Othello

by Julius Lester

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Julius Lester's Othello is a novelized "reconceptualization" of William Shakespeare's Five-Act dramatic work of the same name.  By changing the structure, as well as many other particulars of this classic, Lester attempts to access a young adult readership that might otherwise run from the name Shakespeare.

Lester has made some adjustments to the historical  context and characterizations in the play.  He places the novel in late 15th century England, rather than the original locale of Venice.  His version retains the three key players, Othello, Desdemona, and Iago, but Lester provides new names for the rest of the participants in the story.

A crucial difference in this retelling is the marked change in the characters of Othello, Iago, and Iago's wife, Emilia (Lester's Emily).  Lester endows them with a mutual African heritage and history spanning the course of 14 years.

Lester's Othello carries the reader home to the Elizabethan realm of Lord Bertrand's court, where the brave and virtuous General Othello has just returned from peaceful war effort.  He finds himself in love with the young and beautiful Desdemona, daughter of Lord Bertrand.  The contrast in their skin colors provides the exciting theme of forbidden love, but it is the subplot which fleshes out the foreboding atmosphere of hate and distrust.  Iago, disturbed by being snubbed for a promotion in the ranks, turns on his friend and compatriot, Othello.  Iago proceeds to weave a web of lies to which Othello falls prey, and his bride, Desdemona, becomes the sacrificial victim.  In theory, Julius Lester's Othello is an admirable attempt to merge classical literature with identifiable characters and themes for a young, contemporary audience.  However, if an adaptation, or "reconceptualization" results in a largely different product from the original, then it would be best to leave the original as the bard intended, especially where pure genius such as Shakespeare is concerned.  I would have preferred that Lester had made up his mind to either stick with a faithful retelling of the classic, or to change the title as well as all of the character's names and motives, providing an explanation in his Introduction as to the source of his "loose adaptation."

    Born in St. Louis, MO in 1939 Mr. Julius Lester spent his childhood growing up in Arkansas and Tennessee.  He graduated from Fisk University in 1960 with a B.A. in English.  Once he graduated he became politically active in the civil rights movement, at the same time he pursued a career in writing music.  Mr. Julius Lester has been writing award-winning novels for both children and adults for more than thirty years.  His list of accolades includes a Newberry Honor Book, an ALA Notable Book, and a "School Journal"  Best Book.  Mr. Lester resides in Western Massachusetts, where he is a Professor in the Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies and UMASS.  Mr. Lester writes because he says that he has many questions, and he "can only answer them through writing."  His advice for aspiring writers is to "read, read, read."

It may be necessary to have students understand some of the historical context  before reading this book.  Before reading the book, have students do individual research projects on different aspects of the time period.  Some examples for project topics could be:  different foods of the time and area, dress, attitudes toward women, attitudes toward people of foreign descent, weapons used on the battlefield, education, and others.  These projects should not be long and drawn out, but should collectively contribute to creating a background upon which the students can base their ideas about the novel, Othello.  Students would share their information orally with the rest of the class, and then the information could be compiled in written form in a binder or a book to be kept in the room for later reference in studying the novel.  Students could also actively use technology to compile their information into a web page to share with other readers of Othello.

Products will be: A poster presentation and a short version of the tragedy of “Othello.”

We have evidence that Shakespeare’s “Othello” was a retelling and dramatization of another story written centuries earlier, just as Lester’s story is a retelling (of Shakespeare’s play) written centuries later.  The web-quest assignment is to create a dramatic reenactment of Othello, making the following choices (and being as true to them as possible):

1. Title
2. Ethnicity of the characters
3. Setting (Place and time)
4. How to create the rising action and follow through to the conclusion.
5. Type of play, Is this story a comedy or tragedy or a tragic comedy?
6. Which events are crucial to your version of the play?
(Originality and creativity are encouraged)

For an example of a retelling of Othello, look at the comedic scene at:
www.toxiccustard.com/shakespeare/othello5ii.html

For a prose retelling of Shakespeare’s version look at:
www.eldred.ne.mediaone.net/cml/tfsothello.html

The poster should have any confusing vocabulary and some pictures that are relevant to the play.  Many of these pictures can be found on the web, depending on what setting you choose.
The play need only be a retelling of Othello’s story, besides that, feel free to add or remove as much as you like from the tale, with only this observance, that you not take away the main points of the plot; the foreigner, the betrayal, the love and the murder!  Make the play
as real and true as you can.  Use the language of the time (Choosing a setting and time period will probably be the first decisions that you make and get some vocabulary and events or objects [images at least] to make it seem authentic.)