(something to consider in your essay) "O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!" What s interesting about this passage is othello s use of a racist discourse. The theme of racism is strongly depicted in William Shakespeare's Othello. When Othello was originally written in England things between white and black people where not where they are at today. Iago is Othello's ensign.Iago maliciously goads Othello's jealousy until Othello kills Desdemona. Back to: Othello by William Shakespeare. Racism is defined as a fear or dislike of a race other than one’s own, or the doctrine that some races are inferior to others (The Winston Canadian Dictionary). I think there are quite lots of proofs in the play which show that theme of racism is dominant and the problem of race should not be ignored. After this action Iago expressed how he hated him to Roderigo for his decision. In Othello racism played an important role throughout the play. Othello in Shakespeare's play is a black moor from North Africa surrounded by the white society of Venice. However this play delves much deeper into the issue of race, ego, sex, self doubt and assimilation. In the very first scene, Roderigo and Iago disparage Othello in explicitly racial terms, calling him, among other things, "Barbary horse" and "thick lips." . Othello views his own racial identity as undesirable, and it is this lack of confidence in himself that allows Iago to persuade him that Desdemona is cheating on him. He is a black man who is also a great and successful war soldier. Racism in Othello. There is a clear theme of racism throughout, one which was firmly embedded in the Venetian society which rejects the marriage of Othello and Desdemona as erring, 'against all rules of nature'. By not referring to his body, Desdemona confirms her father’s belief that she should fear to look on such blackness. Othello as an African is important not because of what he is, but because of how he is perceived specifically by the other characters and by himself. This theme can be said act as the backbone of the entire play. His unusual appearance becomes a reason for social prejudice. Racism seems to be a big concern in Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello. A lthough racism is a major theme in the play, I do not believe that Shakespeare was a racist himself. Othello is a nobleman, a decorated soldier, very well respected by his men (with the exception of Iago). but she does not say that she found his physical form attractive. Racism may play a large part in the tragedy, Othello, but it certainly does not adequately explain the entire play. Historically, in the West, Othello is performed by many great Black actors. Othello using his race when referring to his wife's supposed immorality in A3;S3 "As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black As mine own face" Emilia to Othello in A5;2, when he lives up to racist stereotypes. Shakespeare was well aware of racial tension in England and included the theme of racism in Othello. “. Othello holds an … Shakespeare emphasizes the opposition of white and black and creates a gap between the lovers. I think there are quite lots of proofs in the play which show that theme of racism is dominant and the problem of race should not be ignored. The play exploits this reason to isolate Othello further into his tragedy. However, Othello is not wholly the tragedy of racism. Firstly Iago uses racism to ignite the flame in Desdemona’s father, Brabantio against Othello. The play is based on jealousy, deceit, and betrayal among lovers which eventually results in a fatality. Moreover, sheis unperturbed by the tempest or Turks that threatened their … The theme of racism in Orange is The New Black is shown throughout the episodes by showing the different groups depending on your race, they also show that the group you belong to look out for their own. To provoke the racial sentiments in Brabantio, Iago calls Othello as a “barbary horse.” It refers to a region in northern Africa on the Mediterranean coast. Desdemona communicates a more subtle form of racism. Moor is of a mixed Arab and Berber descent. Theme of Racism in Othello. Racism in Othello BY: NANO TALEB Racism Quote #3 Racism Quote #2 Racism Quote #4 QUESTION: Personally, do you think Shakespeare is racist in his writing of Othello? He had to write to please, and a bit of racism here and there would have satisfied his audience. The character Othello is gullible and easily manipulated by Iago who is below his class. Racism in Othello ? Racism in Othello is the essential theme that plays a significant role in the plot development. When she discovers her lady has been murdered, she says in Othello’s response, when he says “she is like a liar gone to burning hell/T was I that killed her”, “O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil! Desdemona also refers to Othello as “the Moor”, however, her reference is coupled with adjectives such as “noble” and “lord”. First, I will have a brief look at the meaning of black in the English society and the existence of racism in the 16th century and also where the character of Othello emerges from. He shared some of the deep fears of his contemporaries about black people. She never mentions Othello’s race until the final scenes of the play. The story revolves around two characters, Othello and Iago.Othello is a Moorish general in the Venetian army who has just married Desdemona. In the play, Iago provokes Brabantio regarding his daughter Desdemona’s elopement with Othello by saying that “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe.” It is the very first outrightly racist remark in this play by Shakespeare. Another reason which makes the love unnatural is the cultural difference between the two and it is also connected to race. After planting doubts in Othello’s mind about Desdemona’s infidelity, when Iago leaves, Othello starts questioning the possible lacking in his self. Racism is extremely prominent and causes a multitude amount of problems for many characters. Othello is not simply a play about jealousy. Theme of Racism in the Play “Othello” by William Shakespeare Othello is a play written by the famous writer William Shakespeare and is centered on a tragedy. How Does Othello's Attitude Towards Desdemona Change Towards the End of the Play? He doesn’t belong to the refined manners of courtiers. Racism in Othello Racism seems to be a big concern in Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello. As early as 1596, Queen Elizabeth complained of the number of black people in England and racism in the 16th century did exist, but the ideas and images were only partially developed. Shakespeare was well aware of racial tension in England and included the theme of racism in Othello.