Othello Essay

"Shakespeare's dramatization of rivaling power-play in Othello is an examination of
class, colour and gender." Discuss this statement with reference to Othello AND to
your supplementary reading.
Introduction
Othello is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in 1565, which deals with class,
colour and gender. These themes are also examined in The Bluest Eye written by Toni
Morrison in 1970, which is set in the rural South after the Great Depression. The way
that power is used in both texts brings to light the trauma that a society with
prejudicial notions of class, colour and gender inflicts on the individual. In both texts,
class, colour and gender are the reasons for the persecution of the central
characters, which renders them vulnerable to the judgment of the outside world and
their own insecurities.
Paragraph 1 (persecution)
In Shakespeares text the theme of persecution is highlighted through his portrayal of
the issues surrounding class, colour and gender. In the racist and sexist social context
of the Elizabethan Era, racism was a prevalent and problematic trait, which targeted
people of colour for discrimination, and even persecution. This is shown in the text
through Iagos use of racial slurs an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Here
the use of metaphor and zoomorphism likens Othello to an old black sheep. This
reference has negative connotations, which implies that Othello is not worthy of a
white woman. Additionally, persecution is represented in the themes of social class
and gender. This is particularly relevant where we examine the roles of the female
characters Desdemona and Emilia in the play. Shakespeare portrays women as
submissive possessions belonging either to their father or their husbands. This
clearly emphasises both their lower social status within society as well as the
misogynistic perception of the women at the time. The lower social status is
reflected through Othellos marriage vows Come, my dear love, the purchase made
the fruits are to ensure the use of the word purchase is symbolic of Desdemonas
role as a possession rather than an equal. Finally, both Desdemona and Emilia are
silenced by the men around them when they attempt to speak the truth, Yet she
must die, else shell betray more men. Clearly, persecution can be influenced by an
individuals class, colour and gender.
Paragraph 2
Similarly persecution is a central theme reflected in Toni Morrisons novel, The
Bluest Eye, however, racism in this text is more complicated. Set in Ohio after the
Great Depression, this text follows the journey of the protagonist, Pecola and her
struggles of accepting herself as a black girl in a white society. In the 1930s, people
were persecuted and degraded to a lower class simply on the basis of skin colour and
gender. This is evidenced through the quote His mother did not like him to play
with niggers Colored people were neat and quiet; niggers were dirty and loud the
use of derogatory language and the juxtaposition between black and white highlights
the subjective distinctions between good and bad people in Pecolas class. It is
important to note that in this society both black men and women were being
persecuted and unfairly victimized by the white elite, as is emphasized by Chollys
experiences as a young man Never did he once consider directing his hatred toward
the huntersthey were big, white, armed men. He was small, black, helpless. The
use of cumulative listing emphasizes the social disparity between the different
classes. Despite the fact that both genders within the African-American demographic
are persecuted, it is the female characters in this text, which are the most victimized.
This notion is similarly reflected in Shakespeares play through Othellos treatment of
Desdemona. Chollys rape of his daughter, Pecola, explores the fact that the girls in
this novel are victims due to their race, their gender and age, meaning that they are
socially powerless. It is this lust for power and desire to be in control for once in his
life, which instigates this horrendous act. Much like in Shakespeares text race and
social standing go hand in hand, putting those with coloured skin on the bottom of
the social ladder. However the biggest similarity between the two texts comes from
the treatment of women and their lack of power, which causes them to be
overlooked and become the victims of brutal crimes.
Paragraph 3 internalising the insecurity

Additionally, the theme of insecurity is expressed through the characters or Othello.
These insecurities stem from their race, social status and gender. Despite his
powerful military ranking, Othello has ben exposed to repetitive racists comments all
his life, for example Brabantios derogatory tone in foul thief and damnd. At the
time, there were racial tensions between black and white and as such any mixing
between the two races was seen as something going against all the rules of nature.
It is clear that continuous verbal abuse has personally impacted Othello, degrading
his self-confidence and thus making him insecure about his self-worth. This is why
Othello is so disturbed by the claims of Desdemonas infidelity, because if they are
true it means that he was never good enough for her, like everyone predicted. The
exclamation and repetition in Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her, damn her!
demonstrates his feelings of betrayal and anger. Furthermore, it is these feelings of
inadequacy which cause him to lash out in such a violent matter. Despite the fact that
Othello is a powerful character in the play, it is his insecurities surrounding his race
with ultimately lead him to his demise.
Paragraph 4 Internalising the insecurity

Correspondingly, The Bluest Eye explores the themes of class, colour and gender in
relation to an individuals insecurities. Pecola is constantly bullied for being ugly by
the standards of society, "I am cute! And you ugly! Black and ugly black e mos. I am
cute!" She internalises all the bullying and abuse she has received from her
community, and even her mother, and her self-esteem has been diminished. She
finds herself ugly and feels that she needs to make up for this, therefore giving the
power to others. Everyone in her life mistreats her, making her believe that it is her
own fault for being ugly. Blue eyes seem to symbolize the feminine cultural standard
of beauty attributed to whiteness in America. To have blue eyes is considered as
beauty, which to Pecola is highly desirable. It had occurred to Pecola some time ago
that if her eyes were different, that is to say, beautiful, she herself would be
different. Pecolas desire for blue eyes is complex. She does not want blue eyes
simply because theyll make her beautiful, but because she believes that it would
change her reality. Similarly to Othello, Pecola hits a breaking point when she loses
her baby and loses her sanity as a result.
Conclusion
Through the themes of persecution and insecurity, Othello and The Bluest Eye reveals
rivalling power play through the examination of class, colour and gender. The use of
persecution in both texts degrades their self-esteem. Both Othello and Pecola
internalise their insecurity about the colour of their skin and as a result of this, they
become unhinged. The oppression of a certain race in both texts explore power, as
when the protagonists are feeling insecure as a result of persecution, they are
diminished and less powerful.

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How does each text portray the theme of persecution?

How do the protagonists internalize feelings of insecurity?

"Shakespeare's dramatization of rivaling power-play in Othello is an examination of

Paragraph 3 internalising the insecurity

Paragraph 4 Internalising the insecurity

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