Summary Of Othello Act 4 Scene 1

Wrought with deception and half truth, William Shakespeare’s Othello brings forth a tale of tragic jealousy and mistrust. The contextualization of Othello is vital in its meaning and interpretation, but the essential theme of marginalization and racism remains constant. In altering the setting of this story, many aspects of the characters and plot points must transform to fit its new environment. Television and film adaptations transcend the original play allowing for movement, fluidity, and creative license within the story. By changing the setting from Venice and Cyprus to military camp during the Korean War, the characters, positions, relations, and situations of the play must change accordingly. In staging the senses throughout this adaptation,
This scene would be the pinnacle in explaining Othello’s tragic actions and progression into a rampage in this adaptation of Othello. The scene, Act 4 Scene 1, will open with with Iago and Othello standing in Iago's tent. Iago is wearing his normal military fatigues, leutenant bars dressing his shoulders. Othello, who has been wearing the uniform of the American officers throughout the film, given that that was the only clothing available to him, is now wearing the tattered uniform he was found in. This choice of costume shows that he is unraveling and creates a distinct racial difference between the two men. The camera scans the room military cots, trunk, weapon, and various small things of Iago's from home. Among his things is a copy of The Prince by Niccoló Machiavelli and this this where the camera falls before panning to Iago's face as he speaks the first line, "Will you think so?" (Shakespeare 173). One of Machiavelli’s most famous quotes, “If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared” (46) exemplifies Iago’s character, which is already Machiavellian in nature. His lack of regard for anything outside of his agenda and his masterful manipulation is nearly identical to values and methods encouraged by Machiavelli’s
It follows the plot of Shakespeare’s original play, easily taking most of the text and changing it to fit the new environment. The animosity and, inversely, the romantic relationships between the American soldiers and Koreans provide a different context for the characters of Othello. These relationships are present in the play, however, the disdain of being drafted and forced to take part in a fight that was not their own brings another layer to the resentment of the Korean people and furthers the exploration of racism. Othello is called many slurs throughout the play including being compare to a horse, similar comparisons will be made in this version while exploring these tensions. This adaptation places emphasis upon the racism toward Othello, as no other reason for Iago’s actions is really provided. Along with this focus comes a statement about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and its tragic effects. In making this one of the catalysts for Othello’s actions, it adds another layer of tragedy to the plot, as well as brings attention to a disease that is not often spoken about and is, more often then not, left undiagnosed until it is too late. While the American soldiers perceive Othello’s actions as reverting back to his “primitive” culture, they overshadow his mental disorder in