Weekly Response Four

“According to Protestant ideology, the Devil, the Pope, and the Turk all desired to ‘convert’ good Protestant souls to a state of damnation, and their desire to do so was frequently disguised as a sexual/sensual temptation of virtue, accompanied by a wrathful passion for power.”

-         Turning Turk in Othello: The Conversion and Damnation of the Moor – Daniel Vitkus page 145

IAGO: “Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack:
If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
CASSIO: “I do not understand.”
IAGO: “He's married.”

-         Othello (1.2.50-53)

OTHELLO: “Come, 
My dear love
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue: 
The profit's yet to come 'tween me and you. 
Good night.

-         Othello (2.3.8-11)

Question: Does the fact that those of color are stereotyped to be sexual deviants play into this Protestant ideology?

In accordance to many religions, sexual activity is considered sin, especially outside of marriage. In America, those of color have always been seen as sexual beings, more so than Caucasians. In Othello, and this is addressed in last week’s reading of Michael Neill’s Race, Adultery, and the Hideous in Othello, the bed plays an important role and almost becomes its own character. The consummation of Othello’s and Desdemona’s marriage is something seen as sinful, although they are married. This whole thing causes me to wonder whether there is an association between the stereotype of colored people and sex and the way Caucasians have viewed sinful actions.