Othello: Discuss some of the themes in Othello that you feel resonate (i.e. are still significant) today
Although Othello was written along time ago in a different country with different cultures the themes still resonate with our society today.
A theme of Othello that is still very relevant today is revenge. Iago's goal is to “follow him to serve my turn upon him” (Act 1 Sc1 line 42). Iago is the most obvious example of revenge in Othello. It seems as though Iago's whole existence in this play is to strike revenge on Cassio and Othello and everyone who he seems has done him wrong. Iago's plans to ruin Othello because he choose Cassio as the second in command of the Venetian army instead of himself. Iago's need for revenge will be his downfall.
The concept of revenge is as old as history but still resonates strong with modern society. This is a true story of modern revenge in our society.
"In 2006, Indiana man Anthony Stockelman was charged with molesting and murdering 10-year-old Katie Collman. It was a fairly airtight case for prosecutors: Red carpet fibers that matched those found in Stockelman's mother's house were found on the scene, his DNA was found on the body and on a cigarette butt nearby. If that wasn't enough, an eyewitness saw Collman riding in Stockelman's pickup truck. He pled guilty to avoid the death penalty. The court accepted and sentenced the man to life in prison.
Locals watching the case found Stockelman too at ease in prison for their comfort in early interviews. This would soon change: He'd been transferred to Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, where prison officials hadn't realized Katie Collman's cousin was also serving time. Several months after his intake, Stockelman turned up in the prison with a fresh, amateur tattoo applied to his forehead. It read, "Katie's Revenge." Officials looked into the incident, believing that fellow inmates had forcibly applied the permanent tattoo to Stockelman's forehead."
This article shows that revenge is still very significant today, although the motifs for this crime were slightly different than Iago's, they are both examples of revenge. Anthony Stockelman will never forget his crimes; every time he looks in the mirror he will be reminded and every time someone looks at him they will remember his horrible crimes, these inmates achieved the perfect revenge that Iago strived for.
Another major theme in Othello is jealousy, jealously is an ever present theme in the play and the majority of characters experience it. Iago is jealous of Othello for his high rank and power in the military, he is also very angry at Othello for giving the position of lieutenant to Cassio over him after his years of service and he is demoted to servant. Iago, continues his treachery by "warning" Othello of the dangers of jealousy: "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock…"
There are many examples of jealousy in modern society, people will do go to extreme lengths because of power and jealously . Tonya Harding is an American figure skating champion and two time Olympian. She hired someone to break her competitor Nancy Kerrigan's leg out of jealously so she would be unable to skate. Both Iago and Tonya were too afraid to play on a fair level they both used other people to bring down there enemies and competition.
One more important theme in Othello that I feel still resonates today is manipulation. again Iago is one of the main puppet masters of the play, he uses anyone to achieve his goals like Roderigo. Iago does not want to get into any trouble himself so he pretends to be Roderigo friend. Roderigo is very gullible and falls for all of Iago's tricks, Iago tells Roderigo he will help him get Desdemona, Iago also manipulates Othello into thinking his wife has cheated on him.
'Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:
She has deceived her father, and may thee". (1.3.10)
A very obvious modern example of manipulation is from the movie the Lorax.
http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/the-lorax/selling-air
Mr.O'Hare is a evil genius he is selling bottled air to the people of Theedville, he is manipulating the people into buying something they don't need and already have.
These themes from Othello are timeless and resonate throughout history and now. Revenge, jealousy and manipulation were found throughout society then and now. Although this play was written along time ago its themes are still significant today and we can still learn from them.
