Two Faces of Cassio

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Sarah Grossman
Dr. Paul Gleason
EN 327: Shakespeare: Tragedies
December 8, 2008

Two Faces of Cassio
After viewing the film Othello, it is clear that there are major differences between Nathaniel Parker’s Cassio in the film and my version of Cassio in our production. In the film, Nathaniel Parker comes off as fairly innocent and somewhat simple, and only when Kenneth Branagh’s Iago convinces him to act a certain way, does he falsely betray the trust of Laurence Fishburn, who plays Othello. After Othello ranks Cassio as lieutenant, Iago decides to get revenge, as he feels he deserves status of lieutenant. Iago is angered by the fact that, despite his lack of experience, Othello has chosen Cassio to be in charge of the men going into battle. He wants to get revenge on Othello by feeding off his jealous demeanor. He convinces Othello that Cassio and his new wife, Desdemona, played by Irene Jacob, are involved in an affair. He wants to take Cassio down as well, causing him to lose his status as lieutenant.
While Othello and Desdemona are off on their own, Iago ensures that Cassio gets drunk at Othello’s wedding celebration so he will start a fight with Montano, played by Nicholas Farrell, but not remember it. Othello comes down and inquires about the goings on, but neither Cassio nor Montano remember who started the fight. Timing is important

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here because Othello has just recently promoted Cassio to lieutenant. Now here he is, in the middle of a brawl at a celebration in Othello’s honor. This makes Othello think twice
about his decision. Disappointed with Cassio, Othello denounces him as lieutenant, destroying his reputation. Iago steps in, persuading Cassio to start spending time with Desdemona because she is in good graces with Othello. If she tells Othello to put Cassio in charge again, he will do so. This makes it easier to prove to Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona, which in turn causes Othello’s demise.
Parker is dragged into a situation that is not really his fault. He never has an affair with Desdemona and he did not deserve to have his status as lieutenant taken away from him. Parker never really seems to catch on to Iago behavior. He lets him ruin his reputation and then trusts his advice to go to Desdemona. He’s not stupid, but maybe his lack of experience comes through in the movie because he allows Iago to manipulate him. Then again, so does every other character in the story. Iago is at fault for Cassio’s loss of status in the eyes of Othello, and yet he still goes to Iago for help. He says, “You advise me well,” (Othello). He is taking advice from someone concerning a problem that was caused by that very person.
In the film, it seems Parker’s character is weak. However, he regains his strength at the end, as he is the only one left standing to be the leader of Cyprus. This is a position he didn’t exactly go for. It’s interesting that Iago was furious that Cassio was promoted instead of him. Yet, because of his scheming and his behavior, not only does Iago not get further in Cyprus, but Cassio gets promoted to the position of leader.

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Nathaniel Parker’s portrayal of Cassio is unaware of his surroundings and somewhat innocent. His body language, facial expression, and tone of voice show fear and humiliation. These three facets of acting are especially prevalent during the two scenes that occur after Othello’s wedding party. After Parker gets drunk at the beckoning of Iago, he gets into a childish brawl with Montano. What pursues is Othello’s disappointment in Parker’s behavior, forcing him to denounce him as lieutenant. When Fishburn comes down to assess what has just happened, Parker’s body language sends a clear message as to how he feels concerning his recent actions. Nathaniel does not face Laurence. Rather, he turns around, his back being the only visible aspect of Parker’s body. He is ashamed of his behavior, and perhaps cannot bring himself to look in Fishburn’s direction. He is also drunk and is unaware of what just happened, or why he even started a fight in the first place.
His facial expression expresses the same disappointment in himself. While Fishburn and Branagh are discussing the situation, the camera shows a profile shot of Parker. He is staring straight ahead, rarely blinking, and appears to almost be holding his breath. Even though he was wounded in the fight, he seems to be more frightened by what may happen next. He also seems confused. He doesn’t really remember who started the fight or the reasoning behind it. It’s almost like he knows he should be ashamed of something, but isn’t quite sure what that something is. He was merely a pawn in Branagh’s game, and is now facing the consequences.
The next scene continues to confirm Parker’s humiliation with the recent events of the evening. He is alone with Branagh as he vulnerably explains to him that his
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reputation has been destroyed. His tone is desperate and again, ashamed. As he speaks, he drifts between whispers and whining. If he were angry at Branagh or just at the situation, he may have been yelling instead, pacing back and forth. However, he yells once, falling to the ground. He whines to Branagh, “I would rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer,” (Othello). He looks scared and lacks hope that his reputation will be reinstated. Even though he messes up, his performance brings out sympathy from the audience. His actions technically are not his fault. He is hesitant to get drunk at the request of Branagh, but partakes in the activities anyway. The look on Parker’s face when Fishburn and Branagh are discussing the situation at his wedding party is one of fear and confusion. As a viewer, I felt bad for him. I got the sense that he was almost trying to rack his brain as to what really happened or how he even got into that situation. This is where his innocence comes in.
Parker comes off as innocent throughout the movie. After the discussion that takes place between Branagh and Parker concerning his reputation, Parker leaves him with these last words: “Good night, honest Iago,” (Othello). After everything that just happened, he calls him honest. There’s innocence to him that either makes the audience sad or even angry. Can’t Cassio see that Iago is manipulative and is the cause of his problems? How can he be so ignorant of someone who would understandably be upset over his loss of a position he felt he deserved and may be out to get a little revenge? Parker’s character never really catches on to Iago’s behavior. Not only does he go with it, but he puts his trust in Iago.
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Although Parker is innocent and perhaps weak throughout the film, he does strengthen up a bit towards the end. He survives Branagh’s manipulative behavior and even becomes leader of Cyprus. At the end of the film, Fishburn is on his knees and Nathaniel Parker helps him up, switching the power role. Now Fishburn has fallen victim to Branagh’s actions and Parker seems stronger. He does not let Branagh take him down as Fishburn does and stares at Fishburn with confidence.
For our production of Othello, we threw out the love story and focused on the power struggle. In many ways, my portrayal of Cassio is much different compared to Nathaniel Parker’s. Parker’s strength, that comes through primarily at the end of the film is a strength I seem to have throughout the whole play. My facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language mirror my attitude towards Mike’s Iago. I am not nearly as trusting a Parker is in the film and even though I am innocent, it’s a different kind of innocence. In the end, I am the last one left to run the academy, similar to Parker becoming the leader of Cyprus.
Our play starts off with my promotion to work directly under Carmen, who is our version of Desdemona, as Junior Detective. Mike (Iago), who assumes he will be chosen due to his experience, is sent to a desk job. Even though I lack the experience Mike feels I should have in order to take on this position, I recently received my criminology degree. Right away, as did Iago in the film, Mike starts his scheming. Unlike Parker’s character in Othello, I pick up right away that Mike isn’t such a great guy. He is not to be trusted and I am weary of his actions from the start. After I shake Carmen’s hand as she

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welcomes me to the force, Mike immediately goes to Jai (Othello) and demands to know why he was passed up for the position. He asks her if she took into account his street experience. At this point, I turn around and express my shock at his boldness to question the captain’s decision.
My facial expression says, “What do you think you’re doing?” Clearly, I am not only put off by his arrogance, but offended that he thinks I can ‘t handle the streets. I am strong right from the beginning, whereas Parker’s portrayal of Cassio is weaker, and maybe even feels he doesn’t deserve to lead the men into battle. When I head towards offstage with Mike, he makes a crack about sucking up like I did so he can get further. My response here also evokes a sense of confidence and weariness of his agenda. I say, “That’s not what she’s saying. You’re taking this all wrong, but by your reaction, maybe the captain is right.” I can tell right away that he’s up to no good. On top of this statement I make, I proceed to storm off stage, making it clear that I am now a detective and he needs to know that I’m on to him and I’m not going to fall in his trap.
I feel for the remainder of the play, I am pretty quiet and innocent. I’m in the background a lot, working on supposed cases. I try to let the captain in on what’s going on, but she shrugs me off. I come off as the little innocent newcomer who doesn’t want to see my boss get hurt. Even Jai says at one point, “I never saw this coming.” In the film, Laurence Fishburn isn’t aware of Branagh’s behavior either. I, however, know something is up, unlike Parker’s character. Overall, I am more on top of things than Parker’s Cassio. I think part of it is the fact that I have a degree in criminology. There is this aloof, intelligent aspect to my character that shows an educated side to me.
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I look innocent as well. My hair is tied back in a straight ponytail. I wear basic black pants and a black shirt. This was a stylistic decision on my part because I felt I never really scheme against anyone and don’t cause trouble, so I should look simple to match my character. The only time the spotlight is on me is at the end. Just as Parker is left to be the leader of Cyprus, I am left to run the academy. I arrest Alexa (A.D.A. Calia) and walk her off stage. The same irony exists in our play that occurs in the film. Again, this wasn’t a position I went for either. All I want was to be promoted, but having the responsibility of heading up the police department was not what I signed on to. Both Parker’s Cassio and mine are forced to be leaders, despite our lack of experience.
Along with changing the story line of Othello comes a change in the relationships the characters have with one another. Perhaps one of the major changes is the relationship between Carmen and me. Even though we are thrown together, Jai is not jealous. In the film, when Parker is encouraged to spend time with Jacob, Fishburn becomes skeptical of his newly promoted lieutenant. In fact, it is her decision to pair me up with Carmen. Alexa wanted to throw out the love story, so she did that by making me a co-worker of Carmen’s Desdemona instead of rumored companion.
The love story is the main aspect of Othello. It’s what brings Othello to his demise. Carmen, or Desdemona, is angry with Mike. In the film and book, this is never the case. Desdemona is very innocent, but Carmen is not. She clearly dislikes Mike and puts her two cents in with Jai, and it’s negative towards Mike. In our play, there was more focus on the power struggle between Iago and Cassio, even though in the film, Parker is completely unaware of this competition. In our play, I recognize a bad side to
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Mike, but I don’t think I really pick up on a specific competition. Without the love story, there doesn’t seem to be any place for me to inadvertently lead Othello to think there is an affair between his wife and me. This missing aspect of our production takes away the audience’s sense that I am causing trouble. I truly am just very innocent. Another major difference is that my reputation is never in danger. Mike never schemes against me. He joins forces with Alexa, brings Carmen down, whom in turn, brings Jai down. I’m not involved. There’s no scene where I get drunk or do something else humiliating that would give Jai any cause to strip me of my recent promotion.
Overall, I think the power struggle comes through very well. It’s obvious that Mike is upset with Jai’s decision and his manipulation has a ripple affect on every character except mine. I think the audience enjoyed our modern version of this dark tragedy. We turned it into comedy, at times, unintentionally. I was skeptical about Alexa’s decision to throw out the love story at first; however, I think the performances were strong without it and having this opportunity to do what we wanted with Othello. There’s a lot of action in this tragedy and we brought that to life on stage, as was Shakespeare’s intention.






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Works Cited
Othello. Dir. Oliver Parker. Perf. Laurence Fisburn, Irene Jacob, Kenneth Branagh. Castle Rock Entertainment, 1995

Othello Performance and paper

For the most part, we all know our lines, have our props, and have practiced a lot outside of class. We even have a CD with the Law and Order music, between scenes gavel sound, sirens, and gunshots. I can't wait to see the other performances on Thursday night. I guess I'm a little concerned about the term paper. I only have about four to five lines, so to compare my charater of Detective Cassio to the Cassio in the movie might prove a little difficult. Also, even though I am the production designer and did make some decisions with the sound and hair, Alexa always had this idea in her head of what the play should be like and look like. I sort of feel like she made most of the decisions, which is fine, but I don't know what to write about because she made those decisions, not me. She knew exactly how she wanted us to dress, how to wear our hair, etc. There wasn't a lot of room for me to pitch in. Her ideas are great and I really like how our play has developed over the last couple of months, and I don't mind that she made those decisions. I just wonder what's left for me to write about.

MacBeth

The scene we watched in the film where Lady Macbeth is talking to Macbeth shows how in control she really is. It seemed like Macbeth was certain in his thought process, But as Lady Macbeth was speaking, he started to become unsure of how he really felt. For example, Lady Macbeth gives her opinion and Macbeth says he is content with this position with Spiders' Web Castle, but he hesitates when saying it, almost as if he was question whether or not it was really true. She's manipulating his thoughts as he is speaking them. I looked up the cast for the movie and the old prophet in the woods was a woman. I think Alexa was right when she said that spirits don't really have a sex.

King Lear

I agree with the parenting issue with King Lear and Ran. I made a connection between Ran and my dad. The whole idea of the parent being an idealist, thinking their children can achieve more than what is realistically possible is far too familiar in my family. My dad wonders why certain people in my family aren't doing more with their lives, even though everyone else can see that those people are doing the best they can given the circumstances in their lives. My siblings can do one thing and my dad will ask why they didn't do the next thing. My dad's tragedy is definitely his pride. I don't think he's really ever gotten to know his own children and he doesn't accept them for who they are. He has an idea of who we are and what we should be, but his knowledge doesn't really go beyond that.

Othello Rehearsal on Monday

Even though we haven't memorized our lines yet, our play is really coming together. I really like Alexa's Law & Order idea. The theater department had great ideas on how we should block and the timing of our lines. We also picked up some terms that will help us remember to always face the audience and where to stand, such as upstage and downstage. We made an appointment with the person we worked with on Monday to rehearse again. Our script is longer and contains more depth than the original. We have all the props we need with the exception of badges, which hopefully will be available at Halloween Express. We have our costumes all worked out and posted our flyers up. I'm looking forward to performing on November 20th and am really looking forward to seeing the other groups' performances.

Othello II

Reading the Loomba article, I made a connection between the phrase 'unclean bird' and the hawk that is shown in the movie "O." Maybe there is no connection, but Iago's character steals the Hawk, which is the symbol of success for the basketball team. Oden is the main success on the team and Iago brings him down as well. Also, Iago chooses to set up Oden maybe because everyone will believe it. Here is this African American that is recruited to the school strictly for athletic purposes. There are no other African Americans at that school, so no one would be surprised if Oden was responsible for anything that happened, even though it was Iago's fault.
In response to "lewd, unprincipaled..." as a way to refer to African Americans, I know of some people who refer to MPS students using if not these words, worse ones.

Othello

I think in general, even though many act turned off by the idea of interracial dating, people like it. The cover of Othello portays to an almost obnoxious level the relationship between a black man and a white woman. In other films as well, the idea of an African American and a white together comes off as a new concept when it's really not. In Save the Last Dance, there's a big deal made concerning the white girl (Sara) and the black man (Derrek) and the contrast of their skin. In the film Something New, there's an issue with a black woman and a white man, which I think is more rare. It's frustrating that it's 2008 and we still are shocked and some are even disgusted at the thought of a white and a black together.

Blog Paper

Sarah Grossman

Dr. Paul Gleason

EN 327: Shakespeare: Tragedies

October 13, 2008

Undecided Reading Style

I’ve always loved to read and most likely either liked a book or hated it. This text-self method of reading lasted throughout middle school and high school. For a short while, I even disliked reading because there was always a written paper assignment attached to the book or specific symbols teachers expected me to find while reading. However, college brought about a different way of reading literature. For once, the text had meaning outside symbols and the teacher’s thoughts. When I took Non-Western Literature a couple of years ago, it was the first time I was questioned to really analyze the story, characters, and connect them to today’s world. Since then, I have picked up other books written by the non-Western authors we studied, fiction and non-fiction, reading them in a different light.
I cannot completely say I am in a text-other text or a text-world stage just yet because it really depends on what I’m reading. If I’m reading a non-fiction book about a topic that is going on in the world today, I am going to relate it to situations I have seen in real life or heard of that are also stated in the book. If I’m reading fiction, then I am more likely to relate it to another book, especially if I’m reading multiple works by the same author. However, while reading Romeo and Juliet, I did relate the fiction of the story to aspects that match up to real-world situations. When Romeo behaves like a lovesick puppy and almost is weakened by the power of love, I related that to how men can sometimes act that way in real life. In my blog I said, “…women, seen as weak, may be stronger when it comes to love. Men…just seem to fall apart when truly in love.” I made the same connection with Hamlet. I saw Gertrude kissing Hamlet as using her sexuality because she didn’t know what else to do. In my blog, I said that even in today’s society, women use their sexuality to their advantage. “Women should use their [sexuality] to get what they want.” Magazines, movies, books, etc. send women messages to do just that. Reading fiction, I usually don’t think about the real world or making connections. I get engrossed in the story and just read to escape reality for a bit. However, with Non-Western Lit and Contemporary Lit, this may become a thing of the past.
Text-other text is what I usually experience when reading fiction. When I read Titus Andronicus, there was a character that reminded of another character in a book. Aaron is a false character, but he reminded of a real-life person in Devil in the White City. Aaron says, “Some devil whisper curses in mine ear/ And prompt me that my tongue may utter for/ The venomous malice of my swelling heart” (V.III 99). Aaron is saying that the devil causes his behavior. H. H. Holmes makes a similar statement in Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. He says, “I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing.” Devil in the White City is not fiction, but it reads like fiction. Sometimes it’s one line and sometimes it’s the entire story that reminds me of another book.
After reading Haruki Murakami’s A Wild Sheep’s Chase, I read Dance Dance Dance, and started reading The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. Having the same authorship, the three books read about the same. The style of writing is similar; the pace of the story is similar, so when reading one, the others stick in my mind. However, if it’s the same author writing the books, it makes sense that one of their books will remind me of another one they’ve written. However, currently I am reading Snow by Orhan Pamuk and it’s about a character named Ka who goes back to Turkey to report on a series of mass suicides. In the process, he reunites with a past love, Ipek. Immediately, it reminded me of Haruki Murakami’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle because Toru Okada is trying to track down his wife, Kumiko. There’s also a detailed description of the main character’s day-to-day life that I’ve seen in Haruki Murakami’s books.
Text-World connections usually occur when reading non-fiction. With a major in Elementary Education, I’ve read a number of books concerning kids today, how they think, their expectations out of life, and their relationship with the media. Books such as Branded by Alissa Quart, Generation Me by Jean M. Twenge, and Born to Buy by Juliet Schor deal with today’s generation of kids pouring into our elementary and middle schools. Working at the YMCA in various school districts, I see up close the points these authors are trying to make. I definitely work with kids who have that sense of entitlement and are giving into the media and the way it markets to kids. I also am currently completing my Clinical II in a seventh grade classroom at Lake Shore Middle School and the kids are all the way suburban, from wealthy families, and seem more unsatisfied than ever, just as the previously-mentioned books say.
One of the main text-world connections I’ve made is with the kids that are discussed in a chapter in the book Branded. Quart devotes a chapter to how students today more than ever feel the pressure to receive SAT tutoring, get into an Ivy League school, and head towards a lucrative career. The seventh graders at Lake Shore worry about their grades on a daily basis because their parents are all over them. Looking at their getting-to-know-you sheets I handed out, most students stated they wanted to be doctors or lawyers, most likely because those are the careers of their parents. It hasn’t been discussed, but these students probably don’t know of any other option besides a university. They’ve been branded. I guess purposely choose books that have something to do with what I am dealing with in real life.
To continue the shift of text-world reading, I should probably pick up the newspaper more often. I’m not always on the ball with today’s happenings. Traveling more, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures can also expand my background knowledge for when I read. I think also really trying to view what I read in a different light, similar to how we read the Shakespeare tragedies in class. We look at the characters and situations in a way I would never do on my own. Now having that experience, when I read, I can hopefully read a book and think of different references that I can relate to the real world.

Hamlet

After reading the psychosexual development article on Wikipedia, I wonder if Hamlet was not only angry with his uncle for marrying his mother because they were simply related, but also because now he gets to sleep with her. According to Freud, boys in the phallic stage are envious of their fathers because they get to sleep with the mothers. However, Hamlet technically should not be in the phallic stage, seeing as how this is usually ages 3-6 years.

Gertrude's kiss with Hamlet came off as a woman using her sexuality because society has always made women feel this is all they have to offer. In our current society, this happens. Cosmopolitan magazine is supposed to be just that. A magazine for today's cosmopolitan woman, a working girl who is as smart, independent, and driven as a male. However, if you look that the cover alone of this magazine, the opposite is portrayed. It's almost like women have given into the fact that the way we look is all that matters, so let's use it to our advantage. This could seen as intelligent or just given into a male-dominated society. Personally, I think it's a sign of intelligence. If men think that women should be a sex object and nothing else, then women should use it get what they want. Senator Lena Taylor spoke with our government class a couple of years ago and she said she uses her body to get what she wants and actually advised the women in the room to do the same.

Aaron

Even though Aaron was compared to an animal, I think the way he reacted to the Roman's view of his was a sign of strength. The Romans saw him as less than due to his skin color. However, Aaron could have melted down so to speak or given in to their accusations. Instead, he creates a "tainted" child with the queen and even down to his impending death, he clearly states that he does not regret his actions and if he had the chance, would commit many more. To me, it seemed like his actions showed the Romans that he wasn't going to act the part of a lesser than creature. I think the fact that he went after Tamora, the "forbidden" and on top of that, produced offspring was, was the strongest way he could have rebelled against the Romans.

Othello Play Group

Originally, Alexa wanted to do Othello as a reality TV show, such as the Bachlorette. However, Jai and Mark wanted to play specific characters. I'm glad she decided to go a different route because the police academy idea really focuses on the power Iago wants in the play. I'm not sure what I want to do as production designer, but Alexa and I have worked out the costumes and hair. We will mainly be in street clothes for most of the production, except for pant suits for the opening scene and hair will be pinned back or simply put up. Alexa wants to go for a "Law and Order" atmosphere, which is a show I don't watch. I don't mind this, but I probably should watch the show to get a better idea of where she wants to go with this production. I think after rehearsals and seeing the stage, it'll come together to be an interesting experience.

Romeo & Juliet

When acting out the scene before Juliet drinks the poison, I was keeping in mind how Claire Danes went back and forth when by the pool. Her soliloquy was indecisive in that she weighed both life and death. Pacing back and forth seemed to fit with her choice of words. To read Shakespeare is one thing, but acting it out gave everyone a chance to really get involved with it and I also think by adding the gestures and the facial expressions we gained a better understanding of the emotions of Shakespeare's work. I liked how the other groups put so much emphasis on Juliet's hatred for Paris, one Juliet keeping her distance and the other starring straight at him. Having four different groups perform allow for different interpretions of teh scenes.

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo's "book of love" implies that women are cruel to men. Men are supposed to be the more powerful of the sexes, but women do have the upper hand. A man can like a woman as much as he wants, but if she isn't going to accept his gestures, it doesn't matter. In the end, it's up to her. It's interesting that women, seen as weak, may be stronger when it comes to love. Men, like Romeo with Rosaline and Juliet, seem to just fall apart when truly in love. They can handle violence, fighting, etc, but love screws them up. Juliet seems a lot stronger than Romeo. As far as Romeo being a predator, men are supposedly the chasers, but Romeo seems like he needs attention from women in general.

The New Historicism

"Shakespeare in Love" definitely portrays the new Historicism in many ways. In school I always learned that Shakespeare was the only author of his work, when in fact, this is not true at all. Many others contributed to the plot, dialogue, and even the titles of his work. There is also a large distinction between class, the poor and the rich. At one point in the movie, Viola asks Shakespeare if he would rather have her marry him instead of Wesex, and he makes a comment about marying a poor boy. He acknowledges the fact that he is too poor to get to the likes of her.

The New Historicism is a much more logical way to approach reading, especially Shakespeare because so many students feel they cannot relate, when infact, Shakespeare writes of love, betrayal, trust issues, political issues, and murder. These elements are in the very movies students watch today, they are just hidden behind the languageof Shakespeare's time.