The Danny Complex Allusions to Othello Essay 12

Republisher’s Note: Further comment on the scene where Danny puts his hands on Michelle’s neck along with other times when Danny lays hold, shakes, etc. Michelle. I agree with Andrea that bringing out both the best and the worst in each other is a very human and very important part of their relationship. Watch the episode of Danny manhandling Michelle.

From the Rustle of the Sheets

“The Danny Complex — Allusions to Othello” 

By Melissa

I never expected a “soap” storyline/character would ever make me think of “Shakespeare” or some other similar literary saga. The last few Danny-Michelle scenes in Guiding Light, especially Monday’s episode, have made me think “Who’d a thought?”

Here is a man who is so devoted to and in love with his wife — the woman of this dreams — but whom he believes has betrayed him and all he holds sacred. He is fighting to hold on to her, but knows what must be done.

The scene where Danny’s hands are around Michelle’s neck, and his entire body language and expressions reveal all his anguish and turmoil just nailed me! Some folks were disturbed by his “manhandling” of Michelle, and seemed to be annoyed. But that scene was powerful! It made me think of and see (!) Othello just before he killed Desdemona, the wife he so loved and adored but whom he believed betrayed him.

• Othello: (beginning of Act V, Scene 2)
  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’ll not shed her blood,
  Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
  And smooth as monumental alabaster.
  Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men

 

• • I cannot give it vital growth again;
    … When I have plucked the rose,
  • …. Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,
  • And love thee after. One more, and that’s the last!
  • So sweet was ne’er so fatal. I must weep,
  • But they are cruel tears. This sorrow’s heavenly;

It strikes where it doth love…

These words capture so well Danny’s tortured soul. Back to Othello, when Desdemona awakes, he asks her:

• • If you bethink yourself of any crime
  • Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace,

Solicit for it straight.

Again, we see this when Danny implores Michelle to reconsider and come clean. At least the similarity ends there, since Danny doesn’t actually kill Michelle.

For another thing, Michelle is not innocent, whereas Desdemona was (and there lay the tragedy). I’ve been thinking way too much about this, perhaps. I know that one shouldn’t be doing a “Oh, character A in story X is character B in story Y.” Yet it has been rather fun to do it with this particular “Manny” storyline. And Mama Santos makes a very good villanous Iago. (I know, I know the motives of deceit are different. It is interesting though, that Iago sets up Desdemona to bring down Othello, while Mama Santos sets up Michelle to bring down Michelle, but ends up badly hurting Danny also. I can hardly believe how these two “triangles” from completely different worlds have generated this much interest in me.)

I still cannot believe what a fabulous character Danny is. Kudos to the writers for finally creating a figure who is not a one-dimensional sap. Instead, they’ve given us a multi-faceted man, and have not been afraid to explore those different sides. Most of all, thanks must go to Paul Anthony Stewart. His brilliant acting breathes life into this complex and enigmatic character. I cannot see any of the other soap actors playing and showing us all the layers of Danny — from his boyish charm, his light and humorous side, his sweet and gentle nature, to, yes (especially) his haunted and dark soul.

He has all the makings of a tragic hero. But this is also the world of soaps, and the writers are not going to end this with a Shakespearean bloodbath. So take heart, “Manny” will live and have their joyful union (so I fervently hope). Written well, the mistakes Danny makes (and Michelle, too, of course) will just add to his character’s depth and the relationship’s growth. They are not meant to “assasinate” Danny’s character. The tragedy here would be turning Danny into a regular soap hunk-a-riffic of the month, and the relationship into some formulaic soap romance.

Now that would be character assasination (at which point, I will happily turn off the tv once again and put it back in the closet).

 

Tags: Danny Santos, GL, Guiding Light, Manny, Michelle Bauer Santos, Othello