My working title is still rough, if anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them!
Shakespeare and Milton: Building characters who are easily
portrayed in media
I am hoping to choose two soliloquies, one from Othello and one from Paradise Regained, that portray the true
characters of Iago and Satan, then pair that soliloquy with an image that
portrays their true character. By looking at these artistic renditions, I will
compare and contrast the rhetoric of each villain and how their arguments
develop as their characters develop.
Media:
Christ Casts Satan Down 
·
Christ Casts Satan Down. Digital image. Typology
in Paradise Regained. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <http://www.samizdat.qc.ca/arts/lit/preg_gm.htm>.
o
Depicts Satan’s fall from the spires after
Temptation 3, when he is at his prime of rhetorical ploys.
Honoring Shakespeare
·
Adams, Chelsea. "Honoring Shakespeare:
Othello's Iago as a Model for Milton's Satan in Paradise Lost." Web blog
post. Team Milton. Blogger, 1 Nov. 2013. Web.
<https://teammilton.blogspot.com/2013/11/honoring-shakespeare-othellos-iago-as.html?showComment=1479177382648#c710732424498424099>.
o
Bases Satan off of Iago because Milton looked up
to Shakespeare in form and mindset.
o
“Milton’s first published poem was “On
Shakespeare,” appearing in the Second Folio anonymously. The work, especially
being Milton’s first published work, shows Milton’s reverence and honor for the
greatest poet and playwright of his age” (1).
Othello and Iago 
·
Othello and Iago, from National Theatre. Digital
image. Quotes Gram, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.
<http://quotesgram.com/iago-from-othello-quotes/>.
o
Depicts Iago looking sinister and wicked behind
Othello. The lighting places him more in the shadow than Othello, and his eyes
are not level with the camera, instead he is peering ominously up.
Performances:
Ewan McGregor talks about Iago
·
Ewan McGregor Talks about Iago. Interview.
Ewan McGregor. YouTube.com. Custardflix, 17 Sept. 2008. Web. 12
Nov. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dF921GLl7g>.
o
Iago gets carried away with the power and is on
a mad power surge (1:27-1:45).
o
Shakespeare denies explanation to characters and
audience because Iago has no rational explanation (2:14-2:28).
Othello: Iago and Othello
·
Othello:
Iago and Othello. National Theatre. Interview. Adrian Lester and Rory
Kinnear. YouTube.com. National Theatre Discover, 25 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Nov.
2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyoCIwJn9Ic>.
o
Iago is disgruntled because he is Othello’s most
trusted confidant and has seen the horrors of war with him.
o
Sees himself as slighted and therefore plays on the
“sensitive and vulnerable and weak” parts of Othello’s character (4:12).
o
Iago sees his grievances as legitimate, and uses
“subterfuge” and “insinuation” to fulfill his destructive plans (4:34).
Title suggestions: "Swipe Right for Shakespeare," "A True Character Hidden by Media," "The Power of an Image." Personally I like the first suggestion, but if you need a more serious take maybe a combination of the two of ours? "Swipe Right for Shakespeare: Milton and Shakespeare's Characters in Media" or something like that.
ReplyDeleteSome good suggestions from Karee on the title. Right now you have your comparison set up well and a strategy for the development, but as with all comparison claims you'll need to bring in the "so what?" element. How does seeing the comparison affect our understanding of either work? How is one a foil to the other? You'll need a claim with more of an edge.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Karee and Professor Burton's comments. The claim needs to divide the audience and capture their attention
ReplyDeleteI second Karee's suggestion of "Swipe Right for Shakespeare:" Milton and Shakespeare's Characters in Media."
ReplyDelete