To some degree, any modern production must make iago the villain and othello the victim, and suffer as a result. Othello is a tragedy based on the corrosive power of jealousy. He is a master manipulator who excels in pinpointing peoples weaknesses, such as othellos jealousy. The movies character roger is chided as a faggot while shakespeares rodrigo acts like an adolescent in love, speaking of suicide at the loss of the desdemona he never had the chance to love. Shakespeare has been adapted in countless ways over the years, sometimes as in the case of these films rather subtly. In his 1995 film, othello, oliver parker has accomplished this task admirably. In the movie there was one particular interpretation that differed greatly from the plays storyline. Othello, 2001 this madefortv movie turns othello into a modern day crime story.
Here are 15 movies inspired by some of the bards greatest works. The similarities between the movie o and shakespeares othello leave no question as to the heritage of this updated production. Before my students read william shakespeares othello, we watch the modern adaptation which stars the wellknown mekhi phifer, julia stiles and josh hartnett. May 10, 2015 othello 1995 directed by oliver parker is an excellent adaptation of william shakespeares the tragedy of othello, the moor of venice. A history of performance internet shakespeare editions.
Othello, the moor, is with iago on another street in venice. The themes and ideas of shakespeare williams were translated to the movie and that he will agree with the modernization. Its easy to overlook the relationship between hamlet and the lion king, since shakespeare certainly didnt invent the idea of an evil uncle. Iago is the main antagonist in the tragedy play othello by the late william shakespeare. The story of deceit, manipulation, jealousy and murder is moved from venice to a high school, with the main cast of players simply students, as opposed to soldiers. The shakescleare modern english translation helps illuminate some of othello s key lines, such as reputation is an idle and most false imposition and one that loved. Desdemona chooses othello over her father, which tortures roderigo. Jul 07, 2015 orson welles, director of citizen kane, touch of evil and the lady from shanghai, was one of cinemas great innovators. Set at a prestigious high school, the othello character is the schools star.
Othello is a tragedy about love, agency, race, and deception. Pages in category films based on othello the following 24 pages are in this category, out of 24 total. Jun 01, 20 the modern relationship between prince hal, henry iv and falstaff merges shakespeares text with scabrous demotic american photograph. Create marketing content that resonates with prezi video.
Carnival 1921 film carnival 1931 film catch my soul. Othello begins on a street in venice, in the midst of an argument between roderigo, a rich man, and iago. Ive seen two different hollywood productions of othello, and neither was perfect. Analysis of adaptation othello 1995 by oliver parker.
Its title character is a moorish soldier in the service of venice, sent to cyprus to deal with a turkish. This page contains the original text of othello act 4, scene 2. Especially just at this moment of the films 1995 release, with the fates of o. Desdemona asleep in bed enter othello with a light. Roderigo has been paying iago to help him in his suit to desdemona. As brabanzio and roderigo arrive to attack othello, othello is called to see the duke of venice. Whereas nelsons uses cinematic techniques as the majority of his audiences are teenagers and movie are the most popular enjoyment in modern day. Modern day connections in othello by gerald larry on prezi. The newlymarried couple fall prey to the machinations of iago, othello s jealous ensign, who plots to destroy their union. This is i believe a way to modernize the version to appeal to another audience. The bulk of the story and several key scenes remain intact, with denmark swapped for the african savanna, and people swapped for animals mostly lions. Iago says he hates othello, who recently passed him. That sexuality also comes into play in the use of the fantasy sequences in which othello dreams of finding desdemona and cassio together in bed. The main difference in the two narratives of o and othello is nelsons choice of setting, in time and geographic locationa modernera prep school, a hiphop soundtrack, and a.
Translated as an easy to read, exciting teenage novel. O is a 2001 american drama film, and a modern adaptation of william shakespeares othello. I liked the seriousness in the text of othello and it made the severity of the play more extreme. O is a 2001 american drama film, and a modern adaptation of william shakespeare s othello, set in an american high school. For me, i think o movie was a god modernday translation of othello by william shakespeare.
This low budget, heavily edited version of the play stars orson welles as othello and took four. Jun 21, 20 about 20 years before joss whedon premiered his modern, black and white version of the comedy, critics and filmgoers endlessly praised actordirector kenneth branagh director of thor for his. A modern view of family violence leaves othello as nothing but a killer acting out the narrative of gendered violence of the 16th century venetian society. Othello, 2001 this madefortv movie turns othello into a modern day crime story o, 2001 o, a teen movie based on othello, starring mekhi phifer as othello, julia stiles as desdemona, and josh hartnett as a heartthrob iago. Nelsons o is heavily based on shakespeares original but is set in a modern setting, with high school students playing the roles crafted by shakespeare. With eamonn walker, christopher eccleston, keeley hawes, richard coyle. But roderigo has just learned that desdemona has married othello, a general whom iago begrudgingly serves as ensign. Othello 1995 directed by oliver parker is an excellent adaptation of william shakespeares the tragedy of othello, the moor of venice. Bartels the term moor referred to darkskinned people in general, used interchangeably with similarly.
Othello 1995 is probably the one id recommend to modern audiences, with laurence fishburne and kenneth branagh. Watching a movie makes things a lot easier to understand, especially when it is set in the 2000s. Celebrating prezi s teacher community for teacher appreciation week. This unit is a tool for anyone who wishes to teach shakespeare, othello in particular, or who wants to. The naming of characters certainly shows just how closely the film o stays to the source material, with every character possessing an anglicized version of their respective role. Nov 01, 2016 ive seen two different hollywood productions of othello, and neither was perfect. Twenty years later, another madefortv movie, this time a modern language adaptation set among senior officers of the london metropolitan police, explored the plays intersections of sexism and racism by turning othello into a taught crime thriller about the death of a black drug addict at the hands of three white police officers. Check out william shakespeares othello video sparknote. Othello act 5, scene 2 translation shakescleare, by litcharts. Librivox recording of othello, by william shakespeare.
It contains many different styles of music, ranging from rap to opera. Iago, othellos standardbearer, or ancient emilia, iagos wife and desdemonas attendant. Most popular shakespeares othello movies and tv shows imdb. In othello, william shakespeare creates powerful drama from a marriage between the exotic moor othello and the venetian lady desdemona that begins with elopement and mutual devotion and ends with jealous rage and death. Quick and easy othello synopsis, analysis, and discussion of major characters and themes in the play.
Othello act 5, scene 2 translation shakescleare, by. Whether it be trust, jealousy or rumors we all have been though it. Othello is the story of a crosscultural romance between the title character, a noble moor who is a general in the venetian army, and desdemona, a beautiful and virtuous venetian lady. Read the nosweatshakespeare modern othello ebook for free. Please like, comment, subscribe and favourite for more edits, glitches, hacks, free stuff and gameplay follow me on various social networks more to come. It is a film that succeeds both as an interpretation of shakespeare and as a compelling film. The duke sends othello to defend cyprus from the turks, and desdemona goes with him. This unit is a tool for anyone who wishes to teach shakespeare, othello in particular, or who wants to introduce film, adaptations, and new research skills. The shakescleare modern english translation helps illuminate some of othello s key lines, such as reputation. His supposed friend hugo josh hartnett plants the seeds of doubt, suggesting desi is secretly sleeping with another student, michael. It was directed by tim blake nelson and written by brad kaaya. O film o is a 2001 american drama film, and a modern adaptation of william shakespeares othello, set in an american high school. The modern day othello im sure we can relate to and have faced many situations involved in being a teenager right. What are the most interesting film adaptations of othello.
The 10 best modern takes on shakespeare in pictures. Listen to a free audio recording of othello through july 1, 2020. Orson welles, director of citizen kane, touch of evil and the lady from shanghai, was one of cinemas great innovators. Written in 1604, it has spanned a total of 12 movie adaptations othello, including the 2001 version directed by tim blake nelson. I m going to compare and contrast the characters, plot and setting from the book and movie to prove my point. Set at a prestigious high school, the othello character is the schools star basketball player, and iago the coachs son who is. It stars mekhi phifer, julia stiles, and josh hartnett. O film omkara 2006 film otello 1906 film otello 1986 film othello 1922 film othello 1951 film othello 1956 film othello 1965 british film. According to information in the films file in the mpaapca collection at the ampas library, producerdirector orson welles performed a. All acts are listed on the othello text page, or linked to from the bottom of this p.
Shakespeare builds many differences into his hero and heroine, including race, age, and cultural. Comparisons of shakespeares othello and the movie o essay. Brabantio, a venetian senator, father to desdemona. The newlymarried couple fall prey to the machinations of iago, othellos jealous ensign, who plots to destroy their union. Shakespeares original othello text is extremely long, so weve split the text into one scene per page. O, 2001 o, a teen movie based on othello, starring mekhi phifer as othello, julia stiles as desdemona, and josh hartnett as a heartthrob iago. All acts are listed on the othello text page, or linked to from the bottom of this page. Oct 12, 2010 check out william shakespeares othello video sparknote.
Movies like othello if you like othello you are looking for tense, classic literature and melancholic movies about with black man white woman relationship, betrayal, vengeance, tragic love, murder, racism and jealousy themes of drama and romance genre shot in usa or uk. Othello possesses qualities which i intend to use as motivationa racy subject, several modern adaptations, and only a few major characters to memorize. Othello 2001 shakespeares othello retold in modern london. According to information in the films file in the mpaapca collection at the ampas library, producerdirector orson welles performed a voiceover narration of the credits in the european. He is a venetian soldier who serves under general othello, a moor a broad term in shakespeares day, usually along the lines of someone of north african descent, and leader of the venetian armed forces. In class we mentioned othello saying, the purchase made, the fruits are to ensue.
Students enjoy the movie and are able to really connect with the story line. The modern relationship between prince hal, henry iv and falstaff merges shakespeares text with scabrous demotic american photograph. Shakespeares play othello vs nelsons film o english. Fishburnes othello is an interesting entry into the characters problematic race history in performance, and the choices made regarding his accent and clothing provide some good fodder for discussing the idea of othellos moorish qualities as presented in different cultural moments. Comparison othello play and film english literature essay. With mekhi phifer, julia stiles, martin sheen, josh hartnett. Iago and roderigo tell brabanzio that othello has married desdemona, so that brabanzio will go after othello. Why are there no modern adaptation of shakespeares othello. Othellos aide iago kenneth branagh, jealous over the elevation of his rival, cassio nathaniel parker, the directors reallife brother to lieutenant, begins scheming to make othello believe. Whats so special about nosweatshakespeare s modern english translation of othello. Fishburnes othello is an interesting entry into the characters problematic race history in performance, and the choices made regarding his accent and clothing provide some good fodder for discussing the idea of othello s moorish qualities as presented in different cultural moments. Othello s aide iago kenneth branagh, jealous over the elevation of his rival, cassio nathaniel parker, the directors reallife brother to lieutenant, begins scheming to make othello believe. The movie continues to show scenes of othello and desdemona having intercourse.
The movie othello by william shakespeare essay bartleby. Othello comparisoncontrast by brittany washington on prezi. Iago is going on about how hes murdered a lot of people, but he really doesnt like to do it, because hes such an upstanding guy. The duke and assorted senators of venice are dealing with the impending war with the turks over cyprus, an island in the mediterranean. The 10 best shakespeare movie adaptations ever made. To a modern audience, othello is simply another story of.
Adapted and directed by oliver parker and starring laurence fishburne, kenneth branagh and irene jacob as othello, iago and desdemona, the film gives us a distant, brooding moor who seems to have had his tragic fall almost before the play begins, and an iago who seems more interested in seducing roderigo, desdemonas former suitor, than in destroying othello. Although most contemporary and modern sources refer to this film as othello, the title on the viewed print was the tragedy of othello, the moor of venice, which is the title of the william shakespeare play. Twenty years later, another madefortv movie, this time a modernlanguage adaptation set among senior officers of the london metropolitan police, explored the plays intersections of sexism and racism by turning othello into a taught crime thriller about the death of a black drug addict at the hands of three white police officers. Follows the acts and scenes of the original othello text. Since the movie was set in such a relatable way, with high school students, the movie was easier for me to understand. Othello with the main cast of soldiers replaced by students, shakespeares story of manipulation, jealousy, and murder is moved from venice to a high school. The orson welles version was outstanding when it had the money to be, but its far too short and a lot got cut. Even thought, the movie departs from the original play, due to the cutting of many dialogues, and an addition of new scenes, still this infusion of the authors vision and shakespearean genius not only changes a common perspective of the play, but. The same year julia stiles starred in save the last dance, where she is also in an interracial relationship with sean patrick thomas.
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