Poetry Blog Post: Death

7            

A life above? A black abyss?

Which one did not seem amiss?

Late at night-- she couldn’t sleep,

Anxiety set in, and she began to weep.

Her parents woke to hear her cries,

Her fears she confessed caught them by surprise.

“Do not worry!” her mother exclaimed.

“You’re far too young!” her father proclaimed.

Seven-years-old, with her whole life ahead

Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling of dread.

Leaving this world, who knows what’s next?

The philosophies only tend to perplex.

Is there a He and does He have plans?

Can we really count on more beyond this life span?

A life above? A black abyss?

Which one does not seem amiss?

Othello #7

            In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello recognizes he has committed a fatal action that he cannot undo. In Act 5, Scene 2 Othello kills Desdemona. After Desdemona’s death Emilia reveals that Iago was lying about Desdemona and Cassio sleeping together. Upon realizing Iago’s lies, Othello looks at Desdemona’s corpse and says, “This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven” (V.ii.32). Othello has already accepted that he is going to die by committing suicide, and Othello also accepts that he will not be joining Desdemona in heaven. Desdemona is a virtuous figure within the play, and, according to Christian beliefs, Desdemona will be able to enjoy heaven for eternity; Othello also knows that Desdemona is in heaven. Othello’s evil murder of Desdemona means that Othello will be condemned to the underworld. Desdemona’s virtue further highlights Othello’s recent malevolent actions. During Othello’s final speech, the audience is able to find sympathy for Othello in regard to Iago’s manipulation, but Desdemona’s heavenly virtue means the audience can never forgive Othello for the murder. Therefore, the murder of Desdemona marks the final straw in Othello’s downfall, and Othello can never return to the extreme happiness he felt just a few days before. 

Othello Act 5, Scene 2 lines 1-24

            In the opening lines of Act 5, Scene 2 in the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello is about to kill Desdemona. Through Othello’s soliloquy in Act 5, the audience realizes the immense change Othello has gone through as a character. At the beginning of the play, Othello was a calm, rational character. However, in Act 5 Othello has let his emotions take over his previous logical thoughts. These emotions lead to the death of Desdemona. As Othello looks upon Desdemona sleeping he says, “O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade / Justice to break her sword!” (V.ii.17-18). Othello then kisses Desdemona who still has a profound effect over him. Othello recognizes Desdemona’s beauty and perceived innocence. Previously, Othello would have looked upon the perceived innocence and laughed at the idea of Desdemona being unfaithful. However, Iago has caused Othello to doubt his own instincts of Desdemona’s pure nature. Othello no longer trusts his own judgment; therefore, even though Othello does still love Desdemona as shown through the kiss, Othello cannot shake his own jealous emotions. Othello’s inability to shake irrational emotions shows that Iago has taken over Othello’s mind. Hence, Othello’s soliloquy demonstrates his decline from a calm, rational character to a character that is driven by jealousy and emotions.

Othello #5

            In Act 4, Scene 1 of Othello by William Shakespeare, the audience experiences a negative shift in Othello’s character. Desdemona’s confusion for the change in “sweet Othello” is only heightened when Othello hits Desdemona and calls her “Devil!” (IV.i.267-268). In the previous acts, Othello would not dare lay a hand on Desdemona. Lodovico also notices a negative change in Othello and proclaims, “My lord, this would not be believed in Venice” (IV.i.270). When Othello was in Venice, Othello was composed, rational, and perfect in his speech. Since Othello has moved to Cyprus, Othello no longer keeps his emotions in check. Othello is easily manipulated by Iago into believing that Desdemona is cheating; however, Desdemona is completely faithful to Othello. The change in location mirrors the change in Othello. The marring of Othello’s seemingly perfect nature shows the audience the complete control Iago appears to have over all of the characters in the play. Othello and Desdemona’s marriage used to have no problems, but Iago was able to take down Othello’s composure and marriage simply by igniting jealousy within Othello. Through Othello’s seemingly impossible change in character, the audience is able to determine that Iago controls the fate of each of the characters.

Othello #4

            In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, the main character, Othello, appears to be in a euphoric bliss at the beginning of the play, but he eventually falls to the great depths of despair by the end of the play. Othello’s fall from grace is best noticed through Othello’s changing relationship with his wife. During one conversation where Desdemona attempts to have Cassio reinstated as Othello’s lieutenant, Othello will not listen to Desdemona’s pleas. Desdemona requests, “I pray, talk me of Cassio” (III.iv.108), but Othello simply responds, “The handkerchief!” (III.iv.109). Othello is asking about the handkerchief because he wrongly suspects that Desdemona gave the handkerchief to Cassio. Othello has lost trust in his wife, for Othello believes Iago’s false accusations that Desdemona is cheating with Cassio. Othello’s loss of trust in Desdemona marks the beginning of Othello’s downfall. Since Othello can no longer trust Desdemona, he becomes paranoid of the intentions of those around him. Othello does not trust neither Desdemona nor Cassio; however, the person Othello should not trust is Iago. Unfortunately, Iago is the only character that Othello fully trusts. Through Othello’s costly decision to trust Iago over his own wife, Iago leads Othello towards a tragic end.