This is a movie review of Othello, one of the most famous love tragedies. The project
consists the setting, synopsis, major characters, staging and film editing, theme,
personal reaction, background information, comments, and symbolism.
Othello is set at the time of the wars between Venice and Turkey in late sixteenth century.
Cyprus, the setting for most of the action, was a Venetian outpost attacked by the Turks in 1570
The original story is that a Moorish general is deceived by his ensign, Iago, who hated Othello
because he was not assigned as his lieutenant. Iago plotted the entire story just to convince
Othello that his wife is unfaithful by having affairs with Cassio, the lieutenant. Finally, Othello
believed it and killed his wife and himself too.
Othello (Laurence Fishbourne) is the hero and the protagonist of the movie. He's a Christian
Moor and the general of Venice. He's powerful and is respected by people around him. But he
was easily cheated by his honest friend, Iago. The actor looks physically powerful and had
outstanding action skills, esp in combats.
Desdemona (Irene Jacob) is the daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio. She married Othello
secretly before the play begins. In many ways she's pure and innocent. But she's weak and
submissive. She even took credit for her own murder when she was killed by Othello.
Iago (Kenneth Branach) is Othello's ensign. He is the villain of the play. It seems that he doesn't
have a specific motive for manipulating all those plots. At first, his hatred towards Othello is that
he wasn't assigned lieutenant. But later he thought his wife had affairs wi
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