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The Theme of Race and Racism in Othello, a Play by William Shakespeare

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Throughout the sixteenth century, racial prejudice was prevalent in European Society beginning with slave trade. This issue is reflected in William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello, which deals with race and racism during this timeframe. It portrays the attitude of European society towards those that were different in color and race. Shakespeare’s play took place in Venice, Italy, and at the time, Venice was a predominantly white city. Given so, Othello was judged more severely than others due to his identity and was looked upon as an outsider.

Shakespeare’s play encompasses around three main characters in which all play a role in racial prejudice. Othello, the protagonist, is portrayed as a black Moor man in the Venetian army who constantly faces racial insults due to the color of his skin. Othello is married to a white woman, Desdemona, daughter of senator Brabantio, who rejects the idea of his daughter being married to a black man. The villain, lago, tries desperately to separate her and Othello in spite of his jealousy by accusing Desdemona of being unfaithful throughout the play.

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Through the actions of the characters, we can see how Venetian society frowned upon people of color just like they did with Othello, the Moor”. In this analytical paper, I will be analyzing how the play, Othello reflects the racial prejudices that were occurring in Venetian society during the sixteenth century through the use of textual evidence and the correlation it has with the city’s’ perspectives.

People of color around the world have suffered for years due to discriminatory factors and further began to grow during the sixteenth century in Venice.

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Shakespeare was aware of these racial issues and took on the character of Othello to further show the way they were treated and looked upon. Othello was a part of the Venetian army and was perceived to be a jealous individual, which mirrors the aspects of a perceived Moor during Elizabethan times. Moors took on the courage to fight in wars but were known to be extremely jealous by Elizabethans. Given so, Iago uses Othello’s racial insecurities and utters racial commentary to disprove Othello. From the very first act of the play, Iago begins to call Othello by racial insults degrading him as if he were not human. He also makes it clear to readers that he hates Othello by saying, “…I hate the Moor”(Shakespeare, 1986, 1.3.313-314).

Iago at first pretends to be on his side by telling him to not have jealousy as it is the green-eyed monster”(Shakespeare, 1986, 3.3.171) because it will lead to heartbreak but then later convinces him into thinking his wife is cheating on him. Othello initially states that he would not “make a life of jealousy”(Shakespeare, 1986, 3.3.182) but ends up starting to feel jealous which causes him to ask for proof. It is with all intention that Iago is trying to ruin Othello. Furthermore, Moors during Elizabethan times were considered as animals given their reputation as savages. This is seen numerous times throughout the play as Iago and Brabantio hardly call Othello by his name. They degrade him with racial commentaries such as “Barbary horse”, (Shakespeare, 1986, 1.1.116) “old black ram”(Shakespeare, 1986, 1.1.91) and “thick lips” (Shakespeare, 1986, 1.1.68).

These racist slurs ostracize Othello from society and the depiction of “thick lips” further describes his different physical appearance imposing that he is an outsider of the community. Not only were they seen as animals, Elizabethans also correlated Moors with witchcraft, which can also be seen when Brabantio accuses Othello of using magic. Brabantio states, “Judge me the world, if ’tis not gross in sense/ That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms, Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals/ That weaken motion”(Shakespeare, 1986, 1.2.75-78). He believes Othello has manipulated his daughter into marrying him, which further shows the theme of racism because Brabantio only believes that Desdemona has to be under a spell to get her to marry a black man.

Othello’s skin color leads to him being undermined and contributes to his lack of confidence. His race and his position of power cause Othello to destroy himself because of his fear and doubt with whites like Iago. Another racial issue of Venetian society that can be exemplified through Shakespeare’s Othello is the disproval of interracial marriage. England was under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I who declared that there were too many blacks in the country and ordered that they be deported. They were considered to be a danger to social hierarchy and the alliance between a black man and a white woman was not acceptable. This is reflected through Othello when he marries Desdemona.

Parents were the ones who arranged marriages during this era and individuals had little choice as to who they would marry. Before marriage, Othello was seen as an honorary white due to his military stature. Brabantio always felt kindhearted towards Othello and would even invite him over to talk about his life story. Othello recalls, “Her father loved me,/oft invited me/still questioned me the story of my life”(Shakespeare, 1986, 1.3.130-131). However once married, Brabantio’s attitude began to change towards him and Othello was then considered a black man. He did not welcome the marriage despite Othello’s high stature in the military and adopts a discriminatory attitude.

Brabantio states, Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!/For I’ll refer me to all things of sense,/If she in chains of magic were not bound,/Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy/So opposite to marriage that she shunned/The wealthy curlèd darlings of our nation,/Would ever have, t’incur a general mock,/Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom/Of such a thing as thou to fear, not to delight. (Shakespeare, 1986, 1.2.66-74) He believes his daughter was manipulated into marrying a black man because she was opposed to marriage initially. Conversely, later in the play Desdemona clarifies that she indeed married him for love and was not manipulated into doing so. The independence Desdemona showed from her father was unusual in Elizabethan times and would not be tolerable.

If Othello were white then Brabantio would never be against the union of Othello and Desdemona. This further shows us that blacks were discriminated and interracial marriage was frowned upon in Venetian society in the sixteenth century. As a final point, all of the racial commentaries and insecurities Othello faced led him into believing he was an outsider, which ultimately led him to his own death. There are countless times Iago mistreats Othello. As stated before, Othello is called names pertaining to animals such as “black ram” and is manipulated into believing his own wife is cheating on him. Othello mentions, “For since these arms of mine had seven years pith/ Till now some nine moons wasted/ …in the tented field/ … little of this great world can I speak”(Shakespeare, 1986, 1.3.86-89). Through this we can see that Othello’s life mainly encompasses around battle and he has yet to have a fulfilled life. He also adds in that he was “sold to slavery, of [his] redemption thence/And portance in [his] traveler’s history”(Shakespeare, 1986, 1.3.141-142).

These incongruities set Othello apart from the community thus making him an outsider compared to the higher social hierarchy at the time This realization destroys Othello causing him to kill himself. When he does kill himself he says he is killing the “turbaned Turk” who “beat a Venetian and traduced the state” (Shakespeare, 1986, 5.2.349-350). Here he finalizes his views on himself such that he calls himself a “Turk”. He has fundamentally become someone else because of Iago’s manipulative power. He is killing himself as the “Turk” or the “Moor” as an act of Venetian devotion. Due to racism, Othello becomes more vulnerable to manipulation and is easily tricked by Iago. Racism assures that Othello will remain isolated from his peers while Iago plays with his mind by separating him from his white peers and making him the outsider.

Shakespeare’s play could not have been a tragedy without the negative pressures from racism. To restate, Queen Elizabeth I had ordered blacks to be deported from the country during the sixteenth century, which caused them to feel unwanted and mistreated. Racism was key during this era and blacks never had the opportunity to fit into society just like Othello. They were deprived from many opportunities and had to face the realities of living in a black body. As has been mentioned, racism was a crucial issue occurring during Elizabethan times in the sixteenth century during the publication of William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello

. Shakespeare was mindful of such issues and personified them in his character of Othello. By doing so, readers are able to see how Venetian society in the sixteenth century discriminated against African Americans in such ways of perceiving blacks as animals and savages just like how Othello was perceived, disproving interracial marriage, and ultimately causing blacks to feel like outsiders. Also through the characters’ actions in Shakespeare’s play, we can further interpret how African Americans were mistreated and caused to feel like outsiders.

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The Theme of Race and Racism in Othello, a Play by William Shakespeare

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In the book, Othello, by William Shakespeare, we see a big impact of racism and racial prejudice. Othello shows a lot of this and how it gets in the way by restraining love in society. He is a black man who is also a great and successful war soldier. He dedicates himself to serve society’s goals by fighting for his country. Even though, Othello is a Moor, he is the most hardworking and the most respected. When it comes to his love life with Desdemona, he is very different. This truly affects Othello’s life and the structure of the course throughout the plot.

Prejudice in Othello

Racism in othello.

Throughout the book, racism just keeps getting worse for Othello. Iago doesn’t seem to stand him at all because of the fact that he’s a Moor and that he’s black. Iago believes that an African American person person cannot be successful or good in any way. He also believed that Othello couldn’t marry a beautiful woman who was white. Iago is angered when he finds out that they get married. He bugs out and uses racist language. Iago uses a term to abuse Othello as a “black ram. This shows his true hatred for Othello and black people in general.

As Othello’s awareness of others in society and what the people actually think of him gets to him, he isn’t surprised at all. He begins to realize that everyone in his society actually does think less of him because of who is as a Moor. He sees that Iago was a bad and racist person. The insecurity about his race and the realization that he is different than every person in his society leads to his hatred and anger to really come out. This anger really gets to Othello in which he kills Desdemona. He felt less upon himself and started to lose his self-confidence as a person. He comes to conclusion that Cassio would’ve been a better husband towards Desdemona because he was white and that he was considered a “ladies man. Othello thinks that he was never meant to marry Desdemona.

Throughout Othello’s life, he was greatly affected by race and racial prejudice. He changed as a person because of this and many bad actions took place while realizing it. Othello shows a great role of a strong and loyal soldier until he realizes what society really thinks about him. His non acceptance in society leads to the killing of his wife.

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Othello Racism Essay

othello racism thesis statement

Racism In Othello

Othello Shakespeare has written many classic play writes that in time people fall in love with is literature repeatedly. Othello, is one of the many classics that he wrote and perhaps may be one of the most controversial play writes that involve racism, betrayal, and love. The story goes in depth about interracial relationships and the status of a black man in a white privileged societies’ uprising. Othello’s first man in command, Iago and other citizens in the Venice spout racial slurs throughout

European society while living in England through his play Othello which is unique in the sense that it features a non-white hero as the protagonist. Although race is not at the center of Othello, it plays a pivotal role in deciding the course of the play and explains the actions and motives of the characters. Shakespeare’s culture consisted of a homogenous pool of residents who all very likely looked like one another, so seeing someone like Othello, whose appearance is quite different from theirs, was

Racism And Racism In Othello

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recently as 2009. Shakespeare's Othello illustrates this with how the Venetians treat the protagonist, Othello. He is treated as not only equal but in many cases superior and senior. Racism in Othello is remarkable, because of its absence, yet we find it challenging to hear shakespeare's words without projecting our experience of racism onto them. Shakespeare's Othello is remarkably tolerant of racial differences that would soon come to shame the western world. Othello, “the moor” is held in high esteem

Examples Of Racism In Othello

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Racism In Othello Essay

The role of racism is evident throughout Othello, however, in this drama it is clear that other issues collide with the aspect of racism. The position of love, lust, and hate plays an enormous component in Othello. Right off the bat the reader’s discover that Othello and Desdemona are secretly married. Iago characterizes this love as “unnatural” because no white woman could ever love a black man unless witchcraft was involved. Also, Brabantio praises Othello for being a heroic general, but despises

Racism In Othello Analysis

of Racism in Othello.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 44, no. 3, Oct. 1993, p. 304. In this article, the author relates the idea of primal scene to racism in “Othello”. Primal scene is a psychoanalysis theory by Sigmund Freud. This theory claims once a child imagines or sees their parents having sexual relations they will be unable to repress this image from reappearing in their mind. The author relates this theory to the play “Othello” by

Racism in Shakespeare's Othello

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Theme Of Racism In Othello

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Racism And Desire In Othello

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Victim Of Racism In Othello

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Othello Racism Analysis

In William Shakespeare's Othello, racism can be seen as a common thing throughout the dialogues in the play. Almost every single character have made racial slurs towards Othello. The protagonist, Othello is seen as an isolated individual from the rest of Venice due to his skin colour. Othello feels insecure about his race. The antagonist, Iago is able to take advantage of Othello’s insecurities and weak emotions by endlessly convinces him about Desdemona’s infidelity. Racism in his society and Othello’s

Othello: Racism Essay

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Racism in Shakespeare’s Othello

“Racism in Shakespeare’s Othello”

In this paper I am going to analyze some episodes involving a prejudicial, racist attitude and try to discuss whether Shakespeare was a racist or not. Even though the play is full of offensive definitions of black Othello, we cannot define it as a racist work since Shakespeare’s black hero is inwardly pure and innocent. He becomes the victim of a seemingly honest white character, Iago in the play. In the play Othello is always under attack due to his ethnic origins.

On the night he runs away Desdemona, Iago and Roderigo alert Desdemona’s father Brabantio yelling: “Zounds, sir you are robbed/For shame put on your gown/Your heart is burst; you have lost half of your soul. ” (I. i. 83-5) Martin Orkin states in his article “Othello and the ‘plain face’ of racism” that: As such scholars as Eldred Jones and Winthrop Jordan have taught us, there is ample evidence of the existence of color prejudice in the England of Shakespeare’s day.

This prejudice may be accounted for in a number of ways, including xenophobia-as one proverb first recorded in the early seventeenth century has it, “Three Moors to a Portuguese; three Portuguese to an Englishman”(167) We see that in the play the colors “black” and “white” are widely used in order to reveal the differences of the two races more. Iago portrays the sexual relationship between Othello and Desdemona by likening Othello to and old ram and Desdemona to a white ewe as if a wild, big animal is attacking to a pure white ewe.

The lines below are a good example of the prejudices based on color. Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is topping your white ewe. Arise, arise; Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you: Arise, I say. (I. i. 86-9) Shakespeare manages to give the general perception of the black in England, at his times. “As long as Brabantio looks at Othello as a professional soldier, he has nothing but admiration and affection for him.

But forced to consider him in a more intimate relationship, he is trapped in the cultural stereotype of the black man as ugly, cruel, lustful and dangerous, near cousin to the devil himself. ”( Salgado 87) The way that Brabantio accused Othello for stealing his daughter’s heart reveals the attitudes of English men towards the Moor. Othello who just runs away with his beloved is accused of robbery. The phrase “old black ram” and the word “devil” make reference in an offensive manner to dark skin color.

Barbara Everett states in her article “‘Spanish’ Othello: the making of Shakespeare’s Moor” that: As Roderigo and Iago talk, it is not simply a ‘black man’ they are setting among ‘the whites’. ‘Moor’ means to Iago and Roderigo a civilized barbarian of fierce if repressed lusts- but to dramatist himself it surely means something very different, a meaning entailed by his choice of names.

The moor is a member of a more interesting and more permanent people: the race of displaced and dispossesed, of Time’s always vulnerable wanderers. (71) Iago’s hatred for Othello and Brabantio’s disapproval of Othello as a son-in-law seems to be caused by his skin color. According to Iago an outsider, a Moor does not deserve to hold a position on the top of the military while there are civilized whites like him. And according to Brabantio a white Venetian who is high born deserves his noble daughter. He can not match really them.

Even though Othello has turned into Christianity and fight against Muslim Ottomans for the sake of Christian country he can not be accepted totally “The Elizabethan awareness of foreigners was closely conditioned by a traditional religious outlook on the world; and that much ‘new knowledge’ lay follow or was treated in a merely superficial manner because of this. ” (Hunter 50) Even though Othello fulfills his duty as a general and he is appreciated by the authorities in Venice and earns a respected position, he is not embraced by the society enough to marry a Venetian girl.

In his article “Othello’s Alienation” Edward Berry says that Shakespeare portrays Othello as a Moor because racial tension and anxiety pervade the atmosphere of Venetian society, and Othello himself, in his aspiration towards assimilation and anxieties about his blackness, internalizes a false dichotomy that can only dehumanize him (330). His otherness caused Venetians to assault him. The reason lies behind this can also be the fear Europeans have for Islam which was the religion of the most powerful empire of that time, the Ottomans, and the territories it controls.

Since many African countries were controlled by the Muslims, Othello is probably coming from an Islamic background. Edward Said stated in his Orientalism: “For Europe, Islam was a lasting trauma. Until the end of the seventeenth century the “Ottoman peril” lurked alongside Europe to represent for the wholeof Christian civilization a constant danger, and in time European civilization incorporated that peril and its lore, its great events, figures, virtues, and vices as something woven into the fabric of life. ” (60) Iago’s defining Othello’s sexual affair as something animalistic brings about another racist criticism argued for decades.

Likening Othello to wild animals, Iago tries to agitate Brabantio. Iago once again turns his invective on Othello, with tough racial epithets: Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. 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 gennets for germans. (I. i. 106-12) The words “devil”, “barbary horse”, and “gennet” are all related to Othello’s race.

His definition of Othello and his comparison of his relatives with animals and Roderigo’s stating that Desdemona has gone “To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor” and “made a gross revolt “are again other examples of harsh attacks towards blacks in Elizabethan time. Even though that night is a night when two lovers rejoin, they define it something so disgusting, animal like. Another obvious offence to Othello’s color comes from Brabantio when he first sees Othello and when they gather in Senate saloon: The wealthy curled darlings of our nation, ould ever have, to incur a general mock, Run from her guard age to the sooty bosom Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight (I. ii. 67-70) In the play there are many scenes Othello is described someone to be feared of because of his physical appearances. Brabantio humiliates Othello with his appearance when he runs away with Desdemona. We do not see any other offense than his race and prejudices based on his race. “To fall in love with what she feared to look on! /It’s judgment maimed and most imperfect. ” (I. iii. 99-100) G. K.

Hunter shows in his article “Elizabethans and foreigners” how the Moors are thought to be with animalistic attachments in Elizabethan times: “Throughout the Elizabethan period, indeed, there seems to be a considerable confusion whether the Moor is a human being or a monster. ” Shakespeare manages to convey this idea in Othello with his racist characters such as Iago and Brabantio yet he proves its being a false idea with his character, Othello, who is portrayed as a honest and innocent man who is turned in to a murderer with Iago’s manipulations.

Brabantio directly attacks Othello’s color defining him as someone to be afraid of. Sooty is synonymous with black, of course. He cannot even think of the possibility of his daughter’s falling in love with Othello. He keeps accusing Othello of magic: Ay, to me; She is abused, stol’n from me, and corrupted By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks; For nature so preposterously to err, Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, Sans witchcraft could not. (I. iii. 0-5) Magic was something that associated with blacks at those times. Brabantio believes that a black man can only earn the heart of his daughter, Desdemona, by magic since she never indulged young boys of their own race who were longing for her “Othello is simply a black man, with all that stereotype implies, and only witchcraft could account for a beautiful, intelligent and high-born maiden becoming enamored of him” (Salgado 87). Brabantio thinks that it has something to do with Othello’s heritage. Since he is black, he can bewitch.

Magic also reappears when Desdemona’s handkerchief cannot be found; Othello has too much trust in the symbolism and charm of the handkerchief, which is why the object is so significant to him. It was not because he really did magic through the handkerchief but because the handkerchief has a cultural meaning to him. Othello’s defense that he made in front of the Dukes and the Senators is an answer to all attacks that Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio have made so far. I ran it through, even from my boyish days, the very moment that he bade me tell it;

Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field Of hair-breadth scapes i’ the imminent deadly breach, Of being taken by the insolent foe And sold to slavery , of my redemption thence (I. iii. 133-8) Othello simply tells how Desdemona fell in love with him through his life story. Their love story was out of sexuality and it was not Othello who forced Desdemona to run away with him. He shows he does have real magic, in the words he uses and the stories he tells. He draws a real imperturbable character that readers appreciate.

The reader feels even more sympathy towards Othello because of Iago’s hypocritical behavior. As the play goes on Othello speaks of his own color implying negative connotations it has when his faith in his wife is destroyed because of Iago’s manipulations on her faithfulness, the Moor sees that her name has become as black as his face: “Her name, that was as fresh/ As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black/ As mine own face. (III. iii. 386-88)Othello uses the color “black” in order to liken Desdemona’s so called cheat.

We see how the color issue was widespread among people at those times since even a black person uses his color in order to imply its bad connotations. ” Tragedy, in Chapman’s metaphor, is always ‘black-fac’d’; but Othello’s dark countenance is like an inscription of his tragic destiny for more reasons than the traditional metaphoric associations of blackness with evil and death” (Neill 29). Shakespeare’s creating a character like Othello who gets on well with almost all people in the play –the duke, the senators, and soldiers- is sign of Shakespeare’s not being racist.

Salvago states that : “The general esteem in which he is held , Brabantio’s earlier regard and affection for him and the Duke’s remark on hearing his story, show that this ‘extravagant and wheeling stranger/Of here and everywhere’ has earned himself a respected position in Venetian society” (87). Desdemona has always been loyal to his husband, Othello, till the very end. In the play Desdemona is young Venetian woman of high birth and good breeding that is favored by many white young men yet chooses to marry Othello, to a Moor.

She does not show less respect to her husband than any other white husband in that time. “Captivated by Othello and his traveler’s tales, Desdemona either falls in love him personally or imagines she does, and marries him without the slightest regard for her father’s wishes or feelings. ”(Unwin 159) When Emilia says “But I do think it is their husbands’ faults/ If wives do fall (IV. iii. 88-9). Desdemona’s response is “Good night, good night. Heaven me such usage send. Not o pick bad from bad put by a bad mend” (IV. iii 106-7). Since she never did wrong to her husband, she had nothing to fear of.

Desdemona is constantly associated, throughout the play with images of whiteness and purity: wedding sheets; a handkerchief; skin whiter than snow and ‘smooth as monumental alabaster’. It is this purity of spirit that Othello mistakes for sin, just as he mistakes Iago’s malevolence for honesty. The honest Desdemona is accused of dishonesty; the dishonest Iago(insincere, deceitful, lacking in candor and public spirit) is labeled ‘honest’ over and over again in line after line. ( Garber 593) It is significant that in Othello the dishonest traitor is white, racist Iago not the black Moor.

The dishonest white man destroyed the relationship between the faithful, innocent white Venetian girl and the other honest, innocent black Moor. Normally a black person would be used in Elizabethan literature to represent the darkness, yet in Othello Iago’s absolute evil character takes on that role. At the very end of the play, Othello being poisoned by wicked Iago’s provocations Othello kills innocent Desdemona and upon learning the truth he turns on himself and commits suicide quietly. He kills the savage, green-eyed, murderer, and the outsider.

Garber says that: “Othello kills Othello. He is both Turk and Venetian, as he has been all along, and he dies in the act of describing a noble public gesture, the killing of a public enemy, in front of Venetian ambassadors who are public men themselves” (615) Othello is converted into Christianity after he comes to Venice. Probably, he has been a Muslim before, and he has belonged to the Ottoman Empire which was the most powerful empire at that time. Therefore he might have been also representing a Turk. We see that Iago managed what he tried throughout the play.

From the very beginning till the end he speaks of Othello’s being a barbaric Moor and at last because of his slanders Othello commits a barbaric crime. Iago’s wicked plan destroys Othello. The seeds of jealousy that Iago plant over starts to bloom and Othello plans on taking the life of his beloved Desdemona for he believes in her so-called infidelity. We see that Othello starts to lose his humanity, and takes on the mentality of a savage. As G. K. Hunter stated in his article “the relation between wild-men, green-men, foresters, Robin Hood, the Moors and the devil was very difficult to clear up.

Man of African heritage is typically portrayed in Elizabethan literature in a negative light, yet is allowed to shine in Othello. ”(56) Therefore Othello is depicted as a true hero. He is portrays as good general and honest man. He is flawed; his nobility and honesty permits Iago to abuse him in his deceitful ways. Othello’s color is dramatically important since the reader visualize how outsiders especially the Moor with an Muslim Arab ancestry are seen Elizabethan times and lights the way for seeing the differences between European and Non-European societies in that time.

Works Cited Berry, Edward. “Othello’s Alienation. ” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900. 30. 2 (1990): 315-333. Everett, Barbara. “ ‘Spanish’ Othello: the making of Shakespeare’s Moor”. Shakespeare and Race. Ed. Stanley Wells and Catherine M. S. Alexander. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000. Garber, Marjorie. Shakespeare Afterall. NY: Pantheon Books, 2004. Hunter, G. K. “Elizabethans and foreigners”. Shakespeare and Race. Ed. Stanley Wells and Catherine M. S. Alexander.

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000 McLeish, Kenneth and Stephen Unwin. A Guide to Shakespeare’s Plays. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1998. Neill, Michael. “Unproper Beds: Race, Adultery, and the Hideous in Othello” Shakespeare Quarterly, 40. 4 (1989): 383-412. Orkin, Martin. “Othello and the ‘plain face’ Of Racism”. Shakespeare Quarterly. 38. 2 (1987): 166-188. Said, Edward. Orientalism. New York: Random House, 1979. Salgado, Fenella and Gamini, Shakespeare:Othello. London: Penguin, 1989.

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Thesis Statement For Othello

Theme of guilt in othello.

“Guilt is not a response to anger; it is a response to one's own actions or lack of action.” This is a quote from Caribbean-American writer Audre Lorde. Many people express their opinion on guilt, but having written over 20 books, she is a very well-educated individual and her word is looked upon with adoration. Another successful and commendable person is the philosopher, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. Nietzsche is the philosopher that came up with the love, guilt, and redemption philosophy, in which Nietzsche believes that the amount of “guilt and debt, the act of giving (of love or money) must never overwhelm the receiver” (Cybulska). This statement means that not only should the negative influences be limited, but the positive influences

Theme Of Manipulation In Othello

Manipulation is shown in many ways such as politics, the media, misleading information and false advertising. To convey one’s thoughts to your own advantage is seen as crude and unnecessary. However, many people have their reasons in manipulating someone whether they are good or bad. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the concept of taking advantage of someone through manipulation leads to unnecessary, horrible events.

Iago And Manipulation In William Shakespeare's Othello

In William Shakespeare 's play Othello, most characters commit something wrong, there are two characters who execute most of the play, but there 's one character who commits the greater wrong. The characters hurt and betray one another frequently, the play is focused on Iago trying to plot his plan as the play goes on, his intentions are to get revenge on Othello for one not promoting him to lieutenant and believing that Othello slept with his wife Emilia. For that Iago manipulates Othello 's wife Desdemona, Roderigo, Emilia and Cassio. Iago commits the greater wrong, for being manipulative, deceivious, and betraying. Iago and Othello are both main characters who have their way of making trouble, some would say Othello commits more wrong for falling into Iago 's lies and causing trouble, but Iago is actually the one who made the deaths happen and made more problems than Othello did or any other character.

Duality And Paradoxes In Othello

In William Shakespeare’s play, Othello, he uses duality and paradoxes to reveal parts of human nature that people wish to ignore. Othello is about a man named Othello who marries above his station and wrestles with his insecurities as the antagonist, Iago, uses them and his own reputation for candor as mean to enact his revenge for Othello’s alleged affair with his wife, Emelia. Iago embodies the paradox of a truthful man who uses his honesty to manipulate people, which contradicts a core human idea that honest people are the most righteous or virtuous.

Examples Of Machina In Othello

II, 315, 316) Othello justifies his action by blaming Iago for his manipulation. The dramatic irony in Othello is very evident. Iago throughout the play manipulates majority of the characters while still informing the audience of his actions. Othello believes that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him while the audience knows that is not the case but rather the manipulation of Iago.

Irony Of Iago's Manipulation In Othello

Ladies and gentlemen of the court, the evidence will show that Iago manipulated Othello to follow a path of lies and destruction, making him kill Desdemona. Othello was a Christian Moor who was secretly married to his faithful, independent wife Desdemona who was the daughter of Venetian senator Brabantio. Iago was Othello’s ensign and was upset about being passed over for the promotion of lieutenant. The man who received the promotion of lieutenant was Michael Cassio. Cassio was a good-looking young man, who Iago despised for attaining the promotion.

Theme Of Motivation In Othello

Manipulation without Motivation In the tragic play, Othello, William Shakespeare creates the true wickedness of the character, Iago, through his devious plans created to cause the demise of Othello. Shakespeare crafts Iago’s evil characteristic through the way he manipulates others in order to carry out his plans and his unfit motivation for his maliciousness. Shakespeare continues to craft Iago’s evil nature through the manipulation he demonstrates on multiple people in order to carry out a fully executed plan without anyone catching him in the act.

Examples Of Sociopathy In Othello

Iago, during the play, displays a notable lack of remorse or guilt for the many horrendous deeds he commits. This is seen twice in the scenes where Iago is confronted about his devilish plan. (2.) After Othello kills Desdemona and reveals to Emilia that it was Iago who convinced him about the affair. This causes Emillia to start to realize her husband’s plans.

Pride In Othello

The male character Othello, had pride in being a leader to others and having a loving wife named Desdemona that is loyal to him. Even though, Othello had a fear of Desdemona of being unfaithful to him one day because of his background. On page 710, he says “By the world, I think my wife be honest, and think she is not: I think that thou art just, and think thou art not. I’ll have some proof.” Throughout this act 3, and scene 3, Othello believes that faithful in the beginning until Iago starts to make him doubt Desdemona, by mentioning the idea of Cassio and Desdemona being together.

Comparing Love In The Great Gatsby And Othello

Iago is planting the seeds for Othello’s relationship with Desdemona to crumble by putting images into Othello’s head about women and generalizing all women saying that they all act upon their temptations with no remorse. In these lines said by Othello, he is showing how someone’s deceit (having to do with his love for his wife) can really go as far as to make him criticize a whole entire gender based on one idea that his Desdemona has been unfaithful—and he does not even have proof that this accusation is true. Secondly, Iago successfully alters Othello’s pure and true love for Desdemona so much that his once fulfilling

Manipulation Quotes In Othello

Emilia, Iago’s wife is also a victim, his wrongdoings and fails to see what her husband is doing to her and everyone around

How Does Jealousy Lead To Othello's Downfall

Unfortunately for Cassio, it was all a part of Iago 's plan, he then planted the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona as a symbol of love, in Cassio 's room. He told Othello of the connection between Cassio and Desdemona, and as she kept bringing his name up to reinstate him, it became more evident to Othello. Iago gradually drove Othello to the edge, he convinced him of the affair between the two and so he felt the need to kill her. Afterwards Othello found out that she didn 't cheat on him, and so he killed himself. The ultimate payback, driven by

Iago's Influence On Othello

Iago is a unique and complicated character. He is intelligent in that he is able to manipulate people and events in his favour, which he thrives on throughout the play, classifying him as the antagonist of the play. Driven by jealousy and hatred, Iago plots against Othello to destroy his character and reputation. Knowing that if he foolishly attacked such a respected man directly, he would be sentenced to death. As a result, he devises to use other people to obtain what he desires by influencing the characters in the play to suit his plan.

Iago Manipulation In Othello

While Iago fills the characters’ minds with lies, the characters will act according to the lies thinking he is honest. Although his lies are sometimes subtle it affects the Othello is one of the victims who believed Iago. You can already tell that Othello has been fooled when he calls him “a man [of] honesty and trust”. The audience already knows that Iago is a liar and loathes Othello, so the audience can tell when Iago is being two-faced and that Othello truly believes in him. Iago’s impact on Othello makes him lose control of his

How Is Othello A Tragic Hero

Iago convinces Othello of false information, convincing him to kill Desdemona. Easily manipulated by Iago, Othello’s inherent character flaw, irrational jealousy, directly interferes with his common sense, driving him into a murderous rage. The result, the unjust murder of Desdemona, also leads to Othello’s own suicide. In the case of Othello, the audience watches as his tragic flaw destroys Othello’s life and brings about his fall from grace.

More about Thesis Statement For Othello

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5 examples of thesis statements about racism for your next paper.

By Evans Apr 28 2021

Racism is a hot topic worldwide. It is one of the topics that never lack an audience. As expected, racism is also one of the most loved topics by teachers and even students. Therefore, it is not a surprise to be told to write an essay or a  research paper  on racism. You need to come up with several things within an incredible paper on racism, the most important one being a thesis statement. The term thesis statement sends shivers down the spine of many students. Most do not understand its importance or how to come up with a good thesis statement. Lucky for you, you have come to the right place. Here, you will learn all about  thesis statement  and get to sample a few racist thesis statements.

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Tips to writing a strong racism thesis statement

Keep it short.

A thesis statement is supposed to appear in the first paragraph of your essay. However, this does not mean that it should be the entire paragraph! A strong thesis statement should be one sentence (not an annoyingly long sentence), usually placed as the last sentence in the first paragraph.

Have a stand

A thesis statement should show what you aim to do with your paper. It should show that you are aware of what you are talking about. The thesis statement prepares the reader for what he or she is about to read. A wrong thesis statement will leave the reader of your paper unsure about your topic choice and your arguments.

Answer your research question

If you have been tasked with writing a  research paper  on why the Black Lives Matter movement has successfully dealt with racism, do not write a thesis statement giving the movement's history. Your thesis statement should respond to the research question, not any story you feel like telling. Additionally, the thesis statement is the summary of your sand and answer to the question at hand.

Express the main idea

A confused thesis statement expresses too many ideas while a strong, suitable one expresses the main idea. The thesis statement should tell the reader what your paper is all about. It should not leave the reader confused about whether you are talking about one thing or the other.

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othello racism thesis statement

Thesis Statements About Racism Samples

Racism in workplace thesis statement examples.

Racism is so rampant in the workplace. Thousands face discrimination daily in their workplaces. While this is definitely bad news, it gives us more data to choose from when working on an essay or research paper on racism in the workplace. Here are a few examples of thesis statements about racism in the workplace:

1.       Despite being in the The 21st century, racial discrimination is still rampant in the workplace. The efforts made by governments and world organizations have not helped to do away with this discrimination completely.

2.       Even with the unity that comes with digitalism, colour remains the one aspect of life that has continually caused a rift in this life. A lot of efforts have turned futile in the war against racism. The workplace is no exception. It is infiltrated with racial ideologies that remain within man's scope despite the professionalism within the workplace.

3.       Systemic racism is no new concept. It remains the favoured term with the tongues of many after food and rent. This is an indicator of how rooted the world is when it comes to the issue of racism. The now world has been configured to recognize racial differences and be blind to human similarity. Organizations have been established upon this social construct, and more often than it has led them into a ditch of failure. The loot that comes with racism is of great magnitude to bear.

Thesis statement about Racism in schools

Many academic institutions have been recognized for producing students who have passed with distinctions. Unfortunately, behind these overwhelming results lies a trail of many students who have suffered racism and have missed the honors board because of the color differences. Let's look at some of the examples of thesis statements on racism in schools:

1.       Merit should be the S.I unit upon which humanity is graded. Unfortunately, this is not the case, especially in schools, for the new merit score is the person's color. Many have found their way to the honour's board not because of merit but because they of the same color affiliation as the teacher.

2.       Enlightenment and civilization have found their way to the world through one important institution called schools. We owe that to it. Unfortunately, even with the height to which the world has reached civilization and enlightenment, one area has been left out and remains unaddressed- the world view of color. Despite the light and glamour, we see globally, one predominant view is called race. We continue to paint the world based on human color, even in schools.

3.       Bullying falls among the vices that have dire consequences to the victim. One of the spheres to which bullying exists is the sphere of color and race within the context of schools. Many student's confidence and esteem have been shuttered only because they are black or white. Many have receded to depression because they feel unwanted in the schools. One of the prominent times within American History is the Jim Crow Era, where racial segregation in schools within North Carolina was rampant. We saw schools have a section for white students and a separate section for black students within this era. The prevailing flag was black and white, and racism was the order of the day.

Final Thought

Coming up with a thesis statement does not have to difficult. No, not at all. Evaluate the topic or question and express yourself through the thesis statement from your stance or the answer. Mastering this one key in writing exams or assignments is one of the keys to scaling up the ladder of lucrative grades. However, practice is a discipline that will see you become a pro in writing a prolific strong, and catchy thesis statement. Henceforth, regard yourself as a pro, regard yourself as the best in thesis statement writing. If you are still having trouble with coming up with an excellent thesis statement, do not beat yourself up because of it.  Paper per hour  has the  best writers  who can help you with all your racism thesis statement needs.

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Free Thesis On Othello - The Moor Of Venice

Type of paper: Thesis

Topic: Women , Theater , Shakespeare , Family , Othello , Forgiveness , Jealousy , Opera

Published: 01/30/2020

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Introduction:

Othello is perhaps one of the best known Shakespeare plays and it explores the theme of doomed love as well as tragedy and envy throughout. Apart from being a play, it has also been written as an opera by Giuseppe Verdi in a version which is actually almost as famous as the original. The play explores the unhinged jealousy of Othello regarding Desdemona, his wife whom he suspects of having an affair with Cassio urged on by the supposedly faithful lieutenant Iago who eventually leads Othello to taking his own life. It is a dark and classic tale of jealousy and intrigue set in the ambit of Venice although Othello is actually governor of Cyprus.

Plot and analysis

The first act demonstrates the anger of Desdemona’s father when she elopes with the moor Othello and is an astute reflection of the racial prejudice against blacks by Italians. Shakespeare’s commentary on the situation demonstrates the tragic connotations which eventually erupt at the end of the play. We are almost enthused by the prospect of Othello eloping with Desdemona as they go to Cyprus and the sea voyage which is fraught with dangers also shows that the Moor is willing to take risks to protect his newly found bride. The character studies created by Verdi are intensely powerful and show that jealousy is perhaps the main ruination of man who is without blemish initially but who is corrupted by women and the lust for power. The intrusion of Iago into the story demonstrates that there is evil imbued in every man whilst one cannot escape the ravages of envy. Shakespeare is also very deft when analysing the scheming and wheeling and dealing which characterises Iago’s character. It is also interesting to note that when Desdemona enters and greets her husband in the second act, Othello receives her with ironical tributes to her purity. Desdemona ignores his sarcasm and repeatedly asks forgiveness for Cassio – this unwitting excites her husband’s anger as he flies into a rage. The handkerchief which was Othello’s first gift to Desdemona then comes into the fray. Here we have the whole crux of the play since Desdemona cannot reproduce the handkerchief since it has been unfortunately stolen by Iago. The exchange between husband and wife where Desdemona repeatedly pleads for forgiveness and her husband engages in brutal insults is probably one of the most powerful elements in the play. The scene where Otello spies on Cassio is also extremely revealing and powerful, another masterful stroke by Shakespeare with regard to jealousy and human intrigue. When the handkerchief is subtly placed by Iago in Cassio’s lodgings and Othello discovers it, we have the classic case of the love triangle which culminates on Othello’s murderous intention to do away with his wife. Iago continues to encourage and goad Othello to perform the thankless deed, although this appears to be in jeopardy and in doubt whn Otello is recalled to Venice and Cassio is to be appointed in its place. When Otello announces that he is being recalled to Venice, Iago is alarmed as his plan seems to have gone awry. Desdemona then approaches Iago imploringly but after working himself up into a terrible rage, he actually curses her, another of the important points in the opera. The final act is a tour de force for Shakespearian drama. Otello is seen by Emilia who is Desdemona’s aide at the threshold of the secret door of the bedchamber. As he enters the room, he raises the curtains and even kisses his wife three times. After asking whether she has prayed for forgiveness of her sins, Otello again aggressively asks her why she has had an affair with Cassio. She continues to deny the claim insisting that she never did such a thing and was always faithful. Othello who is crazy with envy and jealousy then goes about strangling her and after performing the fatal deed learns that Roderigo, his faithful aide has been killed in a duel with Cassio. Seeing all his world collapse in one fell swoop, there is nothing left for Othello but to take his own life which he does so with alacrity and despair. The whole circle of human drama and tragedy has turned full circle emphasising the incredible dramatic power of Shakespeare in creating a plot without comparison. Conclusion

Works cited:

Shakespeare, William. Four Tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth. Bantam Books, 1988.

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