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Racism In Othello

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The correlation between relationships and experiences are co-existing functions that assist in operating societies. Since ancient times, social classes have existed within all communities and cultures; a sense of belonging is often determined by one’s position in the social hierarchy. Shakespeare’s Othello highlights determinants including race and gender that affect one’s standing in the hierarchy. An excerpt of Act 1, Scene 1 (Lines 110-112) explores this concept when Iago exclaims “Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you.” Shakespeare cleverly incorporates animalistic imagery to showcase the role that race has in a society …show more content…

A sense of inferiority and disconnection is created between the two races due to the lack of union in their relationship and the bad experiences they’ve had together in history. Another case in which he showcases the hierarchy of society is in the quote: “And I 'm from the country in the desert, Western Australia where you a black fella, a yellow fella or a white fella.” He then goes on to describe the three categories and what they encompass. The use of the “three effect” emphasises the differing categories and demonstrates the differences in race within their society, as well as the detachedness amongst them. The relationships of the three races determine where one’s stance is in the social hierarchy, as well as their experiences with one another. The “three effect” is used to have a dramatic impact, and in this case, it strongly establishes the social hierarchy in society based on race. Overall, both Shakespeare’s Othello and Podcast 5 discuss the correlation between relationships and experiences as something interconnected and the significance of one’s social standing in a society to a great extent, through the various techniques employed in both

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