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Human values are a set of consistent measures and behaviors that hold importance to us as an individuals and as a society. These values generally reflect the thinking and perspective of one or a community. As society consistently changes with the evolving of new generations, we tend to think that these values too, change drastically to reflect the evolved society and how they think. Despite this inference, many of these values have remained static over time. William Shakespeare’s Othello, written in 1603, was crafted for an Elizabethan audience, and Geoffrey Sax’s modern adaptation Othello, filmed in 2001, portrays a more modern ideology, both demonstrate the consistency of the values and how they remain the same. These texts comparatively display values such as friendship, love, and power and how they have barely changed despite the influence of a changing society.
Friendship is and always has been a vital component of all our lives. Literature has shown us the ups and downs of friendship time and time again – and in most cases, those relationships have changed characters’ lives. Whether it be based in the 16th century or the modern 20th century, we are always able to observe a strong friendship between at least 2 characters in a film or book. In William Shakespeare’s 16th-century playwright Othello, we can draw a strong human value of friendship between two female characters - Emelia and Desdemona. Similarly, in the Geoffrey Sax 20th century film adaptation Othello, the two characters, renamed Dessie and Lulu, have been presented with the same, if not a stronger, mutual connection. The loyalty and trust in their friendship are evident when Emilia chastises Othello for doubting Desdemona’s fidelity - If any wretch has put this in your head, let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse. (4.2.). In the adaptation of Othello, by Geoffrey Sax, we see the same quality in their friendship as Emilia, despite being threatened, exposes her husband to defend Dessie when she is murdered in apparent to being disloyal to her relationship with John (Othello). Although we see a contrast in several qualities in characters to differentiate a modern perspective from a relatively more ancient one – friendship is portrayed as a static human value among the characters.
Although human values tend to be identified as positive measures, we can identify unspoken, evil human values that do exist, such as greed for power. In society, everyone wants to have a certain wealth or status withholding power over someone or something. This greed that exists within most people is portrayed through the character of Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello who is adapted as Ben (Jago) in Geoffrey’s film. Iago constantly asks for money, he is full of jealousy that seems to never be avenged, and he continues to deceive the other characters even after his motivations have been surpassed. I follow to serve my turn upon him: / We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / Cannot be truly followed (Act I, Scene i); the quoting of this by Iago in Shakespeare’s play displays his bitterness towards Othello and the situation. He foreshadows his greed in the position Othello has taken and subtly expresses his true intentions. Iago was equal to Othello in the military up till the promotion of Othello. Othello then made Cassio his lieutenant which enraged Iago. This led to his jealous behaviour displaying his greed for power. The same plot is followed in the film and Iago. We get a similar insight into Ben Jago’s jealous and greedy persona when he is seen breaking the fourth wall with his actions displaying his rage – he is racing down a hall screaming and swearing. This sequence is triggered when John (Othello) tells him about his promotion. The portrayal of greed of jealousy is delivered very similarly in both sources – this signifies that the value of one’s status has never died down and continues to hold importance to people to this day.
The idea that times change but human values remain static is well portrayed when contrasting themes in Shakespeare’s play and Sax’s modernized film. The two sources, although do illustrate the differences between modern society and the Elizabethan era, remain consistent when exploring values of friendship, love, and greed. The modernized adaptation manages to follow the same plot but explores different character personas and situations. Despite such changes, the listed values are portrayed very similarly in the play and the film. This sums up and supports the idea of changing times having very little effect on human values.
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