Racism in William Shakespeare's Othello Essay

Racism seems to be a big concern in Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello. Because the hero of the play is an outsider, a Moor, we have an idea how blacks were regarded in England, in Elizabethan times. There are many references that bring about the issue of racism from the very beginning to the end. In the tragedy, where Othello is coming from is not mentioned, yet through the descriptions the reader is informed that he belongs to one of the Eastern nationalities such as African, Ottoman Turk or Arab. In this paper I am going to analyze some episodes involving a prejudicial, racist attitude and try to discuss whether Shakespeare was a racist or not. Even though the play is full of offensive definitions of black

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.

Othello is one of the Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy which illustrates a tragic downfall of a black protagonist, Othello. Although in the play, Othello is a socially secured man working as a military general, his social status seems to be cancelled out by his colour. In the society of Venice, Othello is referred to as an outsider not only because of his cultural difference but also his colour, Therefore, in the play, Othello is depicted as a victim of racism even though he himself does not seem to acknowledge that he is victimised because of racism.

• Using grotesque animal imagery, Iago voices an explicitly stereotypical view of Othello, as a “Barbary horse,” depicting him as an animalistic outsider. Through the image of conflict in black and white, Iago emphasises on the racial demarcation between Othello and Desdemona, that “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe,” associating Othello with uncontrolled animalistic sexuality. Iago’s overt and vicious racism becomes representative of the reigning stereotype of the African on the

Aside from Iago, his wife Emilia, also shares in his racist outbursts. Berry clarifies that when Othello tells Emilia that he has killed Desdemona and Emilia calls him “[a] blacker devil. ” (Berry 321) she shows that she has always thought him “a black devil” (Berry 322). Her racist tendencies are exemplified in this statement and ascertain that she has always harbored bad sentiments toward Othello regarding his race. Even when Emilia finds that her husband, Iago, is mostly responsible for the crimes that had occurred, she still feels hatred towards Othello for no reason other than his skin color.

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

The themes relevant in the text that are still applicable to the modern interests of today are as follows; Betrayal is the key issue related with the text and consequently defines the term ‘tragedy’. Betrayal is portrayed in Shakespeare’s “Othello” all through the act and even from the very beginning; Act 1, Scene 1- Iago and Roderigo are discussing their hatred towards Othello. During this discussion, the racism and sort of indirect betrayal is brought out in the play as Iago explains to Roderigo his manipulating scheme leading to the betrayal and downfall of Othello; their captain and supposed ‘respected’ leader. Betrayal- in however many forms it may pursue- is sadly displayed regularly in life, and through many unwarranted situations varying even from day to day. Racism is a major issue associated in the reigns of the context of this script. The period of this Shakespearean text was also situated at the time of increase in hatred, discrimination and racism towards black ethnic races. In Act 1, Scene 1, we read of Iago’s racism towards Othello as a ‘fat lip(ped)’’savage’, as he tends to marry a smart, prized, beautiful yet white woman. All through the play Othello gets referred to as a savage or

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.

Roderigo also shows racism throughout the play although it is due more to a combination of Iago’s manipulations and his love of Desdemona than his natural feelings. Iago shows racism all throughout the play

To begin, Iago’s encouragement of prejudice leads to Othello’s manifestation of darkness. For instance, when Iago unveils to Rodrigo that he has a plan to attain Desdemona’s affection for him, he in contrast dehumanizes Othello he reveals that “If I the Moor I would not be Iago. In following him I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, but seeming so for my peculiar end. For when my outward action doth demonstrate” (I.i.57–65). This illustrates, Iago’s true nature that he holds prejudice and hatred for Othello by referring to him as a Moor, it proves that he only views him as substandard. Iago will pretend to serve him, but in reality he is only loyal to himself. This foreshadows that Iago will use negative connotations of race to manipulate Othello into thinking he is worthless. Thus, planting in Othello’s mind thoughts of adultery and hypocrisy. Later, resulting in the uprising of jealousy and darkness of Othello’s character. So Rodrigo, can obtain Desdemona’s love. Promotion of racial bias is also, evident when Iago tries to insinuate that Desdemona is unfaithful. He argues that “not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion, and degree, Where to we see in all things nature tends—Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportions,

Thesis: The sole character with dark skin, Othello, is isolated by casual discrimination that indicates underlying racism in not only Othello’s society, but also Shakespeare’s.

Along with critics making references to Othello’s race, many characters in the play do as well. The characters that are most racist refer to Othello by his real name less than the people who are least racist. “Othello’s blackness is not only a mark of his physical alienation but a symbol, to which every character in the play himself included must respond” (Berry, 1990). Othello does not refer to himself as African but rather as an exotic Venetian. Other characters do not see Othello as that. Many characters call Othello numerous names other than his real one. “For Iago Othello is an old black ram, the devil, and a barbary horse” (Berry, 1990). Many see Othello’s blackness as a symbol of ugliness, bestiality, treachery, and demonic. None of those words describe how Othello really is. Those words are the stereotypical definition of what a black man is. This stereotypical definition puts Othello is a predicament and makes his acceptance in the Venetian society difficult. “Once such critics conclude that Othello is not a stereotype, he tends to lose his individuality as a Moor and to become a representative of humanity” (Berry, 1990). The stereotypical image of a black man plays an important role in the play’s ending.

Othello is one of the first black heroes in English literature. As a general in the army he has risen to a position of power and influence despite his race and his status as a foreigner in Venice. Othello constantly faces insidious racism from other characters such as Iago, Brabantio and Roderigo. The racism focuses on his sexual relationship with a white woman Desdemona. Othello himself defies many stereotypes but it’s no coincidence that he’s a tragic hero. Being a Moor he comes from a different culture. Othello’s race and outsider status are central to his vulnerability to Iago’s plotting and the racism towards him.

The play Othello by William Shakespeare was published during the 16th century, it is one of Shakespeare’s popular and controversial plays. Shakespeare depicts Othello’s race as placing him apart in some respects from the predominantly white European society in which he lives. Jealousy is another of the main themes in Othello. Iago is the first character to start the sparks of jealousy in Othello, and in the end, causes the downfall of Othello and Desdemona. In the end, racism and jealousy are the causes of the tragedy in Othello.

Racism is a glaring problem amongst the characters of the play. Othello is clearly affected by it and feels that he must prove himself equal to everyone else. Iago cleverly feeds Othello’s insecurity by constantly reminding him that he is racially distinct. He points out the obvious differences between Othello and Desdemona. He tells Othello that Desdemona will eventually regret that she hasn’t chosen someone of her own ethnicity and will desire someone,