Love in Othello
Shakespeare focuses on another major central value which is reflected throughout the play, and that is love. Shakespeare's use of exaggeration shows how much Othello loves Desdemona. For example, the quote 'but that I love the gentle Desdemona.....For the sea's worth', the sea is almost limitless, Othello's comparison of his love and the sea shows how much he loves Desdemona. Brabantio accuses Othello of 'subdue and poison this young maid's affection', this explains that Brabantio believes that Othello has poisoned Desdemona with magic. Brabantio's disbelief shows how strong and affectionate is Othello and Desdemona's love that it is enticed with magic. However, Othello explains why he has chosen Desdemona as his love 'she loved me for the dangers i had pass'd, and i loved her that she did pity them'. This explains how Othello and Desdemona had fallen in love with each other. One of the most important techniques used is irony. Shakespeare's portrayal of Othello's hatred towards Desdemona, 'my heart is turned to stone, for she shall not live', ironically shows how much he loves Desdemona. Although, Othello hates Desdemona, it wouldn't have started if he had not loved Desdemona. Desdemona's "affair" with Mike shows how Othello cannot stand sharing Desdemona. Othello also repeats his limitless love towards Desdemona, however it is also ironic that during the climax of the text Othello breaks his corrupt love towards Desdemona by Doubting her fidelity. The blackness of Othello is shown after his doubts and corruption of love, but Desdemona's white and purity is shown as she asks for the 'good love, to call him back'. Therefore that is how love is an important central value in the text.
Context
In the Venetian society, Africans were regarded as outsiders and found it hard to fit into the society. The love between a Moor and a European would be very rare as society didn't find any evaluation. Here we see Othello as an outsider and he and Desdemona fall in love with one another. Iago, Roderigo and other nobles perceive this as abnormal and that is how we see an end to their love, due to not meeting society's expectation. The audience also see how Shakespeare produces the concept of white symbolizing pure and black representing impure. Desdemona's struggle for rebuilding the relationship shows her purity. However, Othello's corruption and being self-centered shows his impurity.
Love portrayed in o
Likewise, Tim Nelson also reshapes the central value of love in the film O. Nelson's use of dialogue suggests the powerful bond between Desi and Odin. Similar to Othello, Odin continuously stresses out the love he feels for Desi. Odin mentions that 'i feel like that i can close my eyes with you' this shows the trust that Odin and Desi have concerning the matter of love. Additionally, Nelson uses simile to further elaborate on their relationship. Odin 'feel like we're already family', the relationship and love builds on as Odin compares their love like a family, this shows their unity, as it represents oneness. Nelson also shows the romanticism as he develops the love during the most agonizing moments. Othello's injury is set so the relationship becomes stronger as Odin worries about Desi over his in jury. This can be justified in the quote 'I was worried that if i got hurt, no one will look after you'. Ironically, Odin states that Desi has no-one behind her back, however as the film continues Odin accuses Desi for being disloyal. Furthermore, Tim Nelson uses many items that symbolize the love of Desi and Odin. First of all the the elastic band is given to Desi, from Odin, as a symbol of his eternal love for her. Nevertheless, the most influential symbol in the film is the handkerchief. Odin grants the handkerchief to Desi as a sign of love due to family terms. Symbolically, as the handkerchief is lost by Desi, the audience feel the shift in love between Odin and Desi to chaos. This shows how Nelson has directed and reshaped the value of love from Othello to O.
Context
In today's society, the relationship between an African and a white is not considered to be abnormal. However, the stereotype of them being hotheaded shows how Odin and Desi's love affair could have ended.