Examples Of Race In Othello

Othello: Shakespeare Tackles Racial Identity Based on an article titled “The Rhetoric of Black and White in Othello” published in Shakespeare Quarterly, “The terms black and white have been complex and confusing since the beginning of the language, and Shakespeare seems to have fully exploited their complexity within Othello” (Adler). The topics of race and racial identity have always seem to appear in criticisms of almost any popular or overanalyzed text. With William Shakespeare being the most popular of all dramatic works, it is only expected for his plays to be criticized a lot more than others of lesser prominence.

Othello or The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare is a tragedy of race. Shakespeare creates a hero who does not fall under a racist stereotype, Othello is a nobleman, a decorated soldier, very well respected by his men (with the exception of Iago). One of the few characteristics that harms, rather than helps him, is that he is dark-skinned in a society utterly dominated by men prejudiced against those with dark skin. At the start of the play, he appears confident that, "My parts, my title, and my perfect soul / Shall manifest me rightly." (Shakespeare, 1, 2, 36-37) But Iago makes sure to use Othello's race against him as much as possible. As a brave soldier from Africa and recently instated supreme commander of the Venetian army, Shakespeare still allows Othello to succumb to the subtle racism that surrounds him. Most of it comes forward through the dialog, and is directed toward Othello. Shakespeare makes no effort to hide this colorful language, nearly every character uses a racial slur to insult Othello at some point in the play. Even Emilia, who doesn’t trust her own husband, sinks to the level of insulting Othello based on the color of his skin. Though the main character to make racist remarks in Othello is Iago, making him a representation of white supremacy. The effect of racism on Othello is quite evident and is one of the main causes of his insecurity about his marriage. These black stereotypes show up in the play and lead to the problem with trying to produce

In order to better understand the racial context behind the tragedy of Othello it is important to keep in mind the

Othello by William Shakespeare raises the issue of how rampant beliefs and attitudes in a society can cause a person to question their sense of self. In a society where racial equality is near non-existent, Othello, a black skinned foreigner in the Venetian society, is constantly reminded of his status as an outsider. Othello, however, is not depicted in a stereotypical manner and despite occupying a highly respected position he is often confronted with blatant racism throughout the play. The prevailing attitudes and beliefs of Venetian society towards Othello are exploited by Iago in order to manipulate Othello’s self confidence and emotional state.

Society’s marginalisation of Othello is established in the opening of the play as a purely racial prejudice, exemplified by the anatomical imagery of Roderigo’s racist slurs, branding Othello as “thick lips”, and Iago repetitively designating him as “the Moor” or “the devil” without acknowledgement of his name. However, Othello contradicts racial stereotypes by conducting himself with dignity and respectfully addressing the Duke and Senate as “most potent, grave and reverend signors”, where his sophisticated demeanour directly juxtaposes his claim that “rude am I in speech”, reflecting how Othello’s own perception of race accepts societal definitions. The extent to which Othello is racially othered compels him to acknowledge his innate cultural flaws, demonstrated when Othello allows his true nature to “arise, black vengeance”, where the metaphorical imagery reiterates how Othello’s acceptance of his racial differences propels him to develop the stereotyped qualities of a Moor, which he did not previously display. This demonstrates the significance of social ideologies in the Elizabethan value system on individual perceptions of identity. In addition to determining identity, race is a key factor in influencing perceptions of

Racism is a theme that is prominently evident throughout Shakespeare's Othello. Through this theme, there are several perceptions of an individual's race which are exhibited to establish the

In modern societies race is a topic of a sensitive nature; however, 17th century racism was an everyday way of classification. In Shakespeare’s portrayal of Othello, race plays a prominent role in how other characters react to Othello and how he thinks of himself. Just as any normal human being can tell day from night, likewise could Othello’s peers distinguish him from among Venetian society. Some, namely Iago, Roderigo, and Barbantio, chose to use his skin color as an excuse to be blatantly rude and to justify their evil motives; however, some regardless of his skin color chose to love and be kind to Othello. Both Iago and Roderigo use racist insinuation during their attempted putsch against Othello’s position and reputation (Orkin).

In Shakespeare’s Othello, race is a concept that is only minimally explored. Characters in the play assume that, since they are English, they are superior and foreign characters (like Othello the Moor) are inferior. This is not questioned much at all, and in fact it is assumed outright that Othello is indeed a lesser man because of his skin color and the ways in which characters like Iago and Roderigo treat him. While an early modern audience would accept this concept without hesitation, an audience of today’s age is left to question whether Othello is actually acting out because of the societal pressures, beliefs, and actions put upon him, or because he is inherently different as a person who is not white. While Shakespeare seems to think

One of the most prominent features of the play Othello is the numerous references to Othello’s race, not only by Iago, but by other characters as well. At the beginning of the play, Othello’s name is never mentioned yet we know he is dark-skinned and different by the way he is described. Instead of being referred to by Othello, he was only mentioned as the Moor or other racist names. Othello, however, is anything but the barbarian he is described as and is actually more elegant than many other characters in the play. As a result, despite any importance put on by race by other characters, it can be easily argued that in Shakespeare’s Othello race is not, especially as the play progresses, a crucial influence.

From the beginning of Othello, there is a coordination of racism. Othello is shown a representative of prejudice racism. Othello is a Moor, but dedicates his life to serve the society as a solider. The people referred to him as an “other”, “old black ram”, and “thick-lips”. Before the names, bad decisions are made by the people who are considered to be Othello’s servers. The first voicing of racism begins with Iago. Iago voices his thoughts with the following verses: “Now, sir, be judge yourself/Whether I in any term am affined/ to love a Moor” (I.I.37-40.1292). When marriage is brought upon, the prejudice of Othello’s race “puts a wall in front of the eyes of others” (Mutlu 135). Discrimination and prejudice racism should not display itself as mistreating the one that is different. Iago cannot bear Othello being black and having a higher rank than he does. The marriage of Othello and Desdemona sparks the start of racism. It adds extra hate onto the already hatred feeling Iago has towards Othello.

How does Othello’s view on the color of his skin affect the racial and social tensions between him and the other characters? What does it mean that Shakespeare uses a Moor as a protagonist?

In the article “Othello: The Alien of Venice,” Alpaslan explains how Shakespeare differentiates the racist characters from the non racist

The tragedy of Othello,written by one of the most influential writers in all of English literature, tells the story of a powerful Moorish general of the Venetian army whose life gets ruined due to his self-centered nature and his gullibility. While his strengths and weakness make him a tragic hero,it is also clear that his great courage and dignity makes him a virtuous man. However, his flaws are seen especially when he believes and trusts an envious and deceitful soldier, Iago. It is clearly seen that his work contains race and racism. As mentioned throughout the play, there are remarks made by characters about his race.

In the well-written play of Othello, the author and playwright William Shakespeare, uses indirect characterization, euphemisms and specific monologues to reinforce the idea that even though Othello is a high ranking officer and skilled warrior he is still subject to racial prejudice from his colleagues, and this proves that skin color can be an influence on life no matter the attributes of an individual during this particular period in history. Shakespeare’s Othello is a romantic tragedy about a two individuals who form an interracial marriage in a society and period in time where such a thing is considered strange, unaccounted for, and also wrong. Throughout the course of this story the couple goes through trials that test their faith in one another and, in the end, they are not able to stand up to the challenge and both fall or are pushed into the embrace of death. Long before the grim reaper takes either of them it is demonstrated how Othello, the husband, is affected by his African heritage in Desdemona’s, the wife’s, caucasian society.

Shakespeare’s Othello is a tragedy of a Venetian black moor Othello who fails to understand the conspiracy of a white man, Iago who destroys his nuptial life for his mere suspicion that Othello has immoral relationship with his wife Emilia and makes Othello kill his ‘unfaithful’ wife Desdemona. The present article explores the unconscious play of racism and image of black man in the unconscious mind of the white man as Othello is the only black man in the play. Fanonian and Freudian perspectives have been used to understand the unconscious motives of the characters. According to Elizabeth Nunez, not only Shakespeare but also critics of Othello like A.C. Bradley and Dr. Johnson had also been racist in their remarks on the character of Othello. Besides, there are two questions long debated that the present paper attempts to answer. These are: i) what was Iago’s motive behind Othello’s destruction? ii) What is it that propels Othello to that extent where he becomes insane and kills his beloved wife Desdemona whom he loves so passionately?