The Motif of Jealousy in Othello, a Play by William Shakespeare

With time, values adjust. Suggestions and morals that had when been common could be reformed to match the present time. The time period in which Othello and O took place are each drastically diverse. Othello requires place in the Elizabethan era and O is centred about a higher college in modern time. Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’ and Nelsons film ‘O’ each explore the alterations of values overtime. Equivalent themes are explored in each the film and the play, nevertheless they have been conveyed in various scenarios and settings. Shakespeare uses poetic strategies in English literature and Nelson makes use of film techniques to portray the themes. A single of the major themes depicted by both is jealousy. In Othello, jealousy is portrayed first by Iago and his urge for revenge on Othello for his higher rank despite his colour. Comparably, in the film O, Hugo who is playing Iago, is jealous of Odin for his abilities in basketball and the attention he receives. One more key problem that exists in both the modern day and Elizabethan society is racism. In the play, Othello is subjected to verbal abuse and is known as numerous words primarily based on his skin colour. In O, racism is portrayed by symbolisms such as stereotypical expressions. The setting of the play Othello and the film O perhaps various in terms of values altering overtime, but the themes jealousy and racism that was explored by Shakespeare in Othello have remained the identical.

Jealousy is one particular of the main themes in both the play and the film. In the play, Iago is driven by jealousy to plot against Othello. He is jealous of the reality that Othello, a particular person of colour was regarded as a higher ranking particular person in society. Then also when Othello rewarded Cassio the lieutenant more than Iago. “One Michael Cassio, A Florentine, a fellow almost damned in a fair wife, that in no way set a squadron in the field…But he, sir, had the election (act1 scene1, line 21-29),” Here Iago admits that he hates Othello for passing him up for the promotion and giving it to an individual who is much less skilled than Iago in the battlefield. As the play goes on, the reason Iago despises Othello so significantly starts to grow to be much more clear. “ I hate the moor, And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets, ‘has accomplished my office. I know not if’t be correct (act1 scene3 line 329-333),” here Iago is saying that he hates Othello because there had been rumours that Othello has slept with Emilia, Iago’s wife. Iago doesn’t know if it is accurate but still adds the rumour to his growing causes of hate and jealousy. All through the play, Iago gets diverse characters to support him with his revenge, whilst Iago pretends to remain loyal to Othello.

In O by Nelson, the movie based on Othello by Shakespeare jealousy is portrayed by Hugo, the character playing Iago. Hugo is part of a basketball group along with Odin. The beginning scene is of the coach, who is also Hugo’s father, awarding Odin with the MVP award. Whilst presenting the award, the coach says to Odin in his speech that he “loves him like his personal son.” The camera cuts to Hugo’s face and although everyone is clapping and seem to be cheerful, Hugo has an emotionless and angry face whilst clapping. In the next scene, every person is celebrating at a celebration. They are all getting exciting and then the camera cuts to a dark corner where Roger and Hugo are speaking, they are both planning on breaking Odin and Dessie up. Hugo convinces Roger to ring the Dean, who is also Dessie’s father, and make a rumour about Odin forcing himself on Dessie saying that “someone stole your daughter.”

The second theme that O and Othello each portray is racism. In the play, Othello is referred to as many various names which includes ‘Moor’ which refers to dark skinned individuals, ‘African’ and ‘Negro.’ “Even now, now, quite now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe…or else the devil will make a grandsire of you” Iago has the impression that black males have an animalistic behaviour. In this scene Iago explains to Brabantio that Othello, an older black man has eloped with his daughter Desdemona. Iago use words that contrast, he utilizes black for Othello suggesting dark, gloomy and negative and for Desdemona he uses white suggesting purity and innocence. He also refers to Othello as a devil. It appears that blackness is associated with wrongdoings and damaging connotations.

In O by Nelson Odin is associated with many damaging symbolisms such as when the duke accused Odin of making use of drugs. And then later in the motion pictures a there is a black drug dealer, suggesting that most drug dealers are black. The colour black provides us the impression that its filthy and tainted the very same image drugs give. Also the rap songs that play in some scenes use insulting words again referring back to the colour black.

The Elizabethan Era was a extended time ago but comparing themes such as jealousy and racism it is clear that not considerably has modifications and these troubles are embedded into society even now. In each the play and film jealousy causes folks to act recklessly and in each their urges for looking for revenge does not operate out for them and they both suffer the consequences.