RACE AND RELATIONSHIP Flashcards
Race and Thesis:
Observing Desdemonas relationship with Othello allows the audience to understand the impact that racial insults have on othellos self image and reputation leading to the tragic conclusion / downfall
As reputation was important to Othello and most men at the time, showing any signs of weakness would be seen as feminine therefore leading Othello to assert his masculinity by lashing out on his wife.
Point 1: Desdemona has a strong love for Othello despite othellos race
Point: start of play des loves Othello despite his race defying social norms
Quote: “ that heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me, and Bade me “
Religious allusion shows Desdemonas purity
Give Othello confidence knowing the colour of his skin doesn’t faze des
Des supports and adores even until her death
Point 2: racial insults bring Othello to doubt himself and his relationship
Point: o constantly reminded of race and eventually starts to view himself not as a respected man, but as something dirty
Quote : “ her name, that was as fresh as Dians Visage, is now begrimed and black As mine own face “
Simile
Othello mind overridden with racial insults bringing him to believe the colour of his skin is a way of insult to describe Desdemona
Analysis: beautiful women seen as white
Shoes transformational change of othellos view
Point 3: Othello embodies these insults, killing his wife to prove his masculinity
Point: racial insults throughout the play such as “black ram” and the “moor” lead Othello to take on these animalistic qualities to show power over Desdemona and leading her to her death
Quote : “ arise black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!”
Colour symbolism
Refers to his enraged emotions, as he tries to bring out the animal inside of him to kill his wife and erase the possibility of his reputation being seen as feminine or cowardly for not punishing his wife
Conclusion / point for race
Through watching the progression of his relationship with Desdemona,from mutual commit as well as love that leads to murder, we see how these racial insults have led him to his downfall
“That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me, and Bade me”
Religious allusion
Shows des purity
Gives Othello confidence knowing Desdemona is phased by Othello’s Race
“Her name, that was as fresh As Dians Visage, is now begrimed and black As mine own face “
Simile
- Othello mind overridden by racial insults
- Way of insulting des
Shows the Negative transformational view of des from racial insults
“Arise, black Vegeance, from thy hollow cell! “
The Colour symbolism
Enraged emotions **as he tries to bring the animal inside of him to kill his wife and erase the possibility of his rep being seen as:
- feminine
- cowardly
