Othello Act 1: Iago's Dilemma

At the beginning of this play, Iago finds himself in a misfortunate predicament. He is forced to work under a moor named Othello. Iago seems to dislike Othello primarily due to the fact that he is of Arabic descent. Iago plans to secretly work against Othello while showing false signs of loyalty to his command. He comes up with this elaborate lie that Othello is having sex with Barbantio's daughter: "now, very now, an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe" (1.192-93). The thought of Barbantio's daughter having an interracial relationship is deeply offensive to him. Barbantio wishes to punish Othello for this horrible crime. There is an apparent racist motive behind Barbantio's actions. The metaphor of the black ram mating with the white ewe further emphasizes the apparent contrast between these two classes of people. Othello is portrayed as this dark, vile creature while Barbantio's daughter is viewed as this pure, white and sacred lamb. The use of black and white imagery highlights the negative views this society has towards the moors.