Great Works I: Remixing Memory

The film focused much more on Othello’s jealousy of Desdemona’s alleged affair rather than make it seem as if Othello’s negative reaction can stem from multiple sources like in the play. Honestly, I think focusing primarily on jealousy makes the story seem like more of an actual love story and not just a tragedy. Romantic jealousy is irrational and painful; Othello portrays that very well. In Act IV, Scene 1, Othello falls into a trance but in the movie, his body begins to shake as if he is having a seizure. It left more of an impression on me to see a man shaking with jealousy rather than to read the words, “Falls in a trance.” The scene when he begins to drown Iago in the movie was saddening and frightening to watch at the same time. The images he has of Desdemona with Cassio are a visualization of his fear. He never stops loving Desdemona or even thinks any less of her. Her death is simply necessary to him because he thought she was an unapologetic and unfaithful wife; murdering her was his only option. Based on the movie, I can see how this is a love story. Based on the written play, I see the story more as a critique towards Othello’s character. Granted, I am not a Shakespeare expert and probably cannot fully appreciate his prose. Therefore, I may not be picking up on Othello’s genuine jealousy in the play. Regardless of my comprehension of either representation of the work, I am more intrigued by the film than the written play.