Preview

Genre Comparison Of O And Othello

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
914 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Genre Comparison Of O And Othello
Genre Comparison
“O” & Othello

Many tend to use the words: jealousy and jealous, as a description of an attitude or emotion; but few actually knows the definitions of these words. To be jealous has to do with or arose from feelings of envy, apprehension, or bitterness. Jealousy is a jealous attitude or disposition. Jealousy is a very powerful emotion and has the potential to make people do various things. There is a statement for jealousy that states “jealousy kills”, although this was meant figuratively for the way that it can eat at someone mentally and emotionally. However “jealousy kills” can be very literal, in the cases of the movie “O” which is based off of the play Othello, by William Shakespeare. Both of these genres (stories)
…show more content…
For the fact that it plays a major role in the outcome of the play. William Shakespeare's Othello is a tragic play about deception, manipulation, and revenge. The main character, Othello, is a powerful black military man who wins the love of a white woman named Desdemona. Their devotion to each other seems ideal, and it appears that Desdemona would do anything for Othello, even if it meant withstanding ridicule. The love between Othello and Desdemona, however, will be horrifyingly hindered, for the immoral Iago has plans to destroy their affection, but especially to destroy Othello himself. Iago's primary goal was to get revenge on Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant. Iago is clever. Iago is evil. In the eyes of others he is ironically perceived as honest and trustworthy, but inside he is a sinister villain. Iago is able to manipulate the minds of people into performing actions that are advantageous to him. "Honest Iago" is like a disguised wolf in the flock of sheep that guilefully pounces on each victim. Iago does not merely seek retribution against Othello in one single step, but rather, he cautiously and cleverly manipulates several people to trap the Moor. Iago uses people as if they were pawns; and he positions each one carefully, making moves that will finally corner Othello. He uses people such as Roderigo, Cassio, and even his own wife …show more content…
He is in love with Desi, whose father is the Dean; they share a loving and intimate relationship. However, even as he pretends to be Odin's friend, Hugo, the coach's son, is intensely jealous of Odin. Odin gets the school's MVP trophy and he shares it with Michael, his "go to man," rather than with Hugo; and most crushing to Hugo is that his father, Coach Duke Goulding, “loves Odin like a son”. Hugo feels that Odin soars above the crowd and that he can literally fly both on and off the basketball court (which is why Hugo compares Odin to a Hawk; and later on in the movie states that he always wanted to fly like a hawk). He sees O as proud, powerful, and determined-he has it all. Hugo fits into the social scene but not like Odin. If only he can make Odin think that Desi is cheating on him with his good friend Michael, Hugo's revenge will be complete. It does not take long for Hugo to set his plan in motion. Using Roger, Hugo has an “assistant” to help him with his plan. He even gets Desi's roommate Emily to go along with the deception when she steals a family heirloom scarf given to Desi by Odin, which makes its way to Michael. Michael is Desi's best friend. Their relationship is platonic, but because they are always together when Odin is playing basketball, it's a situation tailor-made to be manipulated and presented

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Nelson’s 2000 movie production of “O” shows differences as well as similarities to the original. The themes of jealousy, racial bias, and deceit function as structure for both. In both versions, the Michael Cassio character is goaded into a drunken state, and a brawl ensues which damages his reputation. The scarf came from Othello’s mother, and serves to bait the jealousy of O. The scarf is taken from Desi who is unaware of the fact until Othello/Oden wants her to show the scarf to him. In both narratives, the scarf passes from a female friend of Desdemona to her lover in a bedroom scene. In both stories, Iago/Hugo has no particular respect for women in general. Bianca is a courtesan; Brandi is a slut. Other name similarities include Brandon for Brabant, in both cases the father of Desdemona/Desi. Another includes Oden for Othello. The coach in “O” is called by his nickname Duke, with the Duke in Shakespeare’s version being the character who must bestow the judgment of laws and the appointment of the commander his campaign, be it the military or the basketball court. Redheaded Roger looks out-of-place among the brunette boy preppies in attendance at the Twentieth Century School, and is ridiculed by his peers. Rodrigo’s character, in Shakespeare’s version, is an overdramatic simple-minded sort, who dearly loves Desdemona, as if only he could be her puppy. Though Rodrigo’s affections seem adolescent, Shakespeare’s version includes a jealousy that Nelson’s version does not allow. The movie’s character Roger is chided as a “faggot” while Shakespeare’s Rodrigo acts like an adolescent in love, speaking of suicide at the loss of the Desdemona he never had the chance to love. The similarities between the movie “O” and Shakespeare’s “Othello” leave no question as to the heritage of this updated production.…

    • 628 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    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…

    • 1117 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Othello’s prestige (that of a dark, tall, African Moor), joined with his particular charisma, aids him in achieving the admiration and loyalty of the Venetian people and senators. Othello, subsisting as a soldier for a large interval of his life, is viewed as an exceptionally honourable gentleman. His status as a governor-general itself displays an aura of aristocracy, poise, and potency. The identity portrays someone who is sustained in tremendously high reverence by the people of Venice. In addition to him exhibiting pronounced characteristics and courage, Othello also exhibits pride. He retains his composure during the initial confrontation with the senators when he is accused of witchcraft when Desdemona's father faces Othello about his courting his daughter: “Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,/ My very noble and approved good masters,/ That I have ta'en away this old man’s daughter,/ It is most true. True, I have married her./ The very head and front of my offending/ Hath this extent, no more,” ( I.iii.76-81). Though Iago is the venomous serpent of the play, it is Othello’s tragic faults of gullibility and jealously that convert him from an aristocrat into a venomous creature himself, which inescapably carriages him to his demise. Although Iago fuels the fire that is Othello’s jealously through his tactics of…

    • 1259 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    O and Othello Comparison

    • 929 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Jealously is one of the main central ideas and is shown through many character but mainly Iago and Hugo and Othello and O. In act 4, scene 5 Othello goes into an eplileplsy fit after hearing the news that Cassio slept with Othello’s wife Desdemona and Othello has lost nearly all control of himself to his jealousy in the play. Nelson has recreated this scene into a Slam Dunk competition where Odin is high on cocaine and Hugo (Iago) has given him the misinformation that Desi (Desdemona) and Michael (Cassio) have been sleeping together. In the novel ‘Othello’, Othello strikes Desdemona in the company of Lodovico, a Venetian nobleman. This very action implies that Othello is so engrossed in his emotion that he simply does not care that other people can see his anger and subsequent violence towards his wife. In “O,” this concept has been magnified where Odin's violent actions do not occur in front of one person, but instead in front of an entire crowd of people. Also when Lodovico's see’s this he is surprised and Othello has to fix his actions “My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, / Though I should swear I saw't. `Tis very much; / Make her amends - she weeps” (4.1.236) During “O,” when Odin destroys the backboard and pushes the ball boy down, the crowd simply boos at him. Both responses are appropriate to the contexts they take place in, but both express displeasure at…

    • 929 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello and O

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The movie “O” by Tim Blake Nelson is based on Shakespeare’s play “Othello. They both have many differences as well as similarities. The same trap is laid for the main character in both versions and the same amount of casualties happens in both final scenes. Nelson sets his story in modern time prep school, and his characters are not the adults of Shakespeare's play. Shakespeare Othello is set in the 16th century while Nelsons “O” is set I the 20th century.…

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jealousy is one of the main universal themes explored in both ‘Othello’ – a classical play wriitten four centuries ago, and ‘O’ – a modern film adaptation of the play made in 2000. Despite the differences in contexts between the two texts, the composers were able to present universal themes such as race and gender through the use of literary techniques appropriate to audiences of the time.…

    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Danger of Isolation

    • 689 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Othello is a Shakespearean tragedy which depicts the incompatibility of military heroism and love; the danger of isolation. I personally think that Othello conveys the balance of human strengths and weaknesses amidst good and evil in society. In my opinion, Othello is a cultural and a racial outsider who is a bold, strong, courageous, naive and foolish. Throughout the play Othello represents the strengths and weaknesses in society. The villain, Iago is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions. Iago is often funny, especially in his scenes with Roderigo, which serve as a showcase of Iago’s manipulative abilities. It is Iago’s talent for understanding and manipulating the desires of those around him that makes him both a powerful, evil and interesting character. I think that Iago represents those in society who desire power and vengeance. Desdemona is a more plausible, well-rounded figure than much criticism has given her credit for. Desdemona is at times a submissive character, most notably in her willingness to take credit for her own murder. Jealousy has the power to destroy. It destroys both Iago, jealous that Michael Cassio has received an appointment over him, and Othello, who is jealous that his wife may love Cassio.…

    • 689 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In 1622 William Shakespeare published the timeless classic, Othello. This masterpiece has been recreated many times over, from the big stage to classroom renditions for this so this literary piece will never be forgotten. When reading the first pages of Othello, Shakespeare immediately introduces the concept of deception and manipulation with the story's main antagonist Iago. When reading further, the heroic Othello appears. He seems to be a sympathetic and strong willed man incapable of being manipulated; however, as the story progresses, Iago tricks him into believing that his lieutenant and his wife are having an affair. Othello's entire nature is flipped within minutes when Iago convinces him of Desdemona's infidelity. Othello's character should be viewed as sympathetic even though he was easily duped by Iago and so violently cruel to Desdemona.…

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    From the opening of the film, the nature of jealousy and ambition is introduced through the voiceover of Hugo, “I know you’re not supposed to be jealous or anything… but to fly, to soar above everyone and everything…” Following this voiceover, the scene immediately shifts to a basketball game, accompanied by rap music. The game of basketball can be described as Odin’s ‘warzone’, where he is the best player and only believes in winning. This can be contrasted to Othello’s high status as a General in…

    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The play Othello, written by William Shakespeare is a play that takes place on the streets of Venice. Othello is a highly esteemed general in the service of Venice. Iago is Othello 's ambitious friend. Othello promotes the Michael Cassio to the position of personal lieutenant and Iago is deadly jealous. Iago begins an evil and malicious campaign against the hero. Othello elopes with Desdemona but Iago starts to plot against them. Othello becomes jealous and suspicious of Desdemona. He confides in Iago that he plans to poison Desdemona. Plots and murders ensue, Iago wants Roderigo to kill Cassio, of course he agrees to it because he thinks that he and Desdemona will have a chance. The theme of loyalty and friendship is seen throughout Othello when it is put to fault when Iago pretends to be someone 's best friend just to stab them in the back. Loyalty and friendship is put to risk when Iago pretends to be Roderigo’s friend and want to help him, When Brabantio felt as if Desdemona betrayed him, and when Othello doubts the loyalty and trust that Desdemona gives him.…

    • 810 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago’s deception incites great chaos and confusion within his game, as his corrupt principles and lack of legitimate moral methods, give rise to the various betrayals he commits throughout the play. Act 3 features the way that Iago taunts Othello with fears half-formed and preys upon the jealousy he knows Othello already suffers from regarding Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. Iago never names his fears, but the way in which he raises his concerns causes Othello to think the worst. Such a subtle approach towards Othello is Iago’s doorway which allows Othello to play right into his hands. Iago, because of his “love” for Othello and the confidence that he possesses is able to “abuse Othello’s ear” and as a result puts him a position to see what Iago wants him to see, oblivious to his manipulation.…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago fools everyone in the play into believing he's honest. No one even suspects him of treachery, until the final act when Roderigo first realizes how badly he's been fooled. In short, Iago proves that evil intentions can be masked behind a facade of honesty. The theme emerges in other characters: Brabantio is deceived by Desdemona's reaction to Othello, assuming she fears him when she truly loves the Moor. Othello suspects that Desdemona is unfaithful, despite her innocent looks. Othello also feels he's being deceived by Cassio, whom he trusts and who appears loyal. Emilia's exterior suggests salty indifference, but she turns against her husband and dies in defense of Desdemona. Even Bianca, who is suspected of dishonesty, is ultimately seen as a sincere and caring woman. And Othello, considered a barbarian by many in the play, is gentle and noble until driven to near-madness by the cruel manipulations of his most trusted "friend."…

    • 279 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago's Manipulation Essay

    • 709 Words
    • 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare's Othello depicts the misfortune of Othello, the Moor of Venice as he and many others are manipulated by Iago, the antagonist. Othello falls in love and elopes with Desdemona. Fueled by anger, Iago seeks revenge on Othello. With careful planning, Iago successfully tricks him into believing that his dear wife was cheating on him with his friend and lieutenant, Cassio. Along the way, Iago manages to manipulate and use Roderigo, also Othello's friend, in order to succeed in his devious plan. before he manipulates Roderigo, he earns his trust by helping him with his love life and giving him advice. Iago gives Roderigo advice and persuades Roderigo to follow and control his own mind through a metaphor of a garden. He describes the human mind as a garden, which you are able to control and change to your own wanting. In this moment, Iago manages to acquire Roderigo's trust. Little did Roderigo know that it is not himself who is controlling his own mind, but…

    • 709 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Themes of Othello

    • 2342 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Jealousy 1: The play opens with a discussion of jealousy. Iago is upset because Othello selected Michael Cassio as his lieutenant. He is jealous of Cassio's position both in the military and with Othello's service. This initial jealousy is the catalyst for the play's sequential plot of mixed jealousy and destruction.…

    • 2342 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The main character of Othello is undoubtedly a true image of the effects of jealousy. His character shows the destruction that jealousy can cause. As the play unfolds we see his calm nature digress and turn him into an angry monster. Emilia comments to Desdemona that “They are not jealous for the cause,/But jealous because they are jealous” in a warning that Othello’s temper will not be tamed once he is consumed by jealousy because he believes Desdemona to have been unfaithful to him which as we later in the play see is true. Othello’s jealousy “will not be answered” because he refuses to believe Desdemona’s plea’s of innocence which later leads to his murder of her and his own suicide. Othello also shows the connections between jealousy and madness. When Othello is over come by his jealousy he falls down in a fit of rage and Iago observes how “he foams at the mouth and...Breaks out into savage madness,” the connotations of “foam at the mouth” is that of being a rabid dog therefore dehumanising Othello and suggesting his has regressed to a state that is lower than human in the chain of being.…

    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays