Wednesday, May 14th, 2014...1:13 am
OTHELLO
Othello revolves around a couple of themes such as racism, gender roles, jealousy and revenge. Iago is motivated by his hatred towards Othello to manipulate him into ruining his own life. Three of the most prominent arguments as to what motivates Iago include his jealousy of Othello, Othello’s race, and also revenge. Othello’s race is something that is of interest throughout the whole play. While he is called “The Moor,” which is a reference to his skin color, Shakespeare never directly says where he was from. Phyllis Natalie Braxton, author of “Othello: The Moor and the Metaphor” argues that this was done on purpose.
Discussion Questions:
What reasons could Shakespeare have had in making Othello black? Does it matter what part of the world Othello came from?
Do you think that Othello’s race was supposed to be the focal point of the story or was it supposed to add fuel to the fire?
10 Comments
May 14th, 2014 at 10:59 am
Whelps the reason why Shakespeare made Othello black is obvious. When you of a commander general capable of disseminating enemies forces you think of something strong, savage, pooooowerful, UNSTOPPABLE EVEN aka black guy.
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On a more serious note Shakespeare probably made him black because he was probably inspire by one or something. I don’t think it matters where Othello is from and his race probably was just suppose to add fuel to the fire. It doesn’t matter on whether Othello black, white, purple, yellow, pink, green, Clinton, gold, silver… goes on for days naming colors. Annnnywho regardless on Othello race Iago would of still been jealous. He still would of manipulate Othello. Othello still would of have choke a bi…. You get the point. Moral of the story black guys are awesome and haters going to hate.
May 14th, 2014 at 11:06 am
#Clintonifyadidn’tknow
May 14th, 2014 at 4:09 pm
the reason that Shakespeare might had on making Othello black, was probably that he wanted to make a big difference in the character of the play. there are couples part in the play where Othello’s race is the subject. for example when Prebentio points out that his daughter Desdemona was suffering the effect of witchcraft to the judge. because Prebentio didnot believe that her daughter fall in love in her own.
May 14th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
I think shakespeare made Othello black just to add another element to the play. I think the fact that he is black definitely has an effect on how he is viewed at points throughout the play. With that being said, i dont think that him being black was meant to be the focal point of the play, and i don’t think it is either. As you said, i think its just an added element that Shakespeare threw at us.
-Kyle Wechsler
May 14th, 2014 at 7:35 pm
The reason that Shakespeare created Othello as a black character was to create a bigger division between Othello and the people around him. In order to make a bigger distinction between him and the people. But that distinction that color makes isn’t the central point, but rather the loneliness that it subsequently creates.
May 15th, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Back in the day (around 1600’s), the african or anyone with dark skin were looked down upon. I believe that it was definitely done on purpose to add fuel to the fire.
May 16th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
I think Shakespeare created Othello as a Black because he wanted to express there is no racism in his play. Black can be general which is high position of the military.
May 16th, 2014 at 9:56 pm
I think Shakespeare made Othello a Moor to create divisions between the Venetian aristocracy, who descend from ancient and proud lineages of Romans, and Othello, who is decidedly not one of “them”. The color of his skin serves as a permanent, life-long reminder to everyone of his origins. Othello is also a military officer, and his high position is tied to his merits as a soldier and not by birth, deepening the divide between the Moor and his noble Venetian benefactors.
May 17th, 2014 at 1:14 am
I think Shakespeare created the character Othello as a Moor to highlight Othello’s character as an outsider or to even add low self-esteem to his trait. Othello’s insecure self may be the reason why Othello is so quick to entrust Iago.
May 19th, 2014 at 11:41 am
I think Shakespeare making Othello black because he wants to show that Othello should not marry Desdemona. There is a gap between them and Desdemona love Othello because of she like Othello talk about his history. When lago convinced Othello that Desdemona has an affair and Othello being so angry. He didn’t even know the whole things and kill his wife.