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.