If Othello had been set in a modern era, how would it differ Essay

The play Othello is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in around 1603. The story has four central compositors cases Othello, Desdemona, Iago and Cassio. Othello or the moor is a black general, look up to for his superb leadership skills. He falls in love with Desdemona, and against Brabantios will they elope in advance embarking on a campaign against the Turks. However, in Cyprus, a storm destroys the Turkish fleet and the real affair turns out to be the one of Iago against Othello. Iagos hatred for Othello is mainly ca single-valued functiond by his anger at lacking out on a promotion added to his racialism. This leads to his r rasetidege on the protagonist. In this assessment, I am firing to analyse how the play would occupy differed if it had been set in a modern era.The play opens with a heat up discussion surrounded by Iago and Roderigo. Iago complains astir(predicate) Othellos decision to promote Cassio as lieutenant. He confesses that he besides remains in se rvice of the general in order to succeed in his evil end I follow him to serve my turn upon him act 1 sc 1 l. 42. Othello is described as the moor. This epithet often substitutes his actual name Othello. Moreover, Roderigo describes Othellos with terms such as obtuse lips, old black ram and devil Act 1.sc 1. An Elizabethan audience would not have frowned upon the use of these terms, not finding them disturbing, offensive as it would be in our politically correct, multicultural and mobile caller where distances between cultures and races have been significantly reduced. It also important to point out that there were few blacks in capital of the United Kingdom during that period there is evidence to prove this as the rise of black settlements in London occurred lonesome(prenominal) during the 17th- 18th Century. Christianity further exacerbated these racial ideas as it linked the colour white to goodness and the colour black to the devil and sin. Shakespeare shows that he was op en and a brave writer who was willing to stand obscure from his society, choosing to make a black individual his protagonist. This choice makes him the tragic hero who the audience is encouraged to realise with.The second difference that rises between an Elizabethan Othello and a hypothetical modern Othello is the power men have over women. This can be seen immediately in Act 1 Scene 3 with regards to Brabantio and Desdemona. Othellos true love for Desdemona is not accepted by Desdemonas father, who accuses him of having used witchcraft to control Desdemonas feelings.She is abused, stoln from me, and corruptedBy spells For nature so preposterously to err,Being not deficient, blind, or sapless of senseSans witchcraft could not Act 1 Scene 3 line of works 59 -64Not only does Brabantio believes that Desdemona belongs to him as if she was of his property, her elopement disturbs him even more knowing that Othello is black. Brabantio cannot fathom how the beautiful and gentle Desdemon a is attracted to the black Othello. The only track he can justify this relationship is by accusing Othello of having practiced spells against her. These accusations can be seen as typical of that time- average Londoners, such as those who attended and enjoyed Shakespeares plays, had very little knowledge about science and relied on popular wisdom and religious doctrines to support their beliefs. A modern audience with a more global outlook would not hold or be loath to admit to- even though racism has not been eradicated. In modern times the power Brabantio has over choosing his young womans husband would also not be accepted. Today in most western countries, it is considered a honorable for women to choose their own partner. The fact that Desdemona and Othello elope and show a romantic and poetic union DesdemonaThat I did love the Moor to live with him,My downright violence and storm of fortunesMay trumpet to the world my spunks subduedEven to the very quality of my lordI sa w Othellos fool in his mind,And to his honour and his valiant partsDid I my soul and fortunes consecrate. act1 sc3 line 245demonstrates Shakespeares modern idea and the independency from accepted views and beliefs of the time.The third important factor that would distinguish from an Elizabethan Othello from a modern Othello regards the character of Emilia. Emilia is Iagos wife and Desdemonas close friend. Iago uses this friendship to get access to Dedemona, in particular, request her to steal Desdemonas handkerchief (a gift from Othello to Desdemona). Emilia does this to please his fantasy even though she admits What he will do with it,/ Heaven knows, / not I Act 3 scene 3 line 290. and the consequences of her actions lead to tragic developments, which have vital importance in the play.From this quote we can see Iagos hold over Emilia and how she honours her duty as a wife- something that would puzzle us even though there are also women nowadays who are at the mercy of their hus bands and do not leave destructive relationships. However, as the play unfolds, particularly in the last two acts we increasingly nib that Emilia is an ambiguous character she is Iagos victim still also has a strong feel about men and women that is now reflected in modern society. EmiliaBut I do recollect it is their husbands faultsIf wives do fall say that they slack their duties,And pour our treasures into foreign laps,Or else break out in peevish jealousies,Throwing restraint upon us or say they strike us,Or scant our former having in despiteWhy, we have galls, and though we have some grace,Yet have we some revenge. Act 4 sc 3 line 16This would probably be a feeling shared by Elizabethans but in reverse- they would identify Emilia as a faithful wife initially but would probably be confused and maybe even shocked by her words to Desdemona and equality between men and women when it comes to desire.In conclusion, we can say that elements of the plot would have undergone marked c hanges if Othello had been written in modern, politically correct times. Brabantio wouldnt be making such a drama out of the fact that his daughter has married a black man Emilia wouldnt be stealing at the see to it of her husband and racist terms would not have been used by noblemen and colleagues. If the play had been set in modern times, it wouldnt be the same play and perhaps it wouldnt be as elicit and powerful either. Despite the fact that the play was written hundreds of years ago and we think that things have changed, racism and sexism havent ended and Shakespeares play makes us think.