I thought the interview with Kent Thompson by Phillip C. Kolin was very interesting and gave a very different perspective on the play Othello in comparison to what I had personally created, in particular the way in which Thompson illustrated the character Desdemona.
Thompson, when choosing a character for the roll of Desdemona, was looking for someone in late 20s to middle early 30s. I personally, and I believe most people; saw Desdemona as a young beautiful girl who was simply being cared by romance throughout the play(aged around 23). However, Thompson had a different point view. He saw Desdemona as a more knowledgeable and wiser character. The reasoning Thompson wanted Desdemona to be older was because he believed a modern interpretation to fit in with the clash of cultures that is at the centre of Othello.
This changes the dynamics of the whole play with Desdemona being a central character in the play. While rereading the play it easy to see how Thompson gets this interpretation of Desdemona being a more experienced character. It no doubt adds more depth to the play, as you begin to questions Desdemona’s decisions. It is interesting that Kolin states that Desdemona was played initially as a victim in the play. However Thompson is now trying to portray her as a more defiant character amongst an all mall cast. When I read the play I saw her as a victim that really just got caught in the wrong crowd.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Othello: Plot
While Othello, Written by William Shakespeare was a long read, I felt intrigued and captivated throughout the whole play. In class the other day I was dedicated the job of analysing the plot of the play Medea. Because of this I found myself paying extreme attention to the plot while reading the play Othello.
Othello had very structured plot with a clear beginning, middle and end. However, the key to a tragic play is that plot creates events that are fearful and pathetic. The best example of where Shakespeare’s shapes a fearful event is in the ending when Othello comes to the realization that Desdemona is innocent. I personal was shocked and felt the fear Othello must have felt when he was delivered this information. After this scene Othello begins weep and cry over his mistakes. This also gives a clear message of a pathetic, helpless character.
A tragic play according to Aristotle is meant to situate around one character. Shakespeare does not conform to this element as several characters play an important part in the play. Igao and Othello are the two dominate characters while it can be argued that both Cassio and Desdemona play vitual roles.
I feel that analysing the plot while I read the play, made it for a more exciting read as I tried to predict what would happen next.
Othello had very structured plot with a clear beginning, middle and end. However, the key to a tragic play is that plot creates events that are fearful and pathetic. The best example of where Shakespeare’s shapes a fearful event is in the ending when Othello comes to the realization that Desdemona is innocent. I personal was shocked and felt the fear Othello must have felt when he was delivered this information. After this scene Othello begins weep and cry over his mistakes. This also gives a clear message of a pathetic, helpless character.
A tragic play according to Aristotle is meant to situate around one character. Shakespeare does not conform to this element as several characters play an important part in the play. Igao and Othello are the two dominate characters while it can be argued that both Cassio and Desdemona play vitual roles.
I feel that analysing the plot while I read the play, made it for a more exciting read as I tried to predict what would happen next.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Poetics
Poetics by Aristotle was not an enjoyable read for me personally however it did make some interesting statements and comparisons. Aristotle went into great depth of explain the six constituent elements of tragedy and how they came about.
The most intriguing part of Aristotle article is when he discusses the tragic side of tragedy: Pity and Fear and the patterns of the complex plot. Aristotle states “the construction of the finest tragedy should be not simple but complex, and at the same time imitative of fearful and pitiable happenings”. After this he continues with several complex examples of non tragic plots and characters. This particular line really drew my attention to how in depth and analysed these plays are. While I guess I never really thought how people write plays, I would never have guessed that a play writer would be so careful in trying to portray these emotions to enforce the play to be a tragedy.
However, I was very wrong indeed. For example Aristotle has broken down the plot of tragic to be the imitation of an action where is complete and whole. Confusing? Aristotle stresses that the play is not centralised around one character but influenced by several character and the events that occur around them.
Overall a tragic play is one confusing play to write or analysis.
The most intriguing part of Aristotle article is when he discusses the tragic side of tragedy: Pity and Fear and the patterns of the complex plot. Aristotle states “the construction of the finest tragedy should be not simple but complex, and at the same time imitative of fearful and pitiable happenings”. After this he continues with several complex examples of non tragic plots and characters. This particular line really drew my attention to how in depth and analysed these plays are. While I guess I never really thought how people write plays, I would never have guessed that a play writer would be so careful in trying to portray these emotions to enforce the play to be a tragedy.
However, I was very wrong indeed. For example Aristotle has broken down the plot of tragic to be the imitation of an action where is complete and whole. Confusing? Aristotle stresses that the play is not centralised around one character but influenced by several character and the events that occur around them.
Overall a tragic play is one confusing play to write or analysis.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Marriage
The play Medea by Euripides, I believe is an over dramatic version of the average divorced family in today’s society. The play is prioritised around a wife (medea) seeking revenge on her unfaithful husband (Jason). Jason and medea have two children which medea has decided to kill in order to get back at unfaithful husband. Medea believes the pain of killing two children will be over powered by the satisfaction of hurting her husband. Yes, this is a really dramatic play.
Obviously these kinds of actions would not go unpunished in today’s society and even if one was to mention such thoughts, it would cause some serious questioning. I’m not an expected on the topics of marriage failures but It’s hard to not be related to one in today’s culture. It’s almost fully accepted to get a divorce today for any reason. However, i think the play medea is a dramatic version of todays divorces in the sense that the children are the ones who suffer the most. In the play the children suffer the ultimate price there life, today the children are more likely to suffer emotional and mental damage. Marriage is a sacred bond that should be honoured by both parties.
Obviously these kinds of actions would not go unpunished in today’s society and even if one was to mention such thoughts, it would cause some serious questioning. I’m not an expected on the topics of marriage failures but It’s hard to not be related to one in today’s culture. It’s almost fully accepted to get a divorce today for any reason. However, i think the play medea is a dramatic version of todays divorces in the sense that the children are the ones who suffer the most. In the play the children suffer the ultimate price there life, today the children are more likely to suffer emotional and mental damage. Marriage is a sacred bond that should be honoured by both parties.
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