Shakespeare’s “Othello” and the Film “O” by Tim Blake Nelson Essay Example
Shakespeare’s “Othello” and the Film “O” by Tim Blake Nelson Essay Example

Shakespeare’s “Othello” and the Film “O” by Tim Blake Nelson Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (584 words)
  • Published: December 25, 2021
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Theme of Deceptception or the act of an individual engaging in a purposeful act of deceiving another is evident throughout the play by William Shakespeare Othello. The theme plays a significant importance throughout the play in that it serves as the basis of the story. Without deception, the play would have never arrived at its anticlimax or the audience manages to understand the message and the characters in the play. Shakespeare basis the plot of the play around Lago where he deceives Othello first by convincing Othello that the two are good friends while behind Othello’s back, he continues to plant the seeds of deception and jealousy that eventually lead Othello to murder Desdemona, his wife. It is, however, important noting that the theme of deception extends beyond Lago lying to Othello, but rather to Lago deceiving all the

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other characters into seeing lies in others, something that is non-existent.

The theme of deception manifests in the play in various instances with the first instance depicted when Desdemona hides her father about her relationship with Othello. In Act 1 Scene I Brabanito asserts that, “O she deceives me Past thought!” signifying the manner Desdemona lied about her relationship with Othello. Although Desdemona had justifiable reasons for deceiving her father based on the notion that she loved him and thus wanted to avoid any harm that may affect him, the reason does not make her action less a deceit.

As the villain of the play, Lago’s actions and words portray deceit in various instances in the play. A notable example of his deception is depicted in a soliloquy that the playwright delivers directly to the audience. In Ac

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2, Scene II, Line 1-7, Lago asserts that “I will pour this pestilence in his ear, that she repeals him from her body lust……, that shall enmesh them all.” In the soliloquy, Lago offers an explanation in the manner he will turn the existing trusting nature between Desdemona and Casio by poisoning the mind of Othello with his deception.
The play ‘Othello’ by Shakespeare and the film ‘O’ by Nelson has very much in common in portraying the theme of deception. Shakespeare succeeds in portraying deception by making use of characterization together with dramatic irony where Othello on constant occasions refers to Lago as ‘honest Lago.’ It is, however, evident on the part of the audience is aware that Lago is not honest based on various incidents that take place in the play. Shakespeare, however, uses soliloquy in juxtaposing the scenes where the audience understands the plans of Lago. Similarly, in the film ‘O’ Nelson makes use of characterization and dramatic irony in conveying the theme of deception. Irrespective of the change of characters in the film while compared to the play, deception is evident.

Odin possesses complete trust in Hugo that prompts him into believing everything he says as true. The use of dramatic irony is depicted in the quite by Odin when he asserts that, “Say what you gotta say player.” The quote serves in demonstrating Hugo’s ‘two-faced’ personality based on the significance of the term ‘player’ in the film where it signifies trust and respect. Hugo’s crave for attention of others is evidenced by the deceptive nature of his life. The importance of the theme of deception increases in that Nelson succeeds in using

a whole different concept, yet the theme is captured all through the film.

Works Cited

  1. O. Directed by Tim B. Nelson, 2001. 2001.
  2. Shakespeare, William, et al. Othello. Yale UP, 2005.
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