Othello: Racism Essay examples -- Othello essays

Othello Racism Just how serious is the problem of racial prejudice in William Shakespeares tragedy Othello? Is it pervasive or incidental? This essay intends to answer questions on this subject. Blanche Coles in Shakespeares Four Giants maintains that the racial discrimination in the lay out may be overstated by critics In the first scene, Roderigo has referred to Othello as thick lips. No other character in the play attributes any such(prenominal) negroid features to Othello, and it should be remembered that Roderigo has a half-insane prejudice against and hatred for Othello. Brabantio refers to his sooty bosom, but may he not engage meant his hairy chest? Some or else fair men have glowering hair on their chests. The word sooty seems to apply more aptly to this interpretation than it does to a mere black body. All other characters refer to Othello respectfully as the Moor or the valiant Moor. (80) In the opening scene, while Iago is expressing his dislike, or rather hatred, for the general Othello for his having chosen Michael Cassio for the lieutenancy, he contrives a plan to partially avenge himself (I follow him to serve my turn upon him), with Roderigos assistance, by alerting Desdemonas father, Brabantio, to the fact of his missys elopement with Othello. Roderigo shares Iagos prejudiced attitude toward Othello What a full fortune does the thicklips owe / If he can carryt thus The word thicklips is a disparaging graphic symbol to a facial characteristic of many members of the dark-skinned race. When, by loud shouting, Brabantio is awakened, Iago commences with a series of racial epithets Zounds, sir, youre robbd for shame, put on your gown Your heart is burst, you have lo... ...e. EMILIA. Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil (5.2) Following Iagos murder of Emilia, he is captured Lodovico addresses Othello, who is so dejected at having been deceived by his antique O thou Othello, thou wert once so good, Falln in the practise of a damn ed slave, What shall be said to thee? (5.2) Needless to say, damned slave has racial overtones. Shortly thereafter, the hero, in remorse for the tragic mistake he has made, stabs himself and dies on the bed next to his wife, his sorrow being as deep as his love. whole shebang CITED Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Coles, Blanche. Shakespeares Four Giants. Rindge, New Hampshire Richard Smith Publisher, 1957.