Comparing Othello Burlesques, And The Performance Of Blackness '

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Recommended: Theme of racial discrimination in Othello

In the article, “Acting Black: Othello Burlesques, and the Performance of Blackness,” MacDonald writes about the fear and ridicule the black population faced during the early 1800’s. Shakespeare's Othello and MacDonald’s essay, “Acting Black: Othello Burlesques, and the Performance of Blackness,” demonstrate transgressive elements of blackness while a lover through the white community’s disapproval of interracial marriage because of their view of black men as monstrous, bestial, and dangerous.
The characters in Othello such as, Desdemona’s father Brabantio, Othello’s ancient Iago, and others such as Roderigo speak derogatively about Othello throughout the play. Beginning in act 1, scene 1 of the story, Iago and Roderigo run to Brabantio in the middle of the night and wake him from his slumber. They come to spread the news …show more content…

Iago states, “Sir, you’re robbed! For shame, put on your gown. Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul. Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (Shakespeare 4). The audience’s first impression of Othello is that he is a dirty animal stealing Desdemona away from her father. Brabantio, who seemingly trusts Othello as a leader does not want him married to his daughter. When Brabantio gets proof that Iago is telling the truth, he refuses to believe it and says, ”O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter? Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her! For I’ll refer me to all things of

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