Racist Quotes In Othello

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I don’t believe the play is racist, although characters speak harsh, supremacist words this doesn't necessarily mean the whole play is racist. 400 or so years ago the people that Shakespeare encountered were racist or discriminatory towards black people, even the Queen of England was racist towards black people. Usually the writer (in this case Shakespeare) includes ideas that their audience would be familiar with or be able to relate to. Also, since this is a play, all the characters are unique in their personality, they all have a different view of black people. However, when people are angered in the play they resort to racist remarks. For example, when Emilia found out that Othello had killed Desdemona she was extremely mad and she called …show more content…
For Iago, it's like staring at the flip-side and seeing someone live the life you wish to live, but not being able to make it tangible for yourself. Roderigo is also jealous of Othello which results in Roderigo’s racist comments about Othello. Roderigo is envious of Othello’s love, Desdemona. “What a full fortune does the Thick-lips owe If he can carry’t thus!” (Act 1, Scene 1, line 66). Roderigo’s hate doesn’t stem from racism but from jealousy and his racist comments are a outlet to express how much he hates or how enraged Othello makes him in my opinion. Brabantio on the other hand views Othello as the bad, horrible, bad ass boyfriend that can never be good enough for his daughter. Brabantio also becomes enraged when Desdemona is sneaking out to see “the …show more content…
“That will confess perfection so could err Against all rules of nature, and must be driven” (Act 1 Scene 3 line 100) Here Brabantio is suggesting that their is no way that his sweet Desdemona could ever fall in love or be with Othello. Later in the verse Brabantio suggests that Othello had used some sort of magic, or spells because that’s the only power that would make her fall in love with Othello. Emilia is also unapproving of Desdemona’s relationship with Othello, but because Emilia was of lower class she held back her tongue in fear of getting in trouble with the lord. “O the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!” (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 159). Emilia holding back her opinions throughout the play is also what made her words so much more impactful and harsh it’s extremely noticeable when she ends with “-blacker devil!”. Emilia saying this at the end of her sentence is huge because back then having faith and having the bible in your life was a normal part of life. Also, the extent of which people back then believed in Christ was so full of certainty, and
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