Othello is one such play in which the social status of the main character Othello, the confidence of his wife Desdemona, and the wisdom and fierce loyalty of her lady in waiting Emelia all contradict the stereotypes of the Jacobean era. ... This insulting reference to Othello's race, while seemingly frank and shocking to the contemporary audience, would have been less so to a Jacobean audience as such talk was a result of the social attitude towards blacks and people of differing cultural backgrounds at the time. ... Othello even says himself that "passion, having my best judgement ...

• Word Count: 1558
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Othello's North African background distinguishes him from the Caucasian Venetian society, and stark difference can be gleaned off personal differences such as the reverence of Othello with the duplicity of Iago. ... Othello's different racial background displaces him within the societal sphere of his career. ... Contrarily, Othello's ethnicity subjects him to the vindictiveness of other characters, particularly Iago, who uses this to fuel the already existing inferno of hatred he feels towards Othello. ... Othello regards his race as a disservice that deprives him of the smoot...

• Word Count: 1213
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

A Marxist reading will be used to interpret this play, as well as a Race reading. ... The story is sometimes seen as presenting Iago's plot to destroy Othello rather than a story about Othello himself. ... A Race reading analyses the interaction of characters through their racial backgrounds, that is, how their different cultures and values influence their relationships and this the development of the plot. ... In all, the role of race as an element to the text is assessed. ... The character of Othello ...

• Word Count: 1957
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate