Othello - Playful Film or Boring Play? William Shakespeare wrote the popular tragedy ‘Othello’ which has been adapted in multiple ways. One particular popular way is live action films. This essay will be discussing the similarities and the differences between Shakespeare’s literary story and Oliver Parker’s 1995 film starring Lawrence Fishburn. The key factors are obviously the same between both versions, the plotand the characters. However, this is where most of the common facts end. While most people enjoy being entertained more by watching their favorite actors portray characters rather than read about what happens, Some people preferred the written story over this particular film, while some people prefer a different film version.
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Nevertheless, the film is more sexually charged with explicit scenes between Othello and Desdemona than Shakespeare’s scenes expressing their relationship. Parker’s use of theatrical special effects helps the viewer better imagine what haunts Othello after Iago plants the seed of infidelity into play. Visually seeing Desdemona naked with Cassio in a fantasy dream sequence does not seem as unimaginable as when reading the tragedy. “Though he has stayed true to period and character, Parker makes explicit what Shakespeare left to the imagination” (Gerstel, 1995). The direct to the camera soliloquies given by Iago helps the viewer better understand where he is mentally and witness the disdain he feels towards Othello for choosing Cassio over him for lieutenant. This strategy helps the viewer understand and almost sympathize with Iago at this point. That is, until the stolen handkerchief scene. This is also one of the major changes to the story. Parker changes this scene into cinematic beauty. In the film, Emilia finds the dropped handkerchief and brings it to her husband, Iago which pleases him to the point of sexual excitement. Once again, Iago faces the camera and delivers another piece of exposition; he sniffs the handkerchief and tosses it into the air to be caught by Cassio in the next scene. This is not how Shakespeare writes the scene. “Iago is …show more content…
Unlike Shakespeare 's version, Othello does not have the full spotlight. Parker’s Othello shares the spotlight with his jealousy almost being portrayed as a separate character thanks to the influence of Iago. Shakespeare wrote Othello’s jealousy as a means to describe what Othello was feeling internally so his actions would be explained without the use of disposition later. It is stimulating to see the beast jealousy becomes within Othello. It helps the viewer fully understand Othello’s pain and agony he suffers at the hands of Iago. Watching Parker’s ‘Othello’ almost like reading the cliff notes on Shakespeare 's version. All the important details are there but the rest are subjective. Skipping them does not really affect the reader 's opinion too much but gives them the basic idea behind the story. The reader is still entertained and forms an opinion from what they experienced. The only downfall is perhaps it is not the most accurate opinion on the actual literature written. That is why it is always best to read the original, Shakespeare 's actual words, and compare it before making a final judgment. Most of Shakespeare’s work still relates today and a modern versions can be made. Films can help the youth today understand the stiff words that were popular during Shakespeare’s time. Most likely that is not only the biggest hurdle people have reading Shakespeare, but also the biggest difference noticed when comparing
Nevertheless, the film is more sexually charged with explicit scenes between Othello and Desdemona than Shakespeare’s scenes expressing their relationship. Parker’s use of theatrical special effects helps the viewer better imagine what haunts Othello after Iago plants the seed of infidelity into play. Visually seeing Desdemona naked with Cassio in a fantasy dream sequence does not seem as unimaginable as when reading the tragedy. “Though he has stayed true to period and character, Parker makes explicit what Shakespeare left to the imagination” (Gerstel, 1995). The direct to the camera soliloquies given by Iago helps the viewer better understand where he is mentally and witness the disdain he feels towards Othello for choosing Cassio over him for lieutenant. This strategy helps the viewer understand and almost sympathize with Iago at this point. That is, until the stolen handkerchief scene. This is also one of the major changes to the story. Parker changes this scene into cinematic beauty. In the film, Emilia finds the dropped handkerchief and brings it to her husband, Iago which pleases him to the point of sexual excitement. Once again, Iago faces the camera and delivers another piece of exposition; he sniffs the handkerchief and tosses it into the air to be caught by Cassio in the next scene. This is not how Shakespeare writes the scene. “Iago is …show more content…
Unlike Shakespeare 's version, Othello does not have the full spotlight. Parker’s Othello shares the spotlight with his jealousy almost being portrayed as a separate character thanks to the influence of Iago. Shakespeare wrote Othello’s jealousy as a means to describe what Othello was feeling internally so his actions would be explained without the use of disposition later. It is stimulating to see the beast jealousy becomes within Othello. It helps the viewer fully understand Othello’s pain and agony he suffers at the hands of Iago. Watching Parker’s ‘Othello’ almost like reading the cliff notes on Shakespeare 's version. All the important details are there but the rest are subjective. Skipping them does not really affect the reader 's opinion too much but gives them the basic idea behind the story. The reader is still entertained and forms an opinion from what they experienced. The only downfall is perhaps it is not the most accurate opinion on the actual literature written. That is why it is always best to read the original, Shakespeare 's actual words, and compare it before making a final judgment. Most of Shakespeare’s work still relates today and a modern versions can be made. Films can help the youth today understand the stiff words that were popular during Shakespeare’s time. Most likely that is not only the biggest hurdle people have reading Shakespeare, but also the biggest difference noticed when comparing