Racism and Lust

Othello - William Shakespeare

Racism plays a role in the play to reveal setting/time period and how each hero has a flaw. While dark skin is not viewed as a flaw today, it carried negative connotations to the people of this period. Roderigo and Iago address him as an "old black ram" (I. i. 86), using terms for animals signifying that he is less than human, instinctfull, and lustfull, rather, incapable of loving Desdemona. Even in complimenting him, the Duke calls him "far more fair than black" (I. ii. 286-287). Othello has obviously overcome the societal challenges placed before him and risen sufficiently in the army. He recognizes this himself and it is revealed that Desdemona fell in love with him because of his autobiographical storytelling.