Conclusion

“My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy, and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change without torture…” (pg 208).

Once again the reader is susceptible to the monster’s true feelings, or atleast the idea that his intent is not to be purely evil. Like any human he feels guilt. He feels guilty for the direct murders of Victor’s family. As the quote says, he was made like a human, he was to feel all emotions humans feel. Victor ultimately feels guilt for the same reasons. He believes he is the reason most of his family is dead. First, because he refused to create the companion and mostly because he gave life to the monster. However, the idea of loss of people, or companionship both caused these characters misery. It is important to note that to ultimately live happily, one must be free of guilt and surrounded by those who not only show interaction, but love. That’s truly what both characters lacked, and they both made each other miserable by ridding of all interaction and companionship.

Foreshadow

“If for one instant I had thought what might be the hellish intention of my fiendish adversary, I would rather have banished myself forever from my native country and wandered a friendless outcast over the earth than have consented to this miserable marriage”(pg 182).

Although I have read the novel, when I first read this sentence I tagged the page, as I thought of it as foreshadow. From the frame story, I understood that Victor would eventually end up in the arctic, a very cold and deserted place, and I assumed he would be chasing the monster. Although he did consent to the marriage, he did eventually banish himself from his country. This self-alienation led to a devotion of the rest of his life to killing the monster. On first reading this, I thought Victor was essentially going to become the monster’s companion in order to save the ones he loved. With the information we already knew, I guessed the Arctic would be a desolate place free from human exposure. However, I was wrong as Victor tries to live his normal life. It is a result of trying to live his normal life, getting married, and refusing the monster’s request that leads to his doom. Or ultimately, it was the creation of life itself, that led to the end.

Foil Character

“He felt as if he had been transported to fairy-land and enjoyed a happiness seldom tasted by man”(pg 148).

Once again, the reader finds Henry as a foil to Victor. As they journey to England, along the Rhine Henry is content in just taking in his surroundings, the nature. However, Victor is restless and although he recognized the beautiful scenery around him he cannot simply enjoy it. Their reasons for journeying to England are also different. Henry is simply continuing his language affairs, and wishes to travel to India. Victor states that he needs time away before getting married. However, his real reasons to visit England are that he needs the guidance of men there to complete his work. Victor’s journey is no longer about education, as it would have been about in the past, rather it is about setting up some type of pleasantness for the rest of his life. If he is able to create the monster’s companion, he, his family and friends will be left alone forever. Even though he believes his mind will be at peace once the monster is out of the setting, I believe differently. If Victor would have created the second being, his thoughts still would have never rested. He would have worried about them creating a race, and leaving man kind to deal with this new species. Whatever choice Frankenstein would have made, I believe he would have been destined to be haunted by the thought of the original creation for the rest of his life.

Foreshadow

"For the first time feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom..."(pg 132).

As this is a frame story, the monster already knows what actions he has committed and there is a significance of foreshadow in his story. I feel this is one of the first time he possibly mentions the murder of William. The creature is truly expressing true human emotion, and one of the ultimate human emotions--despair and rage. His anger seems to arise from the fact that the De Lacey family has rejected him and left. However, his true anger is shown towards his creator who has left him to fend for himself with no other inhabitants. He mentions all that he knows about his creator, and specifically where he lives. From this context, the reader can come to understand where the monster is heading next. Although his intentions are not clear, we understand that he is looking for revenge. Connect the pieces and it makes sense who killed William. The real question is, how is it that the monster was able to frame Justine? Did he truly understand the context of frame and blame?

Technique

"'Presently I found, by the recurrence of some sound which the stranger repeated after them, that she was endeavouring to learn their language; and the idea instantly occurred to me that I should make use of the same instructions to the same end'" (pg 112).

Of course it seems important that the author would find some way for the creature to easily learn the language of the inhabitants of the house. Of course, he had already picked up basic words, but not enough to fully engage in conversation. Thus, the occurrence of the Arabian woman ties the events of how to learn language and how the monster acquired such fluent language. The Arabian woman also presents another component to the story, another frame story. This frame story, however, is very short compared to the current depth of the book. It relates the story of her father, and how the DeLacey family came to live in their current location. The frame story only adds to the story in that it allows the monster to understand the family's hardships and a reason for it to learn language. It might also serve as another component, in that, the frame stories might finally begin to unravel, so the reader will finally make their way out of the frame to the conclusion of the novel.

Halfway Point

"'My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature...'"(pg 110).

I feel there is a lot of use of nature in this novel to help with many aspects of the story. First, I often feel nature is used to set the tone. For example, 'it was a dreary night in November' --the night the life was created, something ultimately against nature, atleast by a human. Second, I feel that nature helps to pass the time. For example, the changing of the seasons as Frankenstein works on his creation which ultimately averts the reader a way from the details of how is he actually creating life. Third, I feel that nature brings the novel together--as in the actual plot. The reason that Frankenstein found his monster was because nature seemed to be his refuge to think. While nature is the same aspect that supported the monster with life and ultimately kept him alive. Overall, it is no surprise to me that nature plays an important role in the novel as it discusses the means of life and creating life. Victor ultimately went against the laws of nature by creating life from methods unheard of, it is no doubt that nature is going to continue to haunt him.

Comparison

"'Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded'" (Pg 96).

When the monster describes his miserable mood and feeling alone I immediately thought of both Walton and Victor. All three seem to complain of the same feeling. However, there is a difference between the two men and the monster. Walton and Victor are miserable and alone because that is the nature of the work they have chosen. Walton is sailing towards the North Pole while Victor secludes himself to his experiment and now currently his guilt and thoughts. On the other hand, the monster is miserable because he is not able to acquire affection like these men so easily are. He is ugly and terrifying to most humans. Yet he yearns for some type of positive attention. It seems that these characters could almost be foils in that Walton and Victor choose to be alone, while the monster is pushed from society. Yet isn't it the monster that deserves the love and attention? For he truly is the one helping humankind by supplying firewood and doing the many chores of Felix. But the other two are trying to help mankind through the work of science, which has ultimately been nothing but a failure to Victor.

Ambiguity

"'How do you welcome your wanderer?'" (pg 72).

When Victor returns to his hometown the reader finds him talking to the mountains, the lake, the elements of his childhood. Yet, when he asks how do you welcome your wanderer, I have the sense that this was not just about him. Yes, Victor had been gone nearly six years. Almost a sin in itself, distancing himself from his family for his work. However, the real sin or the real wanderer is the monster he has created which now wanders his homeland. By asking this rhetorical question to nature, he once again shows his guilt for the life he has created. His guilt is to become worse as well. For as soon as he saw the monster, he knew who had killed his brother, which would soon lead to the death of Justine. The life he had created had already taken a way two innocent lives, and the murderer was not the monster, rather is was Victor.

Parallel Structure

"The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was a most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage, but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature"(pg 53).

This passage serves two purposes. First, it is a technique used to pass time quickly. Ultimately, there is not much for the reader to come to know of Frankenstein's work. It is not as if it is important to understand the daily proceedings of a man at work on human life. To the whole of the story it is rather unimportant. By talking about the seasons as a whole, Shelley is able to advance her story without the reader saying wait, what happened? Second, the description of the beautiful nature parallels the life Victor is creating. While he is creating life, life is continuing to go on. Victor believes his work to be beautiful, creating life, just as the life of summer nature. It is a comparison of nature. It is also the inverse of what Frankenstein will soon think of his creation. It will soon not be beautiful, and rather more like a gloomy rain that will fall upon him.

Frame Story

"I have resolved every night, when I am not imperatively occupied by my duties, to record, as nearly as possible in his own words, what he has related during the day"(Pg 29).

This is the point in the novel where the frame story seems to take control of the structure. Up until this page, the reader has read letters from Walton to his sister, Mrs. Saville. He records his plans, and the schedules of his days while being out at sea. However, these letters that tell Walton's story, soon begin to tell the story of Frankenstein, and why he finds his life so desolate. Technically, the reader is now four frames deep. There is the reader---> Mrs. Salville's letter ---> Walton's story ----> Frankenstein's story. The effect of a frame story for Frankenstein adds to the eerie or scariness. Shelley's technique makes it as if her story is becoming widespread, almost like tradition. It is as if the story of Frankenstein and his monster has been passed on and is something still haunting residence and children. A frame story ultimately provides that the story lives on.

My Thoughts

'"Moving and Unexpected."' -The Denver Post

I have a lot of remaining thoughts on the book as I have now finished reading it. Instead of choosing a quote from the novel I chose an opinion of the book as a whole, one that similarly matches mine.
When I began reading, I could not understand what about the novel drew me in. It seemed as if Hosseini used little action, but his descriptions to the characters enticed me to keep reading. I believe it was how real he was able to make the characters. Each their own issues. They were not one dimensional, and I believe that many of their secrets were to be revealed as the novel went on.
Also, I liked Hosseini's technique of foreshadow. I feel that many things connected in the novel and made sense. For example, Amir and his wife were not able to conceive children. This statement became apparent to me when Rahim sent Amir to look for Sohrab, in my mind I thought this is the dream they've been looking for, but that dream ultimately was a nightmare. Also, the haunting words of do not make children promises, and that the man's daughter had committed suicide. I never expected the actions of Sohrab to take place, but as soon as I did, I thought back to the man at the embassy and his bitterness.
Finally, I enjoyed many of the themes found in The Kite Runner, in that, it was not predictable, it was not a theme we find a thousand times over. Rather, it focuses on redemption from the past. And not redemption of an insignificant event but one that had life changing consequences. It also focused on a father/son relationship, and how to come to renew and keep that relationship along with acceptance.
Overall, the novel can be viewed on many different depths making it a complicated piece of literature although its plot is easy to follow and understand.

Conclusion

"Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting" (pg 371).

The conclusion of the novel finds Amir, Sonya, and Sohrab back in America. After what started as Sohrab refusing to communicate with Amir, opening up some, and closing back up again, ends with the slightest hint of new beginning. This slight opening occurs around the flying of a kite. Throughout the novel I find the kite to represent Amir's childhood -- for that is when he flew kites, his guilt--for after Hassan's assault he did not fly a kite again, and finally a new beginning. The difference between the two scenes of the novel however is at the beginning we find Amir in control of the kite, and having Hassan run it. At the end however, Amir will do anything to earn Sohrab's acceptance so he ultimately becomes like Hassan and will run the kite "A thousand times over for you". Although the novel ends rather ambiguous, I believe it is clear that Sohrab is eventually going to be able to accept his new "parents" and surroundings. After a short tortured life that cannot even be considered a childhood, he has found safety in the arms of a man just trying to redeem himself from his childhood.

Humor

"He's great with a slingshot." (pg 253).
"John Lennon walked back to the mound" (pg 272).

I feel as if the narrator added a great amount of humor to the novel. This humor especially occurs in very serious situations. This means that the humor plays as a way to lighten the situation that may seem serious or even vulgar. For example, in the first quote we find Amir arriving at the orphanage in Peshawar and the man not willing to let them come inside. It is not until after Amir states that they are not from the Taliban and everything he knows about Sohrab that the man finally invites them in. After the unfriendly welcoming the man states that Sohrab is actually great with a slingshot. This humor also serves as a way for the man to make up for his previous actions and words before. In the second quote, the reader is envisioning a stoning of a Muslim adulteress. This brutal and vulgar scene is somewhat lightened by the idea that the stone thrower is dressed like John Lennon, an allusion. This is humorous because John Lennon would not be stoning a woman for her actions, let alone in Afghanistan. It just happens to be the way the man is dressed that resembles him as John Lennon.

Unity

"I did something I had done twenty-six years earlier: I planted a fistful of crumpled money under a matress" (pg 242).

The importance of this scene is that it relates back to Amir's childhood when Amir framed Hassan and his father of stealing from him and thus trying to have Baba let them go. However, this time, instead of causing trouble for the sake of his own good, Amir leaves money for Farid in his family. Of course, they were too stubborn to accept it in person. So Amir does an act to symbolize reversing his old ways. The significance of this event plays two roles. 1. Much of the second half of the book focuses on Amir redeeming himself from the acts of his childhood. This is just one situation is which Amir tries to reverse what has occurred in the past. 2. The idea of a charitable cause only makes Amir more like his father than he believes. Not only do they share ugly secrets but also a sense of what is right and good. These two roles ultimately play into the unity of tying the events of this novel together.

Technique/Setting

"The city was bursting with sounds; the shouts of vendors rang in my ears mingled with the blare of Hindi music, the sputtering of rickshaws, and the jingling of bells of horse-drawn carts. Rich scents, both pleasant and not so pleasant, drifted to me through the passenger window, the spicy aroma of pakora and the nihari..."(pg 196).

This is one of the many descriptions in which the narrator use sensual imagery to describe a city. Although he is using a technique, it is ultimately applied to the setting making it an overlapping category. The more important idea, however, is why this technique is used. This is for several reasons. 1. The narrator wants a description of each city so that the reader can compare them to the other cities. For example, by showing the pleasurable sounds and smells of Peshaw, it ultimately contrasts the scene of when Amir arrives in Kabul. 2. The imagery also evokes the senses because this is Amir's return to the Middle East. These are the first surroundings a native is going to remember to his country. Which ultimately suggests that no matter how long Amir has lived in America, he still has roots in these countries. The descriptions are not so much for the reader to create an idea in their mind, but rather for the narrator to express the contrasts between a well off Middle Eastern City compared to the Kabul of his childhood and now. And to lastly show connections to his past.

Halfway point

"I passed with flying colors" (pg 185).

This quote did not really strike me because of what it truly meant in context, but more of the pace of this novel, especially chapter 13. I have arrived at the halfway point and a lot has truly happened. Basically I've read through nearly a fourth of Amir's life from childhood in Afghanistan to marriage in the United States. What strikes me, as I peek to chapter 14, is the top reads June 2001. The book began in chapter one as December 2001. I'm assuming that eventually the book will arrive back at December 2001. Which inferring means, that the second half of this book is going to be about the next six months. Which is a lot of pages for only six months, but they must be important. Our narrator has been trying to get to this point, it must be the bulk of the book. It now makes since why he flew through the events of engaging his wife, his father's death, enrolling in college, publishing his first novel, and the inability to conceive all in one chapter. Calling this the climax of the novel would be incorrect, but as a hypothesis, I'd like to call it the base of the climax. From now, I believe the structure of chapters will focus more on a short period of time rather than months and years at a time.

4. Symbolism

"It was the look of the lamb" (pg 76).

Amir uses symbolism when he imagines his family sacrificing a lamb. This lamb compares to the look he sees on Hassan's face as he is raped. The ultimate symbolism lies in that it is a sacrifice, an unnecessary sacrifice. The reason Hassan was put in this situation was because Amir wanted the blue kite. Hassan was willing to do anything to please Amir. Amir ultimately feels guilty in that he only wanted the blue kite so he could become closer to his father, or ultimately so his father would recognize him. A lamb is often an innocent creature that is sacrificed religiously throughout history. In my faith, I know it dates back to the first passover in ancient Egypt in which the Israelites' firstborns were saved. The sacrifice, however, is something used, for a higher purpose. The creature does not deserve its death, but is used anyway. The same goes for Hassan. He was used by Amir for a higher purpose, to receive admiration from his father. However, his sacrifice will not only cost himself, but will cost Amir a lifetime of guilt, and an image that will never disappear.

3. Tone

"I couldn't tell if he was waving at me or Hassan" (pg 61). "And maybe, just maybe, I would finally be pardoned for killing my mother" (pg 56).

Throughout the novel, I sense from Amir a sense of jealousy, guilt, and a desire to be wanted. His jealousy arises from the idea that Baba and Amir have difficulty relating. Baba said it himself, he does not understand why Amir is so interested in books, and why he cannot play soccer. Not only that but Baba wants to include Hassan in many activities they do, leading to Amir to have to fight for his father's attention more. Also, the man is quite popular and busy in his business affairs. This jealousy, is ultimately rooted in guilt. Amir believes his father is upset that his mother died in childbirth, which he consider his fault. Which he believes is the reason the two are so distant from each other. Which ultimately leads to Amir wanting the blue kite, and Hassan retrieving it for him, which leads to the awful scene that still lives in Amir's mind. Which he ultimately feels guilty for and cannot leave in the past. It is ultimately an unending cycle of guilt for Amir.

2. Juxtaposition

"I went past the rosebushes to Baba's mansion, Hassan to the mud shack where he had been born...(pg 6).

This is one of the many juxtapositions used throughout the beginning of the novel. There are two words in each part of these sentence that really complete the opposite effect. Rosebushes to mud and mansion to shack. These opposites do not even begin to descrive the difference between Hassan and Amir. Throughout the beginning we learn of Pashtuns oppressing the Hazaras amd Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. However, these opposites or juxtapositions have a greater effect. It is fair to say that Baba is accepting of these people who are looked down upon in their society. It is even mentioned by Assef that they need less people who are like Baba. Regardless, Baba even though Hassan and his father work as the family's servant, is fair to them. Even though, Amir sometimes think he is superior over Hassan, he understands their "friendship", and he is able to appreciate what Hassan does for him. He has a personal concern for his well being, and does not believe the past to be right.

1. Flashback/Foreshadow

"Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years" (pg 1).

This concluding sentence of the first paragraph establishes where the book will go from here. The reader understands that there is an event from the past haunting our narrator, and it is going to become the basis of the novel. It seems proper that the next chapters flashback into our narrator's childhood and the events that still haunt him in the present. On first reading, this sentence seems to only hint at a flashback. However, it was not until I had read eight chapters in that I realized this sentence is also a foreshadowing. Kind of ironic, but is a foreshadowing from the past, but it is in the present for the reader. Anyway, the part of the sentence "Looking back now" establishes the upcoming flashback. However, the "deserted alley" is a grotesque image the reader will soon come upon in chapter 7. This chapter fully introduces why Amhir feels guilty to the present day.

3. Death of a Salesman

The "Glass Menagerie"and "Death of a Salesman" share similar characteristics. First, both plays deal with some sense of nonreality. The "Glass Menagerie" is narrated as a memoir from Tom's point of view. On the other hand, "Death of a Salesman" only has one character who imagines scenes from the past, which is incorporated into the play. All of the characters besides Willy are always living in the present. Both plays also use theatrical components to heighten dramatic moments in the play. "Glass Menagerie" used music especially in response to Laura and her fragile character, while the playing of Willy's father music was often heard. In regards to theme, both plays share the aspect of making something of oneself and parents wanting better for their children. However, much of this is for the idea of putting up a false appearance. Both families want to make their situations better to the outside world than they really appear to them. This however, is nothing new in today's world.

2. Death of a Salesman

What themes does the play present?
The play mainly focuses on the idea of the American Dream. This is clearly seen through Willy’s attempts to keep his job, or work somewhere else. Also, Willy wants to create a better life for his children as seen through his constant nagging at Biff. Ultimately, his kids also take advantage of this idea known as the American Dream. Biff is off living his life free, and wants to start a farm out west. Happy however, follows in his dad’s footsteps as a salesman, and enjoys his life of pleasures including women. Part of the American dream from Willy’s standpoint is that because he put his children in such good position to succeed, they should pay him back, or take care of him. This is the source of many of Willy’s problems. His kids are not following this, especially Biff. In reality, this play presents the American Dream as nothing but a circle: Parents provide for kids, kids one day provide for parents. However, each of the characters in this play ends up sort of lost and wandering instead of ultimately capturing that dream.

1. Death of a Salesman

Is the play a tragedy?
The main character Willy in "Death of a Salesman" is sometimes considered a tragic hero, which would make the play a tragedy. In considering it a tragedy, Willy’s tragic flaw would be his ability to talk ideas up more than they clearly were. For example, he considered himself big time as a salesman, and he often talked up Biff for football, and did not consider his schooling important. Because of football, he considered other things unimportant because this was going to get Biff anywhere in life. His habit is even inheritable to Biff especially as he goes to speak to Oliver about getting a job. Between Willy and Biff, they were able to believe that Biff was once a big worker there, and Oliver would do anything for him in the future. Because of this habit, Willy’s life had too many expectations that he could not meet. These expectations were sometimes beyond Willy’s actions. The death of Willy was ultimately his own fault. He expected to much because he wanted so much for he, and his kids. He also only added to his stress by living with the guilt of cheating on his wife. Willy’s death is his fault and no one else. He was the reason for his own tragic downfall.

3. The Glass Menagerie

I found it interesting how the word glass was used in more than just describing Laura's menagerie. For example, in the final scene as Jim is trying to get Laura to dance with him, he says "I'm not made out of glass". To me, this statement defines them as foil characters. In the descriptions of the family at the beginning of the play, Laura is described as being fragile like glass. Jim is not fragile. He is not introverted or shy like Laura, and he does not lack confidence. Although, Jim tries to convince Laura that she does not have to be like glass, he is ultimately the one that seems to break her. For the first time of the play, the audience saw a different Laura. But just like Jim breaks the class unicorn, he breaks her by saying he cannot visit again, and that he is engaged.

2. The Glass Menagerie

7. What amount of time is covered in the action? How much of the action is presented as a report rather than dramatized on stage? Is there a meaning behind the selection of events to be dramatized?

Time is a very interesting concept in The Glass Menagerie. Because the play is a memoir, there seems to be an absence of time. However, it is impossible for time itself to be absent. The events played out on the stage, as shown, relatively occur over a few day period. Because this is Tom's memories though, the actual events most likely did not occur in that time span. Instead, like he addresses at the beginning this play being his point of view, they were most likely memories put together in order to make the plot flow. There were scenes that had to be placed in the play like why he and his mother did not get along, and the invitation of Jim O'Connor. All of these scenes reflect back to the purpose of the play, Laura. If Tom and his mother would have gotten along, there would be less worry of him being like his father, which possibly would have lightened Amanda's view on a gentleman caller for Laura. The disagreements between Tom and his mother bring the father into the play. Without Jim O'Connor Laura would have never had the chance to be taken out of her environment. Thus, the events chosen, though maybe not in the exact time frame, help to make the play flow and create a plot.

1. The Glass Menagerie

6. How do the various physical effects-theatrical components such as sets, lights, costuming, makeup, gestures, stage movement, musical effects of song or dance and so forth--reinforce the meanings and contribute to the emotional affects?

The Glass Menagerie incorporates music and lighting to reinforce the emotional effect. The most frequent occurrence of this theatrical component is the playing of "The Glass Menagerie". This music often occurs when something has happened to Laura, heightening her emotions. For example, the first time the music plays is when Amanda discovers that Laura will have no gentleman callers. It is when this music plays that Laura feels most inferior, as Jim, tells her she behaves.
Another example of theatrical components includes the lighting of the picture of the dad when Tom speaks of the one man to escape a coffin. This lighting on the picture brings in a character that is not truly present to the scene. However, for the father to not be present, he has a large effect on the characters in the play. According to Amanda, Tom is reflective of his father, and Laura needs a good man who does not end up like their father.

6. Othello

Emilia proves to be quite the dynamic character. She was once the obedient, subservient wife to Iago, but by the end of act V, she is defying her "master". As she tells the truth to everyone, and Iago tells her to be quiet, she refuses. This is quite different from the scene where Iago is describing the four different type of women, and he pushes her aside. That was the Emilia that listened to him, and was quiet when she was told. She is not only standing up to Iago in the final scene but to the Moor. She tells him the truth. She tells him that he should not have believed Iago. She calls the Moor a fool! (V.ii.245) There is no fear in her accusations because she knows Desdemona was innocent and a wonderful women. She is not afraid to tell the Moor this, a man who has been a soldier all his life. She even is willing to tell the truth until death. Like Othello in the final scene, she wants to be in heaven with her mistress, Desdemona (V.ii.261-265).

5. Othello

What functions are served by the minor characters?

In act IV, scene i Bianca helps in Iago's plan to destruct Othello and Desdemona's relationship without knowing it. Back in Act III, Cassio gave the handkerchief to her as a token of his love for her. The handkerchief was never given to Cassio by Desdomona, he found it. Yet, as Bianca walks in on the conversation, she believes Cassio's love to her is fickle, and that the handkerchief was essentially, just another prostitute. To her this means Cassio did not care for her at all. However, in Bianca's outrage, Othello takes everything in a different way. Not only did Desdemona cheat on him, but the man she was cheating with, did not care about her. This ultimately shows Othello's love for her. Although he plans to kill her, he wants someone who cares for her. But because he thinks Cassio does not care for her, he is even more outraged. All of this occurs just because of Bianca's entrance into the scene.

4. Othello

Once again, is the play a tragedy, comedy, melodrama or a farce?

I think it is fair to say through the ending of the play that Othello is definitely a tragedy. The killing begins when Iago tells Roderigo to kill Cassio. If he does this, Othello and Desdemona will have to stay in Cyprus longer, because they will have to find another governor to replace Cassio. (IV.ii.179-205) This is beneficial to Cassio so he will have time to "woo" Desdemona before she leaves for Venice. However, Iago, like everything else, was not going to keep his promise. When Roderigo goes to kill Cassio, Iago ends up trying to kill Cassio, and killing Roderigo. He sets it up as a frame story, to frame Roderigo. As all this occurring, Othello is attempting to kill Desdomona, and does. The main tragedy takes place in that after killing her, he learns the truth. He thinks he is an awful character, kisses her dead body, and dies with her. It was all the work of Iago. If only Othello would have believed his wife, and not the appearance around him, the tragedy would have never occurred.

3. Othello

I feel as if Othello is one of the more modern Shakespearean plays I have read. In all means, it could be one of those plays converted into modern times, and shown as a movie. It deals with many of today's situations like jealousy. Iago is jealous of Cassio because he wants his lieutenant position. Cassio is an honest man caught in all of this. Roderigo wants Desdemona, and was even going to marry her. Also, the appearances of everything are not what they really mean. For example, Cassio does not have Desdemona's handkerchief because she was cheating on Othello. Rather, he has been framed. Rumors have been started by Iago to get everyone to believe what he wants them too. Seems like a pretty common occurrence in life. The play Othello is its own common drama within itself. Ultimately, that is why Othello is a famous literary work. It's themes and plot are timeless and universal, and still apply to today.

2. Othello

2. Is the play a tragedy, comedy, melodrama or farce? Does it mingle aspects of these types of drama? How important to experiencing the drama is the audience's awareness of the classification of the play?

Othello by William Shakespeare is a tragedy. Without knowing this from outside sources, or information in the book, I would consider it a somewhat comedy. IN today's terms Many of the events that occur in the play are outlandish. For example,the idea that Desdemona was taken by magic and forced to marry Othello. But many scenes are also quite comical in today's terms like Iago describing all women as deceitful. And the whole set up of deceit itself. Iago may want to blame women for not being perfect, when he himself is the manipulator of everyone else.
It is somewhat important for the audience to know the classification of the play. A Shakespearean tragedy always results in some sort of death. In many of the plays I have read, one of the deaths has occurred early in the first acts. However, through act III no death has occurred. Thus, the audience and I are waiting for the true definition of a Shakespearean tragedy.

1. Othello

4. How is dramatic suspense created? Contrast the amount of information possessed by the audience as the play proceeds with the knowledge that various individual characters have? What is the effect of such a contrast?

Dramatic suspense is created through Othello by the characters raising false questions and accusations in order to get what they want. This begins in Act I scene I as Roderigo and Brabantio accuse Othello of taking Brabantio's daughter by magic and kidnapping. Although the audience is not informed of the true marriage of the two until Desdemona confirms it in front of the duke, the suspense grows waiting for the true answer. Also, later in Act III as Iago tries to frame Cassio with Desdemona's handkerchief, the audience knows what has really occurred, but the question remains in if Othello will believe Iago, or his wife. Also, the audience is given information from characters alone on stage. In an aside on stage along, Iago accuses Othello of sleeping with his wife. The audience must consider an aside to them as factual information. Thus, inferences are made upon the villain's direct words to the audience. Although the audience may want to consider this as false, and build suspense out of these words, they cannot.