Othello, The Moor Of Venice Essays - Othello, English-language Films

Othello, The Moor Of Venice Essays - Othello, English-language Films Othello, The Moor of Venice Othello has been described as William Shakespeare?s most perfect play. Since 1604, this Shakespearan tragedy has captivated audiences of all ages. The play begins when Othello, a Moorish nobleman and soldier of fortune, unconsciously evokes the spirit of evil in the villainous Iago by choosing Cassio as his lieutenant and not him. Partly for vengeance, but mostly for wicked delight, Iago soon plans to bring about the downfall of Othello and his new officer. Enjoy! Act IScene I. [Venice. A street.] Scene II. [Venice. Before the Sagittary] Scene III. [Venice. A chamber in the Senate House] Act IIScene I. [A seport in Cyprus. An open place near the harbor] Scene II. [Cyprus. Before Othello?s Castle] Scene III. [Cyprus. Within the Castle] Act IIIScene I. [Cyprus. Before the Castle] Scene II. [Cyprus. Within the Castle] Scene III. [Cyprus. The garden of the Castle] Scene IV. [Cyprus. Before the Castle] Intermission ...................................................................................... Act IVScene I. [Cyprus. Before the Castle] Scene II. [Cyprus. Within the Castle] Scene III. [Cyprus. Another room in the Castle] Act VScene I. [Cyprus. A street.] Scene II. [Cyprus. A bedchamber in the Castle] _______________________________________________________________ CAST Othello, the moor..........................................Denzel Washington Cassio, [his] honorable lieutenant.............................Tom Cruise Iago, a villain..................................................Tommy Lee Jones Roderigo, a gulled gentleman....................................Val Kilmer Desdemona, the yound, devoted wife of Othello....Claire Danes Emilia, wife of Iago.................................................Glenn Close Bianca, Cassio?s jealous mistress.....................Heather Locklear Brabantio, father to Desdemona............................Sean Connery Clown, servant to Othello...........................................Jim Carrey Montano, Governor of Cyprus...............................Richard Gere Duke of Venice......................................................Harrison Ford Gratiano, brother to Brabantio......................................Brad Pitt Lodovico, kinsman to Brabantio.....................Anthony Hopkins ___________________________________________________________________ WHO?S WHO IN THE CAST Denzel Washington (Othello) has been seen gracing the screens of movies such as Philadelphia, Courage Under Fire, and the recent The Preacher?s Wife. His honorable presence and charm do not hinder his ability to take on the serious role of the jealously inflicted Othello. Tom Cruise (Cassio) never fails to win the ladies hearts with his courteous behavior and boyish good looks as seen in Top Gun, Cocktail, Interview with a Vampire, and Jerry Maigure. His commanding personality is also displayed in the film, A Few Good Men. Glenn Close (Emilia) has stared in 101 Dalmatians, Paper, and Fatal Attraction. Her fragile and lady-like appearance well masks her strong willed attitudes and values. Tommy Lee Jones (Iago), with his devilish looks and cunning demeanor, is a professional at playing the role of the villain by now. Why shouldn?t he be after appearing in such films as The Fugitive, Batman Forever, and the recent Men in Black? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________- Othello Essays 1.Without a doubt, one of the main themes that runs throughout William Shakespeare?s tragic play, Othello, is that of honesty. In the play, the most interesting character is Iago, who is commonly called and known as "Honest Iago." However, this could not be farther from the truth. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits and moves him closer to his own goals. He is smart and an expert at judging the characters of others. Because of this, Iago pushes everyone to their tragic end. Iago knows very well that trust and deceit must go hand in hand in order for him to achieve his vengeance on Othello and Cassio. Hence, as he plans the downfalls of them, he is continually trying to obtain their undoubting trust. He slowly poisons people?s thoughts, creating ideas in their heads without implicating himself. Iago even says himself that the advice he gives is free and honest and thus, people rarely stop to consider the possibility that Iago is fooling them. One person Iago deceives is Roderigo. Throughout the play, Iago tells him that he hates Othello and that Roderigo should make some money so he could give gifts to Desdemona, who he admires from afar. Thinking that this is sound advice, Roderigo does just that. However, Iago is actually keeping the gifts that Roderigo plans to give Desdemona for himself. Eventually, Roderigo begins to catch on to the act and confronts Iago, but he falls right into Iago?s trap again when he tells him that killing Cassio will help him win over Desdemona. Roderigo is then lead to his death by the hands of "Honest Iago." Like Roderigo, Cassio also believes in "Honest Iago," for he thinks that Iago is only trying to help him. On the night of Cassio?s watch, Iago convinces him to take another drink, knowing very well