In the literary work, Othello, William Shakespeare tells of a story of a love that ends in tragedy. The "Other", Othello, is stated as an unfortunate representative of racial prejudice. He is one of the most hardworking men and respected soldier in the army. However, when it comes to marriage, the prejudice of his race puts up a barrier in the eyes of others. Language possesses a cruel function in insulting the "other" mercilessly. Othello's race and culture create conflict and stereotype in his life as illustrated by the actions and words of Iago, Brabantio, and Emilia. Especially, Iago uses animal imagery all throughout the play to describe Othello. Iago cannot bear Othello because he is black. He thinks that a black person cannot be such a successful soldier and cannot marry a white woman. An instance where Othello's race creates conflict is when Iago declares "you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary / horse, you'll have your nephews neigh to you" when he is talking to Brabantio about his daughter …show more content…
He is specifically enraged when he finds out that his daughter, Desdemona, has been seeing "the moor" behind his back. He declares that she will "run from her guardage to the sooty bosom / Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight. / Judge me to the world if 'tis not gross in sense" (1. 2. 70-73). Brabantio views Othello as a foul and dirty black. Unlike Iago and Roderigo, he will openly make racist comments about Othello to his face. Another example that shows his hardheadedness is when he states "look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. / She has deceived her father, and may thee" (1. 3. 289-290). At this point, Othello decides to ignore Brabantio's comments. He still shows to have some trust in Desdemona that she does indeed love him. Othello and Desdemona choose to carry on with their marriage, although her father