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When talking to Cassio, Iago, instead of calling Othello “The Moor” or by his name, he calls him “black Othello” which really striked me. To me, there are two possible answers to this question. Firstly, in Act II scene 1, as Desdemona, Emilia and Iago are talking about a Woman’s intelligence, Desdemona uses the term “black” as a substitute for ugly. As a side note, it says that black in that time meant dark in complexion and therefore, by the standards of Shakespeare’s day , unattractive. Consequently, this could mean that Iago was implicitly offending Othello and separating him from…
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A strong possibility for the reason Iago wanted to bring down Othello could have been because Othello was black. It is feasible to think that Iago just couldn’t stand to see a black man in power and that he was a racist. A black man in a position of power would have definitely had a few people upset especially in those days. When Iago speaks to Desdemona’s father Barbatio, Iago refers to Othello as “the black ram” and “the devil”. These words that Shakespeare used could be a hint as to why Iago wants to bring Othello down. All of this explains the physical aspect of the contrast between black and white, Othello vs. Iago.…
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Shakespeare writes about an African, Othello, who is called “thick-lips” and “lascivious moor” (I.i.42,76). It is true that Othello is from Africa and could be considered a moor, but he never displays any sort of inappropriate sexual desires. Iago slings these racial epithets (and many others) toward Othello to undermine his personhood and to mock characteristics that are the heart of who Othello is. Iago does more than insult Othello’s appearance, but undermines the history and culture of Othello – his entire life and upbringing. Racial epithets are also used by characters in Heart of Darkness.…
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Race is very important in the play. Othello was a moor. In simplest terms he was a man of color. His race is what set him apart from the other characters. Also Othello is the only character of color which automatically set him inside. Being that he is a military general (a position not offered to black men) a lot of the characters don’t like him, and a lot of characters described him negatively because to them he was just a moor. But others respect and admire him because of his accomplishments. Iago was not his biggest fan so of coarse he said things that were not meant to be nice. “Iago: 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 if you arise I say!” (Act 1, Scene 1) Here Iago is upset that a moor is with a white woman. So he tells Desdemona’s father about the relationship. But all throughout what he is saying he is making racial slurs. In response to this Desdemona’s father says “BRABANTIO: She, in spite of nature, Of years, of country, credit, every thing, To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on! It is a judgment maim'd and most imperfect That will confess perfection so could err Against all rules of nature.” (Act 1, Scene 3) which means he feels that Desdemona’s feelings for Othello is wrong. It is unnatural since he is black and she is white. Even Othello himself describes his color as being something bad at one point. “Othello: All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. 'Tis gone. Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! (Act 3, Scene 3) Throughout the play there are many comments as to Othello’s race. I personally think the whole play is based around two things his race in comparison to everyone else’s, and his race with Desdemona’s race because he is a “moor” and every one else is not. Well race and jealousy anyway but race is what stands out more.…
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| Initially, Iago tells us of his hatred for the Moor is because Othello chose to promote Cassio to Lieutenant, instead of his, thus leaving the audience to thinks that Iagos reason for wanting to destroy Othello is because of that. However later on in the play, in Act 1, Scene 3, Iago reveals another possible motive for wanting to take down Othello. Here he says that “ ‘twix my sheets/ he has done my office”. Iago insinuates here that he hates Othello because he’s heard a rumour that Othello has committed adultery with his wife, Emilia. Iago states that isn’t positive if its true, yet he will go along with the plan to ruin Othello’s life nonetheless.…
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Shakespeare’s masterpiece Othello has remained relevant beyond its original context not merely because of its universal themes of love and betrayal, but rather, due to its textual integrity, and the enduring value which is enhanced through the exploration of such issues, as marginalisation and the psychology of villainy. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Othello as being an outsider, and being “othered” by the Venetian society due to his different race, reflects traditional Elizabethan values and ethics regarding racial prejudice and inequality. These recurring issues, of social intolerance and racial bias are prevalent concerns in our modern society. Shakespeare’s expresses the nature of villainy through his antagonist, Iago, as he explores issues of betrayal and deceit. These issues, revolving around Othello’s passion, struggle and vulnerability, as an outsider, are representative of the human condition, hence making it pivotal, of why “Othello” has remained relevant in a different context.…
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Iago uses the Elizabethan views and stereotypes to manipulate Othello to do his bidding. Iago assumes that Othello is insecure due to his ethnic heritage, and uses this to his advantage. Iago himself is influenced by the context--the Elizabethan society. While Iago is correct of Othello’s insecurity, it is because of the attitudes towards Blackamoors during the Elizabethan era that Othello was insecure itself. There is evidence that there were a considerable number of black people in England in the late 16th Century. But in 1601, Elizabeth I gave orders to deport them, citing concerns about their irregular behaviour and a fear that allowing them to stay in England would lead to overpopulation.…
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Ethnic minorities in high positions of leadership are becoming the highest growing and highest earning individuals in business. Their growth is attributed to their success in running and operating their businesses with solid leadership. These ethnic minorities often rank higher in many leadership measures over non-minorities. In the play Othello, Othello succeeds as a general thanks to his contacts and performance in his position. He makes himself a great example when he leads his crew through a rough storm and persevering against the Turkish fleet. However, racism is prominent in the workplace and in the play. In the workplace, blatant discrimination and racial remarks are well known by those minorities especially in a majority-driven business. In Othello, Iago’s psychopathy and stigma against Othello are more reactive than spoken attempting to get his reputation ruined and his job lost. Although Shakespeare misrepresents minorities in high positions in that those minorities are successful and well-liked by subordinates, he accurately depicts minorities in high positions today in the play Othello because racism continues to exist in the workplace and Othello is found to be an overall effective leader.…
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Racism is a concept that each and every single one of us in the room today is familiar with, this is both from our everyday experiences in the 21st Century and through Shakespearian texts. Shakespeare explored many themes and racism is one that is quite predominant throughout the text, Othello. Shakespeare broke the societal norm of his time by creating a black hero and using a white villain to undermine and deceive his otherwise flawless black character.…
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The theme of racism was shown through the way Iago and Roderigo talked about Othello. In the very first scene, Roderigo and Iago mock Othello in explicitly racial terms referring to him as “Barbary horse” and “thick-lips.” In nearly every case, the prejudiced characters use terms that describe Othello as an animal or beast. Othello said “an old balck ram is tupping your white ewe”…
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I would agree with you that Othello's race does in fact affect events in the story. For example, I believe that Othello’s color differentiates him from others and turns him into a victim. It is indicated that one of the many reasons why Iago hates Othello so much is because of his skin color. Therefore, Iago’s hatred for the Othello are clear in his words. When Iago finds out about the marriage between Desdemona and Othello, is where his evil plan to get revenge on Othello.…
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In some cases, it can be argued that Othello is very much a racist play. Shakespeare starts off the story in the beginning by jumping right into the dialogue between Iago and Roderigo. Not long into the conversation does the reader encounter racist slurs such as, “moor”, and, “an old black ram”. Shakespeare neglects to even mention Othello’s name in the dialogue between Iago and Roderigo before saying these offensive remarks about Othello. This provides an important clue to those who believe Othello is a racist story. The beginning scene of a play/book usually sets the tone for the reader/audience and gives them a basic idea of what is going on and whom the protagonist/antagonist may be. It is peculiar then that Shakespeare would start off the beginning of the book with a conversation between the two main antagonist characters (Iago and Roderigo) degrading the protagonist (Othello) with remarks concerning his ethnicity. Not once does Iago or Roderigo…
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Looking back at the overall racist comments made throughout the play it seems to relate mostly to one character, Iago. Most of his racism seemed to come from his hatred for Othello and everything he stood for. Iago’s overall loathing for Othello seems like it has almost no base other than how he chooses to feel about Othello. Iago even says about his hate to the Moor that “ I hate the Moor: my cause is hearted; thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him” (Othello 369-371). He is talking about how because he hates Othello so people should come together and take out their emotions on Othello. It appears that Iago uses this racism to turn others against Othello by saying racist comment about him. After these comments…
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• Using grotesque animal imagery, Iago voices an explicitly stereotypical view of Othello, as a “Barbary horse,” depicting him as an animalistic outsider. Through the image of conflict in black and white, Iago emphasises on the racial demarcation between Othello and Desdemona, that “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe,” associating Othello with uncontrolled animalistic sexuality. Iago’s overt and vicious racism becomes representative of the reigning stereotype of the African on the Elizabethan stage…
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Race is one of the main topics in Othello that Shakespeare goes ahead and plays with. Othello being the only black man in the story he is different from the main characters. He is seen as a man of dignity, respect, and pride. Othello is different from the perceived view of darker colored folks at the time. Shakespeare uses racial otherness to toy around with the reader’s view of the characters. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, my very noble and approved good masters,…. Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech, And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace,.. (Othello 79-85) Othello has what people of his skin color were perceived not to have which is somewhat of an education. Shakespeare instilled the exact opposite of the readers perception into Othello. Othello lets the Duke and all others know that he knows his place and tells them that he is not a good speaker, actually quite the awkward one but he switches the subject to the task at hand with having to go to Cyprus. Othello is seen using his quick whit at the beginning of the play to defer the Duke and men to the more important issue. Readers at this time would have been shocked to see a man of darker color with somewhat of a quick…
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