Comparing Modern Shakespeare: Othello and The Tempest Reimagined through Contemporary Direction

Works Cited

• McEvoy, S. (2020). Shakespeare, Race, and Performance in the 21st Century. Shakespeare Survey, 73, 55–72. Cambridge University Press
• Holderness, G. (2021). Performing Shakespeare in Contemporary Contexts. Critical Survey, 33(1), 34–50. Edinburgh University Press
• Belling, C. (2019). Reimagining Gender and Power in Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Shakespeare Bulletin, 37(4), 621–640. Project MUSE
• Edmondson, P., & Prescott, P. (2022). Digital Shakespeare: Adaptation, Accessibility, and Performance. Shakespeare, 18(3), 213–230. Taylor & Francis
• Morrison, M. (2023). Rewriting the Canon: Intersectionality and Modern Shakespeare Productions. Journal of Contemporary Theatre Studies, 9(2), 105–127. SAGE Journals

Important:
This assignment is Personal Response, please use “I” statements (“I noticed”, “I thought it was weird” etc).
It’s meant to capture your honest reactions, reflections, and feelings rather than a formal academic tone. Writing in the first person will help you connect more genuinely with the performances.

You need to watch TWO music performances: 1st is Othello, by William Shakespeare, directed by Iqbal Khan & 2nd is The Tempest, by William Shakespeare, directed by Phyllida Lloyd. (You must watch both Performances and choose correct director as required)
Many students find that watching both versions side by side reveals how directorial choices deeply affect interpretation. You might even want to take short notes as you view each scene.

Othello typically pits Othello (a Black man, a Moor) against Iago (a vengeful white man). Think: Why Iqbal Khan decided to see what would happen if Iago was also cast as Black. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRbcbNaBxQY
It’s worth reflecting on how this casting shift changes the play’s racial and psychological dynamics, creating fresh tension between the characters.

Phyllida Lloyd’s The Tempest utilizes an all-women cast. She also brings us into the world of a women’s prison and incorporates modern elements. Think: Why the director might have staged the play in the context of a women’s prison?
The setting choice brings new emotional depth and a sense of confinement that redefines power, justice, and forgiveness.

I will provide some links to help you answer the questions below
You may find it useful to pause and replay certain scenes as you consider how they support your interpretations.

§ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxBoNnBJ6AE
§ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtW-JpP0fu8

You need to understand Aristotle’s 6 Elements to answer the questions below.
Grasping these six components will help you see structure and intent more clearly in both performances.

Aristotle’s 6 Elements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNFxpK67I9s
It may be helpful to jot down how each element—Plot, Character, Language, Theme, Rhythm, and Spectacle—appears in each performance.

Total 4-5 pages, double space, but you need to write both performances for the below questions, at least 2 pages for each music performance, you can write it separately, but you need to answer all the questions below for each performance!
Pacing yourself while writing will make the process more manageable and allow for richer, more thoughtful reflection. Aim for clear organization and emotional honesty in your analysis.

NO AI or plagiarism because need to submit to school AI and Plagiarism system!!!
It’s perfectly fine to use inspiration or scholarly frameworks, but every sentence must reflect your authentic voice.

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Prompt:

1. What music performance(s) did you see? What is the name of the theatre where it was produced (and the date / year, if you have that information), and who directed the play? (Please write both music performance separately, also this info is found in the Link,)
   Try to provide brief yet detailed context for each performance so the reader can visualize where and when it took place.
2. What 1-3 things brought you into and held you in this music performance, either in directorial vision, actor approach, or design elements? What was your personal visceral or emotional experience of these elements? (Please write both music performance separately)
   You might describe how lighting, sound, or an actor’s tone immediately drew your attention.
3. What 1-3 things took you out of show (meaning, it distracted you or made the experience less engaging)? (Please write both music performance separately)
   Everyone has moments of disconnection, so mention them honestly to show awareness and balance.
4. What 1-3 things in the show felt meaningful to you? (Please write both performances separately)
   It could be a single line, a costume, or a gesture that stayed in your mind after watching.
5. What 1-3 things left you feeling confused or wanting to know more about how the director/actor/designer made their choices? (Please write both performances separately)
   Asking such questions demonstrates curiosity about artistic process and perspective.
6. What questions would you ask those artists? (Please write both performances separately)
   Imagine you’re in a post-show Q&A—what would you most want to understand?
7. Aristotle’s 6 elements are: Plot, Character, Language, Theme, Rhythm, and Spectacle. Which of these elements did you find to be most compelling / strongest in this performance, and why? Weakest? (Please see the short video under Performance #1 to learn about Aristotle’s 6 elements.)
   Reflect on which artistic dimensions felt most effective in engaging you emotionally or intellectually.
8. Conclude your paper: Referring back to the Context Videos and Links, how did you perceive and experience the difference between how these two performances functioned? Compare and contrast different aspects of the performances. Wrap up your paper by sharing your understanding of how they worked on you viscerally and / or emotionally—and how you feel they speak to today’s world.
   Your conclusion should express what you personally took away about human experience, society, and artistic reinterpretation.
9. Be sure to use specific character names (and actor names if you have them), and use clear, specific examples of moments between characters, design elements, etc, to back up your observations and questions. If the professor can’t visualize what you experienced, in detail, it will be clear to professor that you/we did not watch this performance!!! Please watch both performances. TKS!
   Using vivid examples and sensory details will make your paper feel more alive and genuine to your viewing experience.