In Othello, being called “the Moor” has positive and negative meanings. Othello is respected, when his wife refers to him as a Moor. Othello is dishonored when Iago refers to him as a Moor. Instances of Othello being negatively treated can be relatable to present day, due to racism.
When Desdemona refers to Othello as a Moor, she says it to worship him. Desdemona says, “[t]hat I did love the Moor to live with [...] And to his honors and his valiant parts [d]id I my soul and fortunes consecrate” (I.iii.240-249). Being a Moor is displayed as a negative, as earlier on, Desdemona’s father disrespects Othello by calling him one. Though, Desdemona shows how Moor are noble people, as she, a white women, states that a Moor (Othello) has honor. Desdemona idolizes Othello being a strong warrior, despite being a Moor. She continues to address him as a Moor, as she associates it with being a term that represents great qualities of her fearless husband. The effect of doing so makes being called a Moor no longer an insult, but a praise, overall making Othello a respectful figure, due to being a Moor. …show more content…
Iago tells Brabantio, “have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse[Othello] [...] your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs” (I.i.110-120). Iago describes Othello by calling him a African horse, then refers to Othello as a Moor, to effectively dishonor the term “Moor”. Iago is filled with hatred for Othello, thus he reveals to Brabantio that Othello, the Moor, is having sex with his daughter. Unlike Desdemona respecting the term the Moor, because she thinks greatly of Othello, this shows that Iago truly hates Othello, hence why he brands the term with a African
When Desdemona refers to Othello as a Moor, she says it to worship him. Desdemona says, “[t]hat I did love the Moor to live with [...] And to his honors and his valiant parts [d]id I my soul and fortunes consecrate” (I.iii.240-249). Being a Moor is displayed as a negative, as earlier on, Desdemona’s father disrespects Othello by calling him one. Though, Desdemona shows how Moor are noble people, as she, a white women, states that a Moor (Othello) has honor. Desdemona idolizes Othello being a strong warrior, despite being a Moor. She continues to address him as a Moor, as she associates it with being a term that represents great qualities of her fearless husband. The effect of doing so makes being called a Moor no longer an insult, but a praise, overall making Othello a respectful figure, due to being a Moor. …show more content…
Iago tells Brabantio, “have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse[Othello] [...] your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs” (I.i.110-120). Iago describes Othello by calling him a African horse, then refers to Othello as a Moor, to effectively dishonor the term “Moor”. Iago is filled with hatred for Othello, thus he reveals to Brabantio that Othello, the Moor, is having sex with his daughter. Unlike Desdemona respecting the term the Moor, because she thinks greatly of Othello, this shows that Iago truly hates Othello, hence why he brands the term with a African