Assignments

                   Maharanishree Nankuwarba Arts And Commerce College.                                                   

                   Name :- Rizvi syeda mariyam zehra 

                   

                  Subject :- The study of drama 

                   Year :- T.Y.B.A sem 5 

         

                   Name of lecturer :- Aamena mam 

                   Home assignment, class assignment, essay 

 

                                                          A Doll’s House Summary 

The play starts on Christmas Eve. Nora Helmer comes home with lots of presents.

Her husband, Torvald Helmer, greets her warmly but scolds her for spending too much money.

They have been poor for many years, but Torvald has just gotten a new job at the bank, so their life

should now be more comfortable.

The maid announces two visitors: Dr. Rank, the family’s friend, and Kristine Linde, Nora’s old

school friend. Mrs. Linde’s husband has died, leaving her with no money or children. 

She is looking for work, and Nora promises to ask Torvald to help.

    

Nora tells Mrs. Linde an important secret. A few years ago, when her husband Torvald was very

sick, he needed to go to Italy to get better. But they didn’t have enough money. So, Nora

borrowed money in a way that wasn’t legal. To get the loan, she even faked her father’s

signature. Since then, she has been quietly earning money to pay back the debt without telling anyone  

Krogstad, a man who works at Torvald’s bank, comes to visit. He is the one who gave Nora the

loan. Krogstad is worried that Torvald will fire him, so he asks Nora to convince Torvald to let

him stay. When Nora says no, Krogstad threatens her. He says he will tell Torvald that Nora

faked her father’s signature, which would ruin her good name and damage Torvald’s reputation

too.

Nora begs Torvald not to fire Krogstad, but Torvald refuses, saying Krogstad is dishonest and unpleasant

On Christmas Day, Nora feels very worried and upset. Dr. Rank visits and tells her that he is

going to die soon. After that, Krogstad comes back, angry because Torvald has fired him. He

puts a letter in Torvald’s mailbox that explains Nora borrowed money and faked her father’s

signature. To stop Torvald from reading the letter right away, Nora dances wildly (a dance calledthe tarantella) to keep his attention

Meanwhile, Mrs. Linde meets Krogstad. They used to love each other. Mrs. Linde now wants to

be with him and care for his children. Krogstad is happy and plans to take back his letter, but

Mrs. Linde insists Torvald must know the truth.

That night, after the party, Torvald reads Krogstad’s letter. He gets very angry, calls Nora a liar,

and says she is not fit to raise their children. Soon another letter comes—Krogstad has given

back Nora’s contract and forgiven her. Torvald feels happy and acts like nothing bad ever happened 

But Nora is different now. She understands that Torvald doesn’t really respect or understand her.

He has treated her like a doll, not like an equal partner. Nora decides to leave Torvald and the

house so she can find out who she really is. She walks away and shuts the door loudly behind 

Summary Act 1, Section 1 :- 

It’s Christmas Eve. Nora Helmer comes home with gifts and a Christmas tree. She gives the

porter double the money he asks for and secretly eats macaroons (sweets). Her husband

Torvald comes out warmly but firmly calls her cute nicknames like “skylark” and “squirrel.”

Nora happily shows Torvald what she bought for Christmas and says they can afford to spend  

freely because Torvald will soon have a new, high-paying job at the bank. Torvald warns her not

to spend money they don’t yet have and says he hates borrowing money because “a home built

on debt is not free.” Nora agrees, but she’s a little pouty. To cheer her up, Torvald gives her

money as a Christmas gift, which makes her excited.

Torvald keeps teasing Nora for being careless with money and says it runs in her family—he

claims she got it from her father. Still, he says he loves her just the way she is and wouldn’t

want her to change.

Torvald asks Nora if she’s been eating sweets, which she denies (even though she has). He

finally drops the topic. They discuss Christmas plans and the arrival of their friend Dr. Rank.

Torvald says Rank doesn’t need a formal invitation since he’s always welcome.

They also talk about last Christmas when Nora stayed up late every night for three weeks

making ornaments. Torvald says he was bored and unimpressed with the results, especially

since a cat ruined her work. Nora defends herself, but Torvald is happy they now have more

money and a better life.

Suddenly, the maid, Helene, enters to say that Dr. Rank has arrived—and that there is also a

lady visitor.

Summary Act 1, Section 2

Nora meets an old school friend, Kristine Linde, but at first she doesn’t recognize her. They

haven’t seen each other for almost ten years. Mrs. Linde has just arrived in town and looks tired 

and thin. Nora feels bad for not writing to her after Mrs. Linde’s husband died three years ago. 

Nora asks if her husband left her money or children. Mrs. Linde says no—he left her nothing,

not even grief, but Nora doesn’t really understand this comment. Nora then happily talks about

her own life—her three children and her husband Torvald’s new bank job. She keeps

apologizing for talking too much about herself, but still continues doing so.

Nora explains that life hasn’t always been easy. Torvald once became sick, and they had to take

an expensive trip to Italy for his health. Nora says she borrowed the money from her father, 

Who died around the same time. Since then, Torvald has recovered and the children are healthy.

Nora feels proud of how happy her life is now.

Mrs. Linde shares her own sad story. She married a man she didn’t really love because she

needed money to take care of her sick mother and younger brothers. When her husband died,

his business failed, leaving her poor. For three years she worked hard at odd jobs to support her

family. Now her mother is dead and her brothers are grown, so she feels lonely and has no

purpose. She has come to town to find office work.

When Nora says Mrs. Linde shouldn’t have to work, Mrs. Linde becomes upset, saying Nora

has no idea what real work is like. She apologizes quickly, explaining that hard times have made

her bitter. She also admits she is glad Torvald has a good job—because he might be able to

help her find work. Nora promises to speak to her husband on Mrs. Linde’s behalf.

Class assignment 

                                            Othello by William Shakespeare

About the Author William Shakespeare :- 

William Shakespeare April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and

actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the

world's pre-eminent dramatist.He is often called England's national poet and

 the"Bard of

Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations,consist of some 

39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems and a few other verses, some of

uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language

and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.Shakespeare remains

arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue 

To be studied and reinterpreted.

Introduction :- 

Othello is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is a tragedy, which means it tells a

sad and serious story. Shakespeare wrote it in the years 1603–1604, and it was first

published in 1622 in a small book called a "quarto." This version was based on a copy

of Shakespeare’s original writing.

A second version of the play was published in 1623 in a collection of Shakespeare’s

himself. It is almost the same as the earlier version but has some small changes in

words and phrases, as if Shakespeare was rethinking and rewriting it as he went.

The story of Othello is based on a tale from an Italian book called De gli Hecatommithi

by Giambattista Giraldi, written in 1565. Shakespeare likely read the story in its original

Italian, even though it was also available in French. At that time, it had not been

translated into English.

Detailed, explanation of Othello

Act I: The Conflict Begins

The play opens in Venice with a heated discussion between Roderigo, a wealthy man,

and Iago, a soldier. Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him win Desdemona’s love.

Roderigo is heartbroken because Desdemona, the woman he loves, has married

Othello, a respected general. Meanwhile, Iago reveals his hatred for Othello because he

was passed over for a promotion, which was given to Michael Cassio, a less

experienced soldier. To take revenge, Iago devises a plan to manipulate those around

him. Iago and Roderigo inform Desdemona's father, Brabantio, about her secret

marriage to Othello, hoping to create chaos. Brabantio accuses Othello of using magic

to win Desdemona’s love, but Othello defends himself, explaining that their love is

genuine. The Duke of Venice sides with Othello, and Desdemona confirms her love for

him.

Act II: Manipulation in Cyprus

The scene shifts to Cyprus, where Othello is sent to defend the island against the Turks.

(Island from the Turks" means protecting the island of Cyprus from an attack by

the Turks. In the play Othello, the Ottoman Turks are the enemies planning to

invade Cyprus, and Othello is sent there to defend it.)The Turkish fleet (Fleet"

means a group of ships.)is destroyed in a storm(A strong storm sinks the Turkish

ships, so they can’t attack Cyprus.), but Iago continues his scheme. During a

celebration,That night, Iago gets Cassio drunk and incites a fight between him and

Roderigo. When Cassio injures Montano ,Othello, disappointed in Cassio, strips him of

his position. Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona’s help in restoring his reputation,

planting the seeds of suspicion. Iago begins to hint to Othello that Desdemona’s

kindness toward Cassio might be more than friendship.

Act III: Seeds of Jealousy

Iago tricks Othello by saying that Desdemona might be cheating on him. He uses her kindness

to Cassio as fake “proof.” Iago takes Desdemona’s special handkerchief and puts it in Cassio’s

room to make it look like she gave it to him. Othello, jealous and upset, asks for proof. Iago lies

and says it’s true. Othello, heartbroken and angry, plans to take revenge.

                                                                         Eassy

                                                         Othello Play Summary

Othello begins on a street in Venice, in the midst of an argument between Roderigo, a rich man,

and Iago. Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him win Desdemona's hand in marriage. But

Roderigo has just learned that Desdemona has married Othello, a general whom Iago

begrudgingly serves as ensign. Iago says he hates Othello, who recently passed him over for

the position of lieutenant in favor of the inexperienced soldier Michael Cassio

Unseen, Iago and Roderigo cry out to Brabantio that his daughter Desdemona has been stolen

by and married to Othello, the Moor. Brabanzio finds that his daughter is indeed missing, and he

gathers some officers to find Othello. Not wanting his hatred of Othello to be known, Iago leaves

Roderigo and hurries back to Othello before Brabanzio sees him. At Othello’s lodgings, Cassio

arrives with an urgent message from the duke: Othello’s help is needed in the matter of the

imminent Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Not long afterward, Brabanzio arrives with Roderigo and

others, and accuses Othello of stealing his daughter by witchcraft. When he finds out that

Othello is on his way to speak with the duke, Brabanzio decides to go along and accuse

 Othellobefore the assembled senate.

Brabanzio’s plan backfires. The duke and senate are very sympathetic toward Othello. Given a

chance to speak for himself, Othello explains that he wooed and won Desdemona not by

witchcraft but with the stories of his adventures in travel and war. The duke finds Othello’s

explanation convincing, and Desdemona herself enters at this point to defend her choice in

marriage and to announce to her father that her allegiance is now to her husband. Brabanzio is

frustrated but acquiesces and allows the senate meeting to resume. The duke says that Othello

must go to Cyprus to aid in the defense against the Turks, who are headed for the island.

Desdemona insists that she accompany her husband on his trip, and preparations are

 made for them to depart that night 

In Cyprus the following day, two gentlemen stand on the shore with Montano, the governor of

Cyprus. A third gentleman arrives and reports that the Turkish fleet has been wrecked in a storm

at sea. Cassio, whose ship did not suffer the same fate, arrives soon after, followed by a second

ship carrying Iago, Roderigo, Desdemona, and Emilia, Iago’s wife. Once they have landed,

Othello’s ship is sighted, and the group goes to the harbor. As they wait for Othello, Cassio

greets Desdemona by clasping her hand. Watching them, Iago tells the audience that he

 willuse “as little a web as this” hand-holding to ensnare Cassio (II.i.169).

Othello arrives, greets his wife, and announces that there will be reveling that evening to

celebrate Cyprus’s safety from the Turks. Once everyone has left, Roderigo complains to

 Iago

that he has no chance of breaking up Othello’s marriage. Iago assures Roderigo that as soon as

Desdemona’s “blood is made dull with the act of sport,” she will lose interest in Othello and seek

sexual satisfaction elsewhere (II.i.222). However, Iago warns that “elsewhere” will likely be with

Cassio. Iago counsels Roderigo that he should cast Cassio into disgrace by starting a fight with

Cassio at the evening’s revels. In a soliloquy, Iago explains to the audience that eliminating

Cassio is the first crucial step in his plan to ruin Othello. That night, Iago gets Cassio drunk and

then sends Roderigo to start a fight with him. Apparently provoked by Roderigo, Cassio chases

Roderigo across the stage. Governor Montano attempts to hold Cassio down, and Cassio

 stabshim. Iago sends Roderigo to raise alarm in the town.

The alarm is rung, and Othello, who had left earlier with plans to consummate his marriage,

soon arrives to still the commotion. When Othello demands to know who began the fight, Iago

feigns reluctance to implicate his “friend” Cassio, but he ultimately tells the whole story. Othello

then strips Cassio of his rank of lieutenant. Cassio is extremely upset, and he laments to Iago, 

once everyone else has gone, that his reputation has been ruined forever. Iago assures Cassio

that he can get back into Othello’s good graces by using Desdemona as an intermediary. In a

soliloquy, Iago tells us that he will frame Cassio and Desdemona as lovers to make Othello

jealous.

In an attempt at reconciliation, Cassio sends some musicians to play beneath Othello’s window.

Othello, however, sends his clown to tell the musicians to go away. Hoping to arrange a meeting

with Desdemona, Cassio asks the clown, a peasant who serves Othello, to send Emilia to him.

After the clown departs, Iago passes by and tells Cassio that he will get Othello out of the way

so that Cassio can speak privately with Desdemona. Othello, Iago, and a gentleman go to

examine some of the town’s fortifications.

Montano, Graziano, and Iago come into the room. Iago attempts to silence Emilia, who realizes 

what Iago has done. At first, Othello insists that Iago has told the truth, citing the handkerchief

as evidence. Once Emilia tells him how she found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago, Othello

is crushed and begins to weep. He tries to kill Iago but is disarmed. Iago kills Emilia and flees,

but he is caught by Lodovico and Montano, who return holding Iago captive. They also

 bringCassio, who is now in a chair because of his wound. Othello wounds Iago and is

 disarmed.

Lodovico tells Othello that he must come with them back to Venice to be tried. Othello makes a

speech about how he would like to be remembered, then kills himself with a sword he had

hidden on his person. The play closes with a speech by Lodovico. He gives Othello’s house

 andgoods to Graziano and orders that Iago be executed