents didn’t like the idea of him playing with a black boy.  The Duke doesn't want Desdemona’s best friend / lover to be taken away from her just because of the color of his skin.  

Benchmark Prep Journal #4 

For my performance of the Duke I will be making sure that I stand up and speak loud because he is a very proper man because he is like a king.  He does not talk with any type of slang. I will be making sure that I respect people and give them eye contact because that is what people who respect others do, and I feel like he is a very respectful person. I will also be talking with curiosity, I will be doing this because I feel as though the Duke is put in this very odd situation and he doesn’t really know how to handle it and he is curious to hear what they all have to say about the situation to prove their case.  

The prop that I will be using will be a royal chair. I will be using a throne because I am the Duke.  In the situation/scene that I am in, I am the highest, I am above all of the other characters. The Chair represents a sense of power and a separation in social classes.  While everyone is talking, my chair is going to be placed in a position as if i’m looking down on them and they have to look up at me.  This will show that I look down on them and they look up to me.  They come to me because I am who they believe in.  

My group's presentation will stand out because we  have a scene where you would think not much is happening on stage,but we are very good with making eye contact and interacting with one another on the stage.  Our group has talked about  what props we would use and what they would symbolize on the stage. We also agreed on the way that we would transition on and off the scene.  I think my group will stand out because we worked well together and it flows.  

Benchmark Prep Journal #5 

I feel as though an important line that The Duke said was, “But,Othello,speak:did you by indirect and forced courses subdue and poison this young maid’s affections? Or came it by request and such fair question ss soul to soul affordeth?” This line is important to the play because it tells the audience that the Duke does not take any sides he is not jumping to the conclusion that he put a spell on Desdemona. He is giving Othello a chance to explain his side of the story. Here it’s important because its kind of like he is mocking Brabantio.  I say this because he was like, okay, did you steal this girl’s heart by casting a spell or now speaking realistically, where you such a good man she fell in love with you for you? The way I delivered this line in the play was in a sarcastic way because like I  it sounds like mocking. I also did it in a concerned way because then again I am the Duke and I am supposed to be as professional as I can.  I had to be respectful to both sides of the stories. I also did this line sitting down in my throne while everyone was standing because I wanted them to know that I was the one who held the power in the situation.  

I feel as though my groups performance went as we expected and planned. We planned for everyone to have a prop that brought meaning to the scene and they did that. They did not put their backs to the audience. They also spoke clear and loud so that everyone could hear and understand. We did a great job I think with bringing a lot of emotions into the scene so everyone could feel what we felt,and with the actions so that everyone could see how we felt. Now that it is over I am very proud that my group had fun working together. One thing that I would do differently was learn my lines.  

Performing the play changed my understanding of it because I was able to feel how the characters felt in the scenes. It also helped me understand the stage directions a little more and who was talking to who while they where in the scenes with a whole lot of people.  

Journal #1

Iago's Soliloquy - Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 148 - 158

She that was ever fair and never proud,

Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,

Never lacked gold and yet went never gay,

Fled from her wish and yet said, “Now I may,”

She that being angered, her revenge being nigh,

Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,

She that in wisdom never was so frail

To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail,

She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,

See suitors following and not look behind,

She was a wight, if ever such wights were—

Notes 

I think that Iago should start out speaking slowly, as if he is working out something in his mind, in the process of coming to a conclusion. He should be pacing at first, and look down as though he is talking to himself, with an anxious and concerned expression on his face. Then gradually get louder and louder, with more confidence, and start to talk to Emilia angrily, as if he was conveying to her very important instructions. By the end he should be at his loudest, addressing the audience, as if trying to convince them of what he is saying. He should make gestures with his arms towards the end, and as he is addressing the audience, beseeching them to understand him, and still glance over at Emilia because it is her that he is talking about, after all. This represents Iago’s journey from not an atypical person of the time, to a ruthless murderer, liar, and criminal. The audience will get the feeling that he moving from the calm and rational and becoming more and more frantic and desperate. 

Journal #2

My character is Rodrigo. He appears in scenes with Iago mostly, He is in the first scene Act 1, Scene 1, where Iago and Rodrigo inform Desdemona's dad about her marriage. In the next scene he threatens to kill himself, and is talked out of it by Iago. He gives Iago jewels to give Desdemona, as a token of his love. Iago promises to give them to her, but doesn’t. Rodrigo doesn’t appear until the end when in Act V, Scene I-II, he comes up to Iago, angry that Desdemona has not fallen in love with him yet. Iago assures him that all is well, and that if he kills Cassio, Desdmeona will love him. Rodrigo agrees and them wounds Cassio, only to be killed, to his surprise, by Iago.

By looking at only the scenes that Rodrigo appears in, you can clearly follow his story, and motives. The only thing t hat Rodrigo was after the whole time was Desdemona’s affection. He was hopelessly in love with her, and it was that love that ended up killing him.

Journal #3

Desdemona was always an obedient girl. Her mother died when she was young. She loved her father, and never spoke back. She went to boarding school where she learned things that she thought she would one day need, and then pass down to her children, like sewing, cooking, manners, dancing, embroidery, etc. She had always hoped to have a girl. Desdemona hardly ventured out into the real world, and because of this she was pretty naive. She liked reading books with happy ending, and dreamed of one day marrying a prince. She believed that people were truly good at heart. 

She wants to have an adventure of her own, so when Othello came telling her of his stories, she fell in love with him/them. She always wanted a happy ending, which adds irony and is tragic because she doesn't get a happy ending. She believes that people are good, and doesn't think that Othello would really kill her. She is obedient to her father, which is why she is so devoted to Othello. She never really had a mother figure so she completely devotes herself to men. 

 Journal #4

When I walk on, I will curtsy to the Duke of Venice. I will keep my tone clear, and fold my hands. When walking out, I walk out arm in arm with Othello. I am going to bring in a headband to wear during the scene, because it something that I believe Desdemona would have worn, to decorate herself. Out groups presentation will stand out because we made it interesting. We incorporated the use of levels into our presentation. We also have a lot of stage movement, and thought through the blocking and character movements on the stage. We have a lot of emotion in ours, as well as gesturing, which we worked out ahead of time. You can tell that our group collaborated well. We all get really into our characters, and we have a side conversation, a soliloquy, bowing, arguing, talking, and beseeching. Our scene is very interesting.  

Journal #5

“My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty. To you I am bound for life and education. My life and education both do learn me how to respect you. You are the lord of my duty. I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband, and so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord.”

  This quote is the first thing that Desdemona says in the whole play. The way she put together her words shows thoughtfulness. She does not say that she belongs to Othello first, and does not disrespect her father. She acknowledges that she has a “divided duty.” She praises him first, and then says that she needs to be with Othello before her father, just as her mother chose Brabantio over her own father. She plays with her father’s emotions, and it shows just how clever she is. These clever convincing words later make her confident when trying to help Cassio, while unknowingly fueling Othello’s anger and jealousy. Showing that Desdemona is honest is important because it shows just how poisoned Othello was by Iago’s words, when he was blind to her convincing truthfulness.

In the play, I delivered this line as honestly as I could, with a clear and even tone, to portray this. Our group’s performance went exactly as planned. I think we did well. We played with emotion, levels, stage directions, and props. If I was to do anything differently I would have even better costumes, and have it even more put together and extravagant but there is only so much you can do with the time we had. 

The play really pulled all the pieces of the book together for me. I understood the book, but the play definitely added.  I thoroughly enjoyed this whole experience, both with acting out Othello, and reading the book. I gained a lot. 

Azaria Burton

Benchmark Journals # 1-5

Journal 1

"Despise me

If I do not. Three great ones of the city

(In personal suit to make me his lieutenant)

Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man

I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.

But he (as loving his own pride and purposes)

Evades them with a bombast circumstance

Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,

And in conclusion

Nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he,

“I have already chose my officer.”

And what was he?

Forsooth, a great arithmetician,

One Michael Cassio, a Florentine

(A fellow almost damned in a fair wife)

That never set a squadron in the field,

Nor the division of a battle knows

More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric,

 Wherein the toged consuls can propose

As masterly as he. Mere prattle without practice

Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had th' election

And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof

At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds

Christian and heathen, must be belee’d and calmed

By debitor and creditor. This counter-caster

He (in good time) must his lieutenant be

And I, bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient."

In this part of the play Iago is talking to Roderigo about how upset he is that Othello chose Cassio to be his Lieutenant instead of him. Although Iago is talking to Roderigo he is also talking to the audience. Iago is telling us that he hates Othello and giving only a bit of insighton why he really hates Othello. If I were the play director I would tell Iago to stand boldly towards the audience and say very loudly, “Despise Me If I do not.” The slowly say the rest of this part of the play. While doing so showing much confidence so that the audience can get a good idea on who Iago really is. I also believe when Iago speaks about Cassio he should add sarcasm in his voice when he says, "And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician,One Michael Cassio, a Florentine (A fellow almost damned in a fair wife) That never set a squadron in the field,Nor the division of a battle knows…" While I understand that Iago is talking to the audience I know that technically he was having a conversation with Roderigo, so in order to make this more obvious everyone in a while Iago should turn his attention away from the Audience and speak directly to Roderigoand give a lot eye contact to Roderigo. I believe using these techniques will really help show Iago's personality and add to the idea of Iago being an evil trickster. 

Journal 2 

Scene 2 Act 3 Line 1416, “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!” Cassio has just gotten drunk and ended acting foolishly by stabbing Roderigo. Cassio panics when he realizes that his actions make him not only look like a sloppy drunk but also, it puts negativity towards his normally p good reputation. He really does not like the idea of having a bad reputation. This part of the play shows how innocent Cassio really is.He confines in Iago not knowing that it was Iago who got him drunk on purpose. Scene 3 Act 3 Line 1640, “Ay, but, lady,That policy may either last so long, Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, Or breed itself so out of circumstance, That, I being absent and my place supplied, My general will forget my love and service.” Cassio is talking to Desdemona about Othello. He is explaining that he really does love Othello and does not want his position to be taken away.This part shows how innocent Cassio is however, Iago is able to use this kindness and twist into something it is not. Cassio is definitely an outsider through almost the entire play until the very end when everything gets out about Iago's plan. All Cassio wanted was to help Othello and he needed the help of Desdemona to do so. Throughout the book Cassio continues to not only confess his love for Othello but also state how much he honestly would love to work for Othello after he loses his job. It is very obvious throughout the play the Cassio’s intentions are not in any way bad and he is nothing like what Iago makes Othello believe he is. 

Journal 3

Emilia is Iago's wife.She is twenty-five years old and has been married to Iago for seven years.Her parents Leonardo and Saisha Warrens both loved her very much and took great care of her. As a child her mom would always tell her that in order to get to the top in the world you must sacrifice many things and work hard.Growing up Emilia loved to read and to taking long walks. Emilia loved to take walks because it was her only way out of the secretly hectic life she had. Although Emilias mom did not know, Emilia knew that her dad, Leonard, was always cheating on Saisha. Emilia had secretly caught him in the act a few times. She often wondered how a man that seemed to love his wife so much would still cheat. That is when she came to the conclusion that most people cheat and sometimes cheating can get you ahead in life. When Emilia met Iago he was the man of her dreams. He was very sweet and did everything he could for her, it was so easy for her to fall in love with him. However, Iago would constantly complain to her about his officer Othello. He wanted to get a head in life and he felt the process was moving to slow. Emilia loved Iago so much that she was willing to do anything she though would take this burden from him. She went and had a couple of private conversations with Othello and did him some favors for him in order to get her husband, Iago, ahead. A couple of months went by after Emilia had her private conversations with Othello, Emilia noticed that Iago was starting to create a distance between them. Iago wasn’t so nice anymore and he would often scream at her. Slowly, Emilia realized their once great marriage was going to shambles. She wanted to fix it and she would do what ever Iago asked of her in order to get their love back. Emilia becomes Desdemona's maid and seems to love Desdemona very much and she seems to be very loyal. Except the fact that she stole Desdemona's handkerchief and gave it to Iago because he asks her to. Then when Desdemona goes on to tell her about how much grief losing that handkerchief is causing Emilia does not tell her that she found it on the floor and gave it to Iago. Emilia only gave the handkerchief to Iago because he begged of her and she thought that maybe if she stole it for him he would be sweeter to her. After Othello kills Desdemona Emilia walks in. Othello tells her that Iago told him that Desdemona was not faithful. Emilia realizes how sneaky and manipulative Iago is and that quickly, falls out of love with him. Although she stole the handkerchief from Desdemona, she did love her and wouldn’t ever want anything to happen to Desdemona especially if it was her husbands, Iago, conniving ways that caused it. Emilia goes on to tell Othello, in front of Iago, that she stole the handkerchief because Iago asked her too. After she airs out Iago’s dirty laundry he gets angry and kills her. It is very surprising to Emilia that the man she once worshiped would kill her, it hurt her to her core. However, she died knowing she did the right thing. 

Journal 4 

During my performance Emilia is almost arguing with Iago in order to prove Desdemona's innocence to Othello. In order to get this strain and fight for truth to come forth in my acting I will be doing a number of things. When I speak to Iago I will be sarcastic and rude. I will make it obvious that I find Iago sickening by scrunching up my face and specifically when I say, "…if thou'st be'st a man…" I will be really obnoxious and try my best to make this statement seem very belittling by looking at Iago as if I already know the answer. When I speak to Othello I am trying to be convincing and so I will give eye contact and I will touch him in order to get his full attention. But, I will also be a little rude by speaking mockingly towards him. I will do this because when I read the play I feel like Emilia is mocking Othello. She calls him "dull" which can be considered quite rude and she calls him cruel. It seems although Emilia wants to prove Desdemona's faithfulness to Othello she also wants him to feel stupid for believing such nonsense by speaking down to him. For my prop I am going to bring a handkerchief and two X's to put over my eyes when I die. I will use the handkerchief when I talk about me giving one to Iago. I will swing it around Othello's face just to make the scene more dramatic. I think if as a group we make the scene between Iago and Emilia seem more like an argument and a fight for Othello's trust the scene will be more interesting. Also, I get stabbed in this scene and Othello kills himself so the scene alone is very dramatic and interesting. When I worked with my group we all tried to make the scene less bland by touching each other and moving around instead of standing there reading off the paper so the presentation will stand out. 

Journal 5 

"You told a lie, an odious,damned lie,upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie. She false with Cassio!-- did you say with Cassio?" Emilia is talking to Iago in front of Othello about Desdemona. Emilia asked Iago what he had told Othello about Desdemona and Iago tells her that he told Othello that Desdemona was cheating on him. At this point Emilia flips out and tells Iago that he is a liar. I think this part is important in the play because it is the first time someone calls Iago out for what he really is and it just so happens to be his “loyal” wife that does it. Iago has been lying to everyone except the audience the entire time and he gets caught in his lies way too late in the game but, it is important that what he has been doing comes out. When I read this line while performing I spoke with hatred in my voice and I also spoke very fast because I find when someone is really angry and they are calling someone out, their adrenaline starts to pump and everything they say seems rushed. I wanted it to make it obvious that Emilia did not only catch on to Iago's plan but, she is also very angry about it and is ready for the truth to come out. It didn't go exactly how I expected it but, it didn't go bad either. I do know that sometimes when you practice things alone and then in front of people, your group members may get nervous and forget certain little details that were given to make to scene go by smoother but, in all it was good. I am proud of how I delivered the lines. I tried my best to put forth the anger and pain Emilia must have been feeling at this point in my voice so that the audience could really get a sense of how terrifying the whole experience was for Emilia, finding out that Desdemona was dead and it was her husbands fault. Also, Emilia played a part in Iago's plan without even knowing it. If she hadn't had stolen the handkerchief, Iago wouldn't have been able to perfect his plan the way he did.I would practice my emotions more because showing emotions is really important for the audience to understand the mood of the play at that particular point in the play. But, also I would love to remember all my lines so that the play could look more professional. When I acted out the play I really got a good understanding on how Emilia must have felt at the end out the play standing in front of Desdemona's dead body. Having to try to prove Desdemona's innocence to Othello all the while looking at her husband who is not only insulting her but, boldly and arrogantly stating that he had a major part in everything that is happening.

Journal #1:

“Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,

A huswife that by selling her desires

Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature

That dotes on Cassio, as ’tis the strumpet’s plague

To beguile many and be beguiled by one.

He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain

From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.”

- In this quote he is talking to the audience, telling them what he is about to do. He also is describing Bianca, by what he thinks of her and talking about Cassio. He seems to be talking about people in a mean way to himself, a lot in the play and this is one of those times. 

“ He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do, I will gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true, 'Tis so, indeed.”

• In this quote Iago is talking to himself about Cassio and Desdemona and how he is taking her hand and whispering to her and laughing. Iago is thinking that his plan is going perfectly. He is encouraging the things that they are doing but not  out loud to himself.

 “I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense,

And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,

He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him

As gifts to Desdemona.

It must not be. If Cassio do remain

He hath a daily beauty in his life

That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor

May unfold me to him—there stand I in much peril.

No, he must die. But so, I hear him coming.”

- In this one he is talking to himself and his conscience. He is thinking about the different ways of how his plan could go and how it would effect him and the people around him.

Journal #2:

Emilia: 

She doesn't really observe anything in the beginning, she just did what her husband asked her to do. Iago asked her to take the handkercheif from Desdemonas stuff. She was unaware about the plan that Iago had. She didn't knwo that he was going to use the handkerchief to manipulate Othello, Cassio and Desdemona. 

Later in the story, she realizes how aggressive Othello can get when he is mad. He got pretty aggressive when he was mad at Desdemona for "cheating". Emilia was shocked at his destructiveness. She also saw that  Iago used her to trick Othello and the fact that Iago lied about everything he told everybody. She also realized that Iago was not as an honest man as she thought he was.

She didn't really have a motivation, but I think it was to help Desdemona out, and try to be on her side about the dispute. And to also try to convince Othello that she didn't cheat and to not hurt or kill her.

Journal #3:

Before the play Othello’s dad gave a handkerchief to his mom, which was a token of his love to show how much his dad loved his mom. Through his life he saw how important that was and what it meant to his parents. His mom gave it to him so that he could give it to his wife when he got older and fell in love with somebody. Throughout the book you see how much of a huge deal it is to Othello. The handkerchief is similar to how we use rings, marriage / engagement rings as a sign that you are taken and are in love.

Journal #4: 

1. The tone I am going to use is confused and serious at the same time. I'm not really using my actions that much I’m just going to use my hands and arms a lot when I'm talking. I'm not really in the scene that long so their really isn’t anything i'm going to be doing because I only have 2 lines.

2. We are going to use cups as prop because we are suppose to b drinking in the scene. I am also going to bring a hat just in case to see if we need it. There really isn't any other props I really need because I'm not in the scene that long.

3. We have come up with a good way to do our slapping scene. We are goingt to have sound effects on the offstage while the scene is going to make it seem more interesting and less boring. We think the sound effects will keep the audience interested and actually feel like they are there and this will also give them a better idea of what's going on.

Journal #5:

• “ I know, Iago, thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee, but never more be officer of mine.”

Othello is basically saying I love you Cassio, but Cassio not going to ever be an officer of mine because Cassio is trying to get his job back since Othello thinks that Cassio slept with his woman. So of course, Othello was rude and doesn’t give him the job since he controls that. In the first sentence I think Othello is telling Iago to let Cassio down nicely. Then in the second sentence, he realizes that Cassio is actually there and just decides to tell him himself.

• I think the performance went better than I expected because my partners never seemed to want to do the performance and on show-day they did much better than I expected. I would have experimented with my character a little bit more than I did. So I could really see what he was trying to get across and what he is really feeling at the time.
• I think performing the play helped a lot since we took out all the uneccessary scenes and focused on the important ones. When we were reading the book the uneccessary scenes thrown me off sometimes, and made it a little bit harder to understand the story. But when we put on the show it helped me understand the whole point of the play and what they play was really about.

Journal #1

That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ’t.

That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit.

Iago is sure that Cassio and Desdemona love each other.

The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,

Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,

And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona

A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,

Not out of absolute lust—though peradventure

I stand accountant for as great a sin—

But partly led to diet my revenge,

For that I do suspect the lusty Moor

Hath leaped into my seat. The thought whereof

Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,

And nothing can or shall content my soul

Till I am evened with him, wife for wife.

Iago won't give up until he can get revenge on the Moor.

Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor

At least into a jealousy so strong

Another plan of Iagos, is to make Othello feel so much rage that it clouds his judgement.

That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,

If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace

Iago apparently does not give a shit about Roderigo.

For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,

I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,

Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb

(For I fear Cassio with my night-cape too)

Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me

Iago wants to trick the Moor into favoring him, so that he can proceed with his plans.

For making him egregiously an ass

And practicing upon his peace and quiet

Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused.

Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.

Journal #2

Cassio-Act 2 Scene 3

Cassio and Iago have a drink even though Cassio can't hold his well. Cassio gets drunk quickly, maybe after two glasses of meed, or wine. Iago then forces Roderigo to fight Cassio, and since Cassio is drunk, he does not know what is happening. After beating up Roderigo, Iago calls for help and Othello comes in. Othello then sees all of what happened, and can't believe that Cassio would do such acts of hatred. Since Iago's nickname is Honest Iago, Othello relies on Iago to tell the truth on what happened. Iago plays his cards well and then Cassio realizes that his life, and all the power he has built up, collapsed right in front of his face. Iago then tells Cassio that interacting with and, talking to Desdemonia can fix his trouble. This is just a lie and Iago is pulling Cassio right into his trap. Honest Iago does not seem very honest after all. Also the fight between Cassio and Roderigo gave Roderigo the reason to attack Cassio with his sword when Iago told him to later in the play. 

Journal #3

Cassio was always a persistent but nice person. However he was not nice to his enemies, slain by the sword they were. The battles he faced were only his calling for a greater role. Cassio was put under Othello's command and improved as a warrior. Othello noticed that Cassio had potential and decided to take him under his wing. Once after a battle, Othello took Cassio out to a pub. Cassio soon found out that he could not hold his alcohol well. Cassio had many great talents but drinking was not one of them. Slowly as Cassio rose through the ranks, Othello started to like him more and more. Othello had to decide who to promote to General and he could not decide between Cassio and Iago. Othello remembered that Cassio fights very well and decided to make him General. Cassio went farther in life than he ever thought he could. But someone else wanted Cassio’s position and Cassio knew nothing.

Journal #4

My character is Cassio who is a General in Othello's army. He is a powerful man who likes to have his orders followed. He probably has great posture and his back is straight. He speaks forcefully, and clearly but with emotion. I expect him to be drinking in the scene and Iago knows that he has very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. He could be drinking wine or maybe meed. Wine is hard to find but meed is very easy to make. so meed would be more likely to be drunk. Even though Cassio is a General and I'm guessing he is rich, he would drink meed because, he is a man of the people. Cassio carries himself with great power, and people probably feel his presence in the room because he is General. Of course Cassio has an alcohol problem, and thus will get drunk, and fall into Iago's trap.

Post Journal

Reputation, Reputation, Reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!

This quote is said by Michael Cassio, and is said after the fight between Cassio, and Roderigo. Iago calls for help, and Othello, and his attendants run into the bar, or place where Cassio, and Iago were drinking.  Othello calls to Iago, and asks him what happened, because everyone calls Iago, Honest Iago. Iago then exaggerates his feelings for Cassio and says something similar to, “I could not talk against Michael Cassio but if I need to tell what happened my Lord.” Iago then tells that Cassio got into a fight because he was drunk and it was an accident. Othello listens, and Cassio is worried about his rank, and the reputation he is losing because of this incident. Iago then tells Cassio to visit Desdemonia to gain back what he once lost, which of course is a trap and will lead to Cassio’s demise. This is what Iago wants to happen, so that he can become General and get Othello for fucking his Emilia. All of the characters are part of Iago’s plan of power and they do not even know it.

Journal #1

Act 4, Scene 1, Page 5 

Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,

(Bianca and Cassio’s relationship is being questioned.)

A huswife that by selling her desires

Buys herself bread and clothes. 

(Bianca buys herself food and clothes with Cassio’s money)

It is a creature,

That dotes on Cassio, as ’tis the strumpet’s plague

To beguile many and be beguiled by one.

He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain

(Cassio is truly in love with Bianca)

From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.

(Even with people talking about how bad Bianca is he still loves her)

Journal #2

An important scene Emilia was in was Act 3 Scene 3. Another one was Act 5 Scene 1 and Act 5 Scene 3. In Act 3 Scene 3 Emilia experienced Cassio telling her to betray her friend. Emilia experiences first hand that she's stealing a handkerchief and she also saw Desdemona die. Emilia experienced her husbanding screaming in pain after he was stabbed second hand. Second hand she also experienced walking in on Othello killing Desdemona. Emilia's character motivation was to do good by her husband and be a good friend to Desdemona. 

Journal #3

Before Emilia was in the play she lived with Iago her husband. They got married when they were 18 and 19. There wedding day was the most amazing day of her life. It started at 5 o’clock in the morning. Emilia woke up and went away with Desdemona. They went into Desdemona’s house to get ready. And Iago was with Rodrigo. After everyone was ready they had the wedding. When the wedding was over Iago and Emilia moved in together. Emilia began to work for, Desdemona and Iago begin working in the office. But because they were always working they never saw each other. They began to have issues within there marriage and always got a divorce. But then they made up and promised to each other that they would find time to spend together. Emilia always promised to do whatever Iago asked her to do no matter how evil or hard it would be. 

Journal #4

My character is Emilia. The actions I have to do in my play is pick up a handkerchief and try to get it back form Gabe (Iago). Emilia has to speak with a joking voice when she first finds the handkerchief then she has to be shocked that Iago wants to take it and make Othello and Desdemona sad. My character is going to bring a tissue for the handkerchief. My groups performance is going to stick out because we added some real life things like Will is going to take aspirin for his head ache. 

Journal #5

My scene was Act 4 and my character is Emilia. Act 4 is when Iago asked Emilia to steal the handkerchief. Something important she said previously was, “If it be not for some purpose of import give’t me again: poor lady, she’ll run mad when she shall lack it.” This quote was important to the play because Emilia knew her husband was wrong for taking the handkerchief however she didn't try very hard to get it back. Desdemona and Emilia are friends so Emilia knew how special it was to Desdemona but she took it anyway. Emilia was trying to be a good wife but at the same time she was being a bad friend. I delivered this line with trying to sound worried but I spoke a little bit too fast therefore it did not come out as worried as Emilia actually was. 

My groups performance did go as expected. Im proud of how well we did with bringing the scene to life. I think the props we used made it help it become alive. I think if we would change how we did the performance we would practice more on how to define the relationship between the characters. For example when Desdemona was trying to make Othello feel better we should have made her rub his head and be really sensitive. 

Performing the play changed my understanding because it made me realize how much they all betrayed each other. It also changes my understanding because I saw how much Desdemona actually loved Othello but he didn't see that she was faithful. I also saw how much of a bad temper Othello had. He never gave people the chance to talk he just yelled and grew angry quickly. 

Will Amari 

4/23/13

Silver

Benchmark Journals

4/24/13 Journal #1: 

Find a soliloquy in Othello when Iago might be addressing more than one of the possible audiences discussed today. Write out / copy and paste the soliloquy, and add your own "director's notes" indicating where Iago would switch delivery techniques to appeal to a higher power, and then to himself, etc. Indicate how his line delivery and physical movement might change to show he is changing audiences. 

IAGO

That’s not amiss,

But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?

Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,

A huswife that by selling her desires

Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature

That dotes on Cassio, as ’tis the strumpet’s plague

To beguile many and be beguiled by one.

He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain

From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.

As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad.

And his unbookish jealousy must construe

Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behavior

Quite in the wrong.—How do you now, lieutenant?

Directors notes: 

Initially, it is clear that Iago is speaking to Othello. They are the only two people present at this part of the scene, and Iago is asking him to hide from Cassio. After Iago says, “Will you withdraw?” Othello hides and Iago begins to either talk to himself, to God, or to the audience. You know this because he starts using the word I with the phrase, “Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,” even though no one else is with him, It is most likely that he is talking to himself, because of Iago’s bizarre nature. He is the least sane person in the play, thus he is the antagonist. Iago has talked to himself previously in the play, and he will continue to do so later. When Iago says, “—How do you now, lieutenant?” He is now speaking to Cassio, who has just entered the stage. Shakespeare uses a dash, to show that Iago has stopped ranting on about his plans, has moved on to turn and greet Cassio, who is the lieutenant he was referring to in that sentence. 

4/25/13 Journal #2: 

Choose another secondary character from Othello (that is, not Othello or Iago or Desdemona) and investigate the play for his/her perspective. Answer the following prompts in paragraph format (150-200 words.)

Name a couple of important scenes that this character appears in. (You'll have to look them up, and include the act and scene numbers.)

• What does this character observer first hand? (What do they see personally?)
• What does this character observe second hand? (What are they told by other characters?)
• How can we understand this character's motivations better when we concentrate only on their scenes?

At the end of Act 1 Scene 3, from lines 343 to 425, Rodrigo and Iago are alone and have an important conversation. Rodrigo is in a deep state of depression and is planning to drown himself. He adores Desdemona, who is married to Othello and realizes that Desdemona truly loves the Moor, and has not planed to find another. Rodrigo truly trusts Iago because he is confessing his shame. He feels that killing himself is the only way out of torture. 

Iago convinces him that to kill ones self is a foolish act. He says he’d rather be a baboon. Iago claims that the reason why he feels love is because he feels lust. Essentially, he tells him to man up. He advises him to sell all his land and possessions and that Desdemona is unable to love the Moor. He tells him that Desdemona will dump the Moor for a younger man, and she’ll be looking for a man with money. Iago says that he’ll take the money that Rodrigo makes, and that he’ll keep it safe. 

This illustrates that Rodrigo is gullible and desperate. He truly believes that Iago is a safe and trustworthy man. He invests his faith in Iago and because of this his mood quickly changes from a dangerous depressed state to becoming immensely happy. 

4/29/13 Journal #3: 

Write a character background using your Character Sheet as a guide. Tell the story of the life of the character before they enter the play. Explain how these events influenced them to be the kind of person they are during the events of the play.

Iago: Iago was born in the small town of Todi, Italy. His father, Lorenzo was a blacksmith and his mother Adriana, taught Iago at the young age of four to read and write. Iago, because he grew up in a small town, didn’t know a lot of people so he didn’t have many friends. Lonely and bored, he would often play by himself in the foothills of the countryside. There he found contentment by spending time chasing rabbits, climbing trees, and watching clouds drift by in the sky. Due to his lack of nourishment, Iago was very skinny and smaller than many other boys his age. When his father died of a heart attack, he moved to Venice at the age of sixteen to live with his aunt and uncle. His uncle Bruno was a wealthy banker and took good care of Iago.  He was allowed to attend school and then became Bruno’s apprentice. Iago did quite well for himself and eventually married his second cousin, Emilia. They were both in their mid-twenties at that time. One day, Iago was challenged to a duel against a man named Hassan, a Moroccan Moor who claimed to have loved Emilia first. When Iago refused this challenge, The Moor called him a coward, and further insulted him when he proclaimed that he had slept with Emilia the night before Iago married her. Iago angrily walked away and began to plot a plan to kill Hassan but, before he go through with it, Hassan was arrested for the rape of two sisters. Iago feeling satisfied, began working as a banker, but because of his love for the city of Venice, he quit banking to join the army.  

4/30/13 Journal #4:

• What specific actions, movements, and tone of voice are you bringing to your character during your performance?
• What PROP and/or COSTUME item is your character going to have? (It is your job to brainstorm one item that you are responsible for.  Some props are clear, like a handkerchief or a wine glass. Others will take a little more creativity!)
• What is going to make your group's presentation stand out? What have you worked on and agreed on as a group for your scene?

My character is Othello, and in this scene he is stressed out, sick, and tired. I am going be sitting for most of the scene. He has a pain at his forehead, so I will rub it, to show that I have a headache. I have been practicing my best Moroccan accent, and I will speak in low and heavy tones. Othello seems like a big guy so I’ll try spread out my body. I want to bring a bandana as the handkerchief, and a blanket as a cloak. I think the blanket as a cloak is a nice touch. Then I am going to memorize my lines and try to sound as convincing as possible. Hopefully everyone’s acting skills will be in top condition. I believe if everyone memorizes their part, knows when to come in and out, and brings in a prop, then we’ll be fine, and we’ll stand out for sure. My scene is a very important part of the story. This is the scene when Iago finds the handkerchief he is going to use to frame Cassio. 

5/1/13 Journal #5:

• Analyze one of your lines from your scene. Quote it directly and then explain why it is important to the play, and how you showed its importance in your performance. How did you deliver this line?
• Did your group's performance go as you expected and planned? Now that it is over, what are you proud of? What would you have done differently in your performance?
• How did performing the play change your understanding of it? 

I played Othello, and although my lines were short, they had a lot of meaning, and had an huge influence on my overall performance. I had three lines, and out of all of them, the one that said the most to me, was the one when I stood up and said, “I have a pain upon my forehead here.” It doesn’t seem very important at first glance, but Shakespeare did write this line for a reason. He wanted to show the first step towards Othello’s downfall. The “pain,” is arguably foreshadowing that could hint at greater pain for Othello in the future. He is stressed and sick and it will only get worse later on. This is also when he loses his special handkerchief, which causes him to lose his sensibility and he is mentally conquered by anger and jealously, the green-eyed monster. If Othello wasn’t sick, he wouldn’t had been angry, which means he wouldn’t have thrown his handkerchief onto the ground. If he hadn’t left his handkerchief out there in the open, Emilia never would had been able to steal it and give it to Iago. If Iago was never given that handkerchief, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to frame Cassio. The handkerchief is the most important item in the story. Without it, there would be no plot, thus my scene where Othello loses the handkerchief, is the most important scene in the story. 

My performance went very well. I actually think we were one of the best ones. I memorized my lines and stayed in character. Sure I wasn’t expecting a Tony/Oscar performance, but It did go the way I expected. It could’ve been worse, but it wasn’t, so I’m happy. If I had to do anything differently, I would encourage my group members to memorize their lines, but over all I thought that my (excuse me) our performance went well.

Performing the play was an interesting experience because I could now witness Shakespeare's words come to life. So I guess seeing the action helped me understand the visuals a little better. To be honest when we were reading, we discussed, wrote about, and analyzed this book so many times, that by the time we performed, I had already understood Shakespeare's language as if it was my own. Recently I saw a Shakespeare comedy called Love’s Labor’s Lost. I’ve never read or heard of this play before, and when watching it, I was surprised by how well I could keep up with the plot. I understand Othello, and I understand Shakespeare.

Wendy Tepoz 

Journal #1 :

 IAGO

(to himself) I’ve rubbed this young pimple until he’s ready to pop, and now he’s angry. Whether he kills Cassio, or Cassio kills him, or they kill each other, it all works in my favor. If Roderigo survives, though, he’ll ask me for all the gold and jewelry that I stole from him and said I gave to Desdemona. I can’t let that happen. If Cassio survives,he’s so handsome and well-spoken that he makes me look ugly. And besides, the Moor might tell him about my lies about him.—That would be very dangerous for me. No, he’s got to die. Let it be so. I hear him coming.

Iago talks to reader/ audience in the writing. He changes the people who he interacts with. He first talks to the characters in the story, and its like he lies to the character, and he tells us the truth; the thoughts he is thinking in his head. In this paragraph, he talks to himself talking about the plan that will happen in the play. Iago in the first paragraph he tellls Rodrigo to stand and stab Cassio. When he starts to hide, he talks to himself and tells himself that if the plan goes well, Cassio and Rodrigo would kill each other, and it will be less work for Iago. The mood changes through this scene because Iago first is motivated to tell Rodrigo things that will get him mad, so he can kill Cassio. When he starts talking to himself, he becomes more evil, thinking the plan will work. 

Journal #2 

Act 3 Sc 3 Line 335

 EMILIA

Oh, is that all? What will you give me now

For the same handkerchief?

IAGO

What handkerchief?

EMILIA

What handkerchief?

Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona,

That which so often you did bid me steal.

IAGO

Hast stolen it from her?

EMILIA

No, but she let it drop by negligence

And, to th' advantage, I being here, took ’t up.

Look, here it is.

Emilia knows her husband wants the handkerchief, so she sees it fall and thinks she will give it to her husband because he called her stupid. She only told him about the handkerchief to torture him.She had the handkerchief but she did not steal it. She took it because Desdemona dropped it. She changes through the story because first she is very nice to her friend but then she trades on her by not giving the handkerchief back. She gives it to her husband.

Journal #3

Bianca came in to a play, she had a bad experience with men and she got cheated on many times. It happen to her a lot and when she got in to the relationship with Cassio, he gave her the handkerchief. She knew it was from someone else. She doesn't trust men so much because of her past with them men have cheated on her lied to her, or used her as a toy. She felt insecure about herself. She tried to protect her self by hiding her jealousy and making it into madness and assume she isn’t the only women in a man’s life. As she says it the play, give it to your “whore” because in the past it happened before to her. She doesn't want it to happen to her again. There fore ,she was trying to stand up for herself.

Journal #4 : 

What i am bring to my performance , is in my tone of voice anger, because I am supposed to be angry at Cassio. I am bringing a handkerchief to the class because Cassio gives Bianca a handkerchief. She gets very upset to hear that the handkerchief is something he just found in his room. She got very angry with his actions. Bianca gives the handkerchief back to Cassio because she thinks a whore left it there. I think this scene is powerful because there is a lot of emotion when with Bianca being angry, and Iago being sneaky with his plan that he wants Othello that the Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. What my group and i have agreed on is that when Bianca says her line, she is going to run off stage and Cassio going to run after her, we have to have a loud voice, and a lot of passion with our lines.

Journal #5 : 

"What do you mean by the same handkerchief you gave me even now, a likely piece of work that you should find in your chamber and not know who left it there" The reason i think this line is important is because it completes the whole quote what she says because it describes why she is mad, why the plan that Iago has is going to work, and when Bianca came in it was just a coincidence. With the lines she says with the plan because if it wasn't for her, Othello wouldn't believed as much has he did. Bianca was clear why she was angry, those were the most important lines, threw all. Also i showed importance in my part is because when i did the hand movements and when i threw the handkerchief at Cassio, and my hand movements. I deliver my lines by an anger tone of voice, and the hand movements. My group performance did go as i expected and planned but when i ran out i got my hand stuck on the door which messed me up. I was mad because I got my hand stuck and I broke character. Also it did go as I planned, because everyone were in their places, and good actors. Now that the play is over, I am proud of that I remembered my lines, and I would have done differently by putting more anger in my lines, because i don't think I did good with that, I am not a very good actor, I was nervous, and I really don't like to talk in front of people, I am very shy, so I think I would do differently by speaking more louder. By preforming the play, it painted a picture in my head more clear and it made it more understandable. Reading the play was kinda hard to understand but when we all acted it out, it became more clear what i was reading. it was creative how we all acted out.