Expert: Tue Sorensen - 8/2/2009

Question
Hi   

I have been trying to get hold of critical material discussing Iago's racism as one of his mottivations in wanting to destroy Othello but the only information I have managed to find discusses racism in general and from Othello's viewpoint rather than Iago's. I've found quotations from the text which I plan onusing but I need critical information as well. Would you be able to point me to any internet sites that will provide me with this?

Thanks.    

PS - I am not asking you to do the work for me, only to tell me where I might be able hold of such information.

Answer
Hello,

I don't know of any specific material about Iago's racism, but if you do a Google search on the topic, several articles do crop up that might be of use to you.

My other recommendation is that you use your local libraries to find secondary literature on Othello. There's bound to be comments on racism in there, also in regard to Iago.

If you find good critical editions of the play, such as the Arden Edition or the New Cambridge edition, or just a study guide, such as the Cambridge Student Guide, these should also be able to offer some comments on your topic.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I hope you find what you're looking for. But keep in mind that Shakespeare is so complex that students are not really required to do much except philosophize a bit on one or two questions culled from the given work. No one can provide a full and total analysis of something like a Shakespeare play. So as long as you use some quotations to get a couple of good points across, you'll be all right.

All the best,
- Tue