Question #3 (Death of a Salesman)

The three major characters in the play are Willy (the salesman and father) and Happy and Biff (Willy's two sons). The play is mainly about the struggle between Willy and his son Biff's relationship. This assumption makes Willy the protagonist and Biff the antagonist. The story outlines their rocky relationship from the very beginning when it was healthy, to its downfall (when Biff finds out about Willy's affair), and the way it has changed over the years because of this incident. The play also brings about an internal conflict within Willy and his business. Linda, Biff, and Happy are simply characters who are affected by this dramatic change in Willy due to his internal conflict. I believe Happy and Biff are foil characters. Biff was the macho older brother with a huge future ahead of him, while Happy was living in his brother's shadow following in his footsteps. As the two grow up, Biff struggles with knowing about his father's affair, while Happy has no idea as to why Biff and Willy don't get along.

Question #1 (Death of a Salesman)

In my opinion, the play uses very realistic conventions to convey its overall theme and message. The way Willy treats Biff and Happy in the past, when they were in high school, is how any dad who is proud of his sons would act. It is a common scene seen among many teen boys (especially athletes) and their "star" sons. Willy tells them that he is "well-liked" in New England where he does his sales, which makes it sound like business is thriving. The boys, being young and oblivious, love the fact that there father is successful and really look up to him in that aspect. I think the most realistic scene in the play is Biff's conversion when he finds out the truth about his father. When he finds that his father has been having an affair, he loses all respect and trust for him. Similar to many of us, when we find out a negative thing about our role models we completely change the way we look at them. This one thing caused a total 180 degree turn of Biff and Willy's relationship.

Question #1

In my opinion, the play employs both realistic AND nonrealistic conventions. The characters, the setting, and the situation has both elements within some depth of them. During class discussion, many people said that Amanda's controlling attitude and actions was nonrealistic, but I would have to disagree. Aren't most mothers controlling? In my experience, my mother acts very similar to Amanda. Always nagging and complaing about what needs to be done, and how it should be done right, and blah blah blah. For me, it seems like a commmon occurrence. I think the most nonrealistic part of the play is the fact that Laura still treasures her glass doll set. A teenage girl, almost a woman, would not be spending her time playing with glass people. She should be out being a social butterfly like a young girl should be.

Emilia

Emilia is my absolute favorite character in this play. She does not act like the typical ladies are supposed to act in these olden times. In the beginning, we are introduced to Emilia as being a quiet woman, who attempts to win over her husband's approval. Iago has nothing good to say about her and she has no rebuttal. Throughout the play, she continues to stick my Desdemona's side, while still being loyal to her husband. In my opinion, this shows her dynamic character. In Act 5 when the entire plan is revealed to the cast, she completely stands up for her friend one hundred percent. She blows up on Iago, telling him how evil he is and cursing him to hell. I think this dramatic turn around of Emilia's character shows how women can and will stand up for themselves.

Question #4

Shakespeare has written "Othello" by making every separate act a different aspect of Iago's masterful, evil plan. It is written so that Iago doesn't reveal his complete and total plan right away. He reveals his motivations, but not his plan. The fact that Iago's plan slowly plays out from act to act, ensures that dramatic suspense is created. Also, it is a tragedy. In most of Shakespeare's tragedies, people are dropping like flies all throughtout from beginning to end. As "Othello" drags on, the audience is constantly wondering when someone is going to die. In my opinion, it makes the story much easier and enjoyable to read. The longer it takes for major action to occur, the more and more the audience expects it, the more and more they want to get to the end to find out the outcome.

Question #1

In my personal opinion, the play is one of the more realistic Shakespeare tragedies that I have read. All the themes directly relate to the emotions that every normal person experiences in our world today. Jealousy and envy are the two biggest themes. Iago envies Othello and Cassio, so he makes Othello jealous..which in turn makes him go crazy. These emotions are especially realistic for high school students. I am positive each of us have had doubts about our boyfriends or girlfriends being faithful. I am also correct in assuming that each one of us has envied another for what they posess, like a high office, fame, or money. All of these aspects of the play relate to how each of us feel at one time or another. It is extremely realistic and easy to relate to.