Perspectives explored in Geoffrey Sax’s 2001

film Othello and its reconceptualization of

William Shakespeare’s Othello

By Aidan Siu
Shakespeare’s Othello Sax’s 2001 film appropriation ‘Othello’
The Narrative of the Savage Moor

● The term Moor refers to Black

Muslims
● Characterised as savage, bestial,
morally corrupt and evil
● Superstitions and prejudice based on
theological influences of the
Renaissance era
 “. . . Barbary Horse . . .” “. . . Thick-Lips . . .”

● Crude description of Othello’s physical appearance akin to that of an animal, as well as

having physical defects or deformities
● ‘Barbary Horse’ in reference to his nationality from Barbary, now known as North Africa,
in which the term Barbarian originates and is used to describe the inhabitants
 “Like the Base Indian, threw a pearl
away richer than all his tribe”
● ‘Base Indian’ refers to a primitive Indian, who

is unaware of the value of the ‘Pearl’ they

threw away, representative of Othello

● The pearl is symbolic of Desdemona and her

purity and complexion, with her value to

Othello compared to that of a pearl’s

 Bathroom Scene Institutional Racism
• “If their brains were as big as their dicks, I’d be a happy man” • The Brixton Riots of 1981 and 1985 contributed
• “They’re just not up to snuff” greatly to the context and story of Sax’s
appropriation
• Presents the tokenistic perspectives of the Metropolitan Police
Force towards ethnic officers
• Medium shot + low foreground lighting show concealed nature
of racial inequality
Dinner Scene
● “Your people brought my people to work
and die as slaves on your plantations”
● Emphasis on “Your people” and “My
people” sheds light on the unconscious
separation of races
● Highlights the disparity between Othello
and Desdemona
 Narrative of the Machiavellian
•
Villain
Described by Niccolo Machiavelli’s Treatise ‘The Iago
Prince’
• Characterised by the tendency to deceive,
manipulate and act immorally

• Sociopathic tendencies
• Duplicitous and manipulative
• No remorse for his actions and
the consequences it may cause
• “I follow him to serve my turn upon
him”
• Exhibits the duplicity of Iago and his
intentions in manipulating Othello

• “Beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed

monster which doth mock the meet it feeds on”
- Foreshadows the tragic downfall of Othello
- Dramatic Irony in his deceitful behaviour
Jago’s Monologue Scene
• “Stupid, patronising ape”

• “Should have been me, should have been

me!
• Rapid intercutting and whip-panning
convey Jago’s internal frustrations at
Othello’s promotion
• Presents disparity compared to his usual
calm demeanour
 Lounge Scene

• “My Cass has been spending more

time with her than you”
• “She’s put her wild times behind
her”
• Suggestive phrases insinuating
Dessie’s infidelity and inflicting
jealousy and suspicion on Othello