Othello Mod A

Module A Practice Essay

How do the two texts you have studied reflect the significant values and ideas of their context?

Discuss with reference to both of your texts.

Congruency between intertextual themes allows us to better understand a text’s context. Othello by Shakespeare is a 17th century tragedy set in the backdrop of the wars between Venice and Turkey and originally performed for an Elizabethan Audience with theocentric values. Othello by Geoffrey Sax is a post-modern adaption of Shakespeare’s Othello and is set in 21st century London with secularist values. Shakespeare and Sax both communicate the inherent racism present in society as well as the dichotomy present between genders.  

Shakespeare explores the apathy expressed by society towards the implications of racism and challenges the conservative Elizabethan values of mutually exclusive binaries. Blacks were referred to as “moor” or “thick lips” and were regarded as impure, bestial, hyper-sexual and devil worshipping beings as Shakespeare’s society believed that white meant pure meaning that black signified the devil. Othello ’s marriage and the consummation that followed is described as an “old black ram” who is “tupping your white ewe,” by Iago to Brabantio. Iago’s use of animal imagery covertly refers to the bestial nature that is believed to be possessed by blacks. Moreover, as Othello succumbs to the “poison poured into his ears,” by Iago, he starts to believe that Desdemona is a “whore” who is sleeping with Cassio which makes Othello a “cuckold.” Othello “smothers” Desdemona who resumes consciousness only to be smothered again. This act of barbarism would have shocked both the Elizabethan and our Modern audience as it embodies the very thing Othello was mocked as. In essence, Othello reflects the conservative, ecclesiastical values of Elizabethan England through the portrayal of a black protagonist and the racism that he accepts and eventually embodies.

Similarly, in Sax’s Othello, racism is a key concept ingrained into the film which is set in the race riots of London as a message to the audience on the implications of their actions. Commissioner Carver in response creates a façade of affirmative action to “recruit and promote, black and Asian officers.” Ironically, this is followed by a close up shot of the only black and Asian officers in the force, illustrating that racism is implicit in society and is hidden away by bureaucracy. Eventually, when Jago confronts Carver on this initiative, Carver replies that minorities “just not up to snuff,” hereby proving the xenophobic nature of society. Moreover, Iago curses Othello for becoming Commissioner and calls him a “token handsome nigger,” and a “patronising ape.” Through the use of these racist slurs, Iago confirms our suspicion of his racist nature and reinforces the perception of blacks as bestial beings. Furthermore, Othello attempts to rise above the confines of his race by stating that the police force “will not tolerate racism.” Yet eventually, he realised that we live in a “racist society,” and realises that he is powerless to change it. Essentially, Sax challenges the audience to change their societal attitudes towards racial matters and is reflecting his context through this.