Othello - 1

"Othello, the Moor of Venice" by William Shakespeare
"Because we come to do your 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, you'll have coursers for cousins, and jennets for germans" (Shakespeare, I.i.109-112).

The prejudice and racism toward Othello helps develop the context and attitude of Iago toward Othello. Although Iago does not say all of the racist comments, all characterize how Iago thinks down toward Othello because of his race and because of his decision for Cassio to be the lieutenant instead of Iago. Iago continually refers to Othello as the Moor instead of by his name like it would be most proper to do. Othello is also referred to as an animal and that his children will be like children in order to scare of Desdemona's father from approving of the marriage to Othello. The comparison to farm animals implies that Othello is like an animal that is unintelligent and only interested in the sex of the marriage instead of a relationship of love as animals do not love like humans do. Furthermore, the Duke states that Othello is a good guy for being a black guy leaving an underlying racist comment toward Othello that he is good for a black guy rather than just being a good guy. Despite all of the racism that Othello receives in the first act of the play, he still stays calm and confident in the accusations against him for his marriage to Desdemona.