Similarities and Differences in "othello" the Play and "o" the Movie

Similarities and Differences in "Othello" the Play and "O" the Movie

"O" the film by Tim Blake Nielson is considered to be based loosely on Shakespeare's original play, but it adds a new modern edge to the classic tale while still remaining true to its original plot and storyline. At first glance Shakespeare's "Othello" and "O" the movie have some major differences, but with a look into the underlying story and plot of the play and movie many more obvious similarities emerge.

"Othello's" movie counterpart is Odin James, the teenaged superstar basketball player at Oak Grove, a private school. Oak Grove is an almost completely white school with the exception of Odin. He is dating Desi Brable, Desdemona's movie counterpart. Desi is also the daughter of the school's dean. Odin and Desi are completely in love, devoted to one another and happy. Odin's best friend is Hugo, Iago's counterpart. Hugo is the starter on the school's basketball team and also the son of the team's coach. Emily (Emilia) is Hugo's girlfriend and also Desi's best friend. Hugo ultimately catches a jealous streak because of Odin's popularity, team status and the fact his own father thinks of Odin as his son. After heavy planning Hugo goes on to carry out revenge on Odin by making him believe Desi is seeing their teammate Michael Cassio (Cassio) behind his back. Hugo is successful and Odin is eventually driven crazy with jealousy and it tragically with 5 deaths. ""O" follows its source to the bloody end, at which point the cast has been severely depopulated. The results are heartbreaking." (Garcia)

One of the most obvious differences would be the how "O" has been modernized; this made the movie more believable for viewers and also easier to relate to. Rap music can be heard throughout the movie and there is also some drug use. "The hip-hop soundtrack and screenplay by Brad Kaaya help, and some of Nelson's touches, such as the white doves, lend a slightly ethereal quality to the sordid tale." (O'CONNOR) There's also noticeable use of slang and profanities versus soliloquies and asides like the play. "O" takes place in South Carolina while "Othello" is set in Venice. The main cast in "O" is young high school students, the two main characters Odin and Desi are dating. In Othello, the main characters seem to be older and they are married. Instead of a war battlefield in Venice, "O" is on a basketball court at a prep school. "Objections about the story's move from royal court to basketball court are fatuous. The transplant couldn't be more appropriate. Sports are where teens do battle; the importance of the game to them is incalculable. Moreover, high school is where our emotional and social skills are put to the test, shaped and bruised -- fertile turf for Shakespearean themes" (Garcia)

A truly important similar element is the scarf. In the film, "O" Hugo manipulates Emily into stealing Desi's scarf. The scarf was originally a gift from Odin to Desi. It is incredibly sentimental to Odin because it originally belonged to his grandmother. Emily stealing Desi's scarf is a major turning point for Odin and the beginning of his downfall. Hugo mentions the scarf to Odin and tells him that Desi gave the scarf to Michael. In the play the scarf was Othello's