Michaela Fleming -- Othello and Othello in the Seraglio

  Your analysis of the differences and connections between the Shakespeare
  play and the Sanlikol opera is very good.  I think you see pretty clearly that the 
  Sanlikol opera's plot is related to the Shakespeare plot by a series of substitutions or 
  reversals in the Venice-Turkey relationship, or in the basic traits of 
  characters or the relationships between characters, that all have the effect 
  of shining a light on those relationships "from the other side," so to speak.  

  I'm sorry that the combination of the two didn't really "work" for you, though.
  I think it is possible to gain deeper understanding of the Othello story by
  thinking about that story from the different perspective shown in the opera.
  For instance, the way that the threat of Othello's sexuality is used by
  Iago to inflame Brabantio's fears in Act I the Shakespeare play is kind of taken
  out of the equation in the opera because Sumbul is a eunuch.  So we can see
  that it's really Iago's prejudices and his willingness to use prejudiced attitudes
  in others to get his own way that is driving the plot in Shakespeare.  It's not 
  sexual potency that makes Othello attractive to Desdemona in any case because 
  she is mostly attracted to his wonderful stories about his experiences.  And
  that's part of the attractiveness of Sumbul for Suzan too.   

  Grade:  92 (A-)