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University of toronto psychology of othello and its influence as a racist play
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In William Shakespeare's play "Othello," racism and ignorance emerge as prevailing themes, delving into the complexities of societal prejudice and the devastating consequences they impose on individuals. This essay examines the role of race in the play, contextualizes racial prejudice in the Elizabethan Era, and analyzes how specific characters and their interactions highlight racial belittlement. Through the effective use of textual evidence, vivid description techniques, and the exploration of Geoffrey Sax's cinematic adaptation, the essay explores institutionalized racism, film techniques intensifying racial injustice, and the presence of racist ideologies through the character of Iago. By comparing and contrasting the film adaptation with
Since Othello utters that since he is with Desdemona, her reputation “is now begrimed and black,” it presents how a black man can tarnish the “fresh” identity of a white women. Since Othello is accepted and praised as a war hero, but not accepted as lover, love becomes a barrier that leads to a tragedy. Societal expectations push people to the point where they try to surpass society’s norms. Though, when they reach this tipping point, tragedy will
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
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.
ASSIGNMENT THE THEME OF “OTHERNESS” AND RACISM IN THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO: THE MOOR OF VENICE SUB: ENGL-403 ELIZABETHAN DRAMA Submitted by: AFEEFA Reg. No:15356004 1 MA ENGLISH Submitted to: Dr.T.Marx Dept. of English
Interracial relationships are a good entity since it teaches people the similarities and differences in culture but also has some negative effects. Even though the world has become more accepting, in the play, Othello the characters are in fact racist towards the main character Othello. Othello and Desdemona are married but many people disapprove of this and try to make their lives miserable. Brabantio, Desdemona’s father disapproves of his daughter’s interracial marriage, which leads to his death. Brabantio states, “She fell in love with a man she’d be afraid to look at?
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.
The play is set in a time when black people were not well-regarded in society, and this is reflected in the way the characters treat Othello. He is subjected to racist taunts and derogatory comments, even from those who are supposed to be his friends. For example, when Othello is accused of using magic to woo Desdemona, Brabantio accuses him of using "spells and medicines bought of mountebanks" (Act I, Scene 3). This statement shows that Brabantio believes that Othello is not capable of winning Desdemona's love through his own merits and that he must have used some underhanded
We can’t ever know how racism was until we read the writings of those times and watch the movies/shows of those times. Shakespeare in Othello made his characters true and authentic to that time period and whether we agree with them or not, does not mean we should not read it or ban others from doing so. In Othello, it is abundantly clear that Iago is the villain/antagonist and that Othello is the protagonist. When reading this article mainly about the anti semitism in Merchant Of Venice, Iago and his villainous actions/words were discussed.
The play, Othello, is certainly, in part, the tragedy of racism because he is a black man married to a white woman, which causes jealousy with the other characters in the play. It is racism that serves as Iago's primary cause in his destruction of Othello, examples of racism are common throughout the dialog. This racism is directed toward Othello, a brave soldier and a supreme commander of the Venetian army. Throughout the duration of Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello there is a steady stream of racism. It is originating from not one, but rather several characters in the play.
Othello being of darker complexion stood out to most causing him to be the target of racist remarks. He married a white woman named, Desdemona, which didn’t suit well with Desdemona’s father. Along with the disapproval of her father, a soldier named Iago came into the picture and decided to ruin and destroy Othello’s relationship. The reason for that is because Iago thought that Othello had an affair with Iago’s wife. Iago never asked to see if it was true and just assumed it was.
Throughout history, societies have succumbed to the toxic concepts of racism, causing an unthinkable amount of chaos and devastation. While racism on its own can lead to many societal evils, racism coupled with jealousy can create a truly catastrophic force that can only lead to pure destruction. When someone of a different race and culture is placed in this kind of society, this destruction will only naturally follow. In the play Othello, William Shakespeare focuses on the tragic outcomes of Othello, a Venetian general and black Turkish Moor, and Desdemona, his white Venetian wife. Throughout the play, both covert and overt racism, assimilation, and jealous dispositions all foreshadow the untimely death of Desdemona and Othello.
The racism and prejudice of 16th century Italy aimed at Othello compromises his sense of self. As
These two villains slander Othello to the point of eradicating any pity the audience could have developed towards Othello. The Venetians also have a hidden fascination for Othello and his foreign qualities but, they mask feelings with negative slurs. The audience also affected by the portrayal of Othello, and are persuaded to feel pity for him because of his circumstances; being betrayed by his ensign and being looked down upon because of his Moorish descent. Shakespeare also uses racism as a creative apparatus to generate a metaphor between Desdemona and Othello.
Racism deflects the interpersonal relationships because every race exalts their own and looks down on other races. Othello is one of the fascinating literature work by Shakespeare that describes the evident of racism in societies, its destructive effects on society and people’s attitudes. The tragedy in Othello may seem to be as a result of jealousy but deep inside, it is a tragedy rooted deeply in racial conflict. This play was written in a time when the minorities were less important and could easily be ignored by the majority race: it was almost impossible for a black man to hold a higher rank in the society and earning respect from the white people. This paper will discuss the theme of racism in Othello, show its effects on society and specific characters like Othello who felt the impact of prejudice.
