Prejudice And Racism Exposed In Shakespeare's Othello

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

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).

Despite Othello’s gallantry in the battlefield, he struggles to defy cultural constraints in his society’s underlying atmosphere of prejudice. This notion is evident through a metaphorical rhyming couplet in Act 1 Scene 3 where the Duke states, “Your son in law is far more fair than black”. Redeeming qualities of courage and integrity are shown to outweigh his race’s minority, however through negative connotations to the term “black”, it demonstrates Othello’s need to compensate for what is considered to be a lack in him, his race.

Perhaps the charges of racism in the play are exaggerated. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar in “The Engaging Qualities of Othello” comment on the Elizabethan point of view:

Shakespeare has written many classic play writes that in time people fall in love with is literature repeatedly. Othello, is one of the many classics that he wrote and perhaps may be one of the most controversial play writes that involve racism, betrayal, and love. The story goes in depth about interracial relationships and the status of a black man in a white privileged societies’ uprising. Othello’s first man in command, Iago and other citizens in the Venice spout racial slurs throughout the dialog as a scapegoat to blame and show hatred towards Othello. Throughout the play, the only true person who saw Othello for himself was his love Desdemona, in which she had a tragic fate that lead to her death from the insecurities, jealousy, and racism towards Othello.

Othello, a play full of lies, deception, and sin, is filled with underlying tones of racism alongside these other negative aspects. William Shakespeare, most likely unintentionally, displayed the bigotry and racism that was politically and socially prevalent during their time period. He showed this throughout with his usage of characterization and word choice when speaking of Othello, who was of Middle-Eastern descent, which was looked down upon. Unfortunately since then not much has been changed regarding the stereotypes that people have fabricated about people from these specific ethnic ancestries. This same bigotry and racism can still unfortunately be seen today in presidential campaigns, social conversations, and many other aspects of

The theme of race, in Othello, creates hostility for Othello. In the beginning of the play, Iago uses metaphors for describing Othello as if he was an animal to Brabantio. Iago uses metaphors because it makes Othello sound worse then he actually is. Iago uses the term black bull in the play which makes Othello look like a mad, crazy bull. When Brabantio hears Iago, he is immediately disgusted.

Externally, In Othello’ society, other’s racist comments against him incorporate some impact on Othello’s downfall. Characters such as Roderigo, Iago, and Brabantio referred Othello as an inhumane being. Othello was known as “the moor” and “thick lips” by Iago and Roderigo. Almost everyone discriminates Othello verbally because of his skin colour. Yet, Iago is the most racist towards Othello, he attempted to aggravate Brabantio by telling him an “old black ram” (I, III,23) is “making the beast with two backs” with your “white ewe”. Iago referred Othello as black and Desdemona as white, where two of them contradict each other. Iago intended to upset Brabantio by using racist animal imagery to prove to Brabantio about his daughter’s elopement. We can see that Iago have no respect for Othello as a person, but only sees him as a black animal. Nonetheless, Desdemona’s father, Brabantio also have a racist attitude towards Othello. Brabantio doesn’t seem to believe that Othello won his daughter over with his personality. He believes Desdemona is “abused, stol’n, corrupted by spells and medicine” (I, III,60-61). Brabantio considered her daughter’s elopement unnatural because he just cannot believe his daughter “fall in love with what she feared to look on”( ). Others racist comment around Othello exposes his inner insecurity step by step, up to a point that Othello can no longer take it and causes his downfall.

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.

Othello was authored in a time when today’s dark aspects of humanity was treated as the norm in the Elizabethan era. Good morning / Good afternoon Mr. Baldwin and fellow class. Shakespeare is considered as the most influential writer in the world throughout years, regions, and generations. Othello is no exception of this. Shakespeare's ‘Othello’ is littered with many dark themes which are relevant to a contemporary audience. many aspects such as racism, prejudice, Manipulation and deception which has affected people's views have changed through history.

Some things in which I noticed about the Othello play was the act of racism toward him which didn’t only come from Iago but as well as most characters in the play. When the play started we don’t even know Othello’s name, all we know is that he is different and Dark skinned. Because of this, despite any emphasis talked about on race from other characters, we can be easily argued that race is not, while the play goes one, a main focus at all but in fact shown that this story could have been easily told weather Othello was bad or a white man. A two white male of Desdemona’s father, Brabanzio, and saying he has been robbed by “thieves.”. With that being said Iago speaks in flammable terms, seriously telling Brabanzio that his daughter and Othello

Shakespeare educates us an acquaintance about human nature at best and worst. His language is mature and complex, so studying it is an excellent exercise in analysis. His works are integrated into every area of our culture, depicting the challenges such as true love, betrayal and grief. Shakespeare helps us to understand what it is to be human and to be aware of major problems occurring at different time and places of the world. Shakespeare wrote “Othello” featuring a black Muslim man to chronicle the political and racial tensions between Europeans and non-Europeans during the Elizabethan era towards Moors. Furthermore, it was widely believed that the play was written particularly to suit the interests of King James I, who had an interest in Turkish history and customs. Histories of racism and cultural approaches appears to stretch back to into the sixteenth century, where the English had domination. Under those circumstances, it suited the dominant group to judge people as being inferior.

Othello, being a black moor who marries Desdemona, a young and beautiful white girl, becomes the centre of a series of racism-related hatred. Iago’s hate towards Othello is apparent from the very beginning of the play, for instance when he shocks Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, saying “an old black ramis tupping your white eye”. Through the use of bestial imagery, strong contrast and racial slur, Shakespeare creates vivid images depicting the prohibited interracial relationship. Brabantio’s hate towards Othello is stated in “Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom”, an insult directed towards Desdemona’s betrayal to flee to Othello’s “sooty bosom”, sooty referring to Othello’s dark skin and his appearance. Roderigo’s racist comments on Othello in “what a full fortune does the thick lips owe” further elucidates his jointed abhorrence with Iago towards Othello which is only possible as he shares Iago’s views on Othello. The continuation of hatred is apparent when Iago states “It is engendered. Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light”, demonstrating the thoughts of the birth of racism to be brought by the rest to turn against Othello, part of Iago’s atrocious plot to overthrow Othello. Emilia’s description of Othello as a “blacker devil” when told of Desdemona’s murder clearly illuminates Othello’s

Just visualize the reactions and attitudes of the many white folks being introduced to the new blacks now living among them. Their feelings would certainly be very mixed: curiosity for the foreign and exotic, and prejudice and fear towards the unfamiliar; the negatives present in Othello. Stemming off of that, Iago’s and Roderigo’s views towards Othello aren’t shocking (though partly mixed with other reasons). The speeches of Iago and Roderigo in the first scene of the play are full of racial loathing. Othello is “the thick lips”, “old black ram”, and “lascivious Moor” in who both antagonize against him (Shakespeare I.I. 66-112). They also refer to him as “a Barbary horse” and how “he [was] making the beast with two backs” with Desdemona when they confronted Brabantio about their radical union (I.I.66-112). The language is purposely offensive, and the animal images portrayed here are purposely used to convey the idea of someone less than human, who in this case is Othello because he is black. Shakespeare using animal imagery to address his point of social inequality addressed the impact religion (cultural aspect) had in molding the Venetians views towards dark skin people, Seeing as how there was a widespread belief in the legend that blacks were evil beings at the time. Furthermore, the concept of miscegenation was stereotypically considered bad behavior throughout the ranks of society since it was highly unexpected due to believes that it would cause disruption in the social order; making Othello’s marriage even more outrageous since he married the daughter of a very high rank official. The cultural view towards Africans from the perspective of white men was that they feared inadequacy, and therefore