Othello Act 5 redo Connor Peterson

Othello Act 5 Summary Response-Redo

Connor Peterson

Summary:

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, main idea

Othello Act 5, written by William Shakespeare, demonstrates how acts of revenge have many negative consequences.

• Supporting ideas to prove main ideas

In Act 5 of Othello, Shakespeare illustrates how Iago’s plan for revenge leads to his own demise. Iago’s obsession with revenge results in not only his own self-destruction, but the deaths of those he manipulates.

• Explanation of ideas

Iago’s plan for revenge has started to reach its abrupt end when Roderigo attempts the murder of Cassio who fails and ends up killed by Iago. Hearing the screams of murder, Othello believes it is time to kill Desdemona for her unfaithfulness, which was not true but manufactured by Iago in order to seek revenge against Othello. Iago’s downfall eventually comes when Emelia confesses that she found the special handkerchief and gave it to Iago. This finally provides evidence of Iago’s revenge plot and exposes his destructive actions to the other characters.

• Concluding sentence: restate main idea

Act 5 of Shakespeare’s Othello, portrays how acts of revenge have a negative outcome and result in the demise of multiple characters.

Response:

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, agree/disagree (correctly portrays/ incorrectly portrays), because ___________ and ______________

Othello Act 5, written by William Shakespeare, correctly presents the negative consequences of revenge because many of the characters Iago manipulates in his attempt carry out his revenge scheme end up dying and Iago will soon join them.

• Claim 1: Roderigo’s trust in the scheming, revengeful Iago eventually causes his own death.
• Set-up

From the beginning of the play, Roderigo has put his trust in Iago because he believed Iago could help him win the love of Desdemona. At this time, Iago knew he needed Roderigo for his plan of revenge to be successful so he led him on until the time came for Roderigo to take the fall for Iago’s actions. While doing this, Roderigo realizes that Iago has not been trying to help him win over Desdemona afterall, but has been manipulating him so Iago can extract his revenge on Othello.

• Evidence:  After Iago stabs Cassio in the leg, Iago goes over to the wounded Roderigo to finish him off so he will not be able to reveal Iago’s secrets. “Oh damned Iago! O inhuman dog!”, (Shakespeare 5.1. 229).
• Explanation of quotation to prove claim Roderigo, in his last moments, finally realizes that he was being played by Iago. However, by then it was too late because he was already taking one of his last breaths. Iago’s obsession with revenge ended very tragically for Roderigo.
• Counterclaim 1: However, one might consider that even though Roderigo trusted the wrong person, Iago demonstrated some compassion at times to Roderigo and tried to help him.
• Set-up As Scene 5 begins, Iago coaches Roderigo how to kill Cassio. Iago gives Roderigo good advice so his ambush of Cassio will be successful.
• Evidence: At the beginning of Act 5, Iago tells Roderigo, “Here, stand behind this bulk, straight will he come. Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home. Quick, quick! Fear nothing. I’ll be at thy elbow. It makes us, or it mars us. Think on that, And fix most firm thy resolution”, (Shakespeare 5.1. 223).
• Explanation of quotation to prove counterclaim Iago tells Roderigo how to hide from Cassio, how to stab him, and encourages him to be brave because Roderigo is Iago’s friend and Roderigo is willing to help Iago seek revenge. Roderigo asks Iago to stay close to him and Iago agrees because he wants to ensure Roderigo completes the job.
• What are the strengths/ flaws of this argument? Use the rebuttal progression

One used to think that Iago had Roderigo’s best interests at heart. One cannot deny he helps Roderigo by acting as his go-between with Desdemona. However, as the reader sees, it is much more complicated than that. Iago held grudges against people who may never have wronged him or may have only slightly wronged him. Iago was a master liar and manipulator and people died as a result of his revenge-driven scheme. The losses that fueled Iago’s desire for revenge were minor compared to the losses he inflicted.

• Concluding sentence: restate main idea

In Act 5 of Othello, Shakespeare expertly portrays how revengeful actions can have extremely tragic consequences.

Connor Peterson Act 5, Othello

Othello Act 5 Summary Response

Connor Peterson

Summary:

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, main idea

Othello Act 5, written by William Shakespeare, demonstrates how acts of revenge have many negative consequences.

• Supporting ideas to prove main ideas

In Act 5 of Othello, Shakespeare illustrates how Iago’s  plan for revenge leads to his own demise. Iago’s obsession with revenge leads to not only his own self-destruction, but the deaths of those he manipulates.

• Explanation of ideas

Iago’s plan for revenge has started to reach its abrupt end when the murder of Cassio is attempted by Roderigo who fails and ends up being killed by Iago. Hearing the screams of murder, Othello believes it is time to kill Desdemona for her unfaithfulness, which was not true but manufactured by Iago. Iago’s downfall eventually comes when Emelia confesses that she found the special handkerchief and gave it to her husband to use in his plan of revenge which finally provides evidence of Iago’s scheming.

• Concluding sentence: restate main idea

Act 5 of Shakespeare’s Othello, clearly portrays how acts of revenge have a negative outcome and result in the demise of multiple characters.

Response:

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, agree/disagree (correctly portrays/ incorrectly portrays), because ___________ and ______________

Othello Act 5, written by William Shakespeare, correctly portrays the negative consequences of revenge because many of the characters Iago manipulates end up dying and Iago will soon join them.

• Claim 1: Roderigo’s trust in the scheming, revengeful Iago eventually causes his own death.
• Set-up

From the beginning of the story, Roderigo has put his trust in Iago because he believed that Iago could help him win the love of Desdemona. At this time, Iago knew that he needed Roderigo for his plan of revenge to be successful so he lead him on until the time came for Roderigo to take the fall for Iago’s actions. While doing this, Roderigo realizes that Iago has not been trying to help him win over Desdemona afterall, but has been manipulating him.

• Evidence:  After Iago stabs Cassio in the leg, Iago goes over to the wounded Roderigo to finish him off so he will not be able to reveal Iago’s secrets. “ Oh damned Iago! O inhuman dog!” (Shakespeare 5.1. 229).
• Explanation of quotation to prove claim Roderigo, in his last moments, finally realizes that he was being played by Iago. However, by then it was too late because he was already taking one of his last breaths.Iago’s obsession with revenge ended very tragically for Roderigo.
• Counterclaim 1: However, one might consider that even though Roderigo trusted the wrong person, Iago showed some compassion at times to Roderigo and tried to help him.
• Set-up As Scene 5 begins, Iago is coaching Roderigo how to kill Cassio. Iago is giving Roderigo good advice so his ambush of Cassio will be successful.
• Evidence: At the beginning of Act 5, Iago tells Roderigo, “Here, stand behind this bulk, straight will he come. Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home. Quick, quick! Fear nothing. I’ll be at thy elbow. It makes us, or it mars us. Think on that, And fix most firm thy resolution” (Shakespeare 5.1. 223).
• Explanation of quotation to prove counterclaim Iago is telling Roderigo  how to hide from Cassio, how to stab him, and encouraging him to be brave. Roderigo asks Iago to stay close to him and Iago agrees.
• What are the strengths/ flaws of this argument? Use the rebuttal progression

I used to think that revenge might be justified when a person is severely wronged. We cannot deny that revenge feels good because people who do wrong deserve to be penalized. In fact, the Bible even makes mention of retaliation, “...eye for eye, tooth for tooth…” However, like we see in Othello, the person who deems retaliation is necessary is not always credible. Iago held grudges against people who may never have wronged him or may have slightly wronged him. The losses that fueled Iago’s desire for revenge were minor compared to the losses he inflicted.

• Concluding sentence: restate main idea

In Act 5 of Othello, Shakespeare portrays how revengeful actions can have extremely tragic consequences.

Othello Act 2 S/R Redo #1 Connor Peterson

Othello Act 2 Summary Response Outline

Connor Peterson

Summary:

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, main idea
• Othello Act 2, written by William Shakespeare, demonstrates how jealousy and greed can be motivation to manipulate other people to seek revenge.
• Supporting ideas to prove main ideas
• This act demonstrates how jealousy and greed control the actions of the character Iago. Iago is jealous of Cassio’s place as lieutenant, a position he desperately wants. His jealousy leads him to take steps of revenge against Cassio and ultimately Othello.
• Explanation of ideas
• In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is portrayed as a scheming character determined to seek revenge. Iago convinces Roderigo that he should pick a fight with Cassio in hopes of getting him demoted, which would result in less competition for Desdemona. Rodrigo willingly goes along with the scheme due to his strong feelings for Desdemona.
• Concluding sentence: restate main idea
• Shakespeare’s Othello clearly illustrates the drastic measures people will take to seek revenge and how the powerful emotions of jealousy and greed can impact one’s behavior.

Response:

(Claim, counter claim, rebuttal)

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, agree/disagree (correctly portrays/ incorrectly portrays), because ___________ and ______________
• In Act 2 of Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello does not deserve to be the  victim of Iago’s revenge plot, because Iago is a man filled with jealousy from inadequate motivation.
• Claim 1:
• Set-up
• Through Act 2 of Othello, Iago is shown as a character filled with jealousy and greed. This act also details the steps he is willing to take to cause the downfall of other characters in the play. Shakespeare shows Iago manipulating other characters into doing tasks that allow Iago’s master plan to take effect. This ultimately helps Iago exact his view of justice on Othello and Cassio. Iago stops at nothing to see his plan through.
• Evidence: Lead-in  “ quotation”
• Iago tells Roderigo, “Provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them, and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity” (Shakespeare 295-302).

• Explanation of quotation to prove claim
• Iago is encouraging Roderigo to provoke Cassio so the people of Cyprus will form a negative opinion of Cassio. Iago hopes this will get Cassio removed as lieutenant. Iago is telling Roderigo that to get what he wants, he must get Cassio out of the way. Iago is making Roderigo think that he is doing this for himself and not for Iago.
• Counterclaim 1: However, ....
• Set-up
• Jealousy and greed are emotions that can be easily overcome and do not have to control one’s future actions or prevent one from displaying kindness. Act 2 of Othello by William Shakespeare demonstrates how Iago does care for other people and can show them kindness even if jealousy and greed cloud his judgment.

Evidence: Lead-in  “ quotation”

• Iago gives Cassio a pep talk after he loses his lieutenant position. He says to Cassio, “Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen. But since it is as it is, mend it for your own good” (Shakespeare 318-321).
• Explanation of quotation to prove counterclaim
• Iago is telling Cassio that he is being too hard on himself and that he wishes none of this had happened to Cassio. Iago is encouraging Cassio to ask for his position back. This is something a good friend would say to cheer you up after something bad happens.
• What are the strengths/ flaws of this argument?
• Rebuttal Progression: Some may think that negative emotions such as jealousy and greed could not be more powerful than positive emotions. Readers and watchers of Othello, written by William Shakespeare, cannot deny that positive emotions such as relief, happiness, and thankfulness are preferred even in a story which details a person willing to take revenge on anyone without expressing a clear motivation. However, negative emotions cause the major conflicts between multiple characters in Othello. Without these conflicts, William Shakespeare’s play might not be so impactful. Negativity causes people such as Iago to take extreme measures, especially when it comes to seeking revenge. Therefore, some may say that Iago’s kindness is just him manipulating people to achieve what he wants and even his kindness is an attempt to ultimately harm others.
• Concluding sentence: restate main idea

Many pieces of literature, including Othello Act 2 written by William Shakespeare, portray jealousy and greed as powerful forces which can cloud one’s judgement and make a person take extreme actions while seeking revenge.

Othello Act 1 S/R Redo Connor Peterson

“Othello” Act 1 Summary Response

Connor Peterson

Summary:

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, main idea
• “Othello” Act 1, written by William Shakespeare, demonstrates how many “masks” people can wear to disguise themselves.
• Supporting ideas to prove main idea
• Throughout Act 1 of “Othello”, Iago demonstrates his various “masks” by secretly changing his allegiance to the other characters in the play. From encouraging Roderigo to accompany him to rouse Brabanzio about Desdemona’s marriage to Othello to his warning of Othello of Brabanzio’s soldiers out to capture him, Iago wears different “masks” depending on who he is with at the time.
• Explanation of ideas
• Iago made Roderigo and Othello both believe that he was their friend but in reality, he hates Othello and is using Roderigo. All Roderigo is to Iago is a pawn in his plan to take revenge on Othello. When Iago is around both Othello and Roderigo, he puts on a different “mask” to hide his real intentions. Iago does this convincingly enough that Roderigo and Othello don’t seem to suspect that they are being played at all.
• Concluding sentence: restate main idea
• William Shakespeare clearly portrays the use of “masks” in Act 1 of “Othello” by devising a character who deceives and cheats to get what he wants.

Response:

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, agree/disagree (correctly portrays/ incorrectly portrays), because ___________ and ______________
• “Othello” Act 1, written by William Shakespeare, correctly portrays the many “masks” people wear to hide their true selves and motives because Iago is extremely deceptive and manipulates Roderigo and Othello.

• Claim 1 Iago is a character filled with jealousy and motivated to seek revenge.
• Set-up: Through Act 1 of “Othello”, Shakespeare acknowledges the “masks” people wear through Iago, a jealous character in the play who is seeking revenge. Iago is convinced that he deserves to be Othello’s lieutenant and will trick people to take revenge on Othello. Iago is also aware of the rumor that Iago has slept with his wife so he is extremely motivated to seek revenge on Othello.
• Evidence: Iago reveals his plan for revenge when he states, “...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.” (Shakespeare 1.3 430-433) However, when Iago is around Othello, he treats him like his superior.
• Explanation:  To be able to take revenge Iago needs to be trusted by Othello and needs a “mask” to hide his true intentions. Iago has a strong desire to seek revenge against Othello even though he does not know for sure if the rumor of his wife’s unfaithfulness with Othello is true. However, even without firm evidence, Iago believes he is justified in seeking revenge.
• Counterclaim 1: However, ....even though many people are deceptive, they don’t wear their “masks” every moment.
• Set-up: People can show their true selves in the right circumstances. It takes a lot of energy to be lying all the time. People who are deceptive sometimes like to brag about it, as we see Iago do in Act 1.
• Evidence: At the end of Act 1, Iago says, “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” (Shakespeare 1.3 436-445)
• Explanation: In this case, Iago shows his true self to the audience of Othello. He admits he is going to use Cassio to hurt Othello. Iago is going to insinuate that Cassio is too intimate with Othello’s wife in hopes of getting Othello suspicious of Cassio.
• What are the strengths/ flaws of this argument?
• At first glance, it may seem that people show their true intentions to everyone. This seems reasonable because Iago does show his jealousy to the reader, but not most of the characters he is interacting with in the play. While this view seems plausible initially, the vast majority of Iago’s actions towards the other characters are deceptive. Iago says he hates Othello but only says that when he is not around Othello. He also mentions that he is using Roderigo to take revenge on Othello, but only when Roderigo is not around. Iago is hiding behind his deceptive “mask” as he continues with his plot to destroy Othello.
• Concluding sentence: restate main idea
• Act 1 of Shakespeare’s “Othello” portrays a scheming Iago as he seeks revenge against Othello which demonstrates how people construct “masks” to hide their true intentions.

Othello Act 2 S/R Connor Peterson

"Othello" Act 2 Summary Response Outline

Summary:

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, main idea
• William Shakespeare's "Othello" Act 2 portrays how jealousy and greed can be motivation to manipulate other people to seek revenge.
• Supporting ideas to prove main ideas
• This act demonstrates how jealousy and greed control the actions of the character Iago.  Iago is jealous of Cassio’s place as lieutenant, a position he desperately wanted. His jealousy leads him to take steps of revenge against Cassio and ultimately Othello.
• Explanation of ideas
• In Shakespeare’s "Othello", Iago is portrayed as a scheming character determined to seek revenge. Iago convinces Roderigo that he should pick a fight with Cassio in hopes of getting him demoted which would result in less competition for Desdemona. Rodrigo willingly goes along with the scheme due to his strong feelings for Desdemona.
• Concluding sentence: restate main idea
• Shakespeare’s "Othello" clearly illustrates the drastic measures people will take to seek revenge and how the powerful emotions of jealousy and greed can impact one’s behavior.

Response:

(Claim, counter claim, rebuttal)

• Topic sentence: title, author, strong verb, agree/disagree (correctly portrays/ incorrectly portrays), because ___________ and ______________
• Act 2 of Othello by William Shakespeare distinctly portrays Iago as a character filled with jealousy and greed because it details the steps he is willing to take to cause the downfall of other characters in the play.
• Claim 1: Iago is a character motivated by jealousy and revenge.
• Set-up
• Through Act 2 of "Othello", Shakespeare shows Iago manipulating other characters into doing tasks that allow Iago’s master plan to take effect. Iago manipulates Roderigo to get in a fight with Cassio to make Cassio look bad. This ultimately helps Iago exact his view of justice on Othello, as well as Cassio, and Iago stops at nothing to see it through.
• Evidence: Lead-in  “ quotation” (       )
• Iago tells Roderigo, “Provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them, and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.” (Shakespeare 2:1 295-302)

• Explanation of quotation to prove claim
• Iago is encouraging Roderigo to provoke Cassio so the people of Cyprus will turn against him which Iago hopes will get Cassio removed as lieutenant. Iago is telling Roderigo that to get what he wants, he must get Cassio out of the way. Iago is making Roderigo think he is doing this for himself and not for Iago.
• Counterclaim 1: However, ....Although Iago is a deceptive character, one still sees times when he displays the truth and is capable of kindness.
• Set-up
• Jealousy and greed are emotions that can be easily overcome and do not have to control your future actions or prevent you from displaying kindness. Act 2 of "Othello" by William Shakespeare may seem like it displays Iago as a heartless fiend who will stop at nothing to exact his revenge on those he hates. However, Iago does care for other people and can show them kindness.

Evidence: Lead-in  “ quotation” (       )

• Iago gives Cassio a pep talk after he loses his lieutenant position. “Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen. But since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.” (Shakespeare 2.3 318-321)
• Explanation of quotation to prove counterclaim
• Iago is telling Cassio that he is being too hard on himself and that he wishes none of this had happened to Cassio. Iago is encouraging Cassio to ask for his position back. This is something a good friend would say to cheer you up after something bad happens.
• What are the strengths/ flaws of this argument?
• Rebuttal Progression: 
• 
  

  Many think that negative emotions such as jealousy and greed could not be more powerful than the positive emotions we feel. Afterall, so many of the movies we have watched as kids always have a happy ending. Readers cannot deny that most people like happy endings and prefer to feel positive emotions such as relief, happiness, and thankfulness. However, negative emotions can also cause people to take extreme measures, especially when it comes to seeking revenge. Therefore, some people like to see people who have harmed them suffer. People like things to be fair and when they have been harmed, people like Iago tend to want retribution for the person who has harmed them. Therefore, some may say that Iago’s kindness is just him manipulating people to achieve what he wants and that he does not care about anyone but himself.

• Concluding sentence: restate main idea
• Many pieces of literature, including Act 2 of "Othello" written by William Shakespeare, portray jealousy and greed as powerful forces which can cloud your judgement and make a person take extreme actions while seeking revenge.