Theme Of Racism In Othello

Racism is “The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others” (racerelations.about.com). William Shakespeare demonstrates the theme of racism in the play, Othello, the Moor of Venice, because the characters are all white, and see Othello as the odd one because he is a black man, and often refer to him as “The Moor.” Othello is talked about among characters, such as Iago, Brabantio and Rodrigo in a rather racist manner and these characters in the play show clear signs of racism.
Iago, who is looking for revenge on Othello because he chose Cassio over him to be his Lieutenant, incites racism to cause other people to dislike and go against Othello. Iago shrieks to Brabantio …show more content…
He also includes if he doesn’t hurry then Othello will make a grandfather out of him. Iago then makes many animal references when talking about Othello specifically, Iago yells, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe.” (I,1,94-95) Iago uses imagery to place a very visual image in Brabantio’s mind of Othello and his daughter, Desdemona, having sex. He is comparing Othello to a big black animal who is mounting his innocent little white sheep (Desdemona). Iago refers to Othello as an animal and says that his marriage with Desdemona is very unnatural. Iago wants to enrage Brabantio, to discredit Othello of his military position, since Brabantio is a respected Venetian senator. Iago figures to use explicit sexual language to cause Brabantio to be disgusted by the thought of Othello defiling Desdemona by having sex, such as “your daughter and the Moor are …show more content…
Roderigo feels hatred towards Othello because he is married to Desdemona. Rodrigo says “What a full fortune does the thicklips owe…” (I,1,68-69) Rather than referring to Othello as the general, which would be respectful, he refers to him by his physical characteristics of the African race, which would be thick and large