Othello
1. Cite one episode of racism in the play. Explain how Shakespeare may use the episode to portray a character negatively.
There are several instances where the character, Othello, is referred to derogatorily. One does not have to look very far into the play to find such demeaning words. In act one scene one of the play there are several attempts to downplay Othello’s looks and origin. In line sixty-three, Shakespeare claims that Othello has thick lips. Lines eighty-five and one hundred and eight suggest that he is low and unworthy, as they refer to him as being an animal. This reference to Othello is demeaning because animals are thought to be stupid and during that time were not thought of as deserving respect. When Othello is referred …show more content…
This deception can be seen in how he tricks his wife into stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief and planting it in Cassio’s room (3.3.302-329). Another example of his deception is how he tricks Othello into thinking Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio (3.3.359-426). Everyone thinks he is such an honest man, when in reality, he is a liar. Othello attests to this lie in act three scene three line two hundred and sixty, and Iago attests to it himself in act three scene three lines three hundred and seventy-four through three hundred and eighty-one. In the end, Othello kills Desdemona because of what Iago told him. Othello kills himself when he finds out how he was deceived about his wife having an affair, but thankfully, Iago does not receive what he wants, but rather what he deserves. His deception, it could be said, ruined him.
7. Is justice served at the play’s end? Why or why not?
No, justice is not served at the play’s end. Justice is not served because Iago deserved to die for the sins he committed against all the people who trusted him. Yet, he was allowed to live because he said he would keep his mouth shut. Othello, on the other hand, thought Iago received what he deserved by receiving a wound. Othello said that to die would be better than to live knowing all the sins he had committed, so he wounded Iago
1. Cite one episode of racism in the play. Explain how Shakespeare may use the episode to portray a character negatively.
There are several instances where the character, Othello, is referred to derogatorily. One does not have to look very far into the play to find such demeaning words. In act one scene one of the play there are several attempts to downplay Othello’s looks and origin. In line sixty-three, Shakespeare claims that Othello has thick lips. Lines eighty-five and one hundred and eight suggest that he is low and unworthy, as they refer to him as being an animal. This reference to Othello is demeaning because animals are thought to be stupid and during that time were not thought of as deserving respect. When Othello is referred …show more content…
This deception can be seen in how he tricks his wife into stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief and planting it in Cassio’s room (3.3.302-329). Another example of his deception is how he tricks Othello into thinking Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio (3.3.359-426). Everyone thinks he is such an honest man, when in reality, he is a liar. Othello attests to this lie in act three scene three line two hundred and sixty, and Iago attests to it himself in act three scene three lines three hundred and seventy-four through three hundred and eighty-one. In the end, Othello kills Desdemona because of what Iago told him. Othello kills himself when he finds out how he was deceived about his wife having an affair, but thankfully, Iago does not receive what he wants, but rather what he deserves. His deception, it could be said, ruined him.
7. Is justice served at the play’s end? Why or why not?
No, justice is not served at the play’s end. Justice is not served because Iago deserved to die for the sins he committed against all the people who trusted him. Yet, he was allowed to live because he said he would keep his mouth shut. Othello, on the other hand, thought Iago received what he deserved by receiving a wound. Othello said that to die would be better than to live knowing all the sins he had committed, so he wounded Iago