Discuss the film as an interpretation of the play
Directions: For each question, write a one-page, single-spaced response, using quoted passages from the play (and, as needed, descriptions of parts of the film) to illustrate your answer. Each question is worth 50 points. You can also answer the bonus question for an additional.
*Write in 12 point, normal-sized font with 1″ margins.
*Print your paper to turn in next week. You can print on both sides to save paper.
*See “Rubric” document for some guidelines for you answers.
Please remember that you should only refer to the films when you are discussing the film as an interpretation of the play. That is, do not say “in the movie when Iago…” when you are talking about the play itself. Instead, quote the play to make your major points. You can refer to scenes in the play as the director’s interpretation of the play. Do NOT quote from modernized versions of the play; work and quote from a version that uses Shakespeare’s original language.
Question 1: In several places in Othello, Iago states, “I hate the Moor.” Review the play and identify places where Iago makes this statement. Pay attention to the language and contexts of each of these statements. Then use these passages to write an essay in which you explain your interpretation of what Iago means when he says, “I hate the Moor.” What does “I hate the Moor” tell you about one major conflict in the play?
Question 2: On the next page, there are three images taken from Kenneth Branagh’s version of Much Ado About Nothing. These images are frames from the film (that is, single shots taken from the film). Choose ONE of these images as the focus for your essay.
Write an essay in which you read and interpret the frame you selected as part of a larger theme within Much Ado About Nothing. Pay particular attention to how the director composed this shot-what the camera angle, color, lighting, and focus (among other things) conveys about the meaning of the scene in relation to the larger play. You can refer also to the text represented in the frame, as well as the surrounding scene from which the frame is taken. You can also connect this shot to other moments in the film.
