To What Extent Is Othello'S Downfall Due To His Race And Colour

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Othello is portrayed as a Black man in a white man’s world. It was written by Shakespeare in 1603 and has been a well known play since. He has managed to become general of the Venetian Army and has won many wars. Although victorious, he has come from a background of slavery. The original story is thought to be from a book called “Gli Hecatommithi” By the author Geraldi Cynthio explaining the problems that many occur between Husband and Wife. This included divorce, arguments and many other problems that may occur during Marriage
The story starts off in Venice where Othello secretly marries Desdemona (daughter of senator) and then heads to the Venetian Duke for a briefing of an invasion of Cyprus against the Turks. Iago and Rodrigo. Iago is a friend of Othello and is known to be a catalyst in this play. Rodrigo is a love sick venetian that wants to marry Desdemona, and was willing to pay Iago to make this dream happen. Iago used this and took all of Rodrigo’s money. We can see this in Act 1 Scene 3 Line 363 Iago tells Rodrigo to give Iago more money. “Fill thy Purse”. As Rodrigo makes a leave he exclaims he will somehow get rid of the Moor, Othello and also take all of Rodrigo’s money. This is shown in Act 1 Scene 3 Line 368 “But for my sport and profit. I do hate the Moor” Moor refers to a black person that is from North Africa. The quote is saying how he can make money by just sucking up to Othello when he is near Othello and then talk to Othello behind his back in front of Rodrigo? The next scene consists of the whole Venetian army being in Cyprus after the war has been won. It is heavily implied that they have won, although not showing the war because there are several men. In example Act 2 Scene1 Line 20 “News Lads! Our wars are done: The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks that their designment halts. A Noble ship of Venice Hath seen a grievous wrack and
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