Comparing Nelson's Othello 'And' O

We live in a world entangled with lies, jealousy, violence and tragedy. We are an envious society that never has enough, and we're willing to tear down others to get what we want, or to ruin their happiness. Two texts that portray these values of society include "Othello", a play written by William Shakespeare and "O", a film directed by Tim Blake Nelson. Today I will be contrasting these two texts and in more depth contrasting two parallel characters, Othello and Odin. The different language and medium of production of the two texts reflect the time in which they were written. Othello was composed in the Elizabethan era, displayed by the classy English literature written in the form of a play. It was aimed at all classes of society, from the …show more content…
However, he has appropriated Othello into a post-modern structure, superimposing it into a contemporary time and setting. Nelson presents his own themes and values to his audience without betraying Shakespeare's original tale of diaster and despair. New values Nelson gives "Othello" in "O" are violence, teenage relationships, drugs and Sport. "O" will perhaps introduce a new audience to William Shakespeare and some of his most intriguing and tragic …show more content…
Odin says that he was not a rapist or a druggie, or troubled or violent. It is Hugo who is these things, and Odin only fit the stereotype after Hugo manipulated him. Its not the black guy who fits the black stereotype, it's the white guy. Nelson is making a statement, the black stereotype is not justified, it wasn't made by black people, it was created by the racist attitudes and hatred of white people. In the beginning, both Othello and O are not only well-respected leaders, but they are kind-hearted and affectionate people. However, it isn't long before there is a crack in their personalities, in Othello this is a result of Iago being deceitful to Othello, making him think that Desdemona has committed adultery with Cassio, Likewise in O where Hugo makes Odin think Desi has been with Mike. Othello shows his first signs of change when he hits Desdemona in a jealous rage. Lodovico witnesses this incident and says, "Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue the shot of accident nor dart of chance could neither graze nor pierce" just like the audience, Lodovico is shocked that Othello would do such a thing as it is not like