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Roderigo in Othello
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A full, in-depth A* essay plan exploring the character of Roderigo in Shakespeare's "Othello", for the Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature.
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roderigoIntroduction
o Used as a tool by Shakespeare to highlight misogyny and racism of era
o Supports misogynistic views of women like Cornelius a Lapide “ornaments of men”
and racist views of Leo Africanus “covetous”, “lusty”
o Sets scene of play, lays foundation of racism and sexism which is built upon by Iago
Exposes misogyny of society –
o Roderigo at start “tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes” – expectations of women,
dead internal rhyme shows cliché and traditional ideas (duty most important, looks
more valued than intellect)
o Possession – traditional Elizabethan view “ornament[s] of men” (Cornelius a Lapide) –
Genesis 2, women made to keep man company
o As we hear this from Roderigo before meeting Desdemona, we form an opinion of
her: explored through feminist critical perspective where stereotypes passed down
through history by men (Genesis from Moses)
o First introduction to Desdemona comes through the words of Iago and Roderigo
before we get the chance to form our own opinion of her (victim of the patriarchal
system of Venice)
Roderigo’s racism
o “what full fortune does the thick lips owe?” – plosive alliteration sounds like he is
spitting words out, emphasizing anger; ‘thick lips’ is derogatory slur on Othello’s race;
Othello influenced by Desdemona’s dowry (payment from father to groom in 17
century); Leo Africanus “so greedily addicted unto their filthy lucre”
o Manipulated by Iago to start this racist discourse
o "By heaven, I would rather have been his hangman" - hyperbole exaggerates extent
at which he would hate serving Othello that he would rather kill him, oath emphasises
the seriousness of his words; oath shows intensity of Roderigo’s feelings to religious
17th century audience, more significant for them than more secular modern audience
o “Lascivious moor” – Burton “hot, lascivious”, believes he is “more civilized than the
people around him” – Watts, degrading Venetian blacks and sets up scene of play for
Othello to enter
Roderigo’s sexual jealousy of Othello
o Thinks he is a better match for Othello
o “To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor” adjective “gross” = something abhorrent
about Othello’s relationship with Desdemona; verb “clasps” = connotes that Othello
is trapping Desdemona against her will and is being excessively possessive; adjective
“lascivious” implies that Othello is lustful (sinful - one of seven deadly sins);
stereotype that Africans were particularly sexual, Burton, 1616 “southern men are
hot, lascivious and jealous”
o “It is silliness to live when to live is torment...we have a prescription to die when
death is our physician” - abstract noun “torment” = extreme mental anguish;
emphasising how he would rather die than be without the love of Desdemona (who is
married to O) sense of helplessness; personification of death hints at its power and
ability to save him from his lovesickness; link to one stage of courtly love which was
to proclaim a desire to die if love unrequited, Roderigo is a courtly lover, language
that 17th century audience would have expected gentlemen to use
Conclusion
o Used as a tool by Shakespeare to highlight misogyny and racism of era
o Supports misogynistic views of women like Cornelius a Lapide “ornaments of men”
and racist views of Leo Africanus “covetous”, “lusty”
o Sets scene of play, lays foundation of racism and sexism which is built upon by Iago
o Not much development
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