Othello and Unforgiven

How do the values represented in Othello and Unforgiven resonate with the contemporary audiences? Values are the principles of behavior that is regarded to the importance and exchangeability. Universal values represented in Othello and Unforgiven evidently depicts with the contemporary audiences as it reflects through the fundamental issue regarding definition of what is ultimately real as opposed to what is merely apparent. Without a doubt this is shown through the conflicting circumstances of both the book “Othello” by William Shakespeare and movie “Unforgiven” by Clint Eastwood as they encapsulate the philosophical conception. They explore concepts of “Representation of Women” and “Appearance vs Reality” throughout both novel and film as it tests our persuasive power in existence and our ethical ways when presented with a certain situation. In “Othello” and “Unforgiven” both show symbolism and imagery as twain protagonists were both unable to control their desires which resulted in unethical actions however in a different perspective.

Appearance vs Reality is a fundamental question in philosophy assuming that there is a difference between certain characters are able to sustain a good reputation yet still act upon their true evil desires, contradicting their title which generally is a mere appearance regarding temporary, internal and subjective and real is regarded as eternal, external and objective. The depiction of “Unforgiven” outlines how the constant struggles with us on whether our actions are virtuous or vice. It can bring about the question “Appearance vs Reality” where Little Bill appears to be a valiant man with good morals as he holds the title sheriff and has a ban on weapons in the town Big Whiskey and when he says “I guess you think I’m kicking you, Bob” and “But it ain’t so, What I’m doing is talking, you hear?”. Simply speaking through the impulsion of symbolism he is aggressively bullying using power to ideally state as his desires and is shown when in the scene his mates immediately is aggravated and uses violence in front of the town when English Bob was clearly unarmed and stripped of his weapons. “…

And what I’m saying is there ain’t no whore’s gold, and if there was they wouldn’t want to come looking for it anyhow…” gives us a descriptive imagery that he might act like the hero in the town but he is truly and ultimately the villain of the film. It explores the values as Clint Eastwood uses allusions to reflect the sadistic values of Little Bill. In the play “Othello” by William Shakespeare, he continues to gives us a general understanding that appearances can be deceiving. A person may go through life without anyone understanding the true reality of their character. In Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’ the theme of appearance versus reality emerges in the play as Iago who is manipulating appearances works to deceive Othello who has difficulty distinguishing between what seems to be true and what really is true.

The tragic plot of Othello hinges on the ability of the villain, Iago, to mislead other characters, particularly Roderigo and Othello by encouraging them to misinterpret what they see is clearly seen when Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio when Iago says to Othello, “I shall reason to show the love and duty I bear you with franker spirit, therefore I am bound, receive it from me”. Iago begins to show his true colours in manipulating in controlling his language all under the guise of following the bounds of loyalty and contradicting his sworn integrity. Othello is susceptible to Iago’s ploys because he himself is so honest and straight forward. In this play Shakespeare plays with the idea of unreliable reality in a number of ways.

They language of the play, which time and again refers to dreams, trances, and vision, constantly highlight the way in which what seems to be real may actually be fake.as he develops his plot against Othello, Iago creates scenes within scenes. Representation of Women is the ideally the portrayal of how women are morally treated and judged. It is composite of qualities thought to be appropriate to or representative of women. It also explores not only the idealism of women but also their resentments towards society. Furthermore in the highly acclaimed movie “Unforgiven” by Clint Eastwood is wrought upon the complexion of the plot where destruction goes unchecked my moral constraints when a prostitute is assaulted and violently sliced in the face multiple times. This is clearly evident that the villain in the film and gives us an idea of Representation of Women in the west and therefore act unjustly by not giving justice for Strawberry Alice who was pierced in the face by the rude comment she made about the cowboy’s small penis.

This is seen during the opening scene where Strawberry Alice says “A whippin is all they get?” gives us an imagery that Little Bill doesn’t really care about the prostitutes due to his position of power and due to their sexuality as prostitutes are seen as the scum of the earth. “Ride us like horses, no right to brand us like horses” symbolizes the empowering whores who are trying to overcome that they are just properties in Greely’s due to the Skinny referring to the cut up whore as “damaged property”. In essence, this period-appropriate realism of women shows the reality of what they had to cope with and the downfall of their life due to them being women unlike in society now. Lastly, “Othello” written by William Shakespeare shows despite the fact the understatement of the “Representation of Women” as the play is brought upon the innocent and profane love that was bound to fail.

It is clearly evident that there is no trust, no communication and no understanding in the foundation of their relationship when Othello says “I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!” when plagued by fears of her infidelity as Iago. This shows imagery and symbolism of the horned beast to represent a man whose wife has been unfaithful, clearly creating tension and sympathy for his situation. Although Desdemona was a representation of women who overcame the norms of gender roles and sexual morality for Venetian women at the time her act of independence and confidence led to the abnormal ideology that she was having an affair on Othello. This evidently shows that values have now changed in the 20th century as women are overcoming the restriction of men and stereotypes are slowly no longer becoming challenged or questioned.

The values that are regarded important are shown in “Othello” by William Shakespeare and “Unforgiven” directed by Clint Eastwood as both play and film have a different view in society now. Both protagonists have gone through deceit and manipulation to overcome their values that seem important to them and resonate with the contemporary audiences. It clearly shows that values can be represented in different universal situations and in this case the “Representation of Women” and “Appearance vs Reality” has done to the main protagonists in the movie and play. . In “Othello” and “Unforgiven” both show symbolism and imagery as the relationship between appearance and reality often gives characters two sides to their personality while giving us a value of our foreboding society.