Speech

All of us here regardless of our age gender or ethnicity were a blank canvas when we were born, our families, our loved ones and our surrounding have painted the picture we are today. In the case of Othello and Good Will Hunting, Both Shakespeare and Gus Van Sant explore how Society gives them a false perception of their state of belonging moving individuals away from their true self. And how society can shatter an individual’s perception of where they belong and open them up to how they are truly viewed in the world. The texts accomplish this by highlighting the journey each character tackles and through the use of a range of visual, and literary techniques. What these texts teach us is that even though you can achieve a sense of self and belonging it will always be tainted by society.

Othello explores how society gives individuals a false perception of belonging moving them away from who they truly are. Othello’s journey involves his state of mind being constantly altered and changed to suit the desires of Iago. Iago slowly plants seeds of doubt , in Othello’s mind alienating him from society and exposing the hero’s tragic flaw , jealousy. In the quote, “beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on”. The use of this stark metaphor hones in on how jealousy is a creature of the mind consuming it all, it is also an example of dramatic irony as Iago himself is consumed and fuelled by Jealousy. The use of elaborate and vivid imagery used in the metaphor "O! I had rather be a toad, And live upon the vapors of a dungeon, Than keep a corner of the thing I love for others' uses." highlights the anger that has built up in Othello and how alienated he has become towards Desdemona. The over arching theme of Jealousy seeps through the quotes above. Othello delivers to the audience how society creates a false sense of belonging taking individuals away from the truth.

Othello shows us how society gives false perceptions of belonging to individuals leading them away from who they truly are. However Good Will hunting also shows the other end of the spectrum that society also has a positive impact on an individual’s sense of self. Will learns to overcome his abusive and tormented orphan past as his relationships develop with the society around him. The final scene of the movie portrays how Will has finally found his sense of self and place. The scene uses comforting and simplistic music to show his journey has come to an end and the quote “I gotta go see about a girl” is symbolic of the fact that he finally realizes what’s important in his life.

Society shatter’s an individual’s perception of where they belong and open them up to how they are truly viewed in the world. The false sense of belonging held by Othello is final broken by Emilia, He finally realizes that he has been lead astray and he seem himself for what he has become a coldhearted murderer. The soliloquy at the end of the play highlights Othello’s concern with his identity and showcasing his true sense of self. “Soft you; a word or two before you go. I have done the state some service, and they know't. No more of that. I pray you, in your letters, When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate” A major theme present in the play is identity. Othello is a self-obsessed perfectionist this stems from the fact that he’s an outsider. A sense of vulnerability is developed in Othello as his position in society forces him to be reserved and guarded in order to protect his status and to avoid fulfilling the stereotypes. This sense of anxiety because he is different ultimately gets the better of him and leads to his downfall

Just like Othello, In Good Will Hunting shows us that Society can rip open an individuals false sense of belonging. Sean rips open Wills confined world and showing him that his only limiting himself and the past is now over. When Sean looks Will in the Eye and says "Look at me, What do you want to do, You are bullshit, You gotta bullshit answer for everybody but I ask you a very

simple question and you cant give me straight answer, because you don’t know.” With The use of rhetorical question he powerfully connects with the viewer and is used like a spear to break Will’s bubble. Combined with the mellow lighting in the room the scene creates an overall somber mood to signify the passage of a pivotal point in Will’s life. The scene also signifies the theme of Identity that is present in Othello, Will is finally forced to genuinely look at who is and what he wants with life.

What I learned from Othello and Good Will hunting is that society can either strip your sense of belonging off you and manipulate you and make you stray away from true self. Or it can provide for you and include you and make you fell like you finally belong as explored in the texts.

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