He uses it as a weapon against Othello, knowing that if he can make Othello doubt Desdemona´s faithfulness, he is going to win his trust over hers. In addition, Iago believes that men are more significant than women, even more, when it comes to their reliability. However, due to Iago´s successfully played mind games, that are manifested in order to achieve revenge on him. Being born as a North-African moor and not having previously experienced any racial inferiority, makes it accurate for him to state, “My parts, my title and my perfect soul, / Shall manifest me rightly” (I.ii.31-32). Othello´s perception of race in Early Modern times was gradually changing. Throughout this essay I am going to analyze the importance and effects of gender and race in the Early Modern period and finally come to a conclusion if the dominant ideologies are subverted or are they firmly re-established. Othello and Desdemona also anticipate utopian values that lead to issues in character relationships that lead to tragic consequences. This accountant is now lieutenant, while I end up as the Moor’s flag- bearer.The central topics that are discussed throughout the tragedy are gender and race, to which Othello exposes limitations and changes of perception during the play. My career is cut short by some bookkeeper, even though the general saw my fighting skills first-hand in Rhodes and Cyprus.

His military understanding is all theory, no practice. This counter-caster He (in good time) must his lieutenant be And I, bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient. But he, sir, had th' election And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds Christian and heathen, must be belee’d and calmed By debitor and creditor. Mere prattle without practice Is all his soldiership. He’s got no more hands -on knowledge of warfare than an old woman - unless you count what he’s read in books, Act 1, Scene 1, 30 Wherein the toged consuls can propose As masterly as he. And he’s definite ly never commanded men in battle. He has a pretty wife but he can’t even control her. And who does he choose? A guy who knows more about numbers then fighting! This guy from Florence named Michael Cassio. “I’ve already chosen my lieutenant,” he says. But he wants to have things his own way, so he sidesteps the issue with a lot of military talk and r efuses their request. And I know my own worth well enough to know I deserve that position. Three of Venice’s most important noblemen took their hats off to him and asked him humbly to make me his lieutenant, the second in command. For “Certes,” says he, “I have already chose my officer.” And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine (A fellow almost damned in a fair wife) That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster - unless the bookish theoric, IAGO I do hate him, I swear. But he (as loving his own pride and purposes) Evades them with a bombast circumstance Horribly stuffed with epithets of war, And in conclusion Nonsuits my mediators. Three great ones of the city (In personal suit to make me his lieutenant) Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. RODERIGO Thou told’st me Thou didst hold him in thy hate. IAGO Damn it, you’re not listening to me! I never dreamed this was happening - if you find out I did, you can go ahead and hate me. IAGO 'Sblood, but you’ll not hear me! If ever I did dream of such a matter, abhor me. All this time I’ve thought you were such a good friend that I’ve let you spend my money as if it was yours. I don’t like it that you knew about this, Iago. I take it much unkindly That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. No Fear Shakespeare – Othello (by SparkNotes, transcription by Alex Woelffer) -1- Original Text Modern Text Act 1, Scene 1 Enter RODMERIGO and IAGO RODERIGO and IAGO enter.

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