he may well have been doing it for lols. According to Coleridge, Iago's actions reflect nothing more than the "motive searching of a motiveless malignity." Modern critics have argued that there were easier aways by which Iago could have obtained higher office, and as follows his choice to plant the seed of doubt in Othello's mind would reflect a fundamental hatred of "The Moor" for a variety of reasons.
@godblessolbas Auden wrote an essay called 'The Joker in the Pack' which describes his thoughts on Iago. He suggests that Iago is motivated simply by his own lack of humanity and sense of worthlessness, so he likes to expose the weaknesses of others to make himself feel powerful and therefore worth something. Ultimately, he doesn't care about 'office' ot Othello's race. It's well worth a read.
That's a good text, thank you. I still feel as though Iago feels genuine resentment for Cassio - "A Florentine, mere prattle without practise", and the viciousness of his soliloquy's where he explicitly justifies his hate for Othello; " I hate the more, and it's rumoured that twixt my sheets he's... done my office." Just goes to show his enigmatic status, given the amount of different interpretaitons he provokes!
I tend to think that Iago is not himself a racist, however understands the power of such xenophobia in others, making it an easy heart-string to pull to his will.
@TheFandango454 Agree completely. Iago doesn't hate Othello for being black (Desdemona's father does). Iago hates him because he sees on him everything he's not (plus: he's black). Othello is brave, strong, noble, has a great heart, admired by his closest friends, loved by his beautiful wife. Iago is a rat: coward, hateful, low. When he sees Othello he sees everything he lacks.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
fishbourne's performance is so awful, badly spoken and insincere that the whole project fails miserably - despite branagh's brilliance....alas, great actors aren't allowed to play shakespeare's othello - unless they're black. and there are no great black actors and never have been. at least, no black actor able to raise to the challenge of shakespearean tragedy. so the play is destined to fail.
@uclrichard You're saying there are no black actors good enough to portrait a black man shakespearean role??? How racist can you be??? I Fishburne did it amazingly great, even when he's not a saint of my devotion, he was perfect.
Where lago said "Jealousy shapes faults that are not." Is JUST as same the dialogue HUGO in the 2001 one said "Jealousy makes me see things that arent really there..."so amazing
hah!this is SO like the 2001 movie damn!this is the scene when hugo poisons Oden's mind with doubt about how Oden's girlfriend Desi (Othello s girl in this movie i believe.) Is cheating on him with his basketball partner (her best friend too) Michael.I think hes cassio in the shakespere version.WOW!Its so amazing seeing how similar and familiar the two movies strike!The dialogues arent too diffrent.
Honest Iago. Despicable in every way, a vicious creature, full of contempt for the whole world. This man is quite probabaly the most highly despised creature in Venice by the end.
I have enjoyed every one of Kenneth Brannagh's Shakespeare movies (that I've seen). He is truly gifted with being able to translate the plays well. And after seeing Othello with Laurence Fishburne, damn the man can act! I personally consider Shakespeare as being a true test of an actor's mettle and any actor that can play one of the roles is top-notch in my book. Fishburne did it here. Denzel Washington did it in "Much Ado About Nothing". Both outstanding actors. Bravo to all three men!
i studied Othello for my AS English Literature coursework. Magnificent play, excellent script and thoroughly enjoyable to learn about. I concluded that Iago tricked Othello.
I'm an English teacher and I love this version of Othello. Iago is my favorite Shakespeare character because I haven't figured him out yet. This is a great performance by Ken Branaugh.
It's actually a brilliant plan of Iago's. Look at Othello's predicament at the start of this play: He's a general in the Venician army during a time of war (and this fragile peace) who has just eloped with a very powerful man's daughter against his will. I mean he's literally intoxicated with success. To come down from that level of intoxication, the paranoia that must be waiting to erupt must be earth shattering.
A typical teenager's response... a shame that the arts and culture are degrading in America bit by bit, let us hope Obama can restore that if ever so slightly.
Lashing out at other's of differing opinion only because you are a foolish youth, ah what it's like to be young again. Strange that you would recognize such a minor character from a Final Fantasy game as you might put it (Funeral showing up only for his death scene.) Which means that you must play it as well, heh.
@HighPriestFuneral What the fuck are you talking about? You have like 20 videos on your account of Final Fantasy, I don't know who or what the fuck a 'Funeral' is. My GPA is over 87 as of now in my Junior year and I will be doing honor role for my first time in my life in my senior year so I don't know who your claiming of as a 'foolish youth'.
It's in the way you speak. Or at least write. It is good to see you being honest, but this really isn't the place for this sort of banter. After all this is a video to show a fantastic scene from a well beloved play. Not argue over the internet.
@HighPriestFuneral The way you generalise all youths to be the same with your "A typical teenager's response" is prejudice, my friend. It doesn't matter if you type in eloquient language, you are still a fool. An ignorant one at that. Ironic really, that you adore Othello so and yet still practice your prejudice.
@kingofnala Though can you deny that most children in this day and age have trouble appreciating the classic arts? His vehemence towards the play for "having to read it in class" and using such language regarding it is saddening. "Teenager" itself is a transitional phase. We all grow out of it and I am sure that this fellow will one day appreciate the work. It's not as if it is a race or anything as such. I am sure there are teenagers that do appreciate the arts. I wouldn't call them foolish.
wai! i'm a teenager. and i *love* othello :3. and shakespeare in general.... and know plenty of other shakespeare-loving teenagers, too. (YSP.. heh X3) not all of us are shakespeare haters... there's still a few of us awesome nerdy ones left >_<
@XxWiseGirlxX Haha! Excellent to hear! I'm glad to see culture hasn't been all but lost. I hope you ingrain that culture into your eventual children someday as well.
I thought Iago makes his plan because Othello gave the lieutenant position to Cassio, and not Iago.
Iago is Othello's ensign, and has fought with/for him in numerous battles, but Cassio was just a graduate who has never been to war. I think this plan has very little to do with the rumor that Othello was with Emilia.
"I hate the moor and tis thought abroad that, twixt my sheets, he's done my office. I know not if't be true yet I for mere suspicion in that kind will do as if for surety."
Emilia: "I have a thing for you."
Iago: "You have a thing for me. Tis a common thing to have a foolish wife."
From between his sheets, he's stole his office. Basically, saying that from between Iago's own sheets, where sleeps his wife, Othello's stole his office.
@Jgrado1 See, I thought the "office" was the position he was "supposed" to inherit from Othello, but went to Cassio instead. Also, Iago has a larger hatred towards Cassio than he does Emilia, which lead me to believe that this had more to do with the position of Leiutenant, than it does the rumor of Othello sleeping with Emilia.
Correct on all counts. Iago is jealous that Cassio passed him up for promotion and pretty much wants him to die but observe Iago well with Emelia. Listen to his views of women during this speech to Othello, and again with Rodrigo, how strongly he believes that all women are liars and adulterers and how he makes Othello believe it as well. This must be at the core of his character if he's able to enforce it upon someone like Othello.
Also consider that Othello is a Moor and is in a society when Moors weren't accepted. They only need him because he's a great general. Iago plays on the social norms of that time and exposes Othello's insecurties of being an outsider. Desdemona, a white woman, falls in love with Othello. Of course this is a big deal to Othello, because he has the most honorable women in the land. Othello then has a lot to lose because Desdemona is not just any common woman and she loves him.
Strictly speaking, Othello and Desdemona's marriage didn't have much of a foundation to begin with: She pitied him for the tales of battles he went through and he loved her that she pitied them. Now, by that standing, their entire marriage is based on Othello's tales as a warrior and his ability to supply those tales. Also, she "saw Othello's visage in his mind" meaning she didn't marry him for his looks. That, coupled with Othello's hyperactive jealousy.... it's dicey.
As a result Othello, having overcome hardships to get to that "high" level in society, Othello is brought back down to the "barabaric black brute" stereotype already in the minds of society when he kills his own wife.
Considering how fast they rushed into this marriage, it's doubtful Othello and Desdemona even had a lovers quarrel before the events of this story. If they had, it's possible this play would never have happened. That ability to work through hardship between each other is what was missing from their relationship at the beginning of the novel and ultimately is what catches up with both of them at the end.
Iago's intentions are really not known. He seems to take pleasure in ruining others. It's possible that Shakespeare made Iago a truly "evil" character.
Some people just take delight in the turmoil of others.
Pardon? You're blaming the victim, rather than the chessmaster here? You realize that makes no sense. The play portrays Desdomona as pure and innocent, a tragic victim in Iago's chess game.
this is a wonderful adaptation of a wonderfull play, it just shows how bad iago is othello and desdamonas love is stronger than any storm "act2 scene1" but iago can break it with deception and manipulation
as this was a screen play in its first instances, there was not as many ways of showing weakness; so mental/physical weaknesses (eg. the fit) was shakespeares way of showing weakness
My life has been made. Iago is so badass, the best villain in literature. He hates things for the sake of hating them and thinks up his most evil plots on the fly, more than can be said for most evil characters in literature.
I don't think so. He's portrayed as being a racist in some of the interpretations today, but the text doesn't give mush indication to what his motives are.
I had a teacher who believed that Iago was in fact Shakespeare's version of Satan.
@unopeneddoor - sorry, I'm going to disagree here. Iago, when speaking bitterly to himself and others about Othello, more than once refers to him as "the Moor." Why would he mention Othello's race (rather than his name, rank or any other attribute) in a negative context, if it didn't matter to him?
Your teacher's interpretation is interesting. What did he cite as supporting evidence for his argument?
he mainly believed that because of the line "If that thou best a devil, I cannot kill thee and the fact Othello couldn't kill Iago at the end. This was a teacher who had been a professional Shakespearean actor at one time and taught classes on Shakespeare at my film school.
I agree it was a interesting theory, not sure I agree 100% though.
Mmm. Tough one this. Iago refers to Othello as a 'Moor' on several occasions, you're right. However, the Moors were a race of people so there's not necessarily a racist element to the word. Certainly Iago plays on Roderigo's racism to persuade him into putting 'money in his purse' and on Desdemona's father's racism to stir up trouble after the wedding but whether he, Iago, is racist or not is very debatable. He seems to me simply to dislike everyone, regardless of their creed or colour.
Fishburne was rather weak Othello. Had he had more lines and screen time he would have been better. He had some great scenes, but Branagh owned this film.
Drink i can see where you could form that opinion of Fishurnes performance. But in this rendition Fishburne had to scale back what would normallay be a boisterous Othello to fit this screenplay
It's just that I've seen some impressive Othello, and some rather awful interpretations, and Fishburne was nowhere near as bad, but he's no where near as great as say, Laurence Olivier. But I understand why they cut a lot of lines, but Branagh's Iago was simply golden.
For what it's worth, I thought Fishburne bound a good middle emotional ground between the bombast and the whispered anguish. His command of the verse was off and on, though. Anyone agree?
no but my friend did, he thought the character of Othello was too angry, rather than the composure and containment Othello is renound for, and which made the change in mood at the end less surprising.
I wish I had have gone, its my favourite of all shakespeare's plays
This is Act 2 i think, the point where Iago is starting to plant the seeds of doubt in Othello. i might be wrong though, i don't know the play overally well
Kenneth Branagh is brilliant in this (& in Much Ado About Nothing & in Hamlet - what other Shakespeares has he done?? I must see them). Othello is a great play * Branagh makes a very entertaining, scary & double-layered Iago.
he also has worked in William Shakespeare(2008), Twelfth Night, or What You Will(1988), Henry V(1988), Love's Labour's Lost(2000), As You Like It(2006). He doesnt act in these ones but he is the director and screenplayer in many of them. Check out at IMDB.
I had it but it is in spanish the Spain one. And I have Hamlet with Kenneth Branagh, in spanish to. If you like to practice spanish tell me and I post them
Well he did make up an excuse to do the evil he did. Cassio took what he though was his(general under the Moor). Of course, Iago is not honest...poor naive Othello.
I've got mixed feelings about Branagh - liked hamlet, hated frankenstein - so didn't know what to expect.
Yet here is the most complicated villain in all Shakespeare and he pulls it off. Think of how contrived lurking, unmistakably evil Iagos such as Maclammoir are: how can you believe Othello would trust?
But Branagh plays him as fresh-faced, innocent, earnest, and thus sliest of all deceivers. He is a devil in (a GOOD) disguise. Well done, hat off.
anyone else feel like fishburne hammed it up towords the end there? When he was trying to show how effected he was at the end of the conversation he looked like he was having a stroke. Just felt very unnatural to me
It is implied in this production that Othello was epilleptic, actually... so that accounts for the eye-rolling. I think Laurence is utterly brilliant in this.
I love whoever actors playin Othello. His performance is so realistic, his facial expressions, the tone he uses to say things, he makes Othello seem just like an actual human.
Othello is such a great play. Iago is one of the most interesting and coolest characters in any play/movie in my oppinion, even if he's the most villainous.
"Oh beware my lord of jaleousy the green eyed Moster which doth mock the meat it feeds on."
Jago is an Artist. He knows the art of influence someone, to play with one and to use the ones around him. He is a machiavelistic devil, and the one character who is most like the humans in our centuary, a genious, and a creator, and a devil.
I'm currently studying this at A level. I'm really enjoying it even though we havent done much. I really want to see the whole film, looks great! Thankyou for the video - poor Othello. Iago's such a bastard! :)
Chaos is come again.
poeticjustice2000 4 weeks ago
Lawrence Fishburne looked very handsome in this movie. I bet he would of got a lot of women in his prime. His got a cool beard too.
Thevoiceofoz 4 months ago
Does anyone know what Act and Scene this is from?
directorkatie 4 months ago
@directorkatie Act 3 scene 3 and it starts around line 95 :)
aDustBowlDance 3 months ago
Type in Shakespeare in the Kitchen to see an actor create 14 of Shakespeare's greatest characters.
csawyer55 4 months ago
Fishburn has such a great voice. He brings that regal quality and bearing and sense of power. I wonder if he's ever done any theater?
hanshotfirst1138 7 months ago 4
Iago is such a bastard lol. Oh, and this should be called Othello, the Cowboy of Venice (a nod to Mr. Fishburne's previous acting employment).
jjtheman 9 months ago
Comment removed
MrJoGroove 9 months ago
@pensivebosom
he may well have been doing it for lols. According to Coleridge, Iago's actions reflect nothing more than the "motive searching of a motiveless malignity." Modern critics have argued that there were easier aways by which Iago could have obtained higher office, and as follows his choice to plant the seed of doubt in Othello's mind would reflect a fundamental hatred of "The Moor" for a variety of reasons.
godblessolbas 9 months ago
@godblessolbas Auden wrote an essay called 'The Joker in the Pack' which describes his thoughts on Iago. He suggests that Iago is motivated simply by his own lack of humanity and sense of worthlessness, so he likes to expose the weaknesses of others to make himself feel powerful and therefore worth something. Ultimately, he doesn't care about 'office' ot Othello's race. It's well worth a read.
Slypaperclips 9 months ago
@Slypaperclips
That's a good text, thank you. I still feel as though Iago feels genuine resentment for Cassio - "A Florentine, mere prattle without practise", and the viciousness of his soliloquy's where he explicitly justifies his hate for Othello; " I hate the more, and it's rumoured that twixt my sheets he's... done my office." Just goes to show his enigmatic status, given the amount of different interpretaitons he provokes!
godblessolbas 9 months ago
Indeed...... Indeed. Ahhhh.... Indeed.
stevepesce879 9 months ago
Not sure why they felt the need to put in a 'first' fit, when it is fairly clear that Iago made up that Othello suffers from epilepsy.
retread01 10 months ago
I tend to think that Iago is not himself a racist, however understands the power of such xenophobia in others, making it an easy heart-string to pull to his will.
TheFandango454 10 months ago
@TheFandango454 Agree completely. Iago doesn't hate Othello for being black (Desdemona's father does). Iago hates him because he sees on him everything he's not (plus: he's black). Othello is brave, strong, noble, has a great heart, admired by his closest friends, loved by his beautiful wife. Iago is a rat: coward, hateful, low. When he sees Othello he sees everything he lacks.
carmaj156 10 months ago
deception and lies!
rushmixtape5 11 months ago
Honestly?
rhysj987 11 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
fishbourne's performance is so awful, badly spoken and insincere that the whole project fails miserably - despite branagh's brilliance....alas, great actors aren't allowed to play shakespeare's othello - unless they're black. and there are no great black actors and never have been. at least, no black actor able to raise to the challenge of shakespearean tragedy. so the play is destined to fail.
uclrichard 11 months ago
@uclrichard lol racist
tommyscarz 11 months ago
@uclrichard You're saying there are no black actors good enough to portrait a black man shakespearean role??? How racist can you be??? I Fishburne did it amazingly great, even when he's not a saint of my devotion, he was perfect.
carmaj156 10 months ago
I love how they speak.
StrangerYouKnow 1 year ago
I love Othello!! thanks for the video
Degrassi90210lol 1 year ago
Fishburne play here the best Othello i have seen so far.
askjiir 1 year ago 7
"I am not what I am"
Champagneheartbreak 1 year ago
Iago was the original troll.
Noodles37UK 1 year ago 45
@Noodles37UK
lol.
askjiir 1 year ago
@askjiir Cheers man : )
Noodles37UK 1 year ago
Where lago said "Jealousy shapes faults that are not." Is JUST as same the dialogue HUGO in the 2001 one said "Jealousy makes me see things that arent really there..."so amazing
Ryuuusa 1 year ago
hah!this is SO like the 2001 movie damn!this is the scene when hugo poisons Oden's mind with doubt about how Oden's girlfriend Desi (Othello s girl in this movie i believe.) Is cheating on him with his basketball partner (her best friend too) Michael.I think hes cassio in the shakespere version.WOW!Its so amazing seeing how similar and familiar the two movies strike!The dialogues arent too diffrent.
Ryuuusa 1 year ago
Honest Iago. Despicable in every way, a vicious creature, full of contempt for the whole world. This man is quite probabaly the most highly despised creature in Venice by the end.
I have to play this role.
witness124 1 year ago
in this scene, Iago is poisonin Othello with jealous
thx 4 uploadin i will use this n ma presentation (F)
yaanaweny 1 year ago
what is going on in this scene?
lilpenguin630 1 year ago
thank you for making my homework easier to finish :)
angiebell2192 1 year ago
How did Iago get to that position on 0:26 so quickly from the last scene?
NewYorkS4U 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
SHakespeare fucking sucks.
DaejeonGangster 1 year ago
I have enjoyed every one of Kenneth Brannagh's Shakespeare movies (that I've seen). He is truly gifted with being able to translate the plays well. And after seeing Othello with Laurence Fishburne, damn the man can act! I personally consider Shakespeare as being a true test of an actor's mettle and any actor that can play one of the roles is top-notch in my book. Fishburne did it here. Denzel Washington did it in "Much Ado About Nothing". Both outstanding actors. Bravo to all three men!
Ovrkyl 1 year ago
He is the best Iago. Topping Sir Ian McKellen, I must say.
JamoeMills 1 year ago
Wow. What a great scene. So naturally delivered.
EyeLean5280 1 year ago 2
5.00 onwards - "I'll pour poison in his hear"
Man, jealousy is a bitch. I've been in O's position before. Not pleasant. 'The Green-Eyed Panty Monster' as Alan Statham put it.
LostSubsForever 1 year ago
it is a new day
lopezigbarago 1 year ago
Comment removed
StudyGuys 1 year ago
i studied Othello for my AS English Literature coursework. Magnificent play, excellent script and thoroughly enjoyable to learn about. I concluded that Iago tricked Othello.
StudyGuys 1 year ago
morpheus and lockhart. dats gangsta
Herzeleid3000 1 year ago
"my lord, you know i love you" - goes towards one of the arguments as to why Iago enjoys toying so cruelly with Othello
AHafan1 1 year ago
I'm an English teacher and I love this version of Othello. Iago is my favorite Shakespeare character because I haven't figured him out yet. This is a great performance by Ken Branaugh.
sayuri7 1 year ago 2
It's actually a brilliant plan of Iago's. Look at Othello's predicament at the start of this play: He's a general in the Venician army during a time of war (and this fragile peace) who has just eloped with a very powerful man's daughter against his will. I mean he's literally intoxicated with success. To come down from that level of intoxication, the paranoia that must be waiting to erupt must be earth shattering.
Jgrado1 1 year ago 2
fuck this book we're reading this crap in class this shit sucks
adr3y516 2 years ago
TO make it interesting just pretend Iago is the Joker from The Dark Knight.
Christopher Nolan borrowed certain characteristics from Iago when he wrote the character for the Joker.
Both are manipulative and really have no legit reason to do what they do. "They enjoy watching the world burn" .
Using someone's inecurities and social status to destroy others and themselves can be considered evil.
leftcoastpunk 1 year ago
@adr3y516
A typical teenager's response... a shame that the arts and culture are degrading in America bit by bit, let us hope Obama can restore that if ever so slightly.
HighPriestFuneral 1 year ago
@HighPriestFuneral shut the fuck up, you play final fantasy, Obama won't do shit get used to it motherfucker
adr3y516 1 year ago
@adr3y516
Lashing out at other's of differing opinion only because you are a foolish youth, ah what it's like to be young again. Strange that you would recognize such a minor character from a Final Fantasy game as you might put it (Funeral showing up only for his death scene.) Which means that you must play it as well, heh.
HighPriestFuneral 1 year ago
@HighPriestFuneral What the fuck are you talking about? You have like 20 videos on your account of Final Fantasy, I don't know who or what the fuck a 'Funeral' is. My GPA is over 87 as of now in my Junior year and I will be doing honor role for my first time in my life in my senior year so I don't know who your claiming of as a 'foolish youth'.
adr3y516 1 year ago
@adr3y516
It's in the way you speak. Or at least write. It is good to see you being honest, but this really isn't the place for this sort of banter. After all this is a video to show a fantastic scene from a well beloved play. Not argue over the internet.
HighPriestFuneral 1 year ago
@HighPriestFuneral The way you generalise all youths to be the same with your "A typical teenager's response" is prejudice, my friend. It doesn't matter if you type in eloquient language, you are still a fool. An ignorant one at that. Ironic really, that you adore Othello so and yet still practice your prejudice.
kingofnala 1 year ago
@kingofnala Though can you deny that most children in this day and age have trouble appreciating the classic arts? His vehemence towards the play for "having to read it in class" and using such language regarding it is saddening. "Teenager" itself is a transitional phase. We all grow out of it and I am sure that this fellow will one day appreciate the work. It's not as if it is a race or anything as such. I am sure there are teenagers that do appreciate the arts. I wouldn't call them foolish.
HighPriestFuneral 1 year ago
@HighPriestFuneral
wai! i'm a teenager. and i *love* othello :3. and shakespeare in general.... and know plenty of other shakespeare-loving teenagers, too. (YSP.. heh X3) not all of us are shakespeare haters... there's still a few of us awesome nerdy ones left >_<
XxWiseGirlxX 1 year ago 3
@XxWiseGirlxX Haha! Excellent to hear! I'm glad to see culture hasn't been all but lost. I hope you ingrain that culture into your eventual children someday as well.
HighPriestFuneral 1 year ago
Iago's my 2nd fav. fictional character of all time, as he is a character I can easily relate to.
bma051000 2 years ago
you are a good stratogist no?
goodluckpeace44 2 years ago
And yet this entire plan of Iago's is born from an unfounded suspicion that his wife is unfaithful.
One hint of disobedience is enough for Iago to carry out this plan.
He has no justification, only a feeling, and yet he vows to deal with his suspicions as if they were certainties.
And Branagh's decision to shave two fang-like patches into his beard is a true testament to this character.
Jgrado1 2 years ago
I thought Iago makes his plan because Othello gave the lieutenant position to Cassio, and not Iago.
Iago is Othello's ensign, and has fought with/for him in numerous battles, but Cassio was just a graduate who has never been to war. I think this plan has very little to do with the rumor that Othello was with Emilia.
Persadish 1 year ago
"I hate the moor and tis thought abroad that, twixt my sheets, he's done my office. I know not if't be true yet I for mere suspicion in that kind will do as if for surety."
Emilia: "I have a thing for you."
Iago: "You have a thing for me. Tis a common thing to have a foolish wife."
From between his sheets, he's stole his office. Basically, saying that from between Iago's own sheets, where sleeps his wife, Othello's stole his office.
Jgrado1 1 year ago
@Jgrado1 See, I thought the "office" was the position he was "supposed" to inherit from Othello, but went to Cassio instead. Also, Iago has a larger hatred towards Cassio than he does Emilia, which lead me to believe that this had more to do with the position of Leiutenant, than it does the rumor of Othello sleeping with Emilia.
Persadish 1 year ago
Correct on all counts. Iago is jealous that Cassio passed him up for promotion and pretty much wants him to die but observe Iago well with Emelia. Listen to his views of women during this speech to Othello, and again with Rodrigo, how strongly he believes that all women are liars and adulterers and how he makes Othello believe it as well. This must be at the core of his character if he's able to enforce it upon someone like Othello.
Jgrado1 1 year ago
Also consider that Othello is a Moor and is in a society when Moors weren't accepted. They only need him because he's a great general. Iago plays on the social norms of that time and exposes Othello's insecurties of being an outsider. Desdemona, a white woman, falls in love with Othello. Of course this is a big deal to Othello, because he has the most honorable women in the land. Othello then has a lot to lose because Desdemona is not just any common woman and she loves him.
leftcoastpunk 1 year ago
Strictly speaking, Othello and Desdemona's marriage didn't have much of a foundation to begin with: She pitied him for the tales of battles he went through and he loved her that she pitied them. Now, by that standing, their entire marriage is based on Othello's tales as a warrior and his ability to supply those tales. Also, she "saw Othello's visage in his mind" meaning she didn't marry him for his looks. That, coupled with Othello's hyperactive jealousy.... it's dicey.
Jgrado1 1 year ago
As a result Othello, having overcome hardships to get to that "high" level in society, Othello is brought back down to the "barabaric black brute" stereotype already in the minds of society when he kills his own wife.
leftcoastpunk 1 year ago 3
Considering how fast they rushed into this marriage, it's doubtful Othello and Desdemona even had a lovers quarrel before the events of this story. If they had, it's possible this play would never have happened. That ability to work through hardship between each other is what was missing from their relationship at the beginning of the novel and ultimately is what catches up with both of them at the end.
Jgrado1 1 year ago
Iago's intentions are really not known. He seems to take pleasure in ruining others. It's possible that Shakespeare made Iago a truly "evil" character.
Some people just take delight in the turmoil of others.
leftcoastpunk 1 year ago
Iago is so horrible but I love to see him being played by actors.
AnaFelixPires 2 years ago
" If she be false, heaven mocks itself....I'll not believe it. "
That's a bowel shatteringly good line.
inkstersco 2 years ago
It is. I think it's better the way Shakespeare originally writes it, though...Othello speaks it just after he's caught sight of Desdemona in person.
Arachan0151 2 years ago
I'm not sure about Mr Fishburn's Welsh accent.
inkstersco 2 years ago
the temptation scene?
fatboypatch1 2 years ago
SOOOO powerful....love this scene
chinkychenajames 2 years ago
stupid women. If he just let the hell with her, and went back to fighting he would have won medals
goodluckpeace44 2 years ago
@goodluckpeace44
Pardon? You're blaming the victim, rather than the chessmaster here? You realize that makes no sense. The play portrays Desdomona as pure and innocent, a tragic victim in Iago's chess game.
HighPriestFuneral 1 year ago
is this act III?
naniima 2 years ago
Iago's words are poison injected into the Moor's blood...wonderful interpretation of both actors!!!
MrJoeful 2 years ago 14
When I first read the novel I was fascinated by Iago!
EstebanBayona 2 years ago
The Novel?
CeramicVideo 2 years ago
True, true. It is not a novel, but a play. Thank you. =)
EstebanBayona 2 years ago
this is a wonderful adaptation of a wonderfull play, it just shows how bad iago is othello and desdamonas love is stronger than any storm "act2 scene1" but iago can break it with deception and manipulation
stikhead17 2 years ago
this looks like a good adaptation. 'Long live her and long live you to think so.' Haha that was funny.
yazmatraz 2 years ago
Can u post up whole film? :)
missbabyice 2 years ago 4
yeah that would be awesome, I'm having the hardest time finding it
poop4charity 2 years ago
They raped this play with this movie
TitaniumByFire 2 years ago
Iago sure did move on to his next objective so quickly on 0:26.
NewYorkS4U 2 years ago 2
I thought Fishburne was pretty good, although of course Branagh is the best
karygirl82isback 2 years ago 2
This is a play / movie were is better to be the villain than the hero because the villain is who takes the action and make the play go on.
eirino0369 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
thy shall suck on my holy penis!
3dgar66 2 years ago
Why holy? Have you placed it in the hands of a priest?
pvuf431 2 years ago 2
y dont u shut the fuck up!
3dgar66 2 years ago
I'm sorry but was Othello masturbating when Iago left the room?
ghtjdjdhfjeosnvcurth 2 years ago
he was having a fit i believe
nemo9923 2 years ago 11
as this was a screen play in its first instances, there was not as many ways of showing weakness; so mental/physical weaknesses (eg. the fit) was shakespeares way of showing weakness
GiseleGreta 2 years ago
he was schizophrenic (bad speller) apparently. there were also many other incidents like this in the play where othello broke out in fits.
rundotop 2 years ago
this script is so different from first folio
shortbreadfinger 2 years ago
Gilderoy Lockheart in Shakespeare.
My life has been made. Iago is so badass, the best villain in literature. He hates things for the sake of hating them and thinks up his most evil plots on the fly, more than can be said for most evil characters in literature.
sosaysyogurt 2 years ago 54
Gilderoy hated telling the truth too ;-D
karygirl82isback 2 years ago
@sosaysyogurt, Iago has more motive than that. Besides being passed over for the position he wanted, he's a racist.
EyeLean5280 1 year ago
@EyeLean5280
I don't think so. He's portrayed as being a racist in some of the interpretations today, but the text doesn't give mush indication to what his motives are.
I had a teacher who believed that Iago was in fact Shakespeare's version of Satan.
unopeneddoor 1 year ago
@unopeneddoor - sorry, I'm going to disagree here. Iago, when speaking bitterly to himself and others about Othello, more than once refers to him as "the Moor." Why would he mention Othello's race (rather than his name, rank or any other attribute) in a negative context, if it didn't matter to him?
Your teacher's interpretation is interesting. What did he cite as supporting evidence for his argument?
EyeLean5280 1 year ago
@EyeLean5280
he mainly believed that because of the line "If that thou best a devil, I cannot kill thee and the fact Othello couldn't kill Iago at the end. This was a teacher who had been a professional Shakespearean actor at one time and taught classes on Shakespeare at my film school.
I agree it was a interesting theory, not sure I agree 100% though.
unopeneddoor 1 year ago
Mmm. Tough one this. Iago refers to Othello as a 'Moor' on several occasions, you're right. However, the Moors were a race of people so there's not necessarily a racist element to the word. Certainly Iago plays on Roderigo's racism to persuade him into putting 'money in his purse' and on Desdemona's father's racism to stir up trouble after the wedding but whether he, Iago, is racist or not is very debatable. He seems to me simply to dislike everyone, regardless of their creed or colour.
tvdd1973 1 year ago
@tvdd1973 - good points.
EyeLean5280 1 year ago
@sosaysyogurt I knew I'd seen his face before but couldn't remember where from!
And yes~ He is a fantastic villain! It must be a really enjoyable part to play. :D
Powerslave94 1 year ago
Fishburne was rather weak Othello. Had he had more lines and screen time he would have been better. He had some great scenes, but Branagh owned this film.
DrinkWater22 2 years ago
Drink i can see where you could form that opinion of Fishurnes performance. But in this rendition Fishburne had to scale back what would normallay be a boisterous Othello to fit this screenplay
catdaddy31 2 years ago
It's just that I've seen some impressive Othello, and some rather awful interpretations, and Fishburne was nowhere near as bad, but he's no where near as great as say, Laurence Olivier. But I understand why they cut a lot of lines, but Branagh's Iago was simply golden.
DrinkWater22 2 years ago
Yeah, Olivier did deliver a powerful portrayal of Othello. Branagh is the epitome of a shakspearian actor
catdaddy31 2 years ago
don't believe in iago please don't do it.
denisecharlene49 2 years ago 2
I wish I could watch it the same way I watched the movie in my teenage years at the comfort of my home.
melapelas1904 2 years ago 2
For what it's worth, I thought Fishburne bound a good middle emotional ground between the bombast and the whispered anguish. His command of the verse was off and on, though. Anyone agree?
JohnKoroly 2 years ago 4
Well said. He's believable as the noble general, but he's stagey as the jealous lover. Long story short, I didn't buy it when he strangled Desdemona.
streetswell 2 years ago 3
reading this book and its so confusing but wen i started gettin it ...it waz a great book
SueroStudio98 2 years ago
come on...Morpheus is smarter than that.
crackfare 2 years ago 3
lawl I was thinking the same thing
LtSurge659 2 years ago
Going to see the Lenny Henry production next week
canadabob02 2 years ago
Was it any good?
BunchofMovieVideos 2 years ago 2
Laurence Fishburne REALLy surprised me with this, I didn't even see the movie though, but from what I'm seeing here......exQUISITELY done!
maratmasry 2 years ago
out of interest, did anyone see the recent production with Lenny Henry playing Othello?
thoughts? :)
DriverShaft 3 years ago
no but my friend did, he thought the character of Othello was too angry, rather than the composure and containment Othello is renound for, and which made the change in mood at the end less surprising.
I wish I had have gone, its my favourite of all shakespeare's plays
:(
dceazaman 3 years ago 2
No, but who played Iago? Rowen Atkinson?
JohnKoroly 2 years ago
Kenneth Brannagh- he acts in Shakespearean plays very often
Hanuel123 2 years ago 4
brilliant scene and acted to perfection :D
such a great scene and just shows Iago is the best villian ever :D
DriverShaft 3 years ago 2
Is this part done From Chapter 3?
FourtySven 3 years ago
This is Act 2 i think, the point where Iago is starting to plant the seeds of doubt in Othello. i might be wrong though, i don't know the play overally well
sierraazuremyst 3 years ago
It's Act 3 :P
DriverShaft 3 years ago
Kenneth Branagh is brilliant in this (& in Much Ado About Nothing & in Hamlet - what other Shakespeares has he done?? I must see them). Othello is a great play * Branagh makes a very entertaining, scary & double-layered Iago.
atozinco 3 years ago 2
he also has worked in William Shakespeare(2008), Twelfth Night, or What You Will(1988), Henry V(1988), Love's Labour's Lost(2000), As You Like It(2006). He doesnt act in these ones but he is the director and screenplayer in many of them. Check out at IMDB.
eirino0369 2 years ago
He plays Henry V in Henry V
missbabyice 2 years ago
has vanyone uploaded the full film/?
hoodedhumanhero 3 years ago
I had it but it is in spanish the Spain one. And I have Hamlet with Kenneth Branagh, in spanish to. If you like to practice spanish tell me and I post them
eirino0369 2 years ago
Well he did make up an excuse to do the evil he did. Cassio took what he though was his(general under the Moor). Of course, Iago is not honest...poor naive Othello.
thinker900 3 years ago
I've got mixed feelings about Branagh - liked hamlet, hated frankenstein - so didn't know what to expect.
Yet here is the most complicated villain in all Shakespeare and he pulls it off. Think of how contrived lurking, unmistakably evil Iagos such as Maclammoir are: how can you believe Othello would trust?
But Branagh plays him as fresh-faced, innocent, earnest, and thus sliest of all deceivers. He is a devil in (a GOOD) disguise. Well done, hat off.
ikklecookiemonsta 3 years ago 5
he's an incredible actor.
hard to judge from frankenstein.
pretty good director too.
slop999 3 years ago
ya that would be sick !!!!
sunkid4life 3 years ago
they left out too many scenes, i wish they hept them in. :(
embryo2 3 years ago
anyone else feel like fishburne hammed it up towords the end there? When he was trying to show how effected he was at the end of the conversation he looked like he was having a stroke. Just felt very unnatural to me
bassbole 3 years ago
It is implied in this production that Othello was epilleptic, actually... so that accounts for the eye-rolling. I think Laurence is utterly brilliant in this.
elfielvr 3 years ago
Kenneth you are very beautiful actor *_*
Arisu81 3 years ago 2
The casting for everyone in this movie is spot-on. All six main characters are spot-on.
botticelligal 3 years ago 2
I love whoever actors playin Othello. His performance is so realistic, his facial expressions, the tone he uses to say things, he makes Othello seem just like an actual human.
ArcsaurdeQuester 3 years ago
LAWRENCE FISHBURN
LAWRENCE FISHBURN
LAWRENCE FISHBURN
Memorize his name and engrave it into your skin, he deserves to be worshipped. JK, but he is a badass.
PaulOkon1981 3 years ago
Isn't that the bloke who played Morpheus in the Matrix?
sirius711 3 years ago 3
indeed it it.
bugg333 3 years ago
Great actor!
As of course is Brannagh, I really need to get this on DVD.
sirius711 3 years ago 2
Where is the whole film?
I love Shakespeare, I love this play and I really hate Iago. I wrote some paper on that guy when I was a student...
Hertzenuni 3 years ago 2
love iago :) seriously, i like all the evil bad guys
missbabyice 3 years ago 2
Othello is such a great play. Iago is one of the most interesting and coolest characters in any play/movie in my oppinion, even if he's the most villainous.
funnyhead222 3 years ago 4
"Oh beware my lord of jaleousy the green eyed Moster which doth mock the meat it feeds on."
Jago is an Artist. He knows the art of influence someone, to play with one and to use the ones around him. He is a machiavelistic devil, and the one character who is most like the humans in our centuary, a genious, and a creator, and a devil.
"Iam not what I am" :( Act 1 scene1)Jago
AngelofHell131 3 years ago
Branagh is the best jago i ve ever seen^^ and jago is the most brilliant character created by shakespeare.
AngelofHell131 3 years ago 4
yes... besides of Richard III :D
and branagh is god :D
chaoscast 3 years ago 4
branagh is GORGEOUS
eipirani 3 years ago 3
i like this movie. Cassio is my favorite character.
Machete87 3 years ago
"My life upon her faith, if she be false heaven mocks itself I'll not believe it" GOLD>
He is perfect for this role!
onepersontwoperson 3 years ago 3
ya so am I, I think that Iago has te best face experession ever !!!
sunkid4life 3 years ago
i'm doing "othello" at school.
KAROTASTAAUTIA 3 years ago
I Love this movie tooooooo it is soo amazing
and Cassio is soo goodlooking <3
sunkid4life 3 years ago
They need to make Othello with Samuel L. Jackson in the title role. He's pefect at playing hotheaded characters.
Michael Pitt in the role of Iago?
He was suitably slimy in Funny Games.
swansandtyphus 3 years ago
I'm currently studying this at A level. I'm really enjoying it even though we havent done much. I really want to see the whole film, looks great! Thankyou for the video - poor Othello. Iago's such a bastard! :)
DiamondWolf1992 3 years ago
this movie is brilliant,well acted,well directed and well wrote .and iago what a bad guy.
PhiltheBard 3 years ago 7
I LOVE THIS MOVIE! so sad so beautiful...thank you so much for posting this
slav777sacrament 3 years ago 4