Big Heads

Synopsis

Documentary series on evolutionary biology. In this episode presenter Dr Armand Leroi speaks of the levels of sophistication in the human brain and one of the examples given is Othello. Othello and Iago are seen playing chess and are interrupted by the presenter and Robin Dunbar from the Universiy of Liverpool, an evolutionary psychologist who has made a particular study of Othello. He explains the different levels of intentionality on view - between the players on view, then bringing in those players in the drama not on view, then the audience’s point of view, and finally the point of view of the author. Such a level of complexity is beyond the average chimpanzeee. They make a point of saying that Desdemona does not understand what is going on to the same degree as the others in the drama, and then shows her being strangled. Is Desdemona less evolutionary advanced?

Series

What Makes Us Human?

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Television

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

evolution; genetics; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); psychology

Credits

Contributor

Armand Leroi; Robin Dunbar

Production Company

Name

Tiger Aspect

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web

http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7255 1444

Fax

020 7436 0165

Address

21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN

Name

Learning on Screen Off-Air Recording Back-up Service

Email

services@bufvc.ac.uk

Web

http://bufvc.ac.uk/tvandradio/offair External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7393 1514

Fax

020 7393 1555

Address

For Learning on Screen Members only
77 Wells Street
London
W1T 3QJ