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Othello: Racism And Discrimination At It's Finest

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Discrimination At It’s Finest

Racism and Sexism are two extremely prominent problems that have been occurring for many years. Many people are prejudice towards others who are not the same as them. Today we have come very far in order to limit discrimination, although there are still many places and people whom are sexist and racist. In the three texts I read this term Othello, Snow Falling on Cedars and Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) there is a direct link to either racism, sexism or even both. These texts were all set in past times except for Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) which had components of the story that were set in today’s time. We are going to explore the similarities of discrimination between these three texts and how they are in fact all very racist and sexist.

The central theme of Othello is Race. Racism is extremely prominent and causes a multitude amount of problems for many characters. Firstly Iago uses racism to ignite the flame in Desdemona’s father, Brabantio against Othello.

Zounds, sir, you’re robbed! For shame, put on your gown. Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul. Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise, Awake the snorting citizens with the bell Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you. (1, 1, 85-90)

This quote is used by Iago in a racist way to make Brabantio angered at Othello. Iago calls him an “Old black ram” which is extremely rude and
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