Poetry and Drama Analysis: Othello and Yusef Komunyakaa's 'Thanks'

This assignment presents a student's analysis of two literary works: Yusef Komunyakaa's poem 'Thanks' and Shakespeare's play Othello. The analysis of 'Thanks' delves into the poem's themes of war, resentment, and the absence of God, examining the poet's perspective on the Vietnam War and the experiences of soldiers. The discussion of Othello focuses on the characters of Iago and Brabantio, exploring their motivations, actions, and the impact of their words and deeds on the plot. Iago's manipulative nature and Brabantio's emotional state are examined in detail, with references to specific quotes from the play. The assignment highlights key themes and character dynamics within these two works, providing a comparative analysis of the literary techniques employed and the messages conveyed.

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Part 1: Poetry Discussion
“Thanks” by Yusef Komunyakaa
The chosen poem from Poetry 180 is poem 005, “Thanks” by Yusef Komunyakaa. The
poem commences with Komunyakaa thanking the tree for shieling him from the sniper’s bullet.
The poet is thanking this tree for preventing him from being shot. The main subject is that
Komunyakaa is making a statement regarding his beliefs and the Vietnam War. The theme is the
Komunyakaa’s resentment for the war and what sent him to the war be it political or spiritual.
However, it is only after in-depth dissection of the poem that I commenced to understand the
standpoint of the poet. I started to comprehend whether Komunyakaa is talking about God’s
absent in Vietnam War or he is denouncing religion.
In specific ways, the poem remained hard for me to interpret as it appeared to be a
hopeless kind of story regarding a young man in the Vietnam War. This young man gives is
thanking objects as if they remained the reason he never got shot or tripped over the landmine.
However, as I deeply analyzed the poem and flashbacked at Vietnam War, and recalled how
many soldiers came out it besides how much American public felt about the war, I understood
that the poem was all about the Komunyakaa’s resentment for Vietnam War and those who sent
him to the War. However, externally, I could easily interpret a religious subject or theme, and a

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nearly prayer-like poem to the Almighty God. Nonetheless, I as delved more in-depth, I could
see a roughly opposite situation, absence of God in Vietnam War.

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Part 2: Drama Discussion
Iago makes a hasty exit as his poison takes effect and tells Roderigo that it is never fitting for a
man of his inferior rank to get caught sullying Othello’s name. Iago says that “it appears not to
meet, nor wholesome to his place, to get produced-as if he stays, he shall-against the Moor…
though he does at him as to hell-pains, however for present life necessity, he has to show out the
flag as well as sign of love that is in fact but sign in lines (Shakespeare 150-160). Iago is merely
saying that it would never be right for him to get found speaking against the Moor, Othello and
that despite hating Othello, Iago has to act as though he loves Othello, to preserve his present
position in life. Iago, in reality, is plotting against the Moor, and, in setting his scheme in motion,
he enlists Roderigo’s aid, which is the rejected suitor of Desdemona.
Brabantio’s state of mind is inflamed with rage against Othello following his discovery of
missing Desdemona from her chamber. He is angered by Othello and even feels that Roderigo
would be a better suitor whom he would reward if he helps him apprehend Desdemona. His
speech conveys this ire state of mind as he changes his mind on Othello as the suitor. He says, “It
is too true an evil. Gone she is (Shakespeare 165-175).” This indicates how bitter he is and even
continue telling Roderigo that “O treason of the blood!” which further reveals how he has been
annoyed. Brabantio changed heart implied that he realized Roderigo is best suitor for her
daughter than Othello as they share the same attitude of being good people.

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Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. Othello (Norton Critical Editions). WW Norton & Company, 2017.
Shakespeare, William. Othello (Norton Critical Editions). WW Norton & Company, 2017.