Othello Act 1 Scene 3 questions

What do we learn about views towards foreigners/moors?

Before Othello enters the scene, he is described as the "valiant moor" which shows he is known and respected for being brave in battle, yet also well known for the colour of his skin which has many negative connotations of racism. The people Othello mixes with, nearly all discriminate against black people as they have been brought up to think that black people are beneath themselves. Brabantio enters the room and reports that his daughter, Desdemona, has been "stolen" from him which shows Venetian people's stereotyping of black and foreign people that they were thieves and untrustworthy. Brabantio also accuses Othello of "witch craft" and using "spells and medicines" leading to his daughter being "corrupted" into thinking that she loves and wants to marry Othello. This is also in line with the stereotype of black people being mystical negros who indulge themselves in witch craft. After the accusations were made, the Duke finds Othello innocent of everything he is accused of and comes to the conclusion that Desdemona married Othello out of her own free will. This shows that most things that the Venetians thought about foreigners, were untrue and biased.


What is ironic about Othello's claim that "rude am I in my speech"?

Othello "won" Desdemona through telling her his stories of war and bravery. Therefore it is ironic that he says that he is "rude" meaning unskilled; as he must be skilled with his words to make Desdemona fall in love with someone that she is forbidden to be with or marry and also marry him without the knowledge of her Father who is furious about it. Othello says that Desdemona "devoured" up the stories in which he told her about being "sold to slavery" and of his "travailous history" and that she fell in love with him through the telling of his life.


What is startling about Othello's decision to let Desdemona speak on his behalf?

It is startling that Othello allowed Desdemona to speak on his behalf, because in the seventeenth century women were submissive to men and were viewed as property, shown when she is reported "stolen". Therefore Desdemona, in a white woman's status,  couldn't be expected to convince the Duke and her father that she married Othello out of her own choice instead of being forced by "witch craft".


Using the thinking question above, what 'stories' does Othello tell in his speech to the senate?


Othello fits the stereotype of an exotic and interesting person of colour through his stories of his life previously in which he was "sold to slavery" and endured many battles. He portrays himself as tough and as a brave warrior and therefore demands respect indirectly which will make the senate less likely to think that he is guilty of theft or witch craft.