In this work we see that race is a very important factor to the play as it highlights Othello and his difficult journey of fighting within himself and with others. Referencing Othello by his black skin contributes to making the play what it is and to making it so successful. Throughout the play however we see that the term “black” is used in more ways than just describing someone’s race. The factor of race shows the time in history and how race conflicted with many things and complicated situations. Back then, marriage between two people of different races was not even thought of never mind accepted. It is out of the norm and this play captures the struggles their marriage creates. Othello throughout the play struggles and fights with others
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“Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping 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!”(1.1 88-92) In this quote, Iago is talking to Desdemona’s dad discussing the fact that his daughter has eloped with an older black man. When Iago is talking to Brabantio he is inferring that Othello is the devil and that Brabantio should be prepared for what is to come. In this case Iago isn’t even going to discuss the fact of whether or not Othello is a good man. He is being superficial and is seeing him just for the color of his skin and is making that known. His hatred for Othello is clouding over anything else that would defend Othello for being a good person. Iago has his plan in mind and he is planning on doing everything in his power to get what he wants regardless of what he has to do to make it happen. This is the beginning of Iago’s plan to destroy the marriage between Othello and …show more content…
In a way Othello sees being black as having a tainted image. As the play progresses, black is no longer just used to describe race but also as an adjective in a negative connotation. In the play we see patience being described as a “young and rose-lipped cherubin! Ay, there look grim as hell!” (4.2 63-64) We see the use of hell used in this sentence also along with the description of a young innocent child. It is almost like he is associating black with hell which is being negative. As we continue in the same act, Othello uses the words describing his black cheeks and compares that to burning. “I should make very forges of my cheeks that would to cinders burn up modesty.”( 4.2 74-75) This quote is describing the transformation for him of his black cheeks to become black furnaces to burn Desdemona’s white modesty. Throughout the play we are able to see that Desdemona is referred to as a beautiful white whore in comparison to Othello being the black moor or the black devil. Even though at the beginning when speaking of Desdemona she is referred to being beautiful and one from heaven as time progresses her image is tainted and even though she isn’t superficially white she is referred to as a “beautiful whore” and the fair skinned is called black by
“Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping 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!”(1.1 88-92) In this quote, Iago is talking to Desdemona’s dad discussing the fact that his daughter has eloped with an older black man. When Iago is talking to Brabantio he is inferring that Othello is the devil and that Brabantio should be prepared for what is to come. In this case Iago isn’t even going to discuss the fact of whether or not Othello is a good man. He is being superficial and is seeing him just for the color of his skin and is making that known. His hatred for Othello is clouding over anything else that would defend Othello for being a good person. Iago has his plan in mind and he is planning on doing everything in his power to get what he wants regardless of what he has to do to make it happen. This is the beginning of Iago’s plan to destroy the marriage between Othello and …show more content…
In a way Othello sees being black as having a tainted image. As the play progresses, black is no longer just used to describe race but also as an adjective in a negative connotation. In the play we see patience being described as a “young and rose-lipped cherubin! Ay, there look grim as hell!” (4.2 63-64) We see the use of hell used in this sentence also along with the description of a young innocent child. It is almost like he is associating black with hell which is being negative. As we continue in the same act, Othello uses the words describing his black cheeks and compares that to burning. “I should make very forges of my cheeks that would to cinders burn up modesty.”( 4.2 74-75) This quote is describing the transformation for him of his black cheeks to become black furnaces to burn Desdemona’s white modesty. Throughout the play we are able to see that Desdemona is referred to as a beautiful white whore in comparison to Othello being the black moor or the black devil. Even though at the beginning when speaking of Desdemona she is referred to being beautiful and one from heaven as time progresses her image is tainted and even though she isn’t superficially white she is referred to as a “beautiful whore” and the fair skinned is called black by