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, the Venetian society in which Othello dwells simply cannot see Othello's virtue past the colour of his skin. The notion of miscegenation is seen as almost ludicrous in
             such a society, illustrated by Iago's shameful reference to any potential offspring produced by Othello and Desdamona as "coursers" and "jennets" (I.i.109-110). Racism is further evident in the tragedy of Othello when Brabantio exclaims to Roderigo, "O,
             would you had had her!" (I.i.172) upon learning of Desdamona's marriage to Othello. 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. [During which he informed Roderigo: &...