Exploration of the theme of race in 'Othello'

English

In 'Othello', pupils learn about the conventions of a tragic hero, which allows them to judge whether the protagonist is more a victim of his own hamartia or rather of external pressures and a racist society. In 'Macbeth: A Tragic  Hero', pupils evaluate whether Macbeth's downfall is caused by his own hubris or whether Lady Macbeth and wider society can be blamed. 

In 'The Language of Protest', pupils take inspiration from protest poetry and speeches, to write an opinion article. In 'Othello', pupils use their argumentative writing skills to compose letters in defense of Othello and to write speeches campaigning for racial equality. 

'Othello'

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

They welcomed all cultures to their society.

What does it mean if Jacobean society was insular? 

Lightness and light skin was associated with evil

Darkness and dark skin was associated with moral deviance

Which idea was embedded in the cultural consciousness of Jacobean England?

''Her name, that was as fresh... is now begrimed...As mine...face''

''Haply for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation''

What reveals that Othello has fully internalised the racial stereotype that black equates to sin by the end of the play 'Othello'?

He doesn't speak the same language as Iago

He is socially inexperienced in Venetian society

He is too busy proving himself as a good warrior to listen to scrutinise Iago

In 'Othello', how does Othello's outsider status make him more vulnerable to Iago's machinations?

he becomes dislocated by other people's perception of his race

the significance he places on race diminishes

What happens to Othello as the play 'Othello' progresses?

He acknowledges his status as an outsider

He wants to kill the part of him deemed as 'other'

What does the image of Othello killing the 'malignant Turk' as he kills himself in his final soliloquy in 'Othello' suggest?

In Shakespeare's 'Othello', which character dehumanises Othello at the beginning of the play?

In 'Othello', what epithet do characters use to describe Othello that marks him out as an outsider?

''My particular grief Is of so floodgate and o’erbearing nature''

In 'Othello', what does Brabantio say that shows his stereotyping of Othello?

darker skin was associated with moral impurity

lighter skin was associated with moral impurity

Which belief was held in Jacobean England about race? 

He says that his race may be the reason that Desdemona has been 'unfaithful'

Consumed with jealousy, he enters a trance 

What happens to Othello in Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello' that suggests the play is at its peripeteia? 

By characterising Iago as the evil villain

How does Shakespeare subvert racial stereotypes in Jacobean England through 'Othello'? 

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Exploration of the theme of race in 'Othello'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.