Racial Tensions in Shakespeare's Othello
Shakespeare's great tragedy of Othello, the moor of Venice, was written amidst evolving racial tensions in England. As a black moor in a society of Venetians, Othello is subjected to racism stemming from three main sources. Prejudices held by the Venetian society as a whole are the first main source of racism encountered by Othello, followed by hate-inspired racism from the play's antagonist Iago. The final source of racism experienced by Othello is rather distinct from the others; left vulnerable by his insecurities, Othello rather ironically falls victim to racism materializing within his own mind. These sources of racial prejudice evident throughout the play eventually "crack" Othello so-to-speak, thus paving the road leading to his tragic downfall. Despite Othello's role in the army as a distinguished soldier and leader, he is nonetheless a victim of racism from the very onset of the play. In the first act alone, Othello is referred to by degrading names such as "thick-lips" (I.i.62), "an old black ram" (I.i.85), and a "Barbary horse" (I.i.108). Although willing to grant Othello command of Cyprus
He suggests her reputation is "begrimed and black as mine own face" (III. Othello and his love Desdamona are forced to attest their affection for one another from the very beginning, since it is generally inconceivable to the Venetian society that one of their own (Desdamona) should marry a negro, erring "against all rules of nature" (I. Iago suggests to Othello, "look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; Wear your eyes thus" (III. This illustrates the strong emphasis the Venetian's placed on race in contrast to other social graces, since despite Othello's invaluable skill as a soldier and leader alike, he can never truly overcome the existing stereotypes embedded in the Venetian society. The notion of miscegenation is seen as almost ludicrous in 2such a society, illustrated by Iago's shameful reference to any potential offspring produced by Othello and Desdamona as "coursers" and "jennets" (I. Throughout this Shakespearean play, the affects of racism on Othello are quite palpable. As intended by Iago, this statement successfully intensifies the doubt and suspicion circulating in Othello's mind. Ironically, Brabantio's sudden preference of Roderigo over Othello emerges almost immediately following his [Brabantio's] original rejection of Roderigo as a suitor for Desdamona. Numerous insecurities regarding race continue surfacing in Othello, spawning jealous rages and heightening mistrust, ultimately leading to the complete destruction of Othello's marriage to Desdamona.
Common topics in this essay:
Othello Desdamona's,
Venetians Othello,
Desdamona Othello,
Roderigo Othello,
Cyprus Venetian,
Throughout Shakespearean,
Despite Othello's,
III3199 Iago's,
Othello Iago,
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venetian society,
othello's mind,
love desdamona,
mind othello,
othello desdamona,
othello ironically,
victim racism,
soldier leader,
antagonist iago,
source racism,
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