For at least the last two hundred years, race has functioned as one of the most powerful and yet most fragile markers of social difference. Shakespeare uses the interplay of racial prejudice, and its religious and social significance to craft the corruption of Othello's relationship with Desdemona. William Shakespeare also uses juxtaposing colors through the use of animal imagery and racial slurs to show racial difference and illustrate the issue of race. As a black moor in a society of Venetians, Othello is subjected to racism stemming from three main sources. Prejudices held by the Venetian society as a whole are the first main source of racism encountered by Othello, followed by hate-inspired racism from the Iago, where he uses animal imagery to portray race. The final source of racism experienced by Othello is left vulnerable by his insecurities, Othello falls victim to racism, materializing within his own mind. These sources of racial prejudice evident throughout the play eventually overcome Othello. thus paving the road leading to his tragic downfall.
Animal imagery is strongly used throughout the play in order to illustrate the issue of Race in society. Iago's manipulative aspect of his character is shown from the very beginning of the play where he tells Brabantio of the inter-racial marriage that his daughter is a part of. "Even now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe", Iago's rough racial depiction of the union of Othello and Desdemona presupposes Othello as bestial and barbaric before Othello even enters into the play. Iago's vivid and crude description of the lovemaking between a black man and a white woman is meant to scare Brabantio into thinking that Desdemona's lamb-like purity and whiteness are being contaminated and compromised by her sexual relationship with a black man. The use of this line by Iago, illustrates the racial idea of the play.
