Inequality In Othello And O

Throughout history there have been various values that remain relevant in all societies. It is these values that shape the critical fame of social structure and constitutes the very foundation on which individuals stand. In William Shakespeare’s Othello and Tim Nelson’s O (2001); there is a clear evolution of the depiction of certain themes and values which is influenced by context, which is ultimately, directed by social customs, values and meanings. The choice of what values should be represented and in what particular way they should be represented was conducted by the composer of each text, Shakespeare and Nelson, respectively.

Reflective of the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare explores the gender and racial inequality in his 1604 play, Othello

highlighting the beliefs and values held about bout women. The objectification of women, which are linked to the moral expectations of Shakespeare’s era, fuels misogynistic attitudes through patriarchal power and social hierarchy of the Venetian society, as seen through Othello and Desdemona. Women are seen possessions throughout the play, where Othello’s wife Desdemona is implied to be a product to be guarded, “To his conveyance I assign my wife”. When the first Senator wishes Othello well, he hopes that he will “use Desdemona well”, the word ‘use’ supports the expectation of women and how they are to obey their husbands who may use them by their own will. Nevertheless Shakespeare challenges these views to some extent through Desdemona as she betrays her father’s wishes and falls in love. She defies his authority and speaks truthfully when stating, “My noble father, I do perceive a divided duty”. While this helps to establish courage and a greater strength of conviction, her obligations and the role of women in a male dominated society are not further explored as she transfers her loyalty from her father to her husband. Moreover, Tim Nelson's O presents a similarly soft yet highly conspicuous Desdemona character in the form of Desi. O explores an exploration of postmodern gender inequalities and an analysis of violence as a reaction to female sexual and verbal expression. Nelson's film intentionally developed to critique patriarchy and its importance on skin colour (whiteness), wealth, and women as dependents. Yet, regardless of its intentions, O frequently reinvokes patriarchal values through its clichéd representations of race and sex and its over emphasis of the visual.
During this context, there was an unopposed knowledge, and in actuality, acceptance of the discrimination of black society. However, this is contrasted to the setting in which “O” was released Furthermore, both Othello and O have similarly portrayed the theme trust in a context of war-like comradery, as well as the implications of instilling trust foolishly. It is through this theme that the audience observes the reality of who may actually be depended on as the outcome is in evident division to the expectation. Moreover, there is an essential theme that is critical in both texts, that holds great value for both perspectives, which is fear and the insecurity with the negative consequences it brings. In both Shakespeare’s text and Nelson’s film this is established as both composers saw its relevance to their society and furthermore, humanity. O was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. Both texts undeniably share themes that have evolved through the changing history of humanity and has manufactured new meanings for the different audiences.
Racism is a corresponding theme in both Othello and “O” and has transcended through the transformation of the text.

However, the context, in which it has been an instrument to influence, has re-defined it’s meaning in an obvious contrast to Shakespeare’s intended purpose of the theme in Othello. The intended purpose of the topic of racism is revealed in the scene in which Odin and Desi ‘jokingly’ discuss their different races. When she criticizes of his use of “n*****,” he tells her that she is allowed to say it but she cannot even think about it. Despite his apparently persuasive response, Odin is “haunted…by a deep self-consciousness about his own blackness”. When Hugo informs him that Mike and Desi called him “the n*****,” Odin’s worst fears are established as he begins to act out his rage and self-hate. In this scene Nelson has effectively used an emotive imagery and historical reference to portray a message that was meant for both the scene and also the audience, which was crucial for the context in which Nelson’s released this film. This confronting and provoking speech shows the relevance of the theme of racism and was much more a lesson for the audience, this is also pitched in concordance with a close-up of Odin to intensify the intimacy of the

dialogue.
William Shakespeare’s, Othello and Tim Nelson’s, “O” (2001) are not only connected by plot, but also by themes and values. However, they are contrasted due to the meaning and motive behind each theme. Nonetheless, there has been an apparent exclusion and inclusion of certain themes and their meanings, so as to create a new transformation from an old text. Through the use of racism, discrimination, and gender and racial inequality; the context in which Shakespeare wrote required no reproach of the issue as it was only needed as a tool for character exclusion. The noticeable inequality is distinguished when evaluated alongside Nelson’s use of the theme in O as he uses it to connect with the modern context, making an example of the past to persuade the decisions of the future. Furthermore, the theme of trust is similarly used to produce two different conclusion, making one the tragedy and the other an inspirational story. The final theme of fear and insecurity is used in close relation with trust and provides the motive for trusting some individuals and not trusting others. Fear in most circumstances influences many decisions and therefore, governs many factors. Thus, ensuring that fear and insecurity are a substantial device to effect change, as seen through its use by both playwright and director. Social values of fear governs trust as trust provides the judgment of whom to depend on which in many people is misunderstood and turns into discrimination. Context and society provides the general opinion of values, meanings and justice, therefore, the context in which one might live in has the power to conform opinions and meanings. Therefore, an audience to such things may be able to discover the differing meanings in such values and their transformation throughout not texts, but contexts.