bob sucks
Coursework Essay on ‘Othello’
3. To what extent do you blame racist attitudes for the tragedy in ‘Othello’?
In William Shakespeare’s Othello, racism is unquestionably featured throughout the whole play. Racism was Iago’s most important motive to overthrow Othello. Iago believed that a black man in Venetian society should not have such a high social status, therefore he was jealous. He referred to Othello as a ‘black ram’ and ‘the devil’ when talking to Desdemona’s father, Brabantio. Another name Othello was usually called was the ‘Moor’, it was a name that the Arab and Berber people of North Africa who inhabited Spain were called. He was called ‘the Moor’ many more times than he was called by his first name, this shows that the Venetians think his race is more important than his real name.
When Othello marries Desdemona, a young, beautiful and white Venetian who is the daughter of the Senator, Brabantio, the people of Venice, except Cassio, Montano and Desdemona, begin to dislike Othello more, just because of his race. Othello thinks he is special because he is amazed to have such a beautiful wife. ‘Even now, now, very now, an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise. Awake the snorting citizens with the bell or else the devil will make a grandsire of you’ (Act 1 Scene i Line 88-90). When Iago tells Brabantio the news, that Desdemona is having an affair with Othello, he expressed it in a disrespectful and racist way towards Othello. In addition, this quotation portrays Desdemona as a ‘white ewe’ which is sexist. Also, Iago is quite fond of using imagery of animals to describe or insult people’s characters. The animal imagery helps the listener to understand clearer (i.e. Brabantio) and such an insolent and outrageous image that Iago has imprinted in Brabantio’s mind, lasts longer and does more psychological damage. The last few words of Iago’s speech reflects the point that Desdemona and Othello’s children will be black, thus Brabantio’s
3. To what extent do you blame racist attitudes for the tragedy in ‘Othello’?
In William Shakespeare’s Othello, racism is unquestionably featured throughout the whole play. Racism was Iago’s most important motive to overthrow Othello. Iago believed that a black man in Venetian society should not have such a high social status, therefore he was jealous. He referred to Othello as a ‘black ram’ and ‘the devil’ when talking to Desdemona’s father, Brabantio. Another name Othello was usually called was the ‘Moor’, it was a name that the Arab and Berber people of North Africa who inhabited Spain were called. He was called ‘the Moor’ many more times than he was called by his first name, this shows that the Venetians think his race is more important than his real name.
When Othello marries Desdemona, a young, beautiful and white Venetian who is the daughter of the Senator, Brabantio, the people of Venice, except Cassio, Montano and Desdemona, begin to dislike Othello more, just because of his race. Othello thinks he is special because he is amazed to have such a beautiful wife. ‘Even now, now, very now, an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise. Awake the snorting citizens with the bell or else the devil will make a grandsire of you’ (Act 1 Scene i Line 88-90). When Iago tells Brabantio the news, that Desdemona is having an affair with Othello, he expressed it in a disrespectful and racist way towards Othello. In addition, this quotation portrays Desdemona as a ‘white ewe’ which is sexist. Also, Iago is quite fond of using imagery of animals to describe or insult people’s characters. The animal imagery helps the listener to understand clearer (i.e. Brabantio) and such an insolent and outrageous image that Iago has imprinted in Brabantio’s mind, lasts longer and does more psychological damage. The last few words of Iago’s speech reflects the point that Desdemona and Othello’s children will be black, thus Brabantio’s