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othello racism and jealousy

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othello racism and jealousy
Racism in Othello is able to be studied because of the contextual time period, and how human response changes in different contexts. Racism is one of the more broad viewing points in Othello, there is alot of points and techniques that can be observed in this theme. Iago has excused himself of his illdoings towards othello becuase of othello's racial status. "I hate the moor and it is thought abroad that he twixt my sheets" Iago uses the word moor, tp directly reveal that he is expressing his discontent to specifically othello's race, he uses it as dorogotory term, as though he has right to villify othello just because of his racial status.
Iago has been influenced to corrupt othello, not only because he is racist but also because of society, humans in the elizabethan era, believed in the devil, and black magic, and thought that black people were the main abusers of these horrible aspects of their lives, so because of this Iago's society has reassured him about his ill doings towards Othello. Brabantio reffering to Othello's realtionship with Desdemona. "She, in spite of nature,Of years, of country, credit, every thing,To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on!" Brabantio saying "in spite of nature" this comment refers to his thoughts on love with a moor is unatural and should be frowned upon, this quote creates tension for the audience, because it is one of the first things we hear brabantio say on the topic of his daughters relationship. It is also a reference to the elizabethan society, and their thoughts on black people, brabantio had only a directly reffered to othello's race and nothing else about him, it is blatently racist.
Jealousy has been presented as a regularly seen perspective. Jealousy in Othello, is easily seen in the play, especially through Iago. Micheal Cassio was subject to a lot of Iago's jealousy and had a large influence on how Iago acted throughout the play "As masterly as he:

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