Fixed Mindset Research Paper

Foluke Callender

Ms.Milliner

EES21OH-02

January 19, 2017

Final Paper

When given the word mindset some people often believe that there can only be a fixed mindset, but this is not the case there is something also known as a growth mindset (or grit). Once a young child begins to grow not only do they learn new things, but they also choose whether or not they want to take in these new ideas. Although, some may confuse the two, the difference is very simple; a fixed mindset means that you believe one thing, and you may also have a “natural” born talent for certain things, where as a growth mindset means that you display perseverance while taking on new roles or acting on new ideas in your life. While reading Shakespeare's Othello, I've come

across a few characters who display both a fixed mindset and a growth mindset (or grit). In the play Iago, Roderigo, and Bianca display grit or a growth mindset while Brabanzio displays a fixed mindset.

Throughout this play these four characters have revealed to readers their agendas whether it be good or bad.

At the beginning of the play Shakespeare already reveals the villain, that villain being Iago. From the very beginning Iago had an agenda, and that was to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s relationship while taking over either Othello’s or Cassio’s position,in act 1 scene 1 Iago even states. “O sir, content you.I follow him to serve my turn upon him.We cannot all be masters, nor all masters. Cannot be truly followed”. This line reveals to the readers that Iago in fact has a plan and will not stop until he achieves it. As you read further into the book you realize that Iago is the main candidate when it comes to showing grit, time and time again he does all he can to manipulate Othello and everyone around him that fancys “the beast”. Iago makes it clear that he only cares about himself and he has no problem with getting rid of anyone who stands in his way, including his friend Roderigo and

wife.

As the play advances, the next character that showed grit was Roderigo. In the play Roderigo is painted out to be a desperate man in need of Desdemona's love; Roderigo blindly follows his “friend” Iago which eventually led up to his death. The reason why Roderigo was chosen as a character who portrays grit was because he continues to hang onto Iago’s promise even though Iago had let him down several times before, he also continues to fight for Desdemona’s love even after Iago tries to convince him to drop it, but quickly realized that Roderigo is just as determined. Although, Roderigo is blinded by love it is shown the readers that Iago is the one pulling the strings, not only does he convince Roderigo to sell his land, he also manipulates him into thinking that he must kill Cassio in order to get Desdemona, while Iago puts his plans into action Roderigo plays along with him until the very end where he tries to kill Cassio, but instead dies at the hand of his friend Iago, as stated in act 5 scene 1 Iago has already planned to murder his friend. “(aside) I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense,And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio. Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,He calls me to a restitution large.Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him.As gifts to Desdemona.It must not be. If Cassio do remain, He hath a daily beauty in his life.That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor.May unfold me to him—there stand I in much peril”. As the scene continues Roderigo continues to carry on Iago’s plan while being unaware that he was going to die next. Overall, Roderigo did everything he could to try and be with Desdemona, but failed because he was being manipulated the whole time.

Despite, everyone's corrupted motives so far Bianca isn't as bad.

While she does in fact have a hidden agenda, it is clear that it isn't anything bad. In the play Bianca is revealed to us as this prostitute who enjoys following Cassio around, but only because she loves him. Although, it is revealed to us that Cassio has no true intentions for Bianca he cannot do anything other than allow her to follow him around. Throughout the play Bianca makes a few appearances here and there, but they were followed by her either looking for Cassio or talking about him, eventually her love for him helped Iago further his plan. As shown in act 4 scene 1. “As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad.And his unbookish jealousy must construe.Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behavior”. This quote reveals Iago’s a plan on how to mislead Othello by talking about Bianca with Cassio as Othello listens from a distance, within doing so Othello believes that every time Cassio laughs about Bianca he is actually laughing about his sexual encounters with his wife Desdemona. It is clear that Iago had something to do with the way in which each character reacted to things, that alone shows his consistent

grit.

While there are many characters who display grit, one character who displayed a fix mindset was Brabantio, Desdemona’s father. In the play Brabantio expresses his “hatred” for Othello by revealing to the audience that he is not only racist, but also sexist. One can say that Brabantio does in fact have a fixed mindset because he is stuck in old ways, he doesn't approve of his daughter's marriage to Othello because he is black, but he also expresses sexism by showing readers that he believes women are objects that can be owned, as stated in act 1 scene 3. “Ay, to me.She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted, By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks.For nature so prepost'rously to err,Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,Sans witchcraft could not”. By stating this it is clear that Brabantio doesn't agree with this marriage, and it doesn't matter what social standing Othello has, this marriage is false in his eyes, even after the Duke brings in Desdemona to confirm that her love for Othello is of her own and not magic, Brabantio still continues to see his daughter's marriage as a “scam”, although he allowed her to go with Othello the readers all know that he will not approve anytime soon.

Overall, this play is filled with characters who express both fixed and growth mindset, while not everything these characters do can be completely relatable, the plays still gives you an idea of what separates these two and how it can affect different people with different situations. While these specific characters not only shed light into these situations it is clear that they all have one thing in common, an idea or an agenda that they choose to either act on or to leave alone.