Race Flashcards
Iago makes a racist comment about Othello. Black has connotations of evil and white blood of innocence, as if Othello is harming desdemona, inflicting evil upon her. Base sexual and animalistic imagery
“An Old black ram is tupping your white ewe”- Iago
Act 1 Scene 1
Othello is clearly respected by those above him. He has worked hard to build to this station of respect as. Smooth in Elizabethan society. Shows his determinations as a person to fight against social barriers, the clear admiration for Othello gives Othello this high platform to fall from later in the play when he becomes poisoned by Iago
“The valiant Moor”- Senator
Act 1 Scene 3
Othello is black he cannot understand how it is possible for Desdemona to have just simply fall in love with Othello. For that reason, he begins to conjure accusations that he has used magic to subdue his daughter. This would place Othello in deeper disregard with the audience as magic was something feared during Elizabethan times, magic was working of the devils
“What drugs, what charms…what magic”- Brabantio
Act 1 Scene 3
The senators and the Duke obviously admire Othello, who is a celebrated and honorable leader. Here, the Duke defends Othello against Brabantios accusations that Othello used ‘magic’ on Desdemona. On the other hand, we can read the dukes assertation than Othello is virtuous and “fair” as a compliment. On the other hand, the dukes words are also troubling because the compliment to Othello hinges in the idea that blackness has negative connotations. Ultimately, the duke implies that Othello is “fair” despite the fact that he is black. This suggests that Othello is the exception to the rule. Perception that being white was to be pure
“Far more fair than black”- Duke
Act 1 Scene 3
Shakespeare immediately established a chaotic and turbulent setting foreshadowing the following events to come. In the original story by Giraldi Cinthio from which Shakespeare took his ideas for Othello, there was no storm. Test at the beginning of Act 2 Scene 1, there is a whole dialogue dedicated to the treacherous tempest. Presumably Shakespeare, thought that a storm would have dramatic and thematic use as it certainly echoes the ominous mood established by Iagos couplet at the end of Act 1 “Hell and night must bring theirs monstrous birth to light”
“The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds. The wind shakes surge, with high and monstrous mane”- Gentlemen
Act 2 Scene 1
Vivid imagery is used to create this idea that Desdemona needs to repel herself from Othello. In this image Iago suggests gagging and retching which in turn creates negative imagery for the audience themselves. The prose used here allows Iago to produce a persuasive outpouring and release repetitious piles of images designed to bury Roderigo weak objections
“Begin to heave the gorge, dis relish and abhor the Moor”, “What Dwight will she have to look upon the devil”
- Iago
Act 2 Scene 1
This could be interpreted as a racist remark by Shakespeare stating how his blackhood is beginning to control his moral judgement, raising awareness to the fact that Othello is extremely raged. Here we begin to see glimpses of the hubris that will soon become his hamartia, as his pride has been tainted by the fact that Montano, the governor of the island has been injured on his watch by no other than his very second (Cassio)
“Now by heaven, my blood begins my safer guide to rule”- Othello
Act 2 Scene 3
Iago explains how we will turn the pureness and virtuousness into disgust, undoing all the characteristics that Othello loves about her. By using the word ‘pestilence’ which has connotations to disease and viruses, it revealed the effect that Iago intends his lies to have on Othello. Presenting evil as something tangible can be poured into someone’s ear heightens Iago’s role as the villain
“I’ll pour this pestilence in his ear”- Iago
Act 2 Scene 3
Othello is resented as angry, because his love towards Desdemona having truly destroyed by Iago. The fact that he characterizes himself as “black” reveals the extent of his loss of identity, the man the duke had previously referred to as “far more fair than black” has been destroyed. Once again, the eloquence and poetic language that the audience associated with the previous Othello has disappeared, his broken speech adds to the dramatic effect as his conclusion vibrates around the stage and the audience can physically hear and see the consequence of his jealousy
“Arise black vengeance form thy hollow cell”, “O blood blood, blood”- Othello
Scene 3
It is disquieting to note how Iago and Othello finish each Others lines at the end of this scene; further proof that the master is horribly drawing close to the evil servant and further east from his innocent wife. We might even argue that Iago has begun to replace Desdemona is Othellos affections, and that Iagos devotion must now be what Othello relies in instead of marital harmony. This is suggested by these serious oaths taking at the end of the scene. turning point of the tragedy, Iago is going to control Othello from this point. Climax,
“My friend is dead”, “I am your own forever”- Iago
Scene 3
The handkerchief is one of the most dominant props in the play, and Shakespeare highlights it’s significance by continually circulating it’s presence to the audience on stage whilst mentioning it over 30 times in the text. Here Othello cements the fact that it represents Desdemona’s infidelity, but it also seems to function as a representation of Othellos exotic past. Ironically, the qualities that attract Desdemona towards Othello are the “charms” that eventually propel the tragic deterioration of their relationship. The fact that such small objects have such and enormous weight in the play intensifies the jealousy of sensitive minds, and the way that small incidents can be magnified into proofs of love and betrayal. Furthermore, this backstory imbues the handkerchief with added meaning and symbolic value than a mere piece of cloth.
“Twoud make her amiable and subdue my father” “After new fancies” “There’s magic in the web of it”
- Othello
Scene 4
After Othello strikes Desdemona and sends her away. Lodovico juxtaposes the noble Othello with the savage one, reminding the audience how great his transformation has been.
In act 1, Othello stood before Brabantio as an important physical presence, as was his speech which was eloquent. Now, Iago has corrupted his nobility and brought out “savage madness” where he has no control over his mind or body.
Structure: this scene presents him at the farthest possible distance from the noble figure he was once- also scene where Iago never leaves (stage presence)
‘Is this the noble moor?’- Lodovico Scene 1
Through their interaction after Emilia’s discovery of Desdemona’s death, Shakespeare uses antithesis to emphasize the falsehood of Othello’s lies. However, it could also show the incompatibility of Desdemona and Othello, they were too different. This again links to the racist ideas that were common practice at the time.
‘anger’ and ‘devil’, ‘water’ and ‘fire’, ‘blacker devil’ and ‘heavenly’ Scene 2 Othello and Emilia
