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

Implies Othello is lustful, only after sex; due to the stereotype of African Men being overly sexual and lust driven creatures, reinforces racial prejudices against him. ‘Lascivious’ suggests Othello is predatory towards Desdemona, which reduces him to being a purely sexual creature - disregarding his noble qualities or achievements and depicts him as being the antithesis of a Jacon

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

Act 1, Scene 1

Use of internal rhyme scheme, ultimately suggests that Desdemona has made a mistake, b/c Othello has no honour - due to him being seemingly unreliable figure, ‘extravagant and wheeling stranger’ indicates he's viewed as a wanderer with no purpose & reinforces prejudices against interracial union within the Jacobean era

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

Act 1, Scene 1

Brabantio saying this is poignant, as being Desdemona's father - it highlights the intense racial prejudice against Black people within the Jacobean era, told via derogatory reference to Othello as ‘the Moor’.

‘Who would be a father!’ - implies that he would prefer any other suitor over the Moor, revealing his racial bias; presumably because Othello's race was seen as shameful, corrupting their connotations of status & reputation

‘O would you had had her!’

Act 1, Scene 1

Brabantio in response to distress over Desdemona's marriage with Othello - steeped in racial prejudice, presents disdain for the idea of his daughter choosing to marry a black man.

Brabantio underscores his belief that any suitor, incl. of a lower societal standing than Othello, would be preferable due to Othello’s race; revealing Brabantio's personal biases & highlights societal norms of the Jacobean era, where interracial marriages were contempt. Brabantio’s desire for Roderigo to marry Desdemona indicates desire for control over her choices and attempts to cling to honor and reputation, further complicating the societal expectations in the play.

‘Down with him, thief!’

Act 1, Scene 2

‘O thou foul theif’

Act 1, Scene 2

‘t'incur a general mock - Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom of such a thing as thou; to fear, not to delight'

Act 1, Scene 2

‘I therefore apprehend, and do attach thee for an abuser of the world’

Act 1, Scene 2

‘the valiant Moor' ‘Valiant Othello'

Act 1, Scene 3

‘this Moor, whom now it seems your special mandate for the state affairs hath hither brought’

Act 1, Scene 3

‘Rude am I in my speech’

Act 1, Scene 3

‘And little of this great world can I speak'

Act 1, Scene 3

‘and she, in spite of nature, Of yeards of country, credit, everything, to fall in love with what she feared to look on. It is a Judgement maimed and most imperfect that will confess perfection so could err against all rules of nature'

Act 1, Scene 3