Appearance vs Reality
Appearance vs Reality (deception) is a timeless theme presented in the Shakespearean text Othello and cleverly reshaped in Tim Nelson's modern film O because of its contextual universality and centrality.
Both composers explore the theme, employing techniques suitable for their context.
Shakespeare: Othello
Shakespeare explores the theme of appearance vs
reality through dramatic irony and soliloquy.
Appearance vs Reality (deception) is a timeless theme presented in the Shakespearean text Othello and cleverly reshaped in Tim Nelson's modern film O because of its contextual universality and centrality.
Both composers explore the theme, employing techniques suitable for their context.
Shakespeare: Othello
Shakespeare explores the theme of appearance vs
reality through dramatic irony and soliloquy.
Dramatic Irony:
Dramatic irony is portrayed in Othello through the antagonist Iago to convey the central value, appearance vs reality (deception). From the beginning of the play, Iago appears as a ‘man of honesty and trust’ however in reality he is a villainous and deceptive character as he manipulates other characters, focussing on their fatal flaws, causing a tragic ending. Iago’s asides ‘I am not what I am’ informs the responder of his manipulative nature, unknown to the characters in the play exposing the darkness of his character. Through dramatic irony, Shakespeare explores the central value appearance vs reality through Iago’s character.
Dramatic irony is portrayed in Othello through the antagonist Iago to convey the central value, appearance vs reality (deception). From the beginning of the play, Iago appears as a ‘man of honesty and trust’ however in reality he is a villainous and deceptive character as he manipulates other characters, focussing on their fatal flaws, causing a tragic ending. Iago’s asides ‘I am not what I am’ informs the responder of his manipulative nature, unknown to the characters in the play exposing the darkness of his character. Through dramatic irony, Shakespeare explores the central value appearance vs reality through Iago’s character.
Soliloquy
The deliberate use of soliloquy through Iago conveys the theme appearance vs reality by devising Othello’s tragedy. When in soliloquy, Iago’s treacherous, deceitful and manipulative character is witnessed as opposed to what he appears, an honest man. As Othello promoted Cassio above Iago and is rumoured to have “twixt his sheets”, Iago soliloquises his driving motivation for the tragedy of Othello and plots his downfall with speech that imparts revenge, disloyalty and spite. He appears to be supportive and loyal to Othello by informing him about Desdemona’s chastity and relationship with Cassio however in reality, he decisively provides certain information that focus on Othello’s fatal flaw, eventually leading to his downfall and the tragedy of the play. Therefore, appearance vs reality (deception) is conveyed through Iago’s soliloquys.
The deliberate use of soliloquy through Iago conveys the theme appearance vs reality by devising Othello’s tragedy. When in soliloquy, Iago’s treacherous, deceitful and manipulative character is witnessed as opposed to what he appears, an honest man. As Othello promoted Cassio above Iago and is rumoured to have “twixt his sheets”, Iago soliloquises his driving motivation for the tragedy of Othello and plots his downfall with speech that imparts revenge, disloyalty and spite. He appears to be supportive and loyal to Othello by informing him about Desdemona’s chastity and relationship with Cassio however in reality, he decisively provides certain information that focus on Othello’s fatal flaw, eventually leading to his downfall and the tragedy of the play. Therefore, appearance vs reality (deception) is conveyed through Iago’s soliloquys.
Tim Blake Nelson: O
In contrast, Tim Blake Nelson explores the theme through point-of-view as well as dramatic irony.
Dramatic Irony
In O, dramatic irony is apparent when Mike seeks guidance from Hugo and Hugo asks “Am I your boy?” To Hugo, Mike is an instrument used to instigate the downfall of Odin and the appearance of friendship and honesty with Mike is deceitful. This is contrasted to a scene of reality where Hugo schemes with Roger emphasising Hugo’s duplicity and deceitful nature and conveying the theme of appearance vs reality.
In O, dramatic irony is apparent when Mike seeks guidance from Hugo and Hugo asks “Am I your boy?” To Hugo, Mike is an instrument used to instigate the downfall of Odin and the appearance of friendship and honesty with Mike is deceitful. This is contrasted to a scene of reality where Hugo schemes with Roger emphasising Hugo’s duplicity and deceitful nature and conveying the theme of appearance vs reality.
POV Shot
The theme of Appearance vs Reality is explored in O through point-of-view shots. As Odin and Desi copulate responders are exposed to a point-of-view shot into Odin's minds where his reflection is superimposed with a shot of Mike. To Odin, it appears that Mike is fornicating with Desi, however in reality the seed of jealousy and suspicion ingrained in his mind has bloomed causing him to be insensate and to have delusional and irrational thoughts.
The theme of Appearance vs Reality is explored in O through point-of-view shots. As Odin and Desi copulate responders are exposed to a point-of-view shot into Odin's minds where his reflection is superimposed with a shot of Mike. To Odin, it appears that Mike is fornicating with Desi, however in reality the seed of jealousy and suspicion ingrained in his mind has bloomed causing him to be insensate and to have delusional and irrational thoughts.
Context
Although both composers are from different contexts and employ different techniques, the theme appearance vs reality is central in both texts, Othello and O. As Elizabethan society's main form of entertainment was theatre, Shakespeare employs the theatrical techniques of dramatic irony and soliloquy to appeal to his context. As contexts differ, entertainment and values differ as well and Tim Blake Nelson conveys the same central theme through film techniques of dramatic irony and POV shots.
Although both composers are from different contexts and employ different techniques, the theme appearance vs reality is central in both texts, Othello and O. As Elizabethan society's main form of entertainment was theatre, Shakespeare employs the theatrical techniques of dramatic irony and soliloquy to appeal to his context. As contexts differ, entertainment and values differ as well and Tim Blake Nelson conveys the same central theme through film techniques of dramatic irony and POV shots.