We are going to look at just one aspect of the play -- how the ruler of Venice, Desdemona‘s father, and Desdemona herself, perceive Othello. They are noble Venetians, citizens of a great and proud trading city, the centre of an empire. That empire is subject to a military threat, and only a military man can save the city. There is only one distinguished military commander at the very peak of his career as a soldier. That is Othello. Othello is a Moor, and black.
Shakespeare‘s seventeenth century English is not easy for anyone to read. In the extracts that follow you will find headings have been inserted, the spelling modernised, archaic words no longer in use explained, and difficult expressions paraphrased in modern English. Don‘t worry if you don‘t understand every word! Concentrate on the central figure, Othello, a black man in a white society. How does the Duke, the ruler of Venice, see him? How is he seen by the Senators? By Brabantio, his father in law? By his wife, Desdemona? How does he see himself ? And how do we, the readers or the readers or the audience see him?
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