Racism in "Othello"

Analytical Essay # 65520

Drama and Theater > English
English > Analysis
Shakespeare > Othello

Racism in "Othello"

Explores the racist motivations behind Iago's actions in "Othello" by William Shakespeare.

1,474 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

It is often wondered by Shakespeare's readers as to why Iago acts the way he does in "Othello." This essay explores specific instances of racist motivation for Iago's actions. The paper shows that racist attitudes allow the characters of "Othello" to elevate even the smallest feelings of animosity to complete hatred.

From the Paper:

"One of the first instances where Iago uses Othello's race to attempt to rally supporters to his cause is when he and Roderigo attempt to convince Brabantio, the father of Desdemona that Desdemona and Othello are having sex while they have yet to be married. Iago tells Brabantio that "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/is tupping your white ewe" (Shakespeare I.i.88-89). This quote is said with the intention to scare Brabantio into believing that his daughter is having sex out of wedlock with a black man. "