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McDonald, Joyce G. “Acting Black: Othello, Othello Burlesques, and the Performance of. A second-
class citizen, holding no real power of the time. Othello wished to be remembered by the public as
an individual who “loved not wisely but too well” (Shakespeare 163). That White and Black natural
can’t mix, which by today’s standers in society is considered very racist. Othello's prime tragedy in
this play is his significant belief in Iago, whom uses this to his advantage to destroy Othello, as he
overlooked him for the job of lieutenant. The English had traveled to Venice to discover its sites, to
study and to trade. (Jones, 2005). Sojourner Truth was enslaved in her younger life, and once she
was freed, she became active in religion. When cabining the blackness of Othello and the fair
whiteness of Desdemona in marriage, the audience will see nothing but chaos coming from it. Iago
reminds him of his nature as an outsider and assures Othello that “I know our country’s disposition
well”(act 3.3, line 204). Making Othello believe he is an outsider, Iago can also makes him believe
that he is lacking in the knowledge of Venetian woman. Venice, was the embodiment of a key
protector of Christianity from Eastern threats of Islam and an entrepot for trade and international
relations from the west to the east and the south. In the 1600, ambassadors from Morocco visit
England for six months. Use the template below to create your engineering resume and the action A
position as a process engineer in the. He becomes the stereotype, rather than beginning as one. Also
resembling England, Venice relied heavily on its navy to fasten its global trading place. “The
Venetians felt just as concerned about the Turks and were just as prejudiced as the English.”. Hence,
the play showed identities defined by differences as well as similarities. In the play, Venice faces a
military crisis and Othello is selected as the only one who can valiantly defend Cyprus against the
Turks. He uses the race of Othello to try and turn people against him. Iago’s absolute evil would
normally be expected of a black person in the Elizabethan literature, yet it comes from a white
person. However, it is during the process of attempting to reclaim his dominance does he personally
become affected by saying, “I had rather be a toad and live upon the vapor of a dungeon”
(Shakespeare 3.3.273). By exclaiming this, Othello suddenly acknowledges that his own race is no
better than a toad, and refers to the fact that he rather be locked up under constant solitude than face
the oppressiveness from his society. This illustrates a dramatic change in his personality, as Othello
was once a strong, admirable person who conquered anything that came across his path. For example,
personal impetuses will be intricately connected section of the cause-and- impact chain of deeds
producing fear and pity in the audience. Iago, Brabantion, Roderigo and Emilia are all main
characters that have racist feeling toward Othello. All the prejudice is contained within the
characters, and Othello himself breaks the stereotype of a moor, until he is consumed by jealousy and
anger, which anymore may fall victim to under the same circumstances. Everything Iago says to
present himself is a false show. In 1554, the African trade brought the first black men to England. In
the paper “The theatrical purpose of Othello's blackness” the author analyzes the color difference and
the difference of status of black and white in the society. Othello is an example of a noble black man
at a time when black men and woman were not known except as slaves. Jones, Nicholas. 2005. A
Bogus Hero: Welles's Othello and the Construction of Race. Give me your paper requirements and I
connect you to an academic expert. This play also shows that order prevails over chaos, and harmony
over dissent. (Nostbakken, 2000).
The Evolving Face of Feminism: Shakespearean Attitude Regarding Women For eons, females have
been subjugated under the vice-like grip of men. However, he is still the guilty black man in the end.
Rather, she wonders what and who could have given him an idea of such misdeed. Iago, in the play
Othello, is a very intriguing villain. The audience is constantly reminded of the exchange of literary
meanings of black and white throughout the play. Oddly, unlike Desdemona and Othello, the
similarities between Desdemona make for a more probable couple. The essay will look at their
differing roles and separate prejudices towards Othello’s skin colour and how they influence his self-
conscious and eventually, his personal fate. Iago may have continued his plan on Othello as he was
not the only one against Othello, Rodrigo was also against him Rodrigo may have been motivating
Iago to Destroy Othello. In 1571, the famous Battle of Lepanto took place between the Turks and
the Holy League. Near the end of the play, Iago’s long cultivated hatred bears fruition. Therefore, as
a contradictory female character in this play, Desdemona appears both as an autonomous and wise
daughter to Brabantio as well as a passive stereotypical meek wife to Othello. A central part of
playing the role of an exotic person was the “blacking up” of the actor by painting their body in black
paint, and additionally wearing black stockings and gloves. A second-class citizen, holding no real
power of the time. Iago hates Othello because when Othello chose his lieutenant, he chose Cassio
and not him. Although the stereotype is broken, they are not in anyway seen as somehow different
fro how they where though at the time. In the lack of a sound reason to abhor Othello, Iago feels the
need to invent some reasons of his own. In the 1600, ambassadors from Morocco visit England for
six months. Through his attempt to alter the significance of black and white colors in the play
Othello, Shakespeare apparently seems to be making a political statement with respect to race.
Othello believes that he has done enough for Venice and that everyone has respect for him. Because
of this, blasphemy which was so far, the characteristic of Iago, replaces nobility in the character of
Othello. Try again later, or contact the app or website owner. Desdemona, the beautiful white lover
of Othello, is the symbol of purity. Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars, it is the cause”
(Shakespeare 5.2.1-3). This can be estimated from Brabantio’s statement, “To fall in love with what
she fear'd to look on. Nostbakken, Faith. 2000. Understanding Othello: A Student Casebook to
Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. The women were also known for their constant jealousy,
violence, and treachery. In the play, Othello has been shown as a Christian. Just talk to our smart
assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best. Get an answer for what is a good thesis
statement on racism for to kill a mockingbird. Differences matter. Othello was not a Venetian by
birth and therefore his status is ambivalent: he both belongs and does not belong to the city of Venice.
In 1554, the African trade brought the first black men to England. Also, Othello comes from a
exotic background and clearly there are religious differences between him and the rest of the people
however he claims to have converted to Christianity. On one level, there occurs a battle between the
good and the evil. The dark colour in popular Christian piety is associated with evil and the colour of
othello, the Moor, is the symbol of the evil in him while the white complexion of Desdemona is the
epitome of guileless innocence. The failure of their marriage is not caused by a lack of love, or even
racial differences, but rather, a society who fails to integrate the outsider. He confesses to Roderigo
“I have told thee often and I tell thee again and again, I hate moor: my cause is Because of this, Iago
begins to plan ways on how he can bring both Casio and othello to their downfall. He refers to their
marriage as “a treason of the blood” (1.1.169) and although he says “years, country and credit”
(1.3.97) as factors against the marriage, it is unlikely that if Othello had of been white and Venetian,
Brabantio would react so unkindly, as Othello carried an excellent reputation and high military rank.
Despite the fact that he enjoys immense power and authority, Othello is not acceptable to Brabantio
as his daughter’s husband only because his color is black. It is obvious that Brabantio has been made
to think of Desdemona’s love for Othello like this by Iago. However, he is still the guilty black man
in the end. Emilia refers to him as “the blacker devil”, which could be taken as a comment on his
race, and most likely is written in that context. After witnessing this they go to the residence of
Brabantio. From the onset till this point in the story, it is love that obliges Othello to be human. This
is just one indication that the rising number of blacks not only meant that the attitude towards
strangers was shaped by prejudices, but hostility towards foreigners itself was on the rise. King James
the I gave the Venetians a royal welcome. However, the great majority of the attendees were in fact
English, and white. When cabining the blackness of Othello and the fair whiteness of Desdemona in
marriage, the audience will see nothing but chaos coming from it. Here, Shakespeare demonstrates
weakness and pain for the one individual Othello truly loved, whom is now slipping away from his
very hands, his wife Desdemona. Throughout, Iago tries intensely to prove his allegations, and to
eventually change the noble general into an irrational, jealous Moor. Where this differs from
prejudice is in the fact that Shakespeare does not make this a central element of othello's character,
but only allows it to manifest itself occasionally, such as in the case of the handkerchief. The
significance would be concentrated so much more on the deceit and jealousy, the basic human
emotions and down fallings through love and envy. If you want a unique paper, order it from our
professional writers. He has become like a beast, unable to restrain himself from the world of
violence. Shakespeare represents this as Othello's tragic flaw, since his downfall was triggered from
his very own hands by believing in the so called 'honest' Iago. The characters of Othello and Iago
change dramatically throughout Act three scene three, where the use of language and imagery
contribute to these changes. Shakespeare portrays a woman who refuses to accept t. He impresses
people by his interesting history, in act 1.3 when Othello is trying to explain his love he uses his story
and explains it in a more interesting way than it may really be. It is seen in the first act with Iago
saying to Brabantio “An old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.89-90) and “Your daughter
and the Moor are making the beast with two backs” (1.1.114-115). Oddly, most of the racist names
he addresses to Othello refer to Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. No council decisions are
made until they hear from each affected party. According to Cambridge Dictionary, the term racism
is “belief that people's qualities are influenced by their race and that the members of other races are
not as good as the members of your own, or the resulting unfair treatment of members of other
races” The Elizabethan Era began in 1485, with the finish of the.
In the first scene, he implies the practice of political prejudice, as opposed to impartiality, by
explaining that friendship gained Cassio the title of lieutenancy while Iago's attempts had failed. Not
only was Othello a dignified individual with a fatal flaw, but furthermore, a tragic hero. Roderigo
shares Iago’s narrow-minded attitude toward Othello. If you want a unique paper, order it from our
professional writers. In the play, characters are judged again and again based on appearances and
outward characteristics. Othello is an example of a noble black man at a time when black men and
woman were not known except as slaves. Society rejects the marriage of Othello and Desdemona,
sees it as an act “against all rules of nature”(act 1.3, line 102). Society has no real reason to reject the
marriage of Othello and Desdemona. However, his status with the Duke and his position as general
are not affected by his skin colour. Othello's actions foreshadow the brutality in the play that is yet to
take place. Othello demands proof from Iago, if in fact Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio.
He cannot take the insults and discrimination anymore, and as a result, he feels as if he needs to
unleash his rage against those who have caused him suffering as he says to himself, “It is the cause,
it is the cause, my soul. The main reason of these is his colour. “Haply, for I am black.” So due to
him thinking this is the cause for Desdemona to supposedly be cheating on him he begins to feel
more paranoid and whenever he sees them together normally he would be ok with it but after hearing
the implication he starts to get more and more suspicious. Iago, in the play Othello, is a very
intriguing villain. In order to satisfy Brabantio, the Duke says to him “If virtue no delighted beauty
lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black” (1.3.290), suggesting for Brabantio to not judge
Othello by his skin colour. With Othello being black and a foreigner and with Cassio’s whiteness are
good indicators to assume Desdemona would prefer Cassio to Othello. Brabantion suggest that
Othello’s race makes him capable of these powers of BLACK magic. Iago does not only call Othello
a devil, he associates him with animals in all ways he can. A central part of playing the role of an
exotic person was the “blacking up” of the actor by painting their body in black paint, and
additionally wearing black stockings and gloves. In the 16 th century, knowledge of other cultures
began to increase exponentially. Othello is one of the most popular plays of Shakespeare. In Act 2
where Othello is forced to relieve Cassio of his duties, Cassio shows no resent or bitterness, nor does
he show any racist feelings, but shows nothing but loyalty towards Othello. This is shown as she
constantly speaks up for herself in front of others and her father Brabantio: “So much I challenge
that I may profess Due to the Moor my lord. ” She confronted; and she claims that she “saw
Othello’s visage in his mind And to his honours and his valiant parts Did I my soul and fortunes
consecrate. ” Her words establish her courage and strength of conviction and oppose the patriarchal
society and the override absolute women’s obedience. Venice, the backdrop for the play, is an Italian
city, was markedly Catholic. He attempts to escape his blackness and its subsequent consequences
by marrying Desdemona, denying his sexual behaviour, but also speaking in a proper, well-refined
manner in order to assimilate into the majority white culture. The action you just performed triggered
the security solution. Despite the generalship of Othello, she respects and loves him more for being
her husband. This difference the perceived inferiority of one race over another is commonly
employed as fair grounds for discrimination whether institutionalized or individual. She is
completely devoted to her husband, and remains in love with him throughout the play, even until her
deathbed. Iago’s absolute evil would normally be expected of a black person in the Elizabethan
literature, yet it comes from a white person. Besides, he thinks that othello has an affair with his wife.

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