Racism In Othello

1. Racism In Othello By: Roberto Galvez

2. Quotes • “I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are {now} making the beast with two backs.” (I.i Page 15. 129-131 ) • “What a {full} fortune does the {thick-lips} owe If he can carry’t thus!” (I.i. Pg 11.72-73) • Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe.” (I.i. Pg.13. 97-98) • “Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you, you’ll have coursers for cousins and jennets for Germans (I.i. Page 15. 123-127)

3. In the book “Othello” racism plays a major role. An example of this is Iago. Iago uses racism to his advantage to make Othello seem as something miserable and that he should be treated as an animal. An example of this is when Iago tells Desdemona’s father that it is impossible for her to fall in love with Othello because of his race ,and that it could have been a spell that Othello used upon her. This shows how Othello’s race was seen as something not desirable.

4. A way that Iago used racism to his advantage was when he found out that Roderigo was in love with Desdemona. He told him that there was no way that Desdemona was in love with Othello because of his race and that she secretly met with Cassio. That the only way that he could be with Desdemona was by eliminating his obstacle which was Cassio. • “Blessed fig’s end! The wine she drinks is made of grapes. If she had been blessed, she would have never have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that?” (II.i. Pg.77. 273-277)

5. Self-Reflective Question • What would happen if Othello had been white? • What kind of twist would there be in the story line if Iago would have not been racist against Othello? • Did racism have a greater impact on Othello than his jealousy?

6. THEEND