Essay on Race and Loyalty in Othello - 955 Words

Race and Loyalty in Othello nbsp; William Shakespeare`s Othello is a play set in Venice. The plot is based on a story about two people who love each other dearly and the problems and conflicts they face from the start. The conflicts are, for the most part, tied in with racial issues and questions of loyalty. These conflicts stem from the society around the couple, as well as from the couple themselves as they too are part of this society, but with very different backgrounds: The female protagonist is the daughter of a highly-respected Venetian senator: Brabantio. Othello--also known as the Moor--is a foreigner, black in color, has a past filled with tragic and exotic tales and has proved himself worthy of the title General in the†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Desdemona has actively sought to alienate herself from the other Venetians by marrying him. Othello, on the other hand, seems to be more than anxious to conform with Venetian ideals. By adding Moor rather t han a name or his position Brabantio emphasises Othello`s difference (=blackness). Brabantio dehumanises Othello, by taking away his name, his individuality and in so doing makes Othello acutely aware of his difference as well as well as making him believe that he is a barbarian. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; When he says if thou hast eyes to see what he may be saying is that in order to see what Brabantio sees i.e Desdemona`s marriage as a betrayal he must see the whole situation through Venetian spectacles, ot it could reflect Brabantio`s assumption that only if he is totally blinded by love he will fail to see what Desdemona really is. End-rhyme serves as a nice rounding off of the statement making it easy to remember.In III.iii200,209 Iago repeats the main ideas very effectively. My life upon her faith (I.iii.295) is Othello`s reassuring response the first time this suggestion is put to him. Or is it so reassuring? Does he mean his faith in her or her faith in him, or her Christian faith which in Venice also includes obeying her father? If the latter alternative is the case than his faith in her may notShow MoreRelated Race and Loyalty in Othello Essay1166 Words   |  5 PagesRace and Loyalty in Othello    William Shakespeare`s Othello is centralized around the conflicts that are, for the most part, tied in with racial issues and questions of loyalty. These conflicts stem from the society that encompass the couple, as well as from the couple themselves.   Indeed the couple are entrenched in different social strata, class and ethnicity.   The female protagonist is the daughter of a highly-respected Venetian senator: Brabantio. Othello--also known as the Moor--is a foreignerRead MoreAnalysis of William Shakespeare ´s Othello737 Words   |  3 PagesThe Tragedy of Othello, a play by William Shakespeare, was written in the early 1600’s. If Othello was written in a different time, 21st century America, the view of people of different genders and races would differ, women would be held to a more equal social standard and the issue of Othello being black, wouldn’t be as prominent when he marries Desdemona. This play was written in a time where it was essential to follow cultural values. During this time women were expected to respect all maleRead MoreOthello : Vulnerability Destroys Virtues Of A Great Leader1601 Words   |  7 PagesOthello: Vulnerability Destroys Virtues Of A Great Leader Thesis: Even though Othello considers to be vulnerable is a weakness, his temperance and prudence should never come in conflict with his leadership principles because Iago despises Othello and manipulates him therefore, Othello becomes vulnerable resulting in his death. 1. Othello believes that being vulnerable is a sign of weakness. A. Othello will not expunge himself from his race and ethnicity, for he knows glorifying his heritageRead MoreRacism In Othello Analysis829 Words   |  4 PagesRacism in Othello.† Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 44, no. 3, Oct. 1993, p. 304. In this article, the author relates the idea of primal scene to racism in â€Å"Othello†. Primal scene is a psychoanalysis theory by Sigmund Freud. This theory claims once a child imagines or sees their parents having sexual relations they will be unable to repress this image from reappearing in their mind. The author relates this theory to the play â€Å"Othello† by mentioningRead MoreRacism In Othello Essay941 Words   |  4 Pagesputs forward the argument that Elizabethan Englishmen saw the African Natives as being barbarous and treacherous. These views are present in Shakespeare’s Othello through the characters of Iago, Rodrigo and Brabantio. However, these opinions were not shared by most of the characters until tragedy strikes and darkness of jealousy consumes Othello. Shakespeare expresses the racial prejudice that is evident in his period through the characters of Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio. The play starts with IagoRead MoreA Summary of Shakespeares Othello Essay852 Words   |  4 Pageswith Othello – an older black man, an outsider to Venetian society. Turns out, this is a pretty intrepid move – Desdemona not only defies her fathers expectations (that she marry a white man of his choosing), she also thumbs her nose at a society that largely disapproves of interracial marriages. In this way, Desdemonas relationship with Othello speaks to the plays concerns with Sixteenth Century attitudes about sex, gender, and race. Desdemona withholds many attributes to the play Othello by ShakespeareRead MoreThe Mirror Of Weaknesses Of Shakespeare s Othello Essay1483 Words   |  6 PagesHumans are contradictions, which good and evil nature both exists. The grand tragic play Othello written by Shakespeare illustrates the contradictions in hu man natures through the display of tragic falls of various characters such as Othello, Iago, and Roderigo. Othello, the protagonist of the play, fell in love with the daughter of a nobleman, Desdemona. However, this relationship is soon broken up because Othello believed the accusation from Iago, Othello’s subordinate, towards Desdemona for havingRead MoreOthello Critical Reading Journal. English Iv Honors. Swanson.1206 Words   |  5 PagesOthello Critical Reading Journal English IV Honors Swanson Act I Othello’s position in society is that of a military commander. He is also and insider yet outsider due to his race. In scene II, he is manifested as a respectable character. Brabantio believes Othello isn’t good enough for his daughter because he’s black. He also may be upset because she eloped. Iago’s view of human nature is doesn t respect people that serves others blindly but he respects those who follows and does it to theirRead MoreOthello And Othello By William Shakespeare Essay1304 Words   |  6 Pages(at least initially) everything that ought to be desired in a marriage: mutual respect, passion, empathy and loyalty. However, while sentiments of love and compassion circulate within the happy couple’s luxurious home, their surrounding neighborhood is filled with vitriol and paranoia: â€Å"Who is this animal that has bewitched sweet Desdemona?† they ask. The differences that separate Othello and Desdemona do not perturb them, but are starkly obvious and unnerving to the judgmental citizens of VeniceRead MoreAnalysis Of Othello By William Shakespeare1579 Words   |  7 Pagesdiscriminated against due to your race? In Othello by William Shakespeare the theme of race is evident through out the play and is a very critical aspect towards the plot. Since Othello has a strong sense of self he is able to counter-balance the overt racism he is faced with in the beginning because he is respected and has high stature as a war general. Him and his wife lived happily without worrying what others thought of their bi-racial marriage. But, when Othello hears rumors of his wife’s possible