3:4-27-28

Desdemona [to Emilia]

Original- “Who, he? I Think the sun where he was born drew all such humour from him.”

Modern- “Who, him? I think all he tendencies to jealousy were burned out of him by the sun of his native land.”

Desdemona is referring to the way Othello is acting. She makes a joke to Emilia that the sun from his home country must have burnt his kind gentleness from him causing him to be black [act like the fool he is being right now]. We must remember that he is only acting out because he truly believes she is cheating on him.


*rhetorical device: rhetorical question--It appears almost as if she is making of him. She is clearly frustrated by him which is why she said it in such an arrogant tone. 

3:3-394-396

Othello [to Iago]

Original- “Her name, that was so fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrimmed and black as min own face”

Modern- “Her reputation was as pure as the snow, but now it's dirty and black like my own face.”


Othello is now referring to Desdemona's actions [cheating on him] and saying that her actions are dark like his skin color.


*Rhetorical device: simile! 

3:3-264-272

Othello [his thoughts;soliloquy]

Original- “If I do prove her haggard, though that her jesses weremy dear heartstrings, I'd whistle her off and lit her down the wind to prey at fortune. Halpy, for I am black and have not those soft parts of my conversation that chambers have, or for I am declined into the valve of years-yet that's not much-she's gone, I am abused, and my relief must be loathe to her.”

Modern- “If it turns out that she really is running around on me, I'll send her away, even though it'll break my heart. Maybe because I'm black, and I don't have nice manners like courtiers do, or because I'm getting old-but that's not much-she's gone, and I've been cheated on. I have no choice but to hate her.”


Now because of all the hatred and the threats Othello thinks that he is no longer worthy of Desdemona's love. Also because of Iago's lie that Desdemona is cheating on him, Othello thinks that because he has darker skin it gives her reason not to be pure to their marriage.

3:3-234-235

Iago [to Othello]

Original- “Not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion and degree...”

Modern- “If I can be frank with you, she veered away from her own nature in turning down all those young men from her own country, with her skin colour and her status."

This is showing racism because Iago is saying that Othello almost isn't good enough, why would she exclude herself away from people of her own status and even her skin color just to be with the Moor.  

2:3-25-29

Cassio and Iago [between one another]

Original- Cassio “She is indeed perfection”

Iago “Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of the black Othello.”

Modern- Cassio “She's a perfect woman. It's true”

Iago “Well, good luck to them in bed tonight! Come with us, lieutenant. I've got a jug of wine, and these two Cyprus gentlemen want to drink a toast to black Othello.”


Iago and Cassio are almost mocking the safety of Othello, they know Brabantio wants him dead and they are just pushing on that.

2:1-31-32

Desdemona [to Iago]

Original- “I am not merry, but i do beguile the thing I am seeming otherwise. Come, how wouldst thou praise me?”

Modern- “I am not as happy as I seem. I'm just trying to show how not worried I am for Othello's safety. Come on, what would you say about me?”


Desdemona is worried about Othello's safety because everyone wants him dead because he married her. Even though there is no direct racism in the quote in particular she is showing she is worried about her dark skinned lover. 

1:3-376-381

Iago [Thoughts; soliloquy]

Original- “If I would time expend with such a snipe but for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets he's done my office. I know not if't be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do it for surety. He holds me well.”

Modern- “I'd be wasting my skills dealing with an idiot like that if I couldn't get something useful out of him. I hate the Moor, and there's a widespread rumour that he's slept with my wife. I'm not sure if it's true, but just the suspicion is enough for me. He thinks highly of me.”

Just because the Moor is black Iago feels he can just accuse him of doing horrible things such as sleeping with his [Iago's] wife. He also feels that because he is well thought of that he can convince the townsmen and Brabantio that Othello is a bad villain- due to his skin colour. 

1:3-287-288

Duke [to Brabantio]

Original- “ And noble signor, if virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son-in-law is more fair than black.”

Modern- “Sir, goodness is beautiful, your son-in-law is beautiful not black.”

Trying to convince the great Babantio that his new found son-in-law is a good man despite his skin color is proven difficult, the Duke makes this statement after Desdemona came forth to declare her love for Othello in front of her father and men of high rankings. 

1:3-96-108

Brabantio [to Othello]

Original- “A maiden never bold, of spirit so still and quiet that her motion blushed at herself. And she, in spite of nature of years, of country, credit, everything, to fall in love with what she feared to look on? It is a judgement maimed and most imperfect that will confess perfection so could err. Against all rules of nature and must be driven to find out practices of carrying hell why this should be I therefore vouch again that some mixtures powerful o'er the blood or with some dram conjured to this effect, he wrought upon her.”

Modern- “She's a good girl, quiet and obedient she blushes at the slightest thing. And you want me to believe that despite her age and her proper upbringing she fell in love with a man she'd be afraid to look at? The very thought of it is ridiculous. You'd have to be stupid to believe that someone so perfect could make such an unnatural mistake as that. The devil must have used some powerful drug or magic potion on her.'

This quote is showing the hate Brabrantio has towards Othello for marrying his daughter. He is distraught because his daughter would marry a black man instead of a nice classy white man from her 'rank', who has money and the same status as Desdemona so she doesn't look any less worthy in her father's eyes. 

1:1-67-68

 Roderigo [to Iago]

Original- “What a full fortune does Thick-lips owe if he can carry't thus!”

Modern- “Thick-lips sure is lucky if he can pull this off!”

[thick-lips is a racial slur towards Othello—the Moor]

This is a great example of racial alienation because they are speaking with the racial term 'thick-lips' in response to the jealousy of Othello winning the love, and marrying the beautiful rich Desdemona.