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

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For an Elizabethan audience, the role of women and how they were treated would have been seen as normal. Many parts of the world, for example, Australia have become multicultural and cultural beliefs are accepted and allowed to be practiced in public.

The role of women in the Elizabethan era was marginalised and very traditional. The household maintenance and nurturing mother images is considered a second shift for the stereotypical mother to uphold. It was acceptable for men to have affairs, whereas for women it was unacceptable.

In conclusion, the two issues of race and the role of women in Othello are shaped according to the context of the Renaissance England and modern society. Women are still seen as emotional, private and personal (interior), home-and-child-centered, quiet, passive, smooth and beautiful. Therefore, Othello took the real world accurately and believed all the slender “evidence” that Iago provided him with. A white woman marrying a black man would have shocked Elizabethan audiences. Individuals interpret the play and character of Othello differently based on their values and attitudes; for example, some individuals agree that Othello is a racist play, whereas others disagree. An example of when this expectation of women was broken was when Desdemona deceived her father by marrying Othello.

Today, in the 21st century, individuals are aware of the issue of racism. Therefore, values and attitudes of women have changed tremendously, for the better. The context of these two unique time periods affects the way in which the play is presented. Individuals are able to articulate race and recognise the issue.

Approximate Word count = 1129
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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