How do the two text you have studied reflect the significant values and ideas of their context?

Literature is a product of its context, illuminating a composers questions to society regarding its
values and concerns from the interpersonal to the societal. Through the use of differing mediums,
they explore universal themes in an attempt to connect with their audience; A leading example is
that of Shakespeares Othello (1604) and Geoffrey Saxs 21st century modern film interpretation in
Othello (film). Shakespeare exposes the dominant paradigms relating to race and culture of
Elizabethan England in his depiction of the moor Othello. Sax appropriates these enduring concerns
into A contemporary nominally egalitarian and tolerant multicultural society, displaying the covert
racism experienced by minority groups and the reality of jealousy, as a corrupting power.

Shakespeare interrogates the dominant paradigms relating to race and cultural identity of the
Elizabethan period, exposing the destructive power of prejudice and discrimination. Depicting
Othello as a brave soldier from Africa however nearly every character uses racial slurs like moor
towards Othello. Yet, Othello initially displays confidence that My parts, my title, and my perfect
soul shall manifest me rightly. However, Iago frequently attempts to use Othellos racial
background against him in an effort to bring about his downfall epitomised when Othello is
characterised by Iago as a black ram in contrast to the white ewe Desdemona where Othello is
juxtaposed as the black ram to the white ewe that is his lover, Desdemona. manipulation of
Othellos underlying racial insecurity is ultimately effective as Shakespeare shows how such extreme
racism can have a profound toll on its victims and be internalized through Othellos degradation
epitomised by the simile as Dians visage, (he) is now begrimed and black alluding his own purity
to that of fairness and the infidelity of his wife as a black tarnish upon his face. Demonstrating the
effects of racism in society and its ability to corrupt even the most noble of men as it has done so
to Othello, in turn challenging Elizabethan conduct towards different races due to its destructive
potential.

Despite the transition to a contemporary multicultural democracy espousing tolerance and racial
equality, Sax reveals that underlying racism still bedevils human relationships portraying covert,
institutionalised racism shown between Jago and the Commissioners comments on the intelligence
of a nigger. While a public display of the elitist perspective was shown during the Commissioners
speech prevalent with underlying racism implied by the initiation of a recruitment program for
colour people instead of fair recruitment. Simultaneously, Sax shifts the perspective to ordinary
police as the audience witnesses police brutality and clear transgression of law symbolised by the
jagged movement of the camera. Sax illustrates the culture of racism as ever present as the entire
hierarchy of law enforcers are racially corrupt, showing the reason for the highly polarized tone set
by the rioters. He demonstrates that societal racism can be internalized, as John is driven mad by
Jago through the use of implicit racial inferiority and stereotypes which John uses to his advantage
to portray himself as an excellent swordsman. The motif of the water serves as a reflection, a
murky mirror which evades showing the true self about anybody which Sax uses to symbolise the
relationships of Othello (2001). This lack of trust and sense of racial inferiority leads to Othellos true
outlook on race being revealed as he denounces whites as your people when talking about slavery.
The chiaroscuro used to depict Jagos good and evil is also derived from the racist stereotype
associating black with evil and white with purity. Sax attempts to show that in a modern contest evil
is ultimately victorious as Jago is left unpunished, but rather promoted to the role of commissioner
despite his villainy, appealing to its larger atheist audience.
It is within the bounds of a divinely ordained and ordered society that Shakespeare examines
humanitys susceptibility to avarice. Shakespeare rapidly establishes Iagos jealousy of Cassio and his
promotion emphasised through the alliteration of mere prattle without practice and insults such
as counter-caster, conveying to Shakespeares Elizabethan audience of Iagos quick temper,
jealous nature and Machiavellian nature; Iagos jealousy being used as a tool to bring about the
downfall of Othello from the beginning as I follow him to serve my turn upon him. Iagos
conviction forced upon Othello leads the calm and reasoned military leader to the blind, enraged
blacker devil. Iagos creation has befouled the true Othello for thou Othello, that wert once so
good. Othellos farewell portrays the imagery of the green-eyed monster as he states he had
been happy if pioneers tasted her sweet body, so I had nothing known. However, it is not just
jealousy but their sins which bring about their downfall as thou shall not covet, Shakespeares
contextual and the workings of divine justice being a contributing factor to their demise. The
destructive rampage that led Othello from a once fine man defying the barbaric, illiterate,
promiscuity (Shaw) stereotyped of Elizabethan times to the blacker devil shows the reality of the
consequences of jealousy, how those who covet will face eternal damnation for their crimes.

Jealous being intrinsic to humanitys emotional spectrum is contextually shared by modern times as
Sax uses it as a driving force for Jagos morally corrupt actions which leads to the death of three.
Jagos opening voice over asserts it was about loveshe loved him and he loved her I loved him
too. Sax attempts to portray a sick, twisted love that Jago feels for John as reason for his actions,
that it was his jealousy of their love which influenced his actions. Jagos hate for John was sparked by
the glory which was painted next to his name in the news, displaying a confident john Othello with
a low shot exacerbating him as the bringer of justice. Sax portrays jealousy as contagious, Jagos
snide remarks about his wifes promiscuity raise concerns for the insecure Othello which he shows
by his distinct lack of desire for Michael Cass presence. The consequences of jealousy in this
contemporary context are not dismayed upon or seen as punishable offences but instead as a
motive towards achieving success aligning with Saxs modern audience views.