Structural Racism in Society
In Act 1, Brabantio warns Othello that Desdemona will betray him just as she betrayed her father. This reflects the stereotype that Black men are what?
What is untrustworthy and dangerous?
Desdemona is described as "fair," a term that in Shakespeare's time meant both beautiful and what?
What is white or pure?
When Othello says, ‘Haply, for I am black,’ he expresses doubt about his worth. What does this statement reveal about his internalized racism?
What is that Othello believes his race makes him unworthy of love or affection?
In Othello, Iago refers to Othello as a ‘Barbary horse,’ using animalistic imagery. How does this reflect the racial stereotypes of the time?
What is that during the period, Black men were often dehumanized and compared to animals, reinforcing the false belief that they were less civilized?
Iago uses animal imagery when referring to Othello, calling him an ‘old black ram.’ What does this reveal about Iago’s racist attitudes?"
What is that Iago sees Othello as a dangerous, uncivilized beast, reinforcing racist stereotypes?
Iago frequently calls Othello "the Moor" rather than using his name. This is an example of what kind of racial discrimination?
What is dehumanization or othering?
Othello himself says he lacks Desdemona's social grace because he is "black." This reflects what form of racial bias?
What is colorism?
Desdemona’s love for Othello is questioned because of his race. How does Othello’s insecurity about his race affect his perception of their relationship?
What is that Othello doubts Desdemona’s love because he believes he is inferior due to his Blackness?
The 17th century saw the rise of theories linking race to inherent traits like intelligence and morality. How does the treatment of Othello in Othello reflect these racist pseudosciences?
What is that Othello, as a Black man, is viewed as inherently violent and jealous due to his race, based on the pseudoscientific belief that racial traits determine one’s behavior and moral capacity?
Iago’s manipulation of Othello relies heavily on reinforcing racist beliefs about Black men. How does Iago play on these racist stereotypes?
What is by suggesting that Othello is possessive, jealous, and untrustworthy due to his race?
Othello begins to believe Desdemona is unfaithful, partly because he sees himself as an outsider. This is an example of what type of racism?
What is internalized racism?
Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona could never truly love him. This plays into what harmful belief about interracial relationships?
What is the idea that Black men are unworthy of white women?
As Othello becomes consumed by jealousy, he begins to refer to himself in a more self-loathing manner. How does this reflect internalized racism?
What is Othello begins to dehumanize himself, describing himself as ‘blacker devil’ or ‘base Indian’?
The idea that Black people were biologically and intellectually inferior to white people was a central tenet of pseudoscientific racism. How does this influence Othello’s view of himself in the play?
What is Othello internalizes the racist belief that his Blackness makes him inherently unworthy of Desdemona’s love, which leads to his jealousy and violence
Othello begins to refer to himself as a ‘blacker devil’ toward the play’s end. What does this self-labeling signify?"
What is Othello’s complete acceptance of society’s racist view of him as inferior and evil?
The idea that Othello must use "witchcraft" to seduce Desdemona is an example of what historical racist myth?
What is scientific racism or the belief that Black men are hypersexual and dangerous?
Throughout Othello, whiteness is associated with purity, while Blackness is linked to villainy and sin. This character reinforces this idea by calling Othello a ‘blacker devil’ while mourning Desdemona’s death. Who says this, and how does it reflect colorism?
Who is Emilia?
When Othello says, ‘Haply, for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation that chamberers have,’ what is he revealing about his self-image?
What is that Othello sees himself as less refined or deserving of Desdemona’s love because he is black?
In Othello, Iago manipulates Cassio’s opinion of Othello by reinforcing the stereotype of the ‘noble savage.’ How does this reflect the racial views of the time?
What is the stereotype that Black people were primitive or uncivilized, yet capable of nobility or valor, but still inherently inferior?
When Othello is promoted to general, he still faces racial prejudice from his fellow Venetians. How does this reflect the racism embedded in Venetian society?
What is that even though Othello is respected as a soldier, his race still defines how Venetians view and treat him?
Which character reinforces racial stereotypes by claiming that Othello has an
"old black ram" nature?
Who is Iago?
Othello’s final words before his death reinforce the play’s themes of colorism and internalized racism. He compares himself to this ‘enemy’ figure, showing that he has fully accepted society’s perception of him as an outsider. What does he compare himself to?
What is a circumcised dog?
Othello’s tragic end is marked by his final words. How does his death reflect his internalization of societal views on race?
What is Othello believes that by killing himself, he is correcting the wrong of loving a white woman, as he has accepted the racialized view that he is not worthy?
In the play, Othello faces prejudice despite his high status as a general. How does this reflect the scientific racism of the 17th century that linked race with limitations on social mobility?
What is that scientific racism suggested that Black people were inherently limited in their capacity for achievement, regardless of individual abilities or accomplishments
Othello’s tragic end is partially driven by his belief that his race makes him unworthy of Desdemona’s love. How does this belief connect to the racist attitudes of other characters in the play?
What is that Othello internalizes the racist views held by others, particularly Iago and Brabantio, who see him as an outsider and unworthy of Desdemona’s affection due to his Blackness?