JC H2 Lit Group (with Cheryl and Nathan) paper on Comparison questions - Manifestation

Manifestations of Erratic Behavior - Unpredictable and Illogical

Characters: Crazy Mary + Iago

Similarity: 

Both are unpredictable and illogical (components of erratic behaviour), both marginalized by society

Effects

Significance

Crazy Mary

Iago

Pg 187: “I disliked looking at her ; you never knew what you were going to see” → Maxine avoids crazy Mary because of the unpredictability of her actions. This is highlighted by the adverb “never” to show how Crazy Mary is never constant in her behaviour. The unpredictability of her actions is shown through the inconsistency of her behaviour (erratic) Pg 187: “When you went to her house, you had to keep alert because you didn't want her to come at you from around a corner, her hands loose” → Maxine shows how there was a need to be cautious because of the unpredictable nature of Crazy Mary. This idea that someone had to be “alert” at “her house”, hints at the threat that that may arise because of her actions. This shows unpredictability as the need to be cautious shows that prediction of her next move is not possible. Pg 188: “she came to the slough not to harvest the useful herbs and berries the way we did, but to collect armfuls of cattails and tall grasses and tuber flowers” → Maxine highlights the difference in Crazy Mary's actions as compared to others. The  utility behind the harvest of “useful herbs” is juxtaposed with Crazy Mary collecting “armfuls of cattails and tall grasses and tuber flowers”. Thus, suggesting the illogical actions of Crazy Mary as compared to Maxine.

“If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most prepost'rous conclusions. But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts.”  → This quote is ironic because Iago is exactly being ruled by his “blood and baseness” (link to “i know not if’t be true...surety”and “not out of absolute lust”) His language here directly contradicts his actions thus adding to the lack of visible rationale behind his motivations for revenge (illogical) “Iago: Put money enough in your purse.  Roderigo: I’ll sell all my land.” → Iago’s sudden request for Roderigo to liquidate his assets contains unwarranted conviction. This is seen from the repetition of “put money in your purse” prior to this quote. His ability to convince Roderigo to commit such an impactful action reinforces Iago’s illogicality which he is able to translate onto others. “I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets He’s done my office. I know not if ’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety.” → superlative adjective “mere” highlights the lack of justification in Iago’s suspicion, but directly contrasts that with the following phrase “do as if for surety”. Reflects the discrepancy in Iago’s logic and highlights the idiosyncrasies of Iago’s behaviour.  “Now, whether he kill Cassio Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, Every way makes my gain.” Iago’s marginalization of the value of human life and his fickleness highlights Iago’s illogicality in his decision-making?? “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio. Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong him. This it is, general:” → Juxtaposition of the conflict in Iago’s intentions highlights that his loyalty is not genuine and hence the impression of trustworthiness he has created for himself is flawed. This suggests that Iago is able to act against what others expect of him instantaneously (unpredictable).

Difference: perceived differently by society

• Crazy Mary: explicit/can be seen
• Iago: implicit/cannot be seen

[minor linking point] The contrast between Iago’s speech in private to singular characters and in public highlights his ability to remain mysterious and unsuspecting in the eyes of others. Iago rarely speaks in public, and when he does, it is in verse, highlighting that his speech is carefully calculated. Whereas with Othello, Roderigo and Cassio, he speaks more often in prose, giving the illusion that he is being honest, in line with his reputation. With Othello in particular, he often finishes Othello’s lines to reinforce to Othello the idea that Iago is loyal to him and understands his predicament. This discrepancy between his true intentions and what he reveals to individual characters is what allows his machinations to be successful, and prevents other characters from anticipating his motivations, thus making his actions at the end of the play seem unpredictable. 

Crazy Mary

Iago

Pg 187: “Her face was a blur because she was indoors so much and also because I tried not to look at her directly” → Because of her identity, Maxine ultimately stays away from Crazy Mary as seen in her actions as she “tried not to look at her directly”. Maxine’s inability to look at Crazy Mary as seen from the metaphor of her face being “a blur” arises from a recognition of her insanity, and being unwilling to be associated with her. Thus even though Crazy Mary should not have been perceived as mad since she was “indoors so much”, her erratic behavior which is associated with madness is still outwardly visible. Thus, the avoidance of Crazy Mary is due to her erratic behaviour.  ↕ Pg 187: “houses with crazy girls have locked rooms and drawn curtains” → The image of ‘drawn curtains’ evokes a sense of distancing and rejection of society as it shows that ‘crazy girls’ shut themselves indoors, out of sight of the rest of society. The image of ‘locked rooms’ further emphasised on the act of isolation, showing that they are detached from society. This shows the outward action of being removed from society due the the difference in perception of the other ‘normal people’ as compared to Crazy Mary. ↕ Pg 187: “Crazy Mary did not improve, and so she too was locked up in the crazyhouse” → Thus, suggesting that Crazy Mary’s actions have led to her isolation as society openly segregates her. In addition, this lack of “improvement” also shows how society feels that there is something inherently wrong with Crazy Mary’s actions and her current behaviour resulted in her “locked up the crazyhouse”. The image of being “locked up” reiterates society’s rejection of Crazy Mary’s actions as it shows how she is punished for her erratic behaviours. Pg 188: “She came riding to the slough with a broom between her legs, and had powdered one cheek red and one white” → The image of Crazy Mary dressing up as a witch highlights her deviation from society as she acts in a unpredictable manner which manifest in the way she dresses. The image of the witch which represents the supernatural (link to superstition) justifies society’s outward rejection of Crazy Mary as she is linked to wickedness.  + Pg 188 : “When our mother was with us, she would chase the witchwoman away” → The verb further reiterates the rejection of Crazy Mary as she is “chase(d)” away. The characterisation of Crazy Mary as a “witchwoman” also shows society views her as something evil and someone that should be avoided. (significance same as previous?) ↕ Pg 188 : “Kids said she was a witch capable of witch deeds, unspeakable boilings and tearings apart and transformations if she caught us” → The repetition of linking Crazy Mary (and her actions) to a witch emphasises on society’s rejection towards Crazy Mary as it restates her characterisation of something of supernatural nature which will bring harm to the society. Hence, Crazy Mary’s behaviour has resulted in the “kids” viewing her as something dangerous and to be “avoided”, and thus be shunned away from by society Pg 189 : “No matter what she did to us, we had to run in the opposite direction from home” → Her actions have lead to such blatant rejection from society that Maxine and the rest of the children have to run away from their “home” to prevent Crazy Mary from knowing where they live. The children run away from their sanctuary (home) in a desperate attempt to get away from Crazy Mary which emphasises not only the fear that they have for her but also the magnitude of which society rejects Crazy Mary.

Pg 268: “Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving, speak: who began this?” + Pg 272: “Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, making it light to Cassio” → “Honest” is an epithet used to describe Iago which highlights how Iago is viewed in the Venetian society where he is addressed as “Honest Iago”. Thus, by characterising Iago as honest, it creates an expectation that society has of his actions and words. This reiterated by Othello questioning him with regards to the “brawl” that happens in act 2 where Iago’s words are backed by his reputation. This expectation of Iago being honest is a contrast to his actions which is not seen until the end of the play. The deceptive nature of Iago makes his erratic behaviour largely unnoticed by society. Pg 289: “And I know thou’rt full of love and honesty, and weigh thy words before thou giv’st them breath, therefore these stops of thine fright me the more” → After witnessing the interaction between Cassio and Desdemona, Iago is able to create suspicion in Othello through his language and honesty. Iago’s use of deception is able to hide his revenge which is driven by his erratic behaviour. The idea that the “stops” in Iago’s language “fright (him) more” further reiterates the unpredictability of Iago as Othello struggles to understand what Iago is hinting at. ↕ Pg 297: “This honest creature doubtless sees and knows more, much more than he unfolds → The vagueness of Iago’s speech results in the greater suspicion by Othello as he has the expectation Iago having a greater insight on what is going on between Cassio and Desdemona. However, the juxtaposition of characterising Iago as a “honest creature” suggests that Iago’s reputation may not match up with his true nature. Pg 383: “I say thy husband - dost understand the word? - my friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago” → The repetition of Iago’s reputation as “honest” serves to reiterate Othello’s trust even after he killing Desdemona which suggests the extent of Othello’s trust until the very end. Thus, Iago’s reputation has allowed him to deceive Othello where he never suspects Iago’s motives.  “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving... Men should be what they seem, Or those that be not, would they might seem none!” [Illustration??] “Now, I do love her too, Not out of absolute lust—though peradventure I stand accountant for as great a sin— But partly led to diet my revenge,” → “diet” in reference to “lust” implies that revenge is fed not by logic or rational thought but by Iago’s emotions. However the fact that this speech is a soliloquy implies Iago’s hidden agenda which is not known to the other characters. It is this lack of knowledge which allows Iago to execute his erratic behavior which is a manifestation of his revenge outwardly without being ostracised further than his position as an ensign in the military

Overarching significance after comparing the 2 regarding Indiv and Society 

Erratic Behavior is present in Individuals and manifested through their speech and action which arises from a discrepancy between a society’s rationale and expectations, and an individual’s self interest. The erratic behaviour is not only disruptive , but destructive as well. 

Ultimately in society, acceptance of outward deviation of the norm through erratic behavior is dependent on the effect and process which it is manifested through. Society’s ability to recognise erratic behavior as dangerous is what causes it to exclude those who are presumed harmful to the functionality of the society, be it due to its order or an individual’s use and place in society