1) Essay Prompt: Discuss the role that race plays in Shakespeare's portrayal of Othello. How do the other characters react to Othello's skin color or to the fact that he is a Moor? How does Othello see himself? Using the examples listed below, discuss the ways in which each of these characters uses the word "Moor" or a synonym of blackness. In context, how does each character view Othello? What character traits do they associate with someone who is dark? What does this tell us about how the characters of the play view the black race? Are they racist? Why/why not?