Key theme - Prejudice Flashcards
“Dammed as thou art, thou hast _________ her… if she in _____ ___ ________ were not bound … Run from her ________ to the ________ _________”
Enchanted
chains of magic
guardage
sooty bossom
* Brabantio accuses othello of casting spells depicting his xenophobia as he believes this supernatural element is what has ‘won’ her over, rather than his achievements and success. the pertinent example of xenophobic language presents othello is considered dangerous within several powers akin to magical elements. The destructive force is seen through other black character constructions such as ‘Aaron’ in ‘titus aronichus’ who “rut done a thousand dreaded things\as one would kill a fly”. This ideal that black represents destruction resinates from societal constructs and how it represents pure evil.
“The _____ is of free and _____ _______, and tenderly be led by the nose as ______ are”
Moor
open nature
asses
* Iago opens up to the audience and iterates how he will bring about othellos tragic downfall due to othellos tragic flaw of having an “open” and “honest” nature. which will be as easy as leading a donkey (an ass) by the nose. othello being a black man is presented as animalistic, which happens consistently throughout the play to give readers an insight into othellos final irrational actions, which moors were seen as. As well as stupid and subservient. This being said to audiences during iagos soliloquy invites audiences into the play to create a bond with the characters which deepens the reflection of the audience vs the character at the end of the play. That being said, it also heightens iagos deceitful nature, adding greater depth to himself.
“i’ll make the ____ love me and _______ me. for making him egregeously as an ass”
Moor
Reward me
* Again, the animalistic imagery is all bound simply by othellos skin colour as seen by the derogatory term of “moor”. This soliloquy not only represents othello prejudiced due to his culture and colour but is a reminder of iagos scheming nature and motifs behind othellos downfall.
“Haply for that i am ____, and have not those soft _____ ___ _________ that chambers have, or for i am _________ into the ______ ___ _______”
black
parts of conversation
declined
tale of years
* Othello reflects on him and iagos conversation and frets that it is unexpected for desdemona to truly love him due to his colour and culture which all lies down to the societal expectations and what the colour black typically represented. Othello has a sense of doubt in result of iagos reverse psychology. He iterates that he is “declined into the tale of years” which is ironic as visibly cultured men were seen as violent and forces of pure evil. As seen through Shakespeares construction of ‘Aaron’ in his own titus aradonchius. this societal expectation makes othello question whether their marriage is viable and shall he fall into the typical construct if proven wrong.
“_______ Horse”
“Old ______ ____”
“Making the _______ with two backs”
barbary
black ram
beast
*these short snappy quotes are a prime example of iagos prejudice often used to insult and dehumanise othello. As goes with the “moor” and othello being a “black devil”. the xenophobic language degrade and exhibits othellos disintegration. All in all, prejudice plays a huge part in the play as it essentially leads othello into the irreversible tragedy as they are used as seeds to plan into othellos mind. Which grow and grow throughout the play due to iago watering them with other factors such as the handkerchief, until othello eventually falls into these constructs and unfortunately proves everyone right.
“when you shall _____ lucky _____ relate, speak of me ___ __ ___”
these
deeds
as i am
* Othellos final speech is complex and betrays othellos own ambiguous judgement of himself and the situation. he requests that he is neither overly praised or condemned after death suggests that he is frustrated by a lifetime of being judged according to racist stereotypes, in addition to the pressure of maintaining an honourable reputation. Which only proves to audiences that culturally visible men are not made for these positions and allowing this ends in sadness, desperation and regret.
