Light vs. Dark
Transcript: Despite the fact that the Duke is giving Othello a compliment, he says that Othello is "more fair than black", insinuating that it's a terrible thing to be black Strike on the tinder, ho! Give me a taper! call up ll my people! The accident is not unlike my dream: Belief of it oppresses me already. Light, I say! light! Barbantio, Act 1, Scene 1 Example Example Why is Lightness and Darkness a Motif? By using the word "Oppress", Barbantio has already insinuated that light is good Nor scar than whiter skin of hers than snow, and smooth as monumental alabaster, yet she must die, else she'll betray more men, Put out the light, and then put out the light, If I quench thee, the flaming minister, I can again thy former light restore, Should I repent me: but once put out thy light Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, I know not where is that Promothean heat that can thy light resume Othello, Act 5, Scene 2 Example By using the terms "hell" and "night", Iago not only displays his dislike for Othello by using "evil" terms (hell) He also dehumanizes Othello by using the term "monstrous" birth, creating a very negative connotation behind Othello's name Light vs Darkness applies to both the theme of secrecy and hidden truths as well the pertinent theme of racism Iago clearly shows that "white" is sweet, innocent, by using animalist terms, negatively used adjectived (old) and crude terms (tupping) 'Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; even now, very now an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, Arise, awake the snoring citizens with the bell Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you Arise, I say Iago Act 1, Scene 1 Black/Darkness =Evil White/Light = Good/Purity Light vs. Dark It's used throughout the play with metaphors, personification, imagery, animalization, and racial slurs Here. Othello uses the term "light" to symbolize Desdemona, in a statement where he's essentially saying that first he'll extinguish the candles, then "extinguish" her(kill her) Example Barbantio requests for light and mentions of Desdemona's light "porcelain" skin Introduces the concept of white = purity Continued throughout the play through the use of metaphors, personification, and symbolism Example Conclusion: To the shallow eye the motif represents only the interracial relationship of Othello and Desdamona To the detailed reader, light represents purity and truth, while darkness represents stealth, negativity and fear By Deven Anand and Chris Edelman From the onset of the play we can see a negative connotation behind the word "black" or the use darkness, specifically through all the characters ( specifically) Iago's racial slurs, animalization and imagery. Emilia uses terms such as the Angel and the Devil to apply the ideas of good and bad, and the uses blacker as an adjective for devil to create negative connotations behind the color black. Example And, noble signior, if virtue no delighted beauty lack Your son-in-law is far more fair than black The Duke of Venice, Act 1, Scene 3 O, the more angel she/And you the blacker devil. Emilia, Act 5, Scene 2 Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light Iago, Act 1, Scene 3 Company Logo