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| Thursday, 14 October 2004 |
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Othello, a study in hatred by Gwen Herat And it is Iago who dominates the tragedy, not Othello. He is made the victim of Iago. The hatred he carries against the unsuspecting Othello is but a mild term to use on the basis of Iago's intellectual, cold blooded villainy. Shakespeare portrays him as an epitome of arrogance.
Iago is full of perverted intellect that he uses against the emotions of the humble. His craftiness makes him the creature of infinite affection. To identify him as good, honest and simple being which provokes him to smile because deep down in his heart Iago embroiles with passion to harm others. For instance, he torments Desdemona to a near point of deceit when attempts to shower praise upon her. 'To suckle fools and chronicle small beer' when she asks him 'To do what'. He plays upon her emotions to get at Othello. He adores evil doing on others and ends up being an artist in crime. There is no motive for him commit what he does except that Shakespeare may have used to portray a true-to-life character he may have encountered during his writing time. In truth why Iago behaves in this manner is a mystery. In fact the hatred he profess to have against Othello is a ploy to baffle others. He confesses to his friend, Rodrigo that he has venom for Othello. Iago is driven by the notion that Othello may have had an affair with his wife but does not admit that even to Rodrigo. But had Iago been sure of it, he still may not have taken it seriously. His pride was so great that an admission to its effect, may have put Othello on a high esteem in the eyes of his wife. True or false, he never wanted to accept it. His ascendancy of brain may have evoked even murder had he pursued on it. Rodrigo is surprised when he follows Othello whom he hates but he assures his friend and explain 'I follow him to serve my turn upon him. However, Othello's trust in him remains flawless. He never betrays his cunningness to anyone other than Rodrigo. 'Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago, In following him. I follow but myself. Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so, for my particular end. For when my outward action doth demonstrate, The native act and figure of my heart In compliment extern, 'tis not long after But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at; I am not what I am.' Act 1. Scene 1. Shakespeare painted Iago as the paragon of cynicism who looked upon the world to distinguished between benefit and injury which he confess to Rodrigo and poor Rodrigo admits it is his shame that will drown him and his virtue would not amend for he is a man of scorn. Like in Julius Caesar, the man who plays the title role has but a small part to play. So is Othello, the Moor of Venice who is overshadowed by Iago. The power and corrigible authority vested on him by the Bard, moves the story away from Othello. Such is Iago, the self-purported igoist bent on humiliating the Moor. What then is Othello expected to recreate? He is unequally matched with the cunning adversary of Iago. And all the while without a purpose or reason upon a man as simple and trusting as Othello. Iago has his qualities too. Not once did he raise his voice in protest. A portrait in hatred and jealousy, of cunning and craft, of deceit and lust, Iago sails through the play dominantly and all the time Othello never knew what was in the mind of Iago. It is not Othello not Desdemona who take charge of the stage but Iago who controls the thoughts and actions of his victims. He is true unto himself, of his villainy, and displays no remorse as Othello remains his victim. Othello 'It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul, Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars. It is the cause. Yet, I will not shed her blood: Nor scar that whiter skin of her than snow. And smooth as monumental alabaster. Yet, she must die, else she'll betray more men. Put out the light, then put out the light. If I quench thee, thou flaming minister I can again former light restore Should I repent me. But once put out the light' Act V. Scene II. And Othello caught in his own web, a web of deceit subtly manoeuvred by Iago, faces the truth and his fate. One wonders whether this is the reason that Shakespeare created Othello or to reveal that no matter how truth and innocence prevail, there are time the vile and the wicked conquer. Othello never reached the heights of his better known tragedies and neither are the dialogue quoted often because of the complexity of the story.
In praise of reading by Andrew Scott This month, October, has been declared in Sri Lanka as the National Reading Month and this provides us a unique opportunity to think about the importance of reading and how it influences the life and activities of all human beings who care to read books, magazines and newspapers. It must be remembered that man is different from the other animals as he has a culture to boast about while the other animals have only sensation and perception. To read, see or hear something and to come up with a conclusion is something that man alone is heir to. In the modern world culture seems to be undergoing a tremendous change with the developments in science and technology which has resulted with very sophisticated innovations. At the same time everyone continues to value books as rich sources of information on a variety of subjects. Literate people throughout the world realize how valuable books are to broaded their cultural horizons. It must be realized that reading is not only meant for the scholar but for everyone who could read any language. People who reject the habit of reading due to some reason or the other deprive themselves of knowledge. To improve one's culture it is important to have intercourse with superior minds and the best way to come in contact with great minds is through reading. It is in books that the ideas, beliefs, reasons and passions of men and women are enshrined. Therefore studious and reflective persons should go through books in order to mould their lives as well as to influence others who are lesser informed. The most important thing is that wide reading will providing a good base for a balanced and active life, no matter in what age group one is. The culture that could be acquired by mature people through reading is remarkable and reading is one of the most excellent activities in the world. However, in unskilled hands it can be most dangerous. When a person reads thoughtfully, he is, at least to a certain extent, more than what he was before. Reading leads one to new thoughts and rich experiences and these will eventually make one a cultured individual and discriminating reading will provide one with the material upon which to base sensible decisions. In the modern world when a large number of books are pouring out of the world's printing presses, we do not have the time nor the financial resources to read all books. As Bacon said: "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested." However, still there are some people who think that one should read a book completely at one sitting! Specially in Sri Lanka where books are almost out of reach of the average person, libraries play a very significant role in our cultural life. But any family that is building up its own private library is a very fortunate family indeed. Every home should have a place for books, be it a small book-case or a large cupboard. In this connection it is worth recalling what Edmund Waher, a poet and revolutionary in the days of Cromwell mentioned. He wrote: "In my study I am sure to converse with none but wise men, but abroad it is impossible for me to avoid the society of fools." When one has even a small collection of books and sits down beside them he is in noble company. You can turn to them for comfort, amusement and enlightenment. They will speak to you and answer you at any time you need them. In fact books are one's most faithful friends. Our friends may change or even die. But books will always wait patiently to speak to us. Describing his private library Machiavelli wrote: "This is the ancient court of the men of old." It must be remembered that books are written by men and women who believed that they have something valuable to pass on to posterity. Books written by more experienced authors carry inspirational messages too. Thus alert and intelligent readers can gather much from reading and thereby mould their lives and influence other people's lives as well. I have always found that books of collected essays provide us with stimulating reading. Most of these essays help readers to solve problems and to surmount difficulties. It may be a mere sentence or two that would completely change one's attitude to life. Some books of essays like Ruskin's "Sesame and Lilies" may appear too difficult to many readers today. But if one could read it slowly and understand it clearly it provides much thought and inspiration for anyone. From my student days Ruskin's "Sesame and Lilies" has been an inseparable companion which has provided me with many worthwhile thoughts. Writers have to be judged by what they write and a great books is one that rouses one's mind and spirits and gives inspiration for living. We must also realize the fact that no one can prescribe a course of reading for anyone. The most essential thing to realize is that we should read to get wide views and one must always try to avoid becoming a one-author reader or a one-topic reader. He who acquires the reading habit from his young days would be happy and from his young days he will get the opportunity to derive pleasure, instruction and inspiration from books. Among the books he reads he will discover high ideals and noble thoughts. Accepting that we choose the correct kind of books reading gives one of the highest kinds of pleasure. Poetry too should not be neglected as most poems give us noble thoughts and beautiful images couched in a musical or rhythmic language.
Veteran dancer honoured by J. Gunadasa Jayawickrema - Galewela Group correspondent
A prominent up-country dancer and drum player hailed from Matale Rattota A. Y. Sirisena has been acclaimed by the President of Sri Lanka 16 times for performing drum-playing for Kandy Dalada Perahera. He was decorated with the title 'Gandharwa Prasadinee' for playing up-country drums and 'Hewisi' and was awarded the cash prize of Rs. 5,000 by the Cultural and National Heritage Minister Vijitha Herath. The felicitation of this very talented artist was done at the National Drum Playing Festival held at Colombo Vihara Maha Devi Park on September 21. He has got the opportunity to demonstrate his talents as a up-country drum player in several foreign countries including USA, Australia, Germany, Israel and Indonesia. He served as the dancing teacher at Matale St. Thomas College for several years and led his students to bag the first prize for dancing 10 times at the All Island Dancing competitions. Ministry of Education once sent him to India to study Indian dance and to perform in several Indian cities. He has retired from the Government service and established Rattota 'Jayanthi' art school to impart his knowledge and practical experience in dancing to the new generation. He serves at present as an adviser of the Cultural Department to Rattota Kiula Divisional Cultural Centre. His daughter Miss Padmaseelee Iranganee serves as the dancing instructress at Matale St. Thomas College and his son Anura Sirisena serves as a visiting lecturer at the Aesthetic Department of the Peradeniya University.
'Lift Up Your Heads' An organ recital titled "Lift Up your Heads" by Denham Pereira will be held at St. Andrew's Church, Scots Kirk, Colombo 3 on October 16 at 7 p.m. This recital will be a part of a series of organ recitals to be held at St. Andrew's. The program will include organ music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Gigout and many others. Entrance to the Recital will be by program available only at the door.
Born in 1979, Denham's musical career began at the age of 12 when he was appointed assistant organist at St. Matthias' Church, Boralesgamuwa, his parish church. A year later he was appointed organist and Director of Music. A post he holds to this date. His love for Church music developed having joined the Choir of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, under the direction of Russell Bartholomeusz. In 1997 he was appointed organist at St. Francis of Assisi, Mount Lavinia, while still in college. Upon leaving St. Francis he was appointed organist and Assistant to the Director of Music at St. Michael and All Angels in December 2000. While being an organist at St. Michael's Denham was able to successfully complete his Trinity College, London Examinations in Pipe Organ. His teacher being David Ratnanayagam (Organist and Director of Music at St. Andrew's) to whom he owes a great deal of appreciation. He has also played for many important services, weddings and concerts held in this Church including the recently held Evensong with the Choir of Queen's College, Oxford. Denham has also worked closely with the Choir and Director of Music at St. Andrew's, playing for many services including the installation service of the new organ as well as for many concerts including Stainer's Crucifixion held in April this year. |
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