... that the lower classes will always and continually strive to achieve a higher position in the social hierarchy, and thus Othello can be regarded as a struggling, black outsider trying to fit into a Venetian society. The term "the Moor- is used to refer to him on countless occasions: "To the gross clasps of ... goes against nature. This is because Desdemona is risking losing her culture and reputation as a white Venetian of middle-to-upper class, and to marry a black Moorish general who is not a land-owner. By emphasizing on "everything-, Brabantio implies social status, money and hence p...

• Word Count: 3595
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School

... Othello of using witchcraft and drugs on Desdemona when Desdemona, who is beautiful and happy refused to marry any one of the handsome young men and ran off with a black man. Once again patriarchal power comes into play as Brabantio is insulting a man for taking away his ˜possession'. Act 1, Scene 3 Line 10-13: The ... able to sleep again by changing him. Line 388 - Colour Contrast "...her name, that was as fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrim'd and black as mine own face." The contrast between Dian, the virgin Goddess of classical mythology, who is pure and innocent and "is now begri...

• Word Count: 3368
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School

... puts poetic language and thoughts in his mouth to strengthen the image. Othello is Shakespeare's most unusual tragic hero. He is a combination of opposites. He is a black' man with a noble nature. In the beginning of the play, he is proud, intelligent, calm, patient, and self-confident. Once he falls a victim to ... but our new heraldry is hands nor hearts". This leads finally to his own analysis of the contradictions that he believes she embodies: "O thou black weed why art thou so lovely fair?" In reality, Desdemona does not embody these contradictions. For her, his blackness is of no ...

• Word Count: 4125
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

... deliberately to highlight that she is breaking the social code and not behaving how women at this time were expected. She oversteps the boundaries of class and gender by marrying a black man and defying her father at a time when women were expected to be quiet and submissive. This hints to the audience that it will end in sorrow because in Shakespearean ... and marriage. Although she is talking good-humouredly with Iago she is still shocked at his attitude towards women and his racism. She jokingly challenges him "how if she be black and witty how if fair and foolish?- Desdemona is too ...

• Word Count: 2631
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

... love will not get in the way of the serious business he must handle in Cyprus. The Duke tells Brabantio that his son-in-law is "far more fair than black." The Council adjourns, and everyone leaves the room except Iago and a dejected Roderigo. Since Roderigo has lost Desdemona, he is prepared to go out and drown himself, but Iago laughs ... and points out that it is "Lechery. . .prologue to the history of lust." Roderigo is amazed, but Iago persuades his friend into believing that Desdemona is already tiring of the black Moor and is looking for some younger, fairer person to satisfy her ...

• Word Count: 6585
• Approx Pages: 26
• Grade Level: High School

... brings about Othello's demise (Douthat n. pag.). Not only are Othello's adversaries despicable, but they are also bigoted. Since Othello is black, he is the subject of much racism. The terms directed toward him include "Moor" (I.i.57), "thick-lips" (I.i.66), "an old black ram" (I.i.88), and "a Barbary horse" (I.i.113). These all occur in Act I, setting a mood and tone for the remainder of the ... ...

• Word Count: 2635
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... once they stand beneath Brabanzio's window, they do so with racial epithets, not names. These include "the Moor" (I.i.57), "the thick-lips" (I.i.66), "an old black ram" (I.i.88), and "a Barbary horse" (I.i.113). Although Othello appears at the beginning of the second scene, we do not hear his name until well into Act I, scene ... ...

• Word Count: 2512
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... Desdemona's father, Brabantio, of Desdemona's elopement with a "moor". Iago and Roderigo tell Brabantio of Othello's marriage to Desdemona who rushes over to Othello to unsuccessfully reclaim his daughter. "An old black ram Is tupping your white ewe." (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 90). Brabantio's perceptions of both his daughter and Othello have changed. Later on Iago uses Desdemona's deceit towards her father as ... ...

• Word Count: 2824
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

... his wife closely whe! n she is with Cassio. By himself, Othello thinks that his wife no longer loves him, probably because he is too old for her, because he is black, and because he doesn't have the manners of a courtier. Desdemona and Emilia enter to inform Othello that he is expected at dinner. Othello says that he has a pain in his ... ...

• Word Count: 2963
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

... Desdemona's father, Brabantio, of Desdemona's elopement with a "moor". Iago and Roderigo tell Brabantio of Othello's marriage to Desdemona who rushes over to Othello to unsuccessfully reclaim his daughter. "An old black ram Is tupping your white ewe." (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 90). Brabantio's perceptions of both his daughter and Othello have changed. Later on Iago uses Desdemona's deceit towards her father as ... ...

• Word Count: 2824
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

... his plans. This is combined with a constant debasing of Othello in phrases such as "These Moors are changeable in their wills- and by calling him "the devil- and "an old black ram-, echoing Roderigo's own sentiments in order to make him feel more comfortable in entrusting his services to Iago. However, when talking to Othello, he mimics his virtues for the ... ...

• Word Count: 2807
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Graduate