I need an explication of a short passage in Othello. I would also like
a direct line by line translation into simple words of the passage
chosen for explication. |
Request for Question Clarification by
pinkfreud-ga
on
18 May 2003 16:28 PDT
I would be glad to assist, if you'd let me know precisely which
passage you need help with.
As a reference, you might look at this answer I gave to a question
that wanted a "translation" of a soliloquy from "Hamlet":
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=178769
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Clarification of Question by
sedition-ga
on
18 May 2003 18:34 PDT
Sorry I did not put this in my question! My mind is slipping with
finals and all. This explication essay is part of my final for English
and I need not only a translation, but any symbolism you can present
to me. If this is answered, "I will ever be indebted"!
IAGO
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse:
For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane,
If I would time expend with such a snipe.
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor:
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if't be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well;
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio's a proper man: let me see now:
To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery--How, how? Let's see:--
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected, framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are.
I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.
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Clarification of Question by
sedition-ga
on
18 May 2003 18:35 PDT
This is passage is at the end of Act I, Scene I.
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Request for Question Clarification by
pinkfreud-ga
on
18 May 2003 18:40 PDT
Thank you for clarifying your requirements.
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Clarification of Question by
sedition-ga
on
18 May 2003 18:52 PDT
How long do you think you need?
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Request for Question Clarification by
pinkfreud-ga
on
18 May 2003 18:54 PDT
I have released your question so that another Researcher can prepare your essay.
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Clarification of Question by
sedition-ga
on
18 May 2003 18:54 PDT
pinkfreud-ga, I am lowering the question price to $10.29, and will tip
you $10 once my question is answered because I see that most of your
answers all recieve 5 stars.
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Clarification of Question by
sedition-ga
on
18 May 2003 18:56 PDT
I did not see your clarification. I will raise the listing fee.
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Clarification of Question by
sedition-ga
on
18 May 2003 20:43 PDT
Please, researchers, I need this essay tonight! Time is of a big concern!
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Request for Question Clarification by
chellphill-ga
on
19 May 2003 02:45 PDT
Hi sedition-ga!
I noticed that you stated you needed the answer posted by
tonight. I am not sure if this is coming to late to be of use to you,
so I will post it as a clarification request first. If you find the
answer acceptable, and are able to use it, please let me know and I
will post it as my official answer.
Thanks so much!
chellphill-ga
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse:
Iago knew that Roderigo had feelings for Desdemona, and had convinced
him
that the only way to win her love was to make money to buy her gifts
"put money
in thy purse.." (Act 1 Scene 3 Line 339) However we find out later (in
Act IV)
that Iago has been keeping the jewels that Roderigo has given him to
give to
Desdemona.
For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane,
If I would time expend with such a snipe.
But for my sport and profit.
Simply put, Iago states that if were not for his plans and his desire
for money,
he would not give Roderigo the time of day.
I hate the Moor:
There are 2 motives for his hate of Othello. The first being that he
was
jealous of the fact that Othello made Cassio his lieutenant instead of
him.
And the second, that he does "suspect the lusty Moor,"(2.i.317)
of sleeping with his wife Emilia. His motive is to seek revenge and
get
even with Othello as he says "Till I am evened with him wife for
wife."
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if't be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety.
Iago's "office" between his sheets is to sleep with his wife.
Iago is saying that everyone thinks that Othello is having an affair
with his wife. He admits that he doesn't know if it's true or not, but
will accept even the mere suspicion of something such as this as
though it
were true.
He holds me well;
The better shall my purpose work on him.
He believes that he has Othello's trust, which will make it all the
easier to manipulate him..
Cassio's a proper man:
By proper, Iago means handsome. He knows that Othello is insecure
his appearance, and because Cassio is handsome, Iago is hoping it will
prove
to be another factor that will aid him into getting Othello to believe
that
Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair.
let me see now:
To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery--How, how? Let's see:--
To get Cassio's "place" or steal his position as lieutenant, and to
gratify his own ego by bringing
pain to Othello, Iago will "divide and conquer" by pitting his two
foes against one another which will
perform a double duty, or "double knavery".
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
Iago sets forth his plan to steal Cassio's position by convincing
Othello that
his lieutenant is sleeping with his wife. Iago knows that Othello
already has
insecurities about the devotion of his wife. And he will do his best
to
use these to his advantage to make Othello suspect that something is
going
on between Cassio and Desdemona.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected, framed to make women false.
Here Iago points out his belief that Cassio is a charmer, and
irresistible
to women because of his looks and personality. So irresistible in
fact, that
even the most faithful of women might be tempted by him. He plans on
fueling Othello's insecurities with this.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are.
Iago believes that Othello is too trusting, and will be easy to
manipulate with his lies.
I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.
Iago's diabolical intentions are laid out, and after he speaks with
Othello, Iago's
active part in his scheme is done. From there on out it is up to
Othello's
dark emotions to do the rest. His insecurities, and jealousy will feed
on
the fuel that Iago has provided, thereby culminating Iago's plan.
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