Othello quotes: Race/ Racism

quotes on or about the theme of racism, race, racial prejudice, etc.

‘the Moor'

Act 1, Scene 1

derogatory & prejudical term, referring to a black African man - speaking of Othello, not by his name disregarding his humanity & objectifying him

‘thick-lips'

Act 1, Scene 1

an abusive description of a Black man, seen as socially acceptable - made by Roderigo, showing that racial prejudice was common across all social classes; these comments also escalate the issue of internalised racism which contributes towards Othello's self-esteem throughout the play

‘an old black ram is tupping your white ewe’

Act 1, Scene 1

Iago is actively trying to insite anger and hatred within Brabantio against Othello, by using Zoomorphic imagery when referring to Desdemona's new husband and his family, by comparing them with different types of horses - an animal with connotations of Evil, sexuality and virility amongst others- all of which went strongly against the values of Jacobean society

‘a knave of common hire’

Act 1, Scene 1

Iago is actively trying to insite anger and hatred within Brabantio against Othello, by using Zoomorphic imagery when referring to Desdemona's new husband and his family, by comparing them with different types of horses - an animal with connotations of Evil, sexuality and virility amongst others- all of which went strongly against the values of Jacobean society

This implies Roderigo believes Othello is a devious liar and that he used his temporary high status to seduce women

‘you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins, and jennets for germans’

Act 1, Scene 1

Iago, attempting to insite anger against Othello within Brabantio, by suggesting that Desdemona's honour is being disgraced

Shakespeare’s use of animalistic language within the extended metaphor, restates Iago’s hatred of Othello, as it connotates him with having beastial qualities

‘a lascivious Moor'

Act 1, Scene 1

Suggests that all African men are the same, they only want staus & Lust and would do most anything to be able to have that - and that Othello is no different

‘Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes in an extravagant and wheeling stranger of here and everywhere’

Act 1, Scene 1

This quote by Roderigo is a blatant insult at Othello and an attempt at sullying his reputation, by suggesting the Othello has no honor because he's an opportunist who strikes and does as he wishes whenever he sees fit.

‘With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father!’

Act 1, Scene 1

Brabantio is explicitly higlighting contemporary racial prejudice, by stating that anything else would be preferrable to being a parent, at knowing his daughter is with Othello, due to him being a black man.

This is increased by his knowing that Desdemona is engaged in sexual relation with him and could potentially even be in a relationship with him

‘O would you had had her!’

Act 1, Scene 1

Brabantio explicitly is stating he wishes that Roderigo had married Desdemona, simply because of the racial prejudices he has against Othello and less prominently, in spite of his bias against people of lower status - as at least she would still be married to a man of the same race; which disregards Othello's high status due to military status

‘a knave of common hire, a gondolier’

Act 1, Scene 1

‘knave’ refers to Othello being a liar and devious, and ‘gondolier’ links with beliefs of him potentially having used his status as a means for seduction

‘lascivious Moor'

Act 1, Scene 1

Implying that Othello is lustful, and is only after sex

‘Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes/ In an extravagant and wheeling stranger/ Of here and everywhere’

Act 1, Scene 1

‘With the Moor, say'st thou? - Who would be a father!’

Act 1, Scene 1

‘O would you had had her!’

Act 1, Scene 1