Unfortunately, star laurence fishburne does not turn in his best performance here as othello, but kenneth branaghs iago is complex and persuasive. A comparison of othello and the movie o when shakespeare composed the tragedy othello televisions were not. O is a 2001 american drama film, and a modern adaptation of william shakespeares othello, set in an american high school. Hot young stars, a hip, driving soundtrack, plus a provocative tale of jealousy and betrayal combine to create this controversial modernday version of shakespeares classic, othello. While othello and o are both very important in their own context, being dark skinned makes them cultural and racial outsiders. This movie, shelved over two years due to the epidemic show more content a hawk is no good around other birds. Shakespeares play othello vs nelsons film o english literature. With laurence fishburne, kenneth branagh, irene jacob, nathaniel parker. I have yet to find a film version of othello that i really like.
The movie o starts off showing odin receiving an award in front of the rest of the school for the most valuable basketball player. O by tim blake nelson, 2000 nelsons 2000 movie production of o is based on shakespeares play othello, and shows differences as well as similarities to the original seventeenth century play by william shakespeare. However, they were transferred into different situations and setting. What details were kept from the original script, and which ones were changed to reflect the modern culture.
The main thing that makes shakespeare so hard to read, is his use of language. 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. Compare and contrast the play othello with the movie o. Comparative study between othello and o the movie essay sample. To some degree, any modern production must make iago the villain and othello the victim, and suffer as a result. Differences between film and play othello delving deeper. In his 1995 film, othello, oliver parker has accomplished this task admirably. Othello vs o the modern spin essay 853 words bartleby. Othello and o the movie o by tim blake nelson is based on shakespeares play othello. Desi julia stiles loves him and is faithful to him, but he cannot bring himself to trust her, and that is his downfall. A few years ago when i taught othello for the first time i decided instead to show the movie o which is a modernization of the play othello. Recipient of the grand prix du festival international du film precursory name for the palme dor at the 1952 cannes film festival, the film was distributed by united artists when it was released in. It was filmed in charleston, south carolina in the spring of 1999. Cassios thoughts, feelings, and motivations are rarely revealed, but his character and behavior are significant for creating the conditions under which iago can enact his plan.
The contrast between both the movie and the play is that odin was a basketball. The comparison between o and othello is that the greeneyed monster showed its. They both have many differences as well as similarities. A type of the play othello in writing by william shakespeare that requests to teens is. In order to understand othello and grasp what i was reading i had to place the original text next to a modern translation. 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 plethora of profanity portray these tragic series of events as occurring in the present time.
The film o consist of many similar elements from the original play, othello. Even though hes the only black student at the elite palmetto grove academy, he has the adoration of all, including the teams coach and the deans beautiful daughter, desi. Look up two or three cases involving recent teen suicides caused by bullying cyber or otherwise. The two main characters in the play othello are othello. However, ultimately the literary value of othello is lost in this appropriation the film o directed by tim blake nelson is a recognised contemporary interpretation of shakespeare. 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. O mekhi phifer is a guy at the start of the movie that we can see is a huge basketball talent and has a great girlfriend, desi. It is undeniable that othello is one of william shakespeares more popular plays.
Odin to othello, desi to desdemona, hugo to iago, emily to emilia, roger to roderigo, and michel to cassio. Choices in the movie o a young boy named hugo feels neglected by his father causing him to twist the minds of friends and family making it easy for him to get revenge on odin a basketball player who he feels receives more attention from his father then he does. 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. May 27, 2012 othello and o the movie o by tim blake nelson is based on shakespeares play othello. Othello goes to high school, welsh, 225 is an accurate description of the movie o as directed by tim blake nelson. The movie o was not much different from othello, but it was adapted into a more understandable scenario.
O the main differences between the play and movie although the movie o is a production based on shakespe atomic number 18s othello, several differences follow between the two such as womens brotherly status, iagos personality change, and the type of language employed by the characters. Odin mekhi phifer delivers his last words to clear the air, and his conscience, before committing suicide. A modernized retelling of william shakespeares othello, o changes. The main difference between the play othello and the movie o is the language. Paralleling othello, odin is also depicted as a respectable man who holds much power, by being the captain of the basketball team. O vs othello dr white shakespeare the modern adaptation of. Comparison othello play and film english literature essay. Othello differences and similarities of the movie and. O essays many shakespearean plays have been used by hollywood.
Oct 10, 2012 othello and o the movie o by tim blake nelson is based on shakespeares play othello. The moorish general othello is manipulated into thinking that his new wife desdemona has been carrying on an affair with his lieutenant michael cassio, when in reality, it is all part of the scheme of a bitter ensign named iago. Comparative study between othello and o the movie literature. Especially just at this moment of the films 1995 release, with the fates of o. Odin then says that this would not be possible without his go to guy who hugo believes will be him, due to the fact he has been in the basketball team for some time and has also known odin for some time. Aug 21, 2001 a teenage, hiphop film version of othello. It contains many different styles of music, ranging from rap to opera. A modernized retelling of william shakespeares othello, o. This is reflected in shakespeares othello and tim blake nelsons o which both share universal elements whilst indicating the progression of. Shakespeares play othello and tim blake nelsons modern interpretation, o, exhibit many similarities in their content as well as some differences. This time period had no war on drugs and no high school shootings. Differences between film and play othello the 1995 film adaptation of othello is a very well done film that gives watchers a new way of seeing the tragic story of othello.
Shakespeares play othello vs nelsons film o english. The similarities between them make o an excellent rendition of the original. Its title character is a moorish soldier in the service of venice, sent to cyprus to deal with a turkish. Tell of a time where you overcame an obstacle that could have had a sad or tragic ending. Othello is a tragedy based on the corrosive power of jealousy. The two main characters in the play othello are othello and iago. Fortunately for music lovers, though, the relative success or failure of said notion has little to do with the quality of the accompanying admittedly inevitable soundtrack album. Aug 31, 2001 another bad side to it was the characters developed for the story, such as o and hugo, who are characters i did not like.
Using about 50% of the original shakespearean text, director oliver parker brings a spare and engaging version of the play to the screen. O is a 2001 american drama film, and a modern adaptation of william shakespeare s othello, set in an american high school. An example of this would be othello, which has been remade into a movie called o. The o movie is a modification of othello by william shakespeare and is set in the 20th century in a high school, where odin in contrast to othello is a star basketball star and dating desi, desdemona in the play. O is a modern spin on othello that attempts to address issues that are relevant for a contemporary audience. A version of the play othello written by william shakespeare that appeals to teens i. Essay on a comparison of othello and the movie o 1548 words. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. Othello always had the opportunity to overcome his distrust of desdemona and triumph over the greeneyed monster. The similarities between the movie o and shakespeares othello leave no question as to the heritage of this updated production.
The movie o was somewhat accurate to the play, othello, in which it is based upon. The reason why modernized versions of shakespearean plays are so successful is because they take the brilliant. Cassio functions mainly to move the plot forward by inadvertently becoming a pawn in iagos plan. In conclusion, the theme of appearances versus reality in othello is very important, indeed the main theme, and the above characters demonstrate this admirably. Othello is set in venice and the island of cyprus while there were wars.
Othello is a mesmerizing screen version of shakespeares drama that gets high marks for its memorable delineation of the redhot heart of jealousy. A christian moor and general of the armies of venice, othello is an eloquent and physically powerful figure, respected by all those around him. The moor of venice is a 1951 tragedy film directed and produced by orson welles, who also adapted the shakespearean play and played the title role. O vs othello vs othello1995 by ronnie ransom on prezi. Othello was faced with overcoming the greatest obstacle of his life. The main difference between the play and the movie is the setting. O the main differences between the play and movie although the movie o is a production based on shakespe atomic number 18s othello, several differences follow between the two such as womens brotherly status, iagos personality change. Apr 22, 2011 o is set at a modern day prep school where their basketball team is fighting for the state title. Watching a movie makes things a lot easier to understand, especially when it is set in the 2000s. The movie continues to show scenes of othello and desdemona having intercourse. The themes of jealousy, racial bias, and deceit function as structure for both. Engage your students during remote learning with video readalouds. In the play othello there are two characters that make the play what it is.
O othello movie analysis and summary schoolworkhelper. O is odin james, a star high school basketball player and nba hopeful. Odin mekhi phifer, a talented black athlete, the only black student in the school, is in love with desi julia stiles, the headmasters daughter. 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. Nelsons 2000 movie production of o shows differences as well as similarities to the original. Othello is the one character whos essential being changes with time, to change both his appearance and his reality, and, as he is the main protagonist, he is especially effective. The shakespearian genius othello is a play filled with lessons and valves up held by the elizabeathan society of shakespear, however these concepts are also valid in todays modern age and the youth of our society. In the play, othello and desdemona marry while in the movie, they are only high school lovers bound by a rubber band ring on desis ring finger. Written in 1604, it has spanned a total of 12 movie adaptations othello, including the 2001 version directed by tim blake nelson. Compare movie and play othello many shakespearean plays have been utilized by hollywood. Comparisons between the play othello and the movie o.
Many characters in o have a counterpart to othello. Sep 12, 2019 the movie o was not much different from othello, but it was adapted into a more understandable scenario. Compare othello the play to o the movie free essays. Othello shakespeares tragedy othello and tim blake nelsons film o both explore collective themes of jealousy, racism and the differences between appearance versus reality through the use of diverse filmic and theatrical techniques. O the movie portrays the main characters in various similarities and differences. Along with no televisions, life in the late 1500s had many different qualities than it does today. The movie o has those same characteristics with the characters roles. This is evident through tim blake neslons recomposition of the shakespearian play. It is a film that succeeds both as an interpretation of shakespeare and as a compelling film. In both versions, the michael cassio character is goaded into a drunken state, and a brawl ensues which damages his reputation. 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 comparison of othello and the movie o 1551 words 123. The movie o, released on august 31, 2001, is a retelling of shakespeares othello set in a college prepatory school. The themes of jealousy, racial bias, and deceit function as structure.
Nelsons movie, o, came out in 2001, starring mekhi phifer as odin othello, julia stiles as desi desdemona, and. The play othello seems unrealistic as a black man has managed to reach the rank of general in the 16th century italian army. Although o is set in secular society where insular beliefs such as the great chain of being are defunct, there are lingering racial undercurrents in the early 21st century american society. Analysis of adaptation othello 1995 by oliver parker. Differentces and similarities of the movie othello and the. The words that are in shakespeares plays often seem foreign. The clips were all accompanied by a voiceover from welles, so that no part of the original soundtrack was heard in filming othello. O is a retelling of shakespeares othello, set in a contemporary southern prep school. With mekhi phifer, julia stiles, martin sheen, josh hartnett. Comparisons of shakespeares othello and the movie o essay. Difference between o and othello nelsons 2000 movie production of o shows differences as well as similarities to the original. Welles featured othello clips in his 1978 making of movie, filming othello, but in fact these had all been completely reedited by him for the documentary, and so do not appear in the original film in the same form.
Although some lines are taking out and some scenes are added in, the movie gives viewers a new way of seeing othello without diverting too far from the original story. Perhaps less than the sum of its parts, othello is still highly entertaining, and features excellent performances from laurence fishburne and kenneth branagh. This movie, shelved over two years due to the epidemic of high school shootings in the late 1990s, is an attempt to take in hand these disasters caused by peer pressure and jealousy kurnit. The same trap is laid for the main character in both versions and the same amount of casualties happens in both final scenes. I liked the seriousness in the text of othello and it made the. White shakespeare december 11, 2014 the modern adaptation of o vs. It stars mekhi phifer, julia stiles, and josh hartnett. Comparisons between the play othello and the movie o jenny. Sep 29, 2011 odin mekhi phifer delivers his last words to clear the air, and his conscience, before committing suicide. The main differences between the play and movie although the movie o is a production based on shakespe atomic number 18s othello, several differences follow between the two such as womens brotherly status, iagos personality change, and the type of language employed by the characters. Essay on a comparison of othello and the movie o 1548. 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.
Othello 1995 directed by oliver parker is an excellent adaptation of william shakespeares the tragedy of othello, the moor of venice. Othello comparisoncontrast by brittany washington on prezi. However, ultimately the literary value of othello is lost in this appropriation the film o directed by tim blake nelson is a recognised contemporary interpretation of shakespeares classic tragedy othello, which addresses a number of issues that are relevant to a modern. To be jealous has to do with or arose from feelings of envy, apprehension, or bitterness. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race.
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