Explain how language and/or generic conventions are used to construct unequal power relations. Find out how this happens in at least one dramatic scenario that you have studied. David Cushieri once said, “The mind is a powerful force. It can enslave us or empower us. It can plunge us into the depths of misery or take us to the heights of ecstasy. In Othello, written by the playwright Shakespeare, the power of each relationship has dragged the majority of the characters into the depths of misery by enslaving each of them. Shakespeare uses language to construct unequal power relations in areas of gender, ethnicity, and class. The relationship between Othello and Desdemona is a rich example of power in gender stereotypes. Othello, general of the Venetian army, is a conventional man given that he is robust in his profession but weak in his intimate relationship. As a Moor, he built a very fair reputation and excelled in his profession by rising from slave to general. However, he is a rather weak man in his relationship with Desdemona as he declares that he cannot live without her: “But I love you! And when I don’t love you/Chaos returns.” This is a great example of diction because Shakespeare's words not only conveyed his message clearly, but also expressed the emotion, love, chaos, and rage that is building within Othello. The message conveyed is that chaos and rage ensue when he is without Desdemona. Every typical man always suspects that his women are engaging in promiscuity. Throughout Othello there are passages alluding to Desdemona's promiscuity: "you are images from without...actors in your housewife and housewives in your beds", "if she be just and wise , fairness and spirit / One is to be used, the other uses it” and “begins to raise anger. Othello, the eponymous black protagonist of the dramatic storyline, is heavily marginalized because of his race, even though he has risen through the ranks of the Venetian army. In his profession, he has abundant power while he rarely has any in his private or social life. A large group of Venetians are racist about Othello, describing him as a "thing" with "thick lips" and a "soot-covered chest", speaking to the reality that racism exists and white people have power on black people (especially in this case). ). Iago, a white Venetian and good friend of Othello, clearly has power over Othello. This is reinforced as he manipulates his emotions by implanting thoughts engulfed in jealousy: "I can't think it/That he would run away so guiltily/Seeing you coming", "Will Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady/Knew your love?" and "She deceived her father by marrying you". Each of these quotes suggests that Desdemona is promiscuous, which makes Othello jealous. Given that Othello has been being called an “old black ram” and a “devil”, as well as allowing himself to be manipulated, this clearly proves that Iago has power over Othello, and therefore unequal power.