Racism and Othelo?

Question

I have to write an essay about racism in Othello and i don't know what to write about.

The topic for may essay is: Does Othello accept racist Venetian views of himself?

Answer 1

I too am reading Othello for my A2s. You are best to talk about the crude and vulgar language used by Iago in particular for example the bit where he tells Brabantio that his 'white ewe is being tupped by a black ram' images of bestiality to describe OTH as well as the obvious rascism in that quote. O yeh and use the words vulgar and crude in your essay when describing this racism. Roderigo also refers to OTH as Thick lips and Iago calls him a Barbary horse these are both racist terms. Iago also continually uses the word slave find some examples and quote them. the word tribe is also used on line 173 in act 3 scene iii. OK there are a few good ideas to get u started there . Email back when you get the grade. Good Luck. Alex O BTW don't listen to the guy talkin about liberal teachers Othello is racist nowadays, and Iago was only pretending to be his friend to manipulate him that is quite clear to anybody who has actually read the play don't be put off by those ppl. Bye. And to actually answer the question Iago makes Othello wonder if he is inferior to Desdemona and this in turn leads to him smothering Desdemona while she sleeps as he believes she is having an affair with Cassio, so yes he does start to accept the views of Venetian society

Answer 2

Well, look at the way he's spoken about by the Venetians - as a "black ram", a "thick lips", etc, and the doubts they express about his leadership abilities. They clearly have a preconceived view of his abilities based on the fact that he is black.

What evidence do you find in the text to support the idea that Othello either shares these beliefs or has self-belief despite the views of others?

Answer 3

Hi Natalia, the information you're after is among these links.

Othello by William Shakespeare

http://www.elook.org/literature/shakespeare/othello/

I have found 12+ summaries for you to look at, click the link below. I have included a short extract to give you a taste of what the reviews have to offer and they’re FREE..!!!

http://litsum.com/othello/

http://www.freebooknotes.com/book.php3?id=319

http://www.antistudy.com/search.php?title=Othello

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xOthello.html#Othello

http://www.clicknotes.com/

An analysis of the play by Shakespeare

http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/othello001.html

THE ROMANTIC IAGO

http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/iago001.html

Antagonist

Iago, Othello�s ensign, is the antagonist of the play. He exploits Othello�s weakness, bringing out his fatal flaw of jealousy and making him believe that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. During the course of the play, Iago kills Roderigo and Emilia, his wife; and he stabs Cassio, wounding his leg. His evil scheming leads to the deaths of Desdemona and Othello.

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmOthello04.asp

Good luck.

Kevin, Liverpool, England.

Answer 4

Race was not an issue, as Iago and Othello were best friends, white and black, and Desmondina was white and married to a black man. You have a very weak minded liberal teacher with nothing better to do than point out problems in society without actually fixing them.

Answer 5

Clarify your assignment...are to write about perceived racism on Shakespeare's part, the characters, the audience, or a modern reader? I ask because those are all very different answers.

Answer 6

That's because there was no racism in it. Its some dumbass liberal teacher trying to interject some. Write your paper on that!