WK 3: Choosing a theme in Othello

A theme that is introduced in Act One and Act 2 is the issues of race which is introduced by the main protagonist, Othello. Issues of race are represented by the character of Othello as he is a moor which is one who is of African decent who was dark skin. In Act One Othello is only referred to as 'the moor' or by other vulgar language by Iago and Roderigo. The positioning technique used to introduce the theme is the way in Othello is addressed by other characters, which gives the audience a sense taht Othello is not respected in his personal life due to his race. Iago and Roderigo know that Othello and Desdamona have eloped and they tell her father all about it. They describe Othello to Desdamona's father, Brabantio with language such as, 'an old black ram', 'is tupping your white ewe' and 'Barbary horse'(1.1.89-94). They use this language in the dark yelling to Brabantio's window as they would not say anything directly to Othello, as he is a very well respected military general in his public life. Desdemona is Othello's wife who is the daughter of white male who is prominent in society. When Othello and Desdemona elope her father, Brabantio calls the marriage unnatural, "in spite of nature...To fall in love with what she feared to look on?(1.3.95)" This emphases the theme of race importance as it shows how because of Othello's race it is extremely natural in his society to marry a women like Desdemona.