Shakespeare’s Othello was composed in the 15th century whereas Geoffrey Sax’s film adaptation of Othello is set out in the 21st century. Although the two narrations are centuries apart, Sax could successfully sculpt and exemplify the themes of gender inequality and racism to suit the modern audience.
Gender discrimination was very vivid in Shakespeare’s play. Desdemona was getting married to Othello without her father’s consent and Iago describes her as being stolen by comparing her to an object. This is evident when Iago wakes up Brabantio and says “Awake! What ho, Brabantio! Thieves, thieves! `Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! Thieves, thieves!”. This shows that unmarried women in the Elizabethan era lacked individuality and were either treated as properties of their fathers or husbands. Although, Sax’s film is set in recent times, no women have been shown to hold a higher position and only males were a part of the police force. Thus the director effectively displays that societal inequalities against women were still present even in the modern era. Another example of male domination is observed when Dessie questions Othello “Isn’t it always like that? Women listening to men without talking”. This shows that Sax’s film propagates and enhances gender discrimination.
In Shakespear...
