William Shakespeare's Othello is an Aristotelian tragedy that dramatises the gradual demise of the eponymous protagonist. Shakespeare employs a multiplicity of literary techniques to convey universal ideas exemplified throughout the course of Othello's decline. However, Oliver Parker reinvigorates the play's timeless ideas in a cinematic medium, sexualising the play for modern sensibilities. Parker utilises visual motifs and cinematic devices to place an emphasis on the idea of power and its intrinsic relationship with language in the original play. Hence whilst retaining the authenticity of Shakespeare's expression in creating this contemporary adaptation, Parker's film... Shakespe ...view middle of the document...
Adapting 'a room in the castle' in the play, Iago instead leads Othello into a dark dungeon setting, paralleling his descent into Iago's diabolic world. The various torture instruments and prisoners depict Iago's position of power in manipulating Othello. Iago's calculated insinuations and machinations are apparent in causing the jealousy within Othello, sending him into an epileptic seizure. - 'work[ing] on [his] medicine- . Othello is seemly imprisoned by the chains of jealousy, the 'green eyed monster' within him. Parker incorporates a sex scene montage accompanied by an increasingly intensified music, to accentuate the sexual suspense whilst illustrating Othello's loss of control and incoherent mindset. He employs the changing use of perspectives when Iago 'encaves' Othello behind bars, reinforcing the idea that Othello being imprisoned and manipulated by Iago. Othello's perspective through the bars parallels his clouded perception by Iago's 'poison'. Parker's visual motif of the handkerchief possesses a symbolic power, emblematic of Desdemona's 'infidelity'. It serves as the 'ocular proof', and thus Othello, the caged beast, is unleashed - 'How shall I murder him'. Hence, through cinematic devices Parker is able to illustrate the destructive power of jealousy, evident in Othello's transformed mentality of strength to paranoia and 'vengeance' as he succumbs to Iago's scheming mastery.Shakespeare again illustrates the inherent power in language. Through the catharsis of the play, it is used to receive a degree of redemption for one's sinful acts. Here, the audience is presented with Othello's purgation of guilt of...
