Othello - issues and context

             Context is the circumstances in which an event occurs, and shapes issues such as race and the role of women presented in Othello. Othello was set in the Elizabethan era and the way an audience from the 17th century and 21st century would interpret and present the play is very different due to changes in areas such as values and attitudes.
             In the Elizabethan era, racism was a major issue. A typical black man was stereotyped as power hungry, uncivilised, savage and a worthless outsider. Whites were seen as superior to the blacks. Inter-racial marriages between black and white couples were unacceptable. Desdemona's father, Brabantio and the majority of Venetians found it unacceptable for Desdemona, a white woman of high class to marry a black man. Minimal acceptance was given to Othello because of his leadership as a Governor General. Brabantio stated that Othello had a "sooty bosom", which is evidence to prove his racism towards him. The relationship between Othello and Desedemona was said to be "an old black ram, which is tupping a white ewe". Brabantio's objections towards the marriage were overruled for one main reason; Venice needed Othello to retain Cyprus.
             Othello was seen as an outsider because of his colour, and even though he had been accepted into the political sphere, it seemed to him that he was also part of the social sphere as he was a frequent, honoured guest in households. He saw his race as an attractive social benefit, but Iago described him as an "old black ram" "Barbary horse" and Roderigo called him "thick lips". Othello was not aware of any racism towards him until Iago began to insinuate to him how the marriage and eloping was seen in the eyes of other Venetians. He becomes conscious of his race "And yet how nature erring from itself..." He is questioning himself the 'naturalness' of a black man marrying a white woman.
             Othell...

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