Othello

Shakespeare’s play, ‘Othello’ presents several resistant readings, including feminist and post-colonial readings. These alternative readings are also apparent in Norman Gunston’s representation of ‘Othello’ and a dominant reading is evident in Orson Welles’ version. These resistant interpretations of ‘Othello’ not only highlight their existence within Elizabethan society, but also their relevance in contemporary context. This is shown in the gender inequalities and the racial prejudice that existed in that time, and still continue to exist in today’s society.

Othello as a dominant interpretation looks at the hamartia of the Moor, Othello, caused by the manipulation of Iago. It is Othello’s jealous and gullible flaws that Iago is able to act upon. In Welles’ ‘Othello’, the monochromatic nature of the film highlights the racial prejudice existing in society. Although Welles’ presents a resistant reading of the text, the black and white contrast depicts t...