Similarities Between Nelson And Othello

Human emotions span across all ages. In spite of the four hundred year gap between William Shakespeare’s original play, Othello, and the film adaptation, O, by Tim Blake Nelson, the same themes are as fresh and true today as they were generations ago. Jealousy and appearance vs reality are two of the many themes central to both texts and are explored by both composers using a variety of techniques. Shakespeare used literary devices such as soliloquys, imagery and dramatic irony whereas Nelson used film techniques like mis-en-scene, camera angles and lighting to convey his message to his contemporary audience.

The central theme in Shakespeare’s Othello is that of jealousy. The theme is explored through a number of techniques including soliloquies …show more content…
Shakespeare uses this technique by characterising his characters with a sense of duplicity to corrupt the values of honesty and trust. The Machiavellian Iago is able to emit such a sense of deception and manipulation that he is able to control Othello’s mind and what Iago wants him to see. Othello puts a copious amount of trust in Iago and he deceives him “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”. This is contrasted by Iago’s honest and faithful façade. Othello in his naivety believes Iago to be his friend. This is seen in Act i Scene iii when Othello refers to him as “my ancient / A man he is of honesty and …show more content…
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to highlight the theme of duplicity within the play. Iago’s statements in Act i Scene i “I am not what I am” and “I follow him to serve my turn upon him.” informs the responder of his manipulative nature early on within the play, but, this duplicitous nature is unknown to the other characters, besides the foolish Roderigo. This is in complete contrast with the repeated phrase “honest Iago” which is stated by Othello, Cassio and even Iago himself. Through dramatic irony, Shakespeare explores the central value appearance vs reality through Iago’s