Othello_&_O_Comparative_Essay

The Shakespearean tragedy “Othello” and its modern adaptation “O” directed by Tim Nelson are both stories about a great man who suffers under the influence of external evil. Universal themes including jealousy, racism and appearance and reality are portrayed in both contexts. Although both texts are set centuries apart, many of the same themes are apparent in Othello and O. The themes however were conveyed differently by each composer. Shakespeare used literary devices including imagery and soliloquies to present the themes to Elizabethan audience whereas Nelson uses a variety of film techniques to present the themes to a 21st century adolescent audience. Jealousy is a universal issue which both Shakespeare in Othello and Nelson in O explore in order to convey the message that anybody has the potential to show characteristics of jealousy through their actions. By exploring this issue, the audience will value honesty and realise that without honesty, our lives can be placed into potentially dangerous situations. Jealousy drives Iago to plot against Othello in Shakespeare’s play, Othello. Shakespeare metaphorically depicts jealousy as “the green- eyed monster which doth mock the meat they feed on.” ,thus Iago is introduced as manipulative and the catalysts of Othello’s downfall. Iago’s jealousy is the result of Othello promoting Cassio, this event drives Iago into formulating a plan which causes both Othello and Cassio to suffer. Iago is also jealous of Othello’s high status in society even though Othello is a “Moor”. “I follow him to serve my turn against him” and “Though I do hate him as I do hell’s pain ... that I put the moor in to jealousy so strong.” are quotes which all reflect the jealousy characterised through Iago. Using jealousy as his motivation, Iago continues to plot against Othello, manipulating Othello from a once noble man into a man poisoned by jealousy. "Lie with her' Lie on her'... Handkerchief! - Oh, devil!” shows Othello’s change in personality as well as dialogue. The contrast in personality and dialogue through negative effects of jealousy and also highlight the importance of some values such as fidelity and chastity which is present in the Elizabethan Era. In O, Nelson conveys jealousy through the use of cinematic techniques including; music, superimposition and voiceovers. Jealousy is defined as the prominent issue very early in the film through Hugo’s voiceover, “I know you not suppose to be jealous of anything... but to fly, to soar over above everyone and everything...” In O, the moor, Odin James, is the only African American to attend Palmetto Grove High. Odin is characterised as popular and skilful in basketball as shown in the presentation scene when Othello receives the MVP award. Hugo, Othello’s “friend” is introduced into the film as a person jealous of Othello, and intends to obtain what Odin has. Jealousy also corrupts Odin which is conveyed through the sex scene when Othello looks in the mirror, Nelson uses a point of view shot to show Mike staring back from the mirror, this further enrages Odin eventually resulting in him violating Desi during the sacred act. The values which are being juxtaposed in the film are popularity, trust and friendship. Although values such as popularity and friendship have changed through time, the themes remain constant in both Elizabethan Era and modern society. Racism is an issue which exists in both the Elizabethan world and our modern day society. Shakespeare explores this issue with poetic and dramatic techniques and Nelson uses cinematic techniques. The techniques are different because of the time each text is set in, Othello is set in the Elizabethan period where it is targeting the Elizabethan audience whereas O is set in modern society which targets the teenage audience. Shakespeare makes the protagonist black in an attempt to reverse the stereotype of black men as dangerous and evil. Shakespeare’s Othello was created in a time when there was strong racial tension and a strong dislike associating with black people. People of the Elizabethan era valued the importance of national pride and saw the blacks as a potential threat to their power. Othello is called many different names in the play including “thick lipped”, “black ram” and a “Barbary horse”. He is not called by his real name until later in the text, which suggests that, Othello, as a result of his skin colour, struggles to belong in the Venetian society despite his high status. Derogatory imagery is used to depict Othello as an animal, an example is when Iago states “very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe”. The power of racism breaches the values of equality in the socially stratified context. In O, Nelson uses emblematic motifs and typical racial slang to emphasise the powerful nature of racism. The drug dealer is portrayed by an African American which reinforces the issue of racism by targeting these individuals as lower class. Odin is upset which later builds up to rage when he hears that people call him the “nigger man”. Colloquialism is used here to emphasise the powerful nature of racism, the recurring motif of Odin as the “black hawk” is used to depict his struggle to belong in a white society. The hawk is described as “dark and proud” but “doesn’t fit in” which distinguishes Odin as a stereotypical “black person” who is excluded from the white society. By exploring the issue of racism, the responder will value belonging and acceptance. In both texts, Odin and Othello suffers from social isolation which heightens their vulnerability and as a result both were manipulated. Both texts express through emotional attitudes that everyone is vulnerable even if they are in a position of power. Appearance against reality is another issue in both Othello and O. In Othello, we are given the idea that not everything is what it seems. Othello believes Iago is a “man of exceeding honesty”, but looks can be deceiving. Iago’s true intentions are revealed early in the play through his soliloquy, “To get his place and to plume up my will ... Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.” Although Othello has no idea of Iago’s deceptive nature, the reader is aware of this when he describes himself as “I am not what I am.” and saying “In following him, I follow but myself.” Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to reinforce the issue of appearance verses reality. Othello constantly refers Iago as ‘honest Iago” but this is juxtaposed with Iago’s declaration for his hatred of the moor. Iago constantly “helps” Othello by advising him to keep an eye on Desdemona and helping him find proof of Desdemona being dishonest. From Othello’s perspective, he sees Iago as a friend who he can rely on, which is what Iago is trying to portray himself as, but in reality, Iago is using his trust to manipulate Othello. Similarly, in O, Hugo presents himself as a loyal and trustworthy friend to Othello. In reality he is actually planning against him. Nelson uses lighting to depict Hugo’s deceptive nature, most scenes with a close up shot of his face shows half of his face in shadows. This visually represents Hugo’s two faced nature. In the beginning of the film a hawk is seen flying around a group of pure white doves. The hawk symbolises Hugo’s dark personality and is juxtaposed to the white doves which symbolises innocence and peace. The issue of appearance against reality raises the value of truth. In both texts, the truth was manipulated and eventually resulted in the death of many characters. In any era in time, truth can be manipulated and used to take advantage which makes the reader value honesty. Without honesty there will be no truth. Despite the time difference, there has been little change in how universal themes shape society. Both the Elizabethan Era and the 21st century share issues such as jealousy, appearance verse reality and trust. Shakespeare and Nelson used appropriate literal techniques and cinematic techniques to explore the themes of their context despite the difference in medium, setting and audience.