Othello's Manipulation Essay

Shakespeare’s Othello, analyses the idea of racism in relationships. Racism is explored through the characters of Iago and Brabantio, where we see racial dialog throughout the play. This racism is aimed directly at Othello; a brave moor general and supreme commander of the Venetian army. Iago uses racism to target Othello with racial insults and uses it to manipulate others. White people during the Elizabethan Era believed that they are the superior race but in reality, they are not; all races are equal and everyone is equal to one another. Humans are not born racist, racism is a thing that a person develops and is absorbed under the influence of society. Shakespeare expresses racism as a negative thing and demonstrates this by showing how

Othello is a general in the service of Venice. He is examined in the Shakespeare play as courageous, noble qualities, trustworthy. It is obvious to feel a degree of sympathy for Othello because he is considered an “other”. He is a man that is willing to accept that he is racially different, as he seems to recognize his status. I tend to sympathize with Othello because he easily influenced, insecure, and a benevolent heart for Desdemona. Othello relies heavily upon engaging with the Venetian culture and his identity as the military general. The two stories draw parallel to each other because Othello’s identity is not

In Shakespeare’s Othello, race is a concept that is only minimally explored. Characters in the play assume that, since they are English, they are superior and foreign characters (like Othello the Moor) are inferior. This is not questioned much at all, and in fact it is assumed outright that Othello is indeed a lesser man because of his skin color and the ways in which characters like Iago and Roderigo treat him. While an early modern audience would accept this concept without hesitation, an audience of today’s age is left to question whether Othello is actually acting out because of the societal pressures, beliefs, and actions put upon him, or because he is inherently different as a person who is not white. While Shakespeare seems to think

Othello, who is much like people in today’s society, experiences racism and judgment from his peers throughout the entire play, for example, “What a full fortune does the Thick-lips owe,” (1.1.72) was crudely expressed by Roderigo who was addressing Othello in a racist manner. This is what creates the empathy shown towards him from the audience, which is produced by the deep emotions and suffering humanity can experience and relate to today. But as the story continues, spectators will start to see his character grow into a jealous man full of rage and anger due to the trickery initiated by Iago, who was responsible for all the wicked turmoil that occurs to the characters in the

When Othello is first introduced into the play, the audience knows that he is a well-respected leader. As the play continues, racist and non-racist views become quite evident, which eventually effect the actions and ways Othello sees himself. Othello’s wife, Desdemona, is a young Caucasian woman, who recognizes Othello for his true self, not his race. She admires the “dangers that [he] had passed” (1.3.193. Shakespeare, William. Othello), and his abilities as a valiant leader. Desdemona knows that her inter-racial marriage is not common, or widely approved of, yet she continues to “trumpet to the world” (1.3.285. Shakespeare, Othello) her love for him. Her unwavering devotion to Othello is a critical detail because she stays true to her feelings in a world where she is surrounded by discrimination towards Othello. Before Iago approaches Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, about their marriage, Othello expresses that “[Desdemona’s] father loved [him]” (1.3.149. Shakespeare, Othello), and often invited him into their home (1.3.149. Shakespeare, Othello). These examples of characters from the play and their non-racist views of Othello prove that Othello is a play that illustrates racism, not a play meant to offend and segregate against people of colour.

Elements of Racism in Othello In the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, Othello was a victim of racism. For example, the text states, “Ay, there’s the point: as-to be bold with you- not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion, and degree. Whereto we see in all things nature tends-Foh!

In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Examples of racism are visible throughout the story. That racism is geared toward Othello who is a Moor from Africa and general of the Venetian army. The character of Othello is a nobleman and a very respectable general in the army but, nonetheless, there are three crucial structural elements of Shakespeare’s play are Othello’s blackness, his marriage to the white Desdemona, and his killing of her. Throughout the play, Othello struggles with personal conflicts that eventually leads to his predetermined downfall.

Racial conflict is an evident theme in Shakespeare’s Othello. Throughout the play, Othello faces adversity from his community, his superiors and his friend, Iago. The entirety of the play is based around the suffering of Othello. Simplifying the hate directed at Othello as racism, Shakespeare conveys Othello’s adversity in a relatable way. By using the universal theme of racism, Shakespeare creates unlikeable characters and makes Othello’s fall from grace all the more tragic.

The Tragedy of Othello is a play that is dominated by the theme of prejudice, manipulation, and racism and jealous. One of the themes that manifest itself from the beginning of the play is racism and prejudice. Shakespeare in actuality introduces the theme of racism and prejudice early in the play. Some of the characters face prejudice and racism either directly or indirectly. In Act Ⅰ, Iago and Roderigo ridicule Othello in racial terms such as “thick lips” and “Barbary horse”.

The author writes in a formal style for his audience and others interested in the topic of prejudice and its effects on relationships. Shakespeare acknowledges that Othello is a victim of racism. In the book, Othello states,”I am black and have not these soft parts of conversation that chamberers have, or for I am declined into the vale of years-yet thats not much- She’s gone”. In other words, he is doubting himself of being a good enough husband.

We observe this through what other characters in the play have to say about the characteristics of Othello, one the main characters and, ironically, the protagonist of the play. One of the most shocking examples of racism transpires in the very first scene of the play. Iago is appealing to Brabantio to get out of bed and come down in search for his daughter, saying; “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!”

Othello is a double-headed monster of destruction in this drama. On one end of the spectrum, Othello is a loving, noble, hardworking man who cares for Desdemona endlessly, however this side of Othello does a complete 180° spin. By the end of the play, Othello is driven to the point of insanity concerning Desdemona’s loyalty. Furthermore, the irony in the play can be seen in the fact that Desdemona remains loyal the entire time, and that it is Iago’s nasty revenge plot to get the couple to break up. Bell claims that Othello is “driven mad by his inward thoughts, and can only be satisfied by his outward thoughts, or what he actually “sees.””

Throughout the play Othello transitions from a confident and well respected general to a man who confirms society’s assumptions of black people. There are many inequalities that Othello faces because of his race, but he still believes he should be treated the same as any other Venetian man withe the same status as him. While it might not seem like it, Othello is aware of the stereotypes, which is why he feels the need to boast in front of people who might look down on him. Because he killed his wife out of jealousy, Othello loses all of his confidents and comes to the conclusion that he is a monster. Othello’s change in personality did not only make other people have negative views on him, but also Ohello himself. Othello does not like the

Have you ever felt discriminated against due to your race? In Othello by William Shakespeare the theme of race is evident through out the play and is a very critical aspect towards the plot. Since Othello has a strong sense of self he is able to counter-balance the overt racism he is faced with in the beginning because he is respected and has high stature as a war general. Him and his wife lived happily without worrying what others thought of their bi-racial marriage. But, when Othello hears rumors of his wife’s possible infidelity he is soon over-whelmed with feelings of self-consciousness. These substandard feelings due to his race alter Othello’s usual self into a resentful, rage-filled, monster.

In Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello is a highly acclaimed general and as a result of his many achievements and war victories he has transcended negative stereotypes projected upon Moors in Venetian society. Its Othello’s self-consciousness about the Venetian men not viewing him as an equal that becomes the catalyst for his downfall. Othello is well aware of “the racial fear and revulsion” the Venetians have towards him (Neill 311). His differences from white Venetians ultimately makes him paranoid about his identity and results in his inner struggle. Although Desdemona's infidelity is a deception, her affair is considered to be the root cause of Othello’s downfall and violent demise. As a result of Desdemona’s affair, Othello becomes jealous which drives him to madness and leads him to murder Desdemona. However, its Othello’s fueled anxieties towards the racist nature engrained in Venetian society that eventually results in him in first believing and then projecting the discriminations towards him upon his self-identity. Although Othello is an authoritative and respectable general in Venice, his tragic flaw is his insecurities towards his racial and cultural differences from society. His vulnerability towards his weaknesses, such as, his constant need for knowing the absolute truth, his impulsiveness, and the decline of his sense of identity is what leads to Othello not only victimizing