My Mistresss' Eyes by William Shakespeare
1. The speaker draws a contrast between the qualities often praised in exaggerated love poetry and the reality of his mistress' physical attributes. Construct the series of "false compare[isons]" that this poem implies other poets have used (for example, eyes as bright as the sun, hair like spun gold, etc).
2. What is the speaker's tone in lines 1-12? Is there anything about those lines that his mistress might find pleasing? (In Shakespeare's time the words "reeks" did not have its modern denotation of "stinks.")
I enjoyed this poem. It didn't seem like many of Shakespeare's other poems where I had no idea what the heck he was talking about at all. This one made sense to me. I find the speaker to be a realist in the sense that he isn't painting his mistress to be completely perfect and like completely void of any flaws. He lets her come of as a real person. She doesn't have eyes that shine like the sun or the reddest lips in the world. She also doesn't have the perfect snow-white skin that is exaggerated in many love poems. The speaker says his mistress' hair is like black wire and that he doesn't see rosy red cheeks. Finally, her breath smells sometimes, her voice isn't like the chirping of birds to him, and the way she walks is not like an angel floating on air. I think this poem is bringing to light the unrealistic love poems that paint the woman in them as being completely perfect. There are somethings that could be found pleasing in this poem though. It is not all just saying how imperfect she is. He doesn't say her breath smells all the time, and he still loves to hear her speak. So there are some positives in the poem. I would rather have this love poem said to me than any other one because I know the other unrealistic and exaggerated love poems would be complete lies. I would smack the man I love if he told me I had perfect skin and golden hair and walked like a goddess. He would probably be making fun of me and try to make it a joke. I'd hope I wouldn't love someone who was being completely serious about that nonsense. The speaker says, "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare" (Shakespeare 885). The speaker is being real with the woman he loves. He has a rare love because he can be real and recognize that she has flaws, but she is not all flawed. He still loves her regardless of the imperfect things and doesn't try to cover it up and lie about it to his mistress.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Gender Blog Post #3
Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy
1. In what ways is the girl described in this poem different from a Barbie doll? Discuss the poem's contrast of the living girl, a human being with intelligence and healthy appetites, and the doll, an inanimate object.
This poem sort of depressed me because it is a very real situation. The stuff that girls our age and younger go through is horrible. We are pressured to start wearing makeup and try to have the best body. In reality though, this isn't possible for some girls, and some girls are even prettier when they are just their natural self. The bullying is also very real too. The girl in the poem is obviously not perfect, but what is the definition of the perfect girl? Certainly, some would say a Barbie doll, but others would disagree. There is no real perfect girl that every other little girl should try and live up to being like. The girl in the poem had "strong arms and back" (Piercy 835). This is the first difference from Barbie. Barbie has no muscle tone whatsoever. Barbie also doesn't have "a great big nose and fat legs" (Piercy 835). This girl is a real girl. She isn't some inanimate plastic doll that everyone sees as perfect. She has a real body and real feelings. She is healthy and was happy, that should be all that mattered. The girl killed herself, though. The final line of the poem speaks volumes, I think. When it says "Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said. Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending" (Piercy 836). I believe that everyone woman wants to be remembered as being beautiful in someone's eyes. Their happy ending would be to have someone to think they are pretty and remember them as pretty. Any girl who says she doesn't want someone to find them beautiful is lying to you. Every girl wants that, what they don't want is to be constantly told they are imperfect and need to "fix" themselves.
Gender Blog Post #2
A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell
3. What common assumptions about women are shared by the men in the story? How do they try to show that they do not think women to be their inferiors? How are their assumptions ironic?
One common assumption the men have about women is that they are supposed to be good housewives and keep the place looking nice. They believe that women are supposed to be good in the kitchen. When the county attorney is looking around the kitchen and kicking pans, he says, "Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?" (Glaspell 412). He's making a jab at the fact that women really have one job and she can't do that job. I find it funny when they are talking about the preserves and how the women in the room are thinking about Mrs. Wright's feelings about the ruined fruits because the men just kind of laugh and are like "oh she's on trial for murder, I'm sure she's going to worry about her fruit". This short story is very stereotypical of men and women. The irony in the situation is that the men don't think of them as inferior, yet they brought them along to investigate. The women are the one's who do the real investigating though. They actually figure out motive and can rationalize why Minnie murdered her husband. The men don't realize that the quilt, the box, the birdcage, they were all evidence that pointed to Minnie's motive. They just brushed them off as jokes because they're men and don't take anything seriously.
3. What common assumptions about women are shared by the men in the story? How do they try to show that they do not think women to be their inferiors? How are their assumptions ironic?
One common assumption the men have about women is that they are supposed to be good housewives and keep the place looking nice. They believe that women are supposed to be good in the kitchen. When the county attorney is looking around the kitchen and kicking pans, he says, "Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?" (Glaspell 412). He's making a jab at the fact that women really have one job and she can't do that job. I find it funny when they are talking about the preserves and how the women in the room are thinking about Mrs. Wright's feelings about the ruined fruits because the men just kind of laugh and are like "oh she's on trial for murder, I'm sure she's going to worry about her fruit". This short story is very stereotypical of men and women. The irony in the situation is that the men don't think of them as inferior, yet they brought them along to investigate. The women are the one's who do the real investigating though. They actually figure out motive and can rationalize why Minnie murdered her husband. The men don't realize that the quilt, the box, the birdcage, they were all evidence that pointed to Minnie's motive. They just brushed them off as jokes because they're men and don't take anything seriously.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Gender Blog Post #1
Hunters in the Snow by Tobias Wolff
1. Which of the three principal characters do you find most sympathetic? The least sympathetic? Discuss your answers. Do the characters' names help us to form our impressions of them?
CHARACTERIZATION: the process by which the writer reveals the personality, values, and quality of a character
The character I felt most sympathetic towards was Tub. I felt so bad for him because he was so tubby and fat and slow. I just felt like Frank and Kenny were jerks to him to for no reason. They bullied him and it made me feel sad for him. I felt least sympathetic for Kenny's character. I was glad he got shot because he was annoying. Tub was the butt of all his jokes and he did seem like he was going to shoot Tub next. I didn't know he was supposed to kill the dog, though. When he shot the dog I was like "oh no!" and then didn't feel sad anymore because Tub had shot him. The characters' names do help form an impression of them, especially Tub's. Frank seems older and Frank is sort of an older name. Kenny just sounds annoying and rude. It doesn't help that the only Kenny I know is someone who is very obnoxious. The characterization of the characters also comes through when they are resting and eating after two hours of hunting. The author says, "Kenny had several slices of pizza and a couple of candy bars; Frank had a sandwich, an apple, two carrots, and a square of chocolate; Tub had one hard-boiled egg and a stick of celery" (Wolff 189). This shows that Kenny is a jerk for eating all that food in front of Tub, who obviously loves food, and Frank is sort of in the middle eating healthier, but still a lot. Then there is Tub who is eating close to nothing in front of his friends. Kenny goes on to say that he thinks this is the only diet Tub's been on where he gained weight. This again, characterizes Kenny as a jerk and Tub as trying to hide the fact that he's fat and isn't doing anything about it because he's embarrassed. But in reality, we know that he eats a lot because cookies and two sandwiches fall out of his pockets, and he eats four plates of pancakes later on.
1. Which of the three principal characters do you find most sympathetic? The least sympathetic? Discuss your answers. Do the characters' names help us to form our impressions of them?
CHARACTERIZATION: the process by which the writer reveals the personality, values, and quality of a character
The character I felt most sympathetic towards was Tub. I felt so bad for him because he was so tubby and fat and slow. I just felt like Frank and Kenny were jerks to him to for no reason. They bullied him and it made me feel sad for him. I felt least sympathetic for Kenny's character. I was glad he got shot because he was annoying. Tub was the butt of all his jokes and he did seem like he was going to shoot Tub next. I didn't know he was supposed to kill the dog, though. When he shot the dog I was like "oh no!" and then didn't feel sad anymore because Tub had shot him. The characters' names do help form an impression of them, especially Tub's. Frank seems older and Frank is sort of an older name. Kenny just sounds annoying and rude. It doesn't help that the only Kenny I know is someone who is very obnoxious. The characterization of the characters also comes through when they are resting and eating after two hours of hunting. The author says, "Kenny had several slices of pizza and a couple of candy bars; Frank had a sandwich, an apple, two carrots, and a square of chocolate; Tub had one hard-boiled egg and a stick of celery" (Wolff 189). This shows that Kenny is a jerk for eating all that food in front of Tub, who obviously loves food, and Frank is sort of in the middle eating healthier, but still a lot. Then there is Tub who is eating close to nothing in front of his friends. Kenny goes on to say that he thinks this is the only diet Tub's been on where he gained weight. This again, characterizes Kenny as a jerk and Tub as trying to hide the fact that he's fat and isn't doing anything about it because he's embarrassed. But in reality, we know that he eats a lot because cookies and two sandwiches fall out of his pockets, and he eats four plates of pancakes later on.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Othello Blog Post #8
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
16. How would the effect of the play have been different if Othello had died before discovering Desdemona's innocence?
Alas, the tragedy comes to a close. A tragedy it was, indeed. If Othello wouldn't have found out about his wife's innocence before he died, the tragedy wouldn't have been as tragic. It is as simple as that. He feels more foolish for being tricked and murdering the woman that he loved. It makes the reader so angry because Iago's plan played out exactly how he wanted it. I wanted some turn of events to happen where Desdemona comes back alive or was only pretending to be dead the whole time and then her and Othello murder Iago together and live happily ever after together. This is Shakespeare, though. It is also a tragedy, not a fairytale. So I knew deep down it would have never happened, but it would have been so cool if it did. The play wouldn't have been as effective if Othello had died before knowing Desdemona was innocent. There would be less heartache and less satisfaction for Iago. With Othello knowing of his victim's innocence, the greatest villain ever gets the satisfaction and had successfully carried out the best revenge.
16. How would the effect of the play have been different if Othello had died before discovering Desdemona's innocence?
Alas, the tragedy comes to a close. A tragedy it was, indeed. If Othello wouldn't have found out about his wife's innocence before he died, the tragedy wouldn't have been as tragic. It is as simple as that. He feels more foolish for being tricked and murdering the woman that he loved. It makes the reader so angry because Iago's plan played out exactly how he wanted it. I wanted some turn of events to happen where Desdemona comes back alive or was only pretending to be dead the whole time and then her and Othello murder Iago together and live happily ever after together. This is Shakespeare, though. It is also a tragedy, not a fairytale. So I knew deep down it would have never happened, but it would have been so cool if it did. The play wouldn't have been as effective if Othello had died before knowing Desdemona was innocent. There would be less heartache and less satisfaction for Iago. With Othello knowing of his victim's innocence, the greatest villain ever gets the satisfaction and had successfully carried out the best revenge.
Othello Blog Post #7
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
7. How does Emilia prove to be a dynamic character?
DYNAMIC CHARACTER: is one who changes in some important way as a result of the story's action.
Emilia FINALLY stands up for herself. She has such a turnaround that I found myself cheering her on towards the end of Act V. She comest to the realization that her husband was the guy who planted all of the seeds and caused the death of Desdemona (He will soon cause the death of herself and Othello indirectly). You can sort of see her putting everything together and putting the puzzle pieces in place with the different pieces of information coming forth. She pretty much calls out Iago. One thing Emilia says, "That handkerchief thou speak'st of I found by fortune and did give my husband, For often with a solemn earnestness, More than indeed belonged to such a trifle, He begged of me to steal it" (V.ii.224-228). She is calling him out and you can kind of hear Iago being like "shutup shutup shut up!". You know thats what is going on in his head when she won't be quiet. She finally stands up for herself though and I was proud. You go girl. She changes from a passive and submissive wife, to a free and disobedient woman who won't take any more crap from her jerk husband.
7. How does Emilia prove to be a dynamic character?
DYNAMIC CHARACTER: is one who changes in some important way as a result of the story's action.
Emilia FINALLY stands up for herself. She has such a turnaround that I found myself cheering her on towards the end of Act V. She comest to the realization that her husband was the guy who planted all of the seeds and caused the death of Desdemona (He will soon cause the death of herself and Othello indirectly). You can sort of see her putting everything together and putting the puzzle pieces in place with the different pieces of information coming forth. She pretty much calls out Iago. One thing Emilia says, "That handkerchief thou speak'st of I found by fortune and did give my husband, For often with a solemn earnestness, More than indeed belonged to such a trifle, He begged of me to steal it" (V.ii.224-228). She is calling him out and you can kind of hear Iago being like "shutup shutup shut up!". You know thats what is going on in his head when she won't be quiet. She finally stands up for herself though and I was proud. You go girl. She changes from a passive and submissive wife, to a free and disobedient woman who won't take any more crap from her jerk husband.
Othello Blog Post #6
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
This play doesn't have much comedy in it, but I believe I was able to find a little bit of humor in one situation in Act IV. I don't know about anyone else, but I found myself giggling a little bit to myself when Emilia, Desdemona, and Iago are talking about the rumors that Othello is asking Desdemona about. Emilia is just going on and on about how someone could start rumors like that between two people who love each other so much. The whole time you know Iago is thinking, "yep that's me. I did it. I'm the devil." Emilia says she'll be hanged "if some eternal villain,...to get some office, Have not devised this slander. I'll be hanged else" (IV.ii.130-133). Then Iago's just like "oh there's no such man, it is impossible" (IV.ii.134). I think it is so funny. And then she continues to go on and on and Iago just agrees and I don't know why I find it so funny. It is probably the immense irony in the situation that I find funny. Like, he is right in front of you. Your husband is the eternal villain! Also, there is foreshadowing when Emilia says she will be hanged if there is such a person who would do this. Well, looks like you're dying Emilia. There is such villain. His name is Iago and he's your husband.
This play doesn't have much comedy in it, but I believe I was able to find a little bit of humor in one situation in Act IV. I don't know about anyone else, but I found myself giggling a little bit to myself when Emilia, Desdemona, and Iago are talking about the rumors that Othello is asking Desdemona about. Emilia is just going on and on about how someone could start rumors like that between two people who love each other so much. The whole time you know Iago is thinking, "yep that's me. I did it. I'm the devil." Emilia says she'll be hanged "if some eternal villain,...to get some office, Have not devised this slander. I'll be hanged else" (IV.ii.130-133). Then Iago's just like "oh there's no such man, it is impossible" (IV.ii.134). I think it is so funny. And then she continues to go on and on and Iago just agrees and I don't know why I find it so funny. It is probably the immense irony in the situation that I find funny. Like, he is right in front of you. Your husband is the eternal villain! Also, there is foreshadowing when Emilia says she will be hanged if there is such a person who would do this. Well, looks like you're dying Emilia. There is such villain. His name is Iago and he's your husband.
Othello Blog Post #5
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
One thing I have noticed from the beginning of the play to towards the end is the shift in Othello's character. In the first act, Brabantio, Roderigo, and Iago are questioning Othello and accusing him of drugging and stealing Desdemona. Most men would freak out and be mad and react to these accusations, but Othello is a calm and cool leader. He says simply ask Desdemona and she will tell you what is going on. He trusts her and is confident in their love that she would tell the truth. This parallels the end of the play where Othello is asking pretty much everyone else other than Desdemona about what is going on. He asks even Emilia before he goes to Desdemona. Emilia defends Desdemona saying, "...to wager she is honest, Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other, Remove your thought, it doth abuse your bosom" (IV.ii.12-14). He still doesn't believe even the woman closest to Desdemona. This shows that Iago's tactics have definitely been getting to Othello. He has managed to completely change Othello's way of dealing with rumors and stress. Iago truly is turning out to be a master of deception and one of the greatest villains of all time.
One thing I have noticed from the beginning of the play to towards the end is the shift in Othello's character. In the first act, Brabantio, Roderigo, and Iago are questioning Othello and accusing him of drugging and stealing Desdemona. Most men would freak out and be mad and react to these accusations, but Othello is a calm and cool leader. He says simply ask Desdemona and she will tell you what is going on. He trusts her and is confident in their love that she would tell the truth. This parallels the end of the play where Othello is asking pretty much everyone else other than Desdemona about what is going on. He asks even Emilia before he goes to Desdemona. Emilia defends Desdemona saying, "...to wager she is honest, Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other, Remove your thought, it doth abuse your bosom" (IV.ii.12-14). He still doesn't believe even the woman closest to Desdemona. This shows that Iago's tactics have definitely been getting to Othello. He has managed to completely change Othello's way of dealing with rumors and stress. Iago truly is turning out to be a master of deception and one of the greatest villains of all time.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Othello Blog Post #4
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
DRAMATIC IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between the reader's understanding of a scene and a character's understanding of a scene, usually because the reader has knowledge the character does not
APOSTROPHE: directly addressing (often rhetorically) and imaginary, dead, or absent person, or a place or thing, or a personified abstract idea
IMAGERY: the use of sensory language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience
The aside that Othello makes in Scene 3 of Act 3 is packed full of literary techniques. The first line of Othello's little speech starts out with "This fellow's of exceeding honesty..." (III.iii.259). We all know that Iago is the furthest thing from honest because he has told us. He has informed us of his evil plan, but all the character's know is all that they see and are told. They don't know about Iago's plan obviously. Othello uses hawk imagery throughout to compare Desdemona to a possible wild bird. He is saying that if she turns out to be "wild" then he will tell her to go and she will go because he doesn't believe she would be worth keeping. We start to see Iago's manipulation playing out in Othello's aside. This is where he first confesses wavering suspicions he has about Desdemona's faithfulness. He is playing perfectly into Iago's hand by listening to the seed Iago planted and then even continuing to be worried about it. He starts to think that maybe she is unfaithful because he doesn't think he is what she wants. He believes he would rather be a toad than to keep loving someone that is used and loved by someone else.
DRAMATIC IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between the reader's understanding of a scene and a character's understanding of a scene, usually because the reader has knowledge the character does not
APOSTROPHE: directly addressing (often rhetorically) and imaginary, dead, or absent person, or a place or thing, or a personified abstract idea
IMAGERY: the use of sensory language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience
The aside that Othello makes in Scene 3 of Act 3 is packed full of literary techniques. The first line of Othello's little speech starts out with "This fellow's of exceeding honesty..." (III.iii.259). We all know that Iago is the furthest thing from honest because he has told us. He has informed us of his evil plan, but all the character's know is all that they see and are told. They don't know about Iago's plan obviously. Othello uses hawk imagery throughout to compare Desdemona to a possible wild bird. He is saying that if she turns out to be "wild" then he will tell her to go and she will go because he doesn't believe she would be worth keeping. We start to see Iago's manipulation playing out in Othello's aside. This is where he first confesses wavering suspicions he has about Desdemona's faithfulness. He is playing perfectly into Iago's hand by listening to the seed Iago planted and then even continuing to be worried about it. He starts to think that maybe she is unfaithful because he doesn't think he is what she wants. He believes he would rather be a toad than to keep loving someone that is used and loved by someone else.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Othello Blog Post #3
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
I have noticed repetition in the play so far up to Act II. The characters are constantly saying how honest and loyal and loving Iago is. More than any normal person should in real life. Othello asks for Iago's recount of the fight because he trusts him. Othello asks, "What is the matter, masters? Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, speak, who began this? Oh thy love, I charge thee" (II.iii.155-157). Even after Iago tells what happened, Othello again calls him honest and his love. The dramatic irony in the situation is that we know that Iago is evil and actually hates Othello and is plotting against him. The constant repetition of Iago's honesty is meant to add to the irony in all of the situations. It also adds to the readers' frustration of the stupidity of the characters in the play.
I have noticed repetition in the play so far up to Act II. The characters are constantly saying how honest and loyal and loving Iago is. More than any normal person should in real life. Othello asks for Iago's recount of the fight because he trusts him. Othello asks, "What is the matter, masters? Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, speak, who began this? Oh thy love, I charge thee" (II.iii.155-157). Even after Iago tells what happened, Othello again calls him honest and his love. The dramatic irony in the situation is that we know that Iago is evil and actually hates Othello and is plotting against him. The constant repetition of Iago's honesty is meant to add to the irony in all of the situations. It also adds to the readers' frustration of the stupidity of the characters in the play.
Othello Blog Post #2
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
Act II has a lot of scheming on Iago's part going on. I don't understand how every character is so gullible and dumb, though. Cassio knows that alcohol does not do well with him, yet he is still coaxed into getting drunk by Iago. Someone somewhere should be putting all of the parts of this puzzle together and figuring out that Iago is behind all the mishaps and schemes. The dramatic irony is insane because literally Iago will say one thing and then right in the next scene he will say another thing. And then even still will play a third side by telling the audience what his master plan is all about and what is actually going to happen. At the end of Act II, he sums everything up and gives foreshadowing into what is left to come by saying, "Two things are to be done: My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress...Myself the while to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife" (II.iii.345-350). He is telling his evil plan to us and we are drawn in to continue reading and see how the gullible characters play into Iago's hands.
Act II has a lot of scheming on Iago's part going on. I don't understand how every character is so gullible and dumb, though. Cassio knows that alcohol does not do well with him, yet he is still coaxed into getting drunk by Iago. Someone somewhere should be putting all of the parts of this puzzle together and figuring out that Iago is behind all the mishaps and schemes. The dramatic irony is insane because literally Iago will say one thing and then right in the next scene he will say another thing. And then even still will play a third side by telling the audience what his master plan is all about and what is actually going to happen. At the end of Act II, he sums everything up and gives foreshadowing into what is left to come by saying, "Two things are to be done: My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress...Myself the while to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife" (II.iii.345-350). He is telling his evil plan to us and we are drawn in to continue reading and see how the gullible characters play into Iago's hands.
Othello Blog Post #1
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
APOSTROPHE: directly addressing an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or a place or thing, or a personified idea
DRAMATIC IRONY:takes place when there is a discrepancy between the reader's understanding of a scene and a character's understanding of a scene, usually because the reader has knowledge the character does not.
10. Throughout Act I, there are times when Iago speaks in prose and others she when he speaks in poetry. Any theories as to why he switches back and forth?
The first theory I have on why Iago changes the way in which he speaks is because he is addressing different people or groups of people. I think that when he speaks in prose he is just talking to another character in the play. At the end of Act I, he is having a conversation with Roderigo about going out and making money. He speaks in prose during this section because he is in a normal conversation. After Roderigo leaves, however, Iago switches over to speaking in poetry. He is talking to no one on stage and is more providing information to the audience. In the very end of Act I, Iago is all alone and the audience gets to hear parts of his evil plan. He starts out, "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse," (I.iii.363). This is saying that he's just convinced Roderigo to go make money but it will turn out to benefit Iago more than Roderigo. This adds to the effect of dramatic irony throughout the play. We will all know that Iago is evil, but the characters only know what he tells them and what they actually play through. Also, it gives us an idea of what is going to happen later on in the play through foreshadowing.
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
APOSTROPHE: directly addressing an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or a place or thing, or a personified idea
DRAMATIC IRONY:takes place when there is a discrepancy between the reader's understanding of a scene and a character's understanding of a scene, usually because the reader has knowledge the character does not.
10. Throughout Act I, there are times when Iago speaks in prose and others she when he speaks in poetry. Any theories as to why he switches back and forth?
The first theory I have on why Iago changes the way in which he speaks is because he is addressing different people or groups of people. I think that when he speaks in prose he is just talking to another character in the play. At the end of Act I, he is having a conversation with Roderigo about going out and making money. He speaks in prose during this section because he is in a normal conversation. After Roderigo leaves, however, Iago switches over to speaking in poetry. He is talking to no one on stage and is more providing information to the audience. In the very end of Act I, Iago is all alone and the audience gets to hear parts of his evil plan. He starts out, "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse," (I.iii.363). This is saying that he's just convinced Roderigo to go make money but it will turn out to benefit Iago more than Roderigo. This adds to the effect of dramatic irony throughout the play. We will all know that Iago is evil, but the characters only know what he tells them and what they actually play through. Also, it gives us an idea of what is going to happen later on in the play through foreshadowing.
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