Blackface

Since we have seen the different film adaptations of Othello, I was particularly disturbed by the Laurence Olivier in blackface. Even with the black makeup, you could still tell that he was a white man. It seemed very insulting to see Othello played in such a way. In my history class we watched clips from an old film on the rise of the KKK, and some actors were also in blackface. It really highlighted the discrimination towards black people. It was very insulting to not only see the way that they presented these people in blackface but also the way that they were presented in the film did not show that they were thought of as being equal to the white Americans. The film adaptation of Othello that we watched in class used a black actor for the role of Othello and seemed much more authentic. There are racist remarks used against Othello in the play, but presenting a white actor in blackface makes the racism much more apparent. It makes it seem as if black actors are not thought of as qualifying for the role of Othello, which is the role of a black man. I'm interested to see how the film "O" is going to present the play in a modern adaptation.

Iago

Whenever I read Othello, it always annoys me that everyone allows Iago to play them all. He uses his conniving ways to get everyone to do what he wants. He is able to play with them while they have no knowledge. Othello should not believe that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, but since he trusts Iago he is convinced she is. And Roderigo believes that Iago will help him win Desdemona over, but Iago is just using him for his master plan. In the end Iago is successful in convincing everyone that he is helping them, and not just helping himself. He is very manipulative and a true villain. The play would not be as interesting without his character intruding in each situation and relationship. He really controls most everything that happens throughout the play, and he does not do it in a good way.

Othello

The first time I read Othello was freshman year in high school, which was roughly four years ago. Having already read it, I know what is going to happen but this is true for most of Shakespeare's plays. People know that in a tragedy, everyone will die. Othello of course is no exception. It is interesting to have read it before and to recall everything while I am rereading the text. Even in the first Act Iago's sneakiness is apparent. I certainly do not want to give anything away, but it is interesting to see that Shakespeare immediately gives us the key features for each character. Motives are put on the table for why Othello would not be liked by all, and these motives are more important thus far for the central characters to dislike him rather than is race. Racism was something that existed during this time, but it is interesting to see how here a black man or Moor as the text states could come to a military position of power while in our own country hundreds of years later this would have been unheard of. But the issue of interracial couples not being accepted is still prevalent even if some would choose to ignore it.

The Yellow Wallpaper

While reading Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" it is very interesting how the narrator becomes to enthralled with this wallpaper. Ordinarily, people don't stop to think about most things around them. Most of us take wallpaper patterns and colors for granted. Yet in her altered state of mind, it becomes an obsession to her. She has nothing elso to do all day but "rest" and simply stare at this pattern. No wonder she doesn't seem to get better in mind! This confusing wallpaper is consuming her life, and strangling the life out of her. I think this wallpaper is much more than wallpaper, it is symbolic of society and its rules. You can't seem to understand why society has certain rules, that's just the way it is. It's like this wallpaper that she can't figure out, it is just too complex to understand. And after staring at it for so long, she sees a woman trapped in the wallpaper. At this time, women were definitely trapped by society and rules. They had strict roles that they had to abide by and had little freedom. But they were trying to break free from the bars that were imprisoning them. They were trying to free themselves from all the rules and laws that prevented them from being equal to men, like the "woman" in the wallpaper is trying to free herself from the pattern.