Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Ot. Hello.

DUDES.

Othello.

But more to the point, IAGO.

I have not read this before. (Skool is causing me to READ things, guys. WAT.) I'm just finishing Act IV, and I'm seriously considering reading the rest of the play right this instant, except that then I will forget before Friday when I must discuss said play. Such is the way of Violet's brain.

Iago is diabolical and CLEVER OH MY GOD and also an incredible asshat, which prevents me from finding him at all sympathetic. Usually I am le best at sympathizing with asshats; see: Crowley, the Master, the Malfoys. (It's a problem. Maybe.)

But srsly, guys. That smile. That eeeeeeevil smile...

So basically, I guess what I'm saying is if someone makes a visual representation of Othello with a suitably attractive/insane Iago, I will probably find him sympathetic... What this says about my character, I shan't consider.

Anywhozits, I'm loving this play. Mostly. Desdemona is suitably interesting, despite being pure and virginal and gorgeous and stuff. She's an independent woman who made her own choice in a husband (SHOCK. HORROR. DISASTER.) which, funnily enough, does in fact result in disaster. But it's all Iago's fault, really. (Um. Spoilers ahead, I suppose?)

So. Iago decides, against any evidence at all as far as I can tell, that Othello did the nasty with Iago's wife, and also didn't give Iago the big promotion, so now he's going to forgive and forget. LOL NOPE. He's going to destroy Othello and everything he loves. But! He does it through suggestion. Like, you guys, Othello is the well-spoken one, and Iago just makes sex jokes and says suggestive things, so you would think he's more of a figure of fun, yes? BUT his words put terrible pictures into everyone's minds. He drives Othello mad BY NOT SAYING ANYTHING DEFINITE AT ALL. It's immensely, diabolically clever. Color me impressed.

(The color of being impressed is chartreuse, in case you were wondering. Because I like the word "chartreuse", is why.)

Also! Shakespeare hits my nerd buttons hard. His cleverness with names is, indeed, INCREDIBLY CLEVER. (Are you listening, Suzanne Collins? Peeta = pita hahahahalookabakernamedafterbread. Is NOT clever. K?)

You're welcome.

Othello and Desdemona are the protagonists, ostensibly, but look at those names. OtHELLo. DesDEMONa. Wat. Also, this lady Bianca is pretty much the town bicycle, but her name means "white, pure". Oh, Shakespeare. You make me cackle.

So looking forward to the rest of this term.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.


New year, new blog. What does one say? I'm a word-loving, book-devouring, wannabe knitter, embroiderer and seamstress from the beautiful state of Oregon. I have a lot of thoughts, plans, and dreams. Some of these I'll share with you.

That title up there is my favorite first line of a book. It's from I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith. While I am not precisely seated in the kitchen sink right now, it has been known to happen. I always appreciate a new perspective.

Welcome!