ipl-logo

African American Characters In Othello

1064 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Substantiate for the theme of racial discrimination in othello

In Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, the title character is a 16th century Moorish general of the Venetian army who, because of the cultural and historical background of the play’s setting, the playwright, and the original intended audience, is portrayed as both well-respected for his military prowess and disparaged for his race. Similarly, because socialization through media, African Americans in society are lively for the entertainment of music and are seen as violent for the media showing crimes committed by African Americans.
Shakespeare crafted Othello’s character as a respected general to the people of Venice that people need in a time of war. This was mentioned as Othello walk in after receiving a letter from the Duke of Venice stating …show more content…

The iconic 1930s cartoon character Betty Boop was inspired by jazz singer Esther Jones by unique use of vocal “scat” during performance(29 Cool & Surprising Black History Facts for Every Day of the Month). By indirectly creating an iconic character that American males appeal to, it can be said that her entertainment inspired those to fight in the war during her time(10 little known facts). Michael Jackson earned many Guinness World Record and claimed the “highest annual earning” in pops songs, most noticeably song was his hit Thriller (10 Little Known Black History Facts | PB). Because of his success,Michael Jackson has been deemed an inspiration to the world because of his passion in his songs and dance moves and had earned the the title King of Pop by the public.African American women started a fitness group to help their weight gain and “live their lives as healthy as they can be”(A walking movement is energizing African ). African Americans choose the happiest route they can gain in order to lose weight and this movement was meant to inspire all those who don’t want to be the one unfit and die an unhealthy

Show More
Related
439 Words | 2 Pages

Many people make racist comments towards him behind his back. I have chosen an article Of Othello in shakespeare. “Black” Spaces is the topic of the article. This article is Talking about Othello's Racial and cultural Oterness. The article mainly describes Othello, and how being black effected him so much, and how it brought him to an

Read More
1236 Words | 5 Pages

African Americans face a struggle with racism which has been present in our country before the Civil War began in 1861. America still faces racism today however, around the 1920’s the daily life of an African American slowly began to improve. Thus, this time period was known by many, as the “Negro Fad” (O’Neill). The quality of life and freedom of African Americans that lived in the United States was constantly evolving and never completely considered ‘equal’. From being enslaved, to fighting for their freedom, African Americans were greatly changing the status quo and beginning to make their mark in the United States.

Read More
971 Words | 4 Pages

This pride inspired authors, such as James Baldwin, in the years to come to write more about the African American experience. This period in the 20’s also inspired famous activist Martin Luther King to speak to America about needed change in society, a change that took decade to

Read More
1065 Words | 5 Pages

Over the course of many years, African Americans have influenced communities in many ways. African Americans have been used as slaves and segregated. After overcoming these struggles, they later were granted freedoms and rights. Many African American individuals have overcome these hard times and worked hard to achieve their dreams. Misty Copeland, Patricia Bath, and Madam C.J. Walker are courageous African-American women who have overcome racial stereotypes because of their determination to pursue what they love; Misty Copeland’s determination led her to pursue dance, and Patricia Bath and Madam C.J. Walker were strong, African American entrepreneurs.

Read More
652 Words | 3 Pages

In Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, the main character is a Moorish general of the Venetian army is portrayed as a well-respected, yet disparaged for his race and how he looks by the historical and cultural background during the playwright and the intended audience of the play. Similarly, Asian American in today’s society are expected to be in the technological and medical careers as they are usually known to be high advanced in academics, yet they are still get taunted for their appearance because today’s society believe having slanted eyes and small body parts is unnatural and gives a disadvantage for the Asian American. In Othello, the main Character Othello was able to grow in power within the city because his leadership in the Army and

Read More
1185 Words | 5 Pages

In order to facilitate this, many popular artists have come out with songs that furthered and strengthen the movement and reveal the injustices that African Americans have faced for decades. With the rise of the Black lives

Read More
1382 Words | 6 Pages

Othello is for instance not really Othello 's play. Othello is not Othello 's story” (Buntin). Othello is focused more on the schemes of Iago and the tragic life of Desdemona. By retelling this story Sears is putting Othello in the centre of the narrative and giving focus to the nuances of his life as a black man. Dickson

Read More
1508 Words | 7 Pages

Consider the representation of racial and/or national identities in the work of at least two writers studied in this module. This essay will consider the representation of Othello as a black male in Shakespeare’s play‘Othello’. Othello’s racial identity is not explicitly confirmed within the play, and in contemporary society there is still racial ambiguityregarding Othello’s race. For the purposes of this essay, Othello will be represented as a black man due to textual evidence that supports this view. This essay will also consider the racial representation of the little black boy in William Blake’s poem of the same name ‘The Little Black Boy’.

Read More
1097 Words | 5 Pages

When people of one race believe themselves to be superior to those of another, only catastrophe can result. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, racism was extremely prevalent, and white supremacy was much more pronounced. In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, both covert and overt racism, assimilation, and jealous dispositions all foreshadow the untimely death of Desdemona and Othello. Most characters in Othello display both covert racism and overt racism towards Othello.

Read More
1463 Words | 6 Pages

Three sources analyze the racial conflicts of white actors playing colored parts, and all agreed that it was not a trivial situation, for black or white communities, or actors. Racial tensions are very popular with the media. While there is some minor tension today, the movies and plays of Othello top the charts for most racial conflicts. First, The article, “Othello: the role that entices and engages actors of all skin colours,” by Andrew Dickson shows the history of the actors that played Othello, and when the actors were black, they were either not cast, due to segregationists, or were criticized in their performance for the same reason. Also, this article is serious about the white vs. minority crisis, shows through diction.

Read More
1636 Words | 7 Pages

We find both racial attitudes towards Othello even though he is a man that works hard to get what he wants. The racial attitude is only because of the era that they live in, the Elizabethan era in

Read More
1684 Words | 7 Pages

The correlation between relationships and experiences are co-existing functions that assist in operating societies. Since ancient times, social classes have existed within all communities and cultures; a sense of belonging is often determined by one’s position in the social hierarchy. Shakespeare’s Othello highlights determinants including race and gender that affect one’s standing in the hierarchy. An excerpt of Act 1, Scene 1 (Lines 110-112) explores this concept when Iago exclaims “Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you.” Shakespeare cleverly incorporates animalistic imagery to showcase the role that race has in a society

Read More
1501 Words | 7 Pages

According to Kader Mutlu in “Racism in Othello,” Othello “has a harmony of racism. This harmony is provided by the tireless verbalization of ‘otherness’ in the words of ‘Moor’ and ‘Black’” (Mutlu 136). In addition to

Read More
1640 Words | 7 Pages

A wise philosopher once stated, “Racism is man’s gravest threat to man — the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason” (Schwartsz). It is no revelation that racism often manifests hatred towards minorities. This concept has been widespread throughout the world for centuries. Racism has prevailed through several works of literature including “Othello” by William Shakespeare. In this particular play, the character, Othello, is allegedly a black man who experiences several accounts of racism from other characters, which eventually leads to his downfall.

Read More
1225 Words | 5 Pages

Manipulation of the African Race in Othello In William Shakespeare’s Othello, racism is a principal theme that drives the plot of the entire play. An outlier in Venice, Othello the moor or African, is targeted by his ensign Iago because Cassio who seems to be unqualified, was promoted to a lieutenant before he was. Iago is driven by envy and jealousy and creates a confusing and elaborate plan to deprive Cassio of his position. Iago also shares these envious motives with Roderigo, a man lusting over Othello’s wife.

Read More

More about African American Characters In Othello

Related Topics

Open Document