How does Shakespeare use dramatic techniques to emphasise the idea of racism, inequality

of women and power in this scene?

-Richard Yang-

Shakespeares tragedy Othello opens with the dispute between Brabantio and Othello on his
secret marriage with Desdemona. Like any other Shakespearean tragedies, the tragic hero,
Othello, is introduced as a human being with many positive character traits, while many
universal, underlying flaws in the setting are revealed early on, including the issues of racism,
inequality of women and power, in order to provide explanation on the causes of the tragic
events. This is emphasised through the use of dramatic devices in the scene.
The play is a reflection of racism during the Shakespearean era. Characters crafted by
Shakespeare show strong discrimination towards those with different skin colours. Othello,
although honoured by the Duke of Venice for his accomplishments as the states war general
and is relied on against the Turkish invasion, is treated with prejudice because of his Moorish
background. This is first evident when Brabantio accuses Othello of practicing witchcraft to
allure his daughter into falling in love. This is achieved by describing her daughter as highly
conscious through the listing of Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense. which is ironic
because those are the qualities that enable her to fall in love with the highly regarded Othello,
but is insisted as an impossibility by Brabantio because Othellos darker skin has negative
connotations that can easily be associated with negative forces, this device highlights the
severity of racism in Othellos society. The Duke defends Othello against Brabantio with your
son in law is far more fair than black, though a compliment, paradoxically agrees to the
discriminating idea that black skin colour has negative connotations, and implications of ones
character. The dukes underlying prejudice is also reflective through the contrast between the
language he uses to Brabantio and Othello. He greets Brabantio upon his entrance with
welcome, gentle signior, is indicative of his high social status, juxtaposed to Valiant Othello
we must straight employ you right before, again, although praises Othellos bravery and
significance, his use of high modality language must implies Othellos lower status as he is
given no options whatsoever but to immediately attend war. This scene thus has a strong
emphasis on the social issue of racism in Othello through Shakespeares effective use of
dramatic techniques.
The inequality of women is evident in the Othello. Shakespeares female characters are
regarded as mens possessions and have no rights to make their own choices. Brabantio
expresses this idea through she isstoln from me, showing Desdemona being objectified
by his father. Although the Duke acknowledges Brabantios undermining statement as he
follows with Whoeer he be that, in this foul proceeding... his usage of inverted syntax in
that line, implies his awareness of abnormality, which is the inequality of women. His is
supposed to invite Desdemona to resolve the conflict considering her fathers high status but
instead commands Fetch Desdemona hither, which depicts a violent visual imagery to the
audience of Desdemona being grabbed and forced to the meeting particularly through the
word fetch. Even she herself acknowledges her fathers power over her through the
hyperbole lord of duty, and previously suggests herself loyal to both Brabantio and Othello
in divided duty, which in reality was the female role during the Shakespearean era. The
unfairness women suffered in the Elizabethan era is reflected in Othello.
Shakespeare represents power as a significant force in society. Power is an indication of his
plays characters social status. The Duke at first shows commitment to execute the offender
described by Brabantio but then is influenced and shows hesitation when Othello is revealed
as the perpetrator. Here, the Duke is in a tricky position because he cannot offend either of
them, as both are established as powerful men in the play, Othello with control over the
military and Brabantio over the economy and election. The Dukes acknowledgement of
Brabantios power is revealed through his consistently sincere tone when speaking to him, for
example, Good Brabantio, Take up this mangled matter at the best in a situation where he
should have displayed anger. Othellos power on the other hand, is proven for instance where
the Duke displays impressment upon hearing Othellos convincing statements, by alluding
himself into the affair in I think this tale would win my daughter too. The other characters

are clear of the Dukes absolute power over them through the repetition of my lord at the
end of dialogues with the Duke. Power is therefore highly regarded by Shakespeares
characters and has direct effect on their every act.
Through the effective use of dramatic techniques, Act One Scene Three of Shakespeares
Othello introduces the issues of racism, inequality of women and power. These ideas
foreshadow tragedy and are forces that cause the tragic heros act of crime, therefore it is
extremely important to examine and acknowledge them.