Read, Watch, Blog

I did it! I finished Othello and watched an adaptation of it!
Okay, so first things first: I didn't know what a Moor was. Yep, a moor, or more specifically Othello, is a black man not a slave. Shakespeare is applicable to all things in life like racism. Hmmm. I took a lot of index card notes while I was reading and watching so they are all frantically jumbled but I think I'll take a look first at characters and then make some comparisons to winter's tale.

Characters

Othello: This is a prominent man in Venice, a general. He has an air of authority and a strong character. He stands out because he's black but also because he's overall good. People esteem him highly. He almost seems to need to prove himself to those around him.
Iago: The bad guy and seemingly the more main character of the play. He is evil and he's good at it. But things get away from him and he panics. This is a hating and power hungry man. But he's so good at acting like he loves people that he's a great trickster and lier.
Desdemona: An innocent woman who's strong and has a big heart. She gives up her father for her husband and is faithful. She also is kind and tries to help a friend (Cassio).
Roderigo: Is he the clueless one? Not a big part for this guy but he's still important and he's very easily persuaded by Iago.
Cassio: Don't know what to say about Cassio. After his drunken crime he seems honest enough.
Emelia: A strong woman, nearly, but obedient to her husband. Innocent, I'm sure, and willing to do the right thing. She was a good woman.

Othello Vs. The Winter's Tale
As I read Othello I couldn't help but think of Leontes and Hermione in comparison with Othello and Desdemona. Of course, their stories end differently but they have the same problem to begin with and the same circumstances. Leontes dreams up this issue of his wife being unfaithful and totally jumping to conclusions goes with it and "kills" his wife. Othello on the other hand never suspected anything and even one little mention of a problem didn't phase him. He believed in his wife until some "proof" gave him evidence. Then, trusting the wrong people, he killed his wife too. The difference is Leontes holds the blame for his actions but I think Othello is quite innocent. And then Hermione vs. Desdemona. Hermione was strong and tough and held out to the end. But Desdemona was true and right just not quite as insistent as Hermione. I think Hermione did it better and Desdemona was young and a little naive. And then there is Emelia and Paulina. In the end they both seem to make thing right. They're both in the background doing important things and then in the end when it counts they are there, helping the plot become a story.

Overall I believe I liked the story but it was way too sad, especially since the bad guy lives in the end and all the good people who you grow to love as the good characters die. Tragedy. Well, I think you should read it!