The Film Othello by Stuart Burge

Iago is a manipulative and vengeful character who weaves a web of deceit by playing on the weaknesses of others. The film Othello by Stuart Burge is an adaptation of the original play written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare depicts Iago as a cunning manipulative character. Burge has attempted to portray Iago’s deceitful nature on a number of occasions. This persona is so strongly represented in Othello and creates the underlining storyline. Iago seeks vengeance, as he does not receive the promotion that he sought. He therefore plays on the weaknesses of others using manipulation and deceit.

Burge has strongly emphasised the persona of Iago in the extract. For instance when Iago arrives on shore Burge purposely had a storm occurring, when Othello arrives however the storm ceases. This symbolism links to the chaos that Iago brings to Cyprus and how his manipulation and deceit will bring stormy days. Another symbolism of the character of Iago is when he wears his clothing it is dark green and black whilst Othello’s is white and luxurious. This is not just a comment on their wealth but their personality. From this we see that Iago is a darker and more mysterious man. Burge also successfully gave us a subjective viewpoint on almost every character in that short extract. He brought out an emotion in the character within minutes. When on film the actor gave out the emotion of being jealous of Cassio and manipulative of Roderigo. Burge has done this in order to make us form an opinion on Iago and his manipulative ways.

Shortly after arriving Iago is aside intently watching Cassio and Desdomona interact. Iago begins making judgements and inferences on how affectionate Cassio is towards Desdomona. He makes remarks such as

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...y removing Cassio as liutennant in order to receive the position himself. Iago again playing on the weakness of a character.

In Conclusion from the evidence supplied it is clear that Iago is a manipulative and vengeful character that weaves a web of deceit by playing on the weakness of others. Stuart Burge has successfully attempted in portraying this character in his deceitful nature. He has managed to do this by using a significant amount of visual and film techniques. The extract displays Iago weaving his web of deceit on Othello, Roderigo, Cassio and Desdomona to further himself and finally receive the promotion that he believed that he deserved. Burge has indeed portrayed Iago in the form that Shakespeare originally created the character and has to successfully created a devious villain similarly to how Shakespeare created him to be in the original play.