Olletho

[Minx]

If we reversed the rolls of Desdemona and Othello, do you think the play would have turned out the same?
E.g. if Desdemona was the dominating "Black" character, and Othello was the dutiful "White" husband?

[tomatoes]

No. I think that the fact that Othello is a man and a soldier is the only reason he is accepted in Venetian society. If Desdemona were black and dominant I don't believe that she would be accepted in the society because she would be a woman and black. I don't think she would have made it to Venice because the only reason Othello was there was because he was a foreign soldier. It is the reason he is accepted.
i also don't believe that a male in Shakespeare's time would be submissive, especially not to a woman. This means that there would be no such thing as a dutiful husband.
I believe that changing the roles of Dezza and Othello would not work out the same. I don't believe the play would work if their roles were swapped.

[Minx]

ahhh but it would certainly be interesting to see a play company try to reverse the roles...

what if Desdemona was the soldier?... hey hey??

[smilingtearz]

And who would have lost the hankercheif? Othello?

[tomatoes]

Desedmona's a chick. Therefore it is IMPOSSIBLE that she could be a soldier. It would be interesting though.

Why couldn't Othello lose the handkercheif, he lost everything else, including his mind. :p

[Minx]

exactly! i mean i know blokes hoo still carry handkercheifs, wheres the problem? unless your implying that its not blokey to have one?

plus technically Desdemona didnt loose the handkercheif, it was stolen?

[Aurelian]

She did drop it, after O had an headache, remember?

[smilingtearz]

Not implying anything blokey..
was just imagining othello dropping the hankerchief and later desdemona striking him for losing it...

Hey would emilia and Iago change roles too..

[Minx]

mmm now thats an intriguing idea... how would the audience cope with Emelia being the maliscious malignancy? it would be rather odd seeing these women in such authoritative roles, with wimpering husbands... i think if this was to occur then Cassio and Bianca should stay the same, for they merely just fill in the gaps *no offence intended if someone likes those characters?* i think the play would have been more enjoyable if Roderigo was a stalker, and Iago actually turned out to be bisexual - wanting a relationship with Othello instead of his wife Emelia... Cassio should have had an affair with Desdemona, that would have truly thickened the plot!!

what do you think?

[tomatoes]

sounds interesting. I can see Emilia as being manipulative and malicious given the right circumstances. It would suggest though that Iago was submissive and totally under her control, the audience would live that.
I don'y think switching Cassio and Bianca would do anything, as it is they are fairly boring characters. They only exist to provide a reason for Othello's jealousy.
Hey, does that mean that Dezza would be jealous of Bianca for trying to steal Othello away?

[shamal]

simply go to shakespeare's tomb and ask him.