Henrik Ibsen's Doll's House - Essay Example

Essay 4 and Module 10 ESSAY 4 In Henrik Ibsens play A Dolls House, characters may change or stay the same. In this case, Nils Krogstad is a dynamic character that changes during the course of the play. Krogstad is a conniving and ruthless person who will do what it takes to keep his position at the bank by blackmailing Nora into convincing Torvald into letting him keep his job. This all changes when the love of his life, Christine, comes back to amend their past. Krogstads dynamic character traits changed to influence the outcome of the play by saving Noras life instead of destroying it. Originally Krogstad is a devious character that did clever things so that the other characters would not know of his wrongdoings. Krogstad says, "I promised to get you"¦which I drew up" (Ibsen, 22). At this point Krogstad has enclosed small documentation in the bond to Nora at which he knew she would not be able to go over because she was in such panic over Torvald. He uses his wits to go about his business and trick others. To start off, Krogstad was a deceitful man that would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. He is willing to bring this to the court just to keep his job at the bank no matter who gets hurt in the process. Later on Krogstad has a change because of the love of his life. Christine goes back to speak to him as a favor for Nora but Christine actually wants to go back to him. To rekindle their long lost flame, Krogstad says to Christine: "Thanks, thanks, Christine! Now I shall find a way to clear myself in the eyes of the world. Ah, but I forgot" (Ibsen, 53). He refers to the fact that he has changed and wants to be a new man with Christine. He changed for the better and in the end he has also changed Noras life for the better too. Therefore, because of Krogstads change, he has become a nicer man that wants to do good for those that he has done harm in the past. He says he will wait for her until she is done talking with her husband and will help her get back on her feet. He attempts to make reparations with her but she refuses and accepts what has happened and talks to Helmer herself; she decides she must leave him and pursue her life without lies and people that control her. By having Krogstad and his acquired traits change to reform the outcome of the play and letting Nora become a new woman. Krogstad has earned the respect back of his old friends. Because of his change for the better it has changed others lives for the better also. In turn if we all must change, let us change for the better as Krogstad did. Iago, on the other hand, had attacked Othello indirectly, without showing his deep hatred of Othello outrightly and he had carried out his plan without telling other people. Iago manages to manipulate people into helping him destroy Othello. He persuades Roderigo to tell Brabantio about Desdemonas elopement, knowing that it will get Othello into trouble. However, as he knows that to get Othello to trust him, Iago escapes before Brabantio can find out about his role in breaking the news of Desdemonas elopement. Iago then goes to warn Othellos of Brabantios intent, thus presenting himself as a loyal friend to Othello. This is just one of the many incidents in which Iago manages to get Othello to trust him. “That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by thnose As asses are.” (Shakespeare, 21-22) Before Act Three Scene Three, Iago had prepared the background for him to start poisoning Othellos mind, tricking him into believing that Desdemona is conducting an affair with Cassio. He does this by first making Cassio lose his position in the Venetian army. He then counsels Cassio and persuades him to approach Desdemona for help. By doing this, Iago creates and excuse for Desdemona and Cassio to be close. After this is set in motion, Iago then starts poisoning Othellos mind. By manipulating both Othello and the people around him, Iago manages to fool Othello into believing that he is a good friend, a dependable and loyal person. By giving Othello seemingly good advice, Iago manages to further poison Othellos mind, making Othello sure of Desdemonas supposed affair. Othello goes to pieces when Iago attacks him as Iagos attack is underhanded. He works by manipulating Othellos mind and creating a web of deceit around Othello, unlike Brabantio who attacked Othello directly. As a result, Othello is unprepared for Iagos attack. It is made worse as Othello considers Iago to be an honest and loyal friend. Iago attacked Othello when he least expects it and in his most vulnerable area. He manages to twist Othellos love for Desdemona into jealous rage. Iago identified Othellos weakest point and had mercilessly attacked it unlike Brabantio who had just voiced his displeasure over Othellos Person and marriage to Desdemona. Iago managed to make Othello insecure about his race, age and lack of conversational skills. MODULE 10 Act I 1. What evidence do we have within the first few pages that Torvalds and Noras relationship is not a particularly candid one?  Torvald control all of Nora’s actions from eating macaroon to going out of the house and meeting with strangers. 2. Consider Kennedy, question 3 (p. 1734): "In what ways does Mrs. Linde provide a contrast for Nora?" Christine Linde serves as a foil for the protagonist, Nora Helmer. Her traits and life experiences are in direct contrast to those of Nora’s and therefore she is able to highlight Nora’s own traits and experiences. Both had to sacrifice the one they loved in order to do what they feel is best for themselves. Christine proved to Nora that women are perfectly capable of making it on their own, without having to depend on a man. 3. What effect do Krogstads visit and Torvalds words about Krogstads visit have on Nora?  Krogstad is a conniving and ruthless person who will do what it takes to keep his position at the bank by blackmailing Nora into convincing Torvald into letting him keep his job. Krogstads dynamic character traits changed to influence the outcome of the play by saving Noras life instead of destroying it. Act II 4. Consider Kennedy, question 1 (p. 1734): "As Act II opens, what are your feelings on seeing the stripped, ragged Christmas tree?" The need and addiction of money is shown by many of the characters in a Dolls House. This comes when Nora asks the delivery boy who had brought the Christmas tree, how much she owes him. 5. Why is the masquerade party an appropriate device to have been included in the drama? The masquerade party is an appropriate device because although the fee is only fifty dollars she gives him one hundred dollars and tells him to keep the change. 6. How does Dr. Ranks illness parallel Noras situation? Nora had provocatively showed her stockings to Dr. Rank and it was later found that she had loved his company when he would come to visit her husband. However, by the end of the play, Nora became dissatisfied with her ranking in the household as she seemed to be Torvalds doll and was constantly supervised by him just like Dr. Ranks illness. Act III 7. How does Kristines and Krogstads newly rekindled relationship stand as a direct contrast to Noras and Torvalds?   The relationship between Christine and Krogstad is built up on need rather than appearances as Nora and Torvald’s relationship is. The strength Christine and Krogstad have together amplifies Nora and Torvald’s weaknesses. When Torvald is about to lose his wife he makes a comment about what other people will think instead of trying to save the marriage for love. 8. What aspects of Torvalds character are clearly revealed in his heated response to Krogstads letter? Torvald thinks that he is ruined, that Krogstad is going to blackmail him or expose Noras lie to the world, Torvald instead of letting Krogstad do his worst, Torvald plays along, afraid of what society will think of him. 9. Nora says she has been greatly wronged—how? And what remedy does she decide upon? Nora wanted to protect her marriage with Torvald but his selfishness affects her conscious. Nora realizes that the only way either of them can change is away from each other. And although Nora has been the doll to her father and to Torvald, they too are dolls as are her children to Nora Works Cited Ibsen, Henrik. 2008. Four Great Plays. Trans. R. Farquharson Sharp. Bantom Books: New York, pp: 42-70. Shakespeare, William. Othello and other Stories. Penguin Classics, 2007, pp: 212-250. Read More