Race

What ways does Shakespeare portray race in Othello?

• Accurate to stereotypes,

• a source of insecurity,

• inaccurate to stereotypes.

How does Shakespeare portray race as accurate to stereotypes in Othello?

Othello’s internalisation of racist prejudices causes him to descend into the embodiment of such stereotypes.

What quotes show Othello internalising racist stereotypes?

• “An old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe” A1S1

• “I’ll tear her all to pieces” A3S3

• “Is there not charms / By which the property of youth and maidhood / May be abused”, “Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!” A3S3

• “He foams at the mouth and by and by / Breaks out to savage madness” A4S1

• “O, the more angel she, / And you the blacker devil!” A5S2

How does Othello’s internalisation of racist stereotypes link to the context of the Elizabethan era?

Othello’s otherness would have been feared in by a white Venetian society, similarly in Elizabethan England. Black could refer to both morality and race, associated with evil, creating this fear of his otherness

What have critics said about Othello internalising racist stereotypes?

Salgado suggests “it is only when Othello begins to think of himself as a typical black man [...] that the seeds of tragedy are sown”.

How does Shakespeare present race as a source of insecurity?

Othello’s consciousness of his otherness creates insecurity in him that eventually leads to his relationship with Desdemona breaking down.

What quotes show Othello’ insecurity in his relationship with Desdemona?

• “An old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe” A1S1

• “You’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse” A1S1

• “Against all rules of nature” A1S3

• “Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural” A3S3

• “Unbookish jealousy” A4S1

• “You chaste stars. / It is the cause” A5S2

How does Othello’s insecurity in his relationship with Desdemona link to the context of the Elizabethan era?

Interracial relationships were frowned upon in the Elizabethan era, they were seen as unnatural, going against the Chain of Being. This is seen through how Iago’s animalistic descriptions depict the mixing of races as an obscene interspecies relationship.

How does Othello’s insecurity in his relationship with Desdemona link to the literary context of Othello?

As a tragic hero, perhaps this suggests Othello’s hamartia is his own insecurity rather than jealousy.

What have critics said about Othello’s insecurity in his relationship with Desdemona?

A.C. Bradley suggests “Othello is not jealous by nature but becomes so through his position as an outsider”.

How does Shakespeare portray race as inaccurate to stereotypes in Othello?

If it wasn’t for Iago’s machinations, Othello could’ve continued to uphold his honourable reputation and sustain a relationship with Desdemona.

What quotes show Othello could’ve maintained his honour if it wasn’t for Iago?

• “I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege” A1S2

• “Valiant Othello” A1S3

• “Your son-in-law is far more fair than black” A1S3

• “To his honours and his valiant parts / Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate” A1S3

• “O, you are well tuned now! But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music” A2S1

• “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear” A2S3

How does Othello’s honour link to the context of the Elizabethan era?

Othello initially subverts stereotypes of racist Elizabethan society, portrayed a noble military leader.

His marriage to Desdemona reflects Christian concepts of universalism, creating a positive perception of interracial love.

What have critics said about Othello’s honour?

Smith suggests that “Othello’s collapse is not from personal weakness, but from the burden of performing whiteness”, implying Othello’s honour actually leads to his downfall.