"IAGO:..She was a wight, if ever such wight were--
DESDEMONA: To do what?
IAGO: To suckle fools and chronicle small beer."
pg. 1387
I am not really surprised by the fact that prejudice exists in this play, but that it is present so often. There are many racial slurs directed at Othello even though he is a noble black man. He is referred to by his fat lips, his soot covered chest, and even called animal names. Iago talks about him as though he were animal, not human. Sexism against women is also very prevalent. In Iago's conversations with Emilia, the reader understands that he does not respect her and they do not get along. He finds her an obnoxious disturbance to his life. Though this may have something to do with the rumors that she committed adultery against him, he is also degrading to women in general. He concludes his discussion with Desdemona by basically stating that all women, no matter their looks or wit, are deceitful and untrustworthy to men. They use what they have to manipulate them. He states that even the least deceitful woman does not deserve honor, but to be a housewife, taking care of children and tending to the cleaning. These derogatory references that Iago and others make add to the reader's dislike of the character. They are viewed as mean and conniving, using things a person cannot change as their argument against them. These types of clues, though unpleasant and somewhat surprising in number, give obvious hints as to who the antagonist is.
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