Kyle+M.+Othello

In William Shakespeare’s //Othello//, there are many references made about the devil. Shakespeare uses the word devil to show how people during this time period were racist towards blacks. “Arise, arise, awake the snorting citizens with the bell or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.” (Act 1. Ac. 1. Line 98. Iago). Iago has absolutely no respect for Othello and he believes that he is no better than the devil himself. Iago knows that Desdemona’s father is a racist and will never approve of Desdemona and Othello being together.

 After Othello believes that his beloved Desdemona is cheating on him he keeps calling her the Devil. Shakespeare is making the point that women who cheat on their husbands are evil and should not be trusted. After they are found cheating many people do not have respect for them because of their sins. “I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil!” (Act 3. Sc. 3 Line 544-545, Othello). Othello believes that Desdemona is cheating on him so he thinks she is sinning. He calls her the devil because he now finds her evil for having an affair with Cassio. Othello is planning to kill Desdemona in order to make a sacrifice for her sins. Othello believes that Desdemona is a liar who had an affair with Cassio. Desdemona tells Emilia that Othello did not kill her and that she tried to commit suicide. All that does to Othello is make him believe that Desdemona is even more of a liar than he originally thought. “She’s like a liar gone to burning hell!” (Act 5. Sc.2. Line 159. Othello). Othello believes that Desdemona was lying even as she was going to Hell. After that he unquestionably believes that Desdemona is the Devil. 