Othello Task 1

Although Othello is a well respected soldier in Venice, there is still widespread prejudice in Venice. A man of African heritage is typically portrayed in Elizabethan literature in a negative light, yet is allowed to shine in Othello. The play opens Iago proclaiming his hate for Othello because he has not been chosen for a promotion. Othello has chosen Cassio over Iago and this infuriates him and leads to racist slurs being used against him. Iago and Roderigo referred to Othello as “the thick-lips” (I.i.66), and “an old black ram” (I.i.88). This brings about a paradox in the play because while Othello is an extremely powerful man in a political context, his race makes him inferior in a white man's society. Whilst in most Elizabethan plays and stories, the white man was depicted as good and the black man was depicted as bad, in Othello the roles were reversed. We see Iago as a man of jealousy and hatred and makes race another reason to hate Othello. Iago is certainly shown as a racist when he gloatingly tells Brabantio of their illicit marriage: "Even now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe!" (1.1.87). We are positioned to see Iago as a jealous man who feels angered and deceived by Othello. At the beginning of the play we are positioned to make a choice – whether we think Othello is good or bad. Judging by the harsh descriptions Iago and Roderigo give Othello and the way they refer to him, he is at first made to seem like a truly revolting character. But when Othello is greeted by the Duke and the senate, the tales are turned for the first time when he is called a valiant moor and is called by his name for the first time. He is then suddenly depicted as a valiant and strong leader and this is when we are forced to make our decision on who is the bad guy and who is the good.