Another image that was worth analyzing was the image and continuous use of animals throughout the play. Specifically, how it is used to describe Othello. From the very beginning of the play Othello is referred to as an animal. In fact, he was not even named in the first two scenes. Iago is to blame for this because all he does is talk about Othello but every time he mentions him it is a different animal. He refers to him as a “black ram” while he is telling Brabantio that he is sleeping with his daughter. While he even is telling Brabantio about Othello he says that he is “making the beast with two backs.” He calls him a “barbary horse,” a “baboon,” and a “beast.” “Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon”(page 51, lines 356-358) Animals references is what Iago uses to describe people especially when referring to Othello. He uses racist ones constantly. His most popular name he calls Othello is a moor. Although a moor is not an animal, it is a racist term that is derogatory towards Othello. It is not only Iago who uses these references but Emilia and Cassio.

The continuous use of these animal references shines a negative light on Shakespeare. They are so frequently used that they show how racist the characters in this play are. It is called the Tragedy of Othello the moor of Venice for a reason. The real tragedy is how Othello is a victim to these racist remarks and how the real villains are those that are white. The downfall of Othello is indeed a tragedy but the prejudice stereotypes are to blame for his downfall. Also, what I found interesting is that Iago continuously is referring to Othello as an animal when in reality Iago himself is the animal. He is the cause of all this death because of his manipulation and evil plan. Iago is the clear antagonist of this play and he deserves to have those names due to his action. Othello is only on the receiving end of this because of the color of his skin and that is the real tragedy.