The Power of Words in ‘Othello’, ‘The Book Thief’ and ‘The King’s Speech’

The Power of Words in ‘Othello’, ‘The Book Thief’     

and ‘The King’s Speech’

In ‘Othello’ and ‘The Book Thief’ the theme of Power of Words runs throughout both texts. The Power of Words is seen in a positive light in ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak, but seen in a negative way in William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’.

The power of words is first seen in ‘The Book Thief’ when Liesel is in Ilsa Hermann’s house, in her  library. Liesel felt the pull of the books were too strong. Every time Liesel read a book she felt the power that words had over someone in a positive way. It was interesting that Liesel saw how strong the power of words was because at that time in Summer 1940 in  Nazi Germany the power of words was being used all over the country through Hitler. Liesel sees how words affect her in a positive way because she loves to read.

The theme of the Power of words is also seen in ‘Othello’. The Power of Words is used in a negative way in ‘Othello’. It is first seen when Iago gets Cassio drunk to take advantage of him because he knows that he can’t handle alcohol very well. He makes sure Cassio gets into a fight with Roderigo and strike him.

When Othello enters, Iago uses his power of words to benefit himself by telling him that Cassio started the fight, but making it sound like he didn't want to tell Othello because he didn’t want to betray Cassio.

The Power of Words is seen again in a positive way in  ‘The Book Thief’ in Max’s book for Liesel ‘The Word Shaker’. It is seen when Max writes about Liesel and ‘’how powerless a person could be WITHOUT words.’’ He knew how powerful words are to Liesel and how they have benefited her in a positive way. He describes the people who understand the power of words as word shakers. He finds that himself and Liesel are word shakers. They both understand the power of words and have built a strong friendship because of it.

The Power of Words is also seen again in ‘Othello’. It is seen for the second time when Iago is using his ‘friendship’ with Othello by telling him about Desdemona and Cassio and how she took the handkerchief that Othello gave to her to show her that he wouldn’t betray her. Iago stages it so Othello is hiding when Cassio comes into the room and Iago asks Cassio about Bianca but making it sound like he was talking about Desdemona. When Cassio leaves Othello comes back out and gets so worked up about what Iago is telling him he goes into a fit.

The last time the theme of the  Power of Words is seen in a positive way in  ‘The Book Thief’ is when Liesel is telling Max his own story of ‘The Word Shaker’ to make him fight for his survival. ‘Is it really you? The young man asked’, she said. ‘It is from your cheek that I took the seed?’ This gives Max the strength to remain standing as he is being whipped by the Nazi soldier. He is not going to let the negative power of words win over the positive power of words.

Lastly the negative use of Power of words is seen in ‘Othello.’ The last time the use of the Power of Words is seen in a negative way in ‘Othello’ is when Desdemona sings a song called ‘Willow’. Desdemona is sent back to her room by Othello because he cannot look at her after what Iago told him about her and Cassio. Desdemona is in her room with Emilia who is helping her go to bed. She starts singing a song called ‘Willow’ that a maid called Barbary that her Mother sang before she died. The negative Power of Words is seen here because these words bring Desdemona’s death.

The theme of the Power of Words is seen also throughout ‘The King’s Speech’ because words are so powerful to Bertie. He finds is difficult to speak because of his stammer. His Father and Brother make fun of him and his stammer. This makes him feel worthless and unloved like Othello in ‘Othello’ when he feels he is not good enough for Desdemona because of his race. Bertie feels he will be a terrible king. Words scare Bertie. This makes the theme of The Power of Words to be seen in a negative light for Bertie in the beginning, but in the final scene of the film Bertie realizes that he doesn't need to be afraid of words, he can control them himself . They have no power of him anymore he has power over them.

In conclusion I have shown that the Power of Words is seen in a positive light in ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak, but seen in a negative way in William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’. Also, the theme of the Power of Words is scene in  negatively in the beginning of ‘The King’s Speech’, directed by Tom Hooper ,but at the end of the film the theme has changed to be positive.