Othello

• Moor


  Arab, Berber people of North Africa who inhabited Northern Spain
• Barbary


  Famous horse from the Arab world, but also a term meaning 'barbarian' and 'savagery'
• Blackamoor


  Genetic - black African referred to as 'blackamoor'
• Queen Elizabeth wanted to rid England of Spanish 'negors' and 'blackamoors' in 1601
• Othello's race


  • Sets him apart
  • He is a high noble, in charge of the Venetian army
  • Racial tensions/sexual tensions
  • Intermarriage anxieties
• Moors were often the villains in literature of the time - early 17th century
• Othello: 'Let him do his spite; My services, which I have done the signiory, Shall out-tongue his complaints'
• Othello is noble and honest - opposite to Iago
• Othello: 'I shall promulgate'
• More evidence that Othello is honest
• Othello: 'My parts, my title and my perfect soul Shall manifest me rightly'
• Othello is not hiding anything, appearance vs. reality
• Othello: 'Holla, stand there! Keep up your bright swords Hold up your hands'
• Othello's use of imperatives

  • Shows his high status
• Othello: 'Good signor, you shall move command with years Than with your weapons'
• Othello


  • Appears moral and peaceful, a type of pacifist (but not in war)
• Othello: 'Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it Without a prompter'
• Othello is sharp, clear - worthy of his role, nobility