Race & otherness in othello
Shakespeare significantly uses the values of race and otherness to show how Othello is different from everyone else. Shakespeare's continuous use of characterization is also represented in the central value race and otherness. Shakespeare immediately shows how Othello is different before he even enters the play. Roderigo's accusation on Othello's character is seen when he complains to Brabantio that 'your fair daughter, transported, to the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor'. The deliberate use of 'fair' in quote reminds the audience the contrast between Othello's blackness and Desdemona's fair skin. Shakespeare enforces his context into the play as religious perspective of 'fair' resembles pure background and 'the Moor' as 'lascivious', corrupting influence and impure. Furthermore, Shakespeare uses the technique of imagery to convey how Othello is portrayed as an outsider. Again Roderigo's description of the 'moor' being 'thick lips' shows how Othello's features are different from everyone else hence, indicating that Othello is an outsider. In addition to this, Shakespeare's usage of animalistic imagery is a clear example of how Othello's race differs from everyone else. Iago quotes that 'an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe'. This quote emphasizes that the representation of the 'black ram' cannot mix in with the 'white ewe' as they have no match and are different species. This symbolizes that due to the racial difference of Othello and Desdemona, they cannot unite and live happily. Moreover, Shakespeare adds in other characters to show how Othello is portrayed. The use of simile shows another deep example of how Othello is separated and neglected from the society. The need for the third gentleman to come and show his thoughts on Othello depicts that, not only does Roderigo and Iago visualize Othello as an outsider, but society as a whole. This can be justified as he comments that 'warlike Moor Othello', which shows how Othello is suggested as a person with violent nature. Hence, the context is reinforced in this as Europeans viewed Africans as violent sexually overactive and animalistic.
Similarly, Tim Nelson visually represents how Odin is presented as a outsider in his society and how his peers depict him as an outsider due to racial differences. For example, the dialogue 'The hood jumped out of him....F that Nigga', from Mike shows how even Odin's best friend perceives him as an outsider by discriminating him according to his race. Tim further elaborates on issues concerning Odin's race by putting in a rhetorical question. Emilia's doubt that 'did he rape you' is overturned as Desi asks her a rhetorical question, which shows how Emilia regards Odin as sexually overactive, 'Would you have said that if he was white?' This shows black people are seen as impure and how white people are not stamped with this discrimination. Moreover, Nelson presents the audience with a clear example of how Odin is different from everyone else. Hugo's father, Coach Goulding explains to him that 'O is different than us, he's the only black student in the whole school'. This clearly separates Odin from the rest as the coach mentions that he is different, and that he is the only black person, which differentiates him from his peers. The most important technique used to understand the differences in race and otherness is symbolism. Nelson uses the symbol of the Hawk and Doves to show the contrast of Odin and his surroundings. The Hawk is shown as a single bird, which every other bird respects and fears. However, the Hawk is a violent creature which destroys anything that annoys it. These characteristics resemble Odin, as he is different from everyone else and his emotions are acted upon instantly. Conversely, the majority of white Doves symbolize how white people outweigh the singularity of the Hawk/Odin. At the end of the film, Nelson uses a high shot to show the significance of the Hawk. Hugo's voice-over signifies how the hawk symbolizes Odin as an achiever and respectful human. The film's context allows Nelson to use terms such as 'Nigga', as the youth is aware of the term and it's meaning. This shows how black people were described as, and how their otherness was shown as they were the only group recognized by this term.