Othello & Racism

Introduction

In the opening scene of Othello, Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio in the middle of the night to inform him that his daughter, Desdemona, has eloped with Othello. Iago pleads for Brabantio to listen to him “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise! Arise!” At first, Brabantio does not believe Iago's accusations, but then calls up a group of men to go throughout the city to locate Othello and his daughter. Iago's hatred of Othello has been more successful in the military and chose Michael Cassio over him to be his assistant. Iago and Roderigo form a plan to get what each other want, Iago a promotion, and Roderigo Desdemona. Racist remarks are spoken by even the minor characters early in the first acts and continue all throughout the tragedy. Roderigo refers him as “thick lips” and then expresses his beliefs in saying “To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor… In an extravagant and wheeling stranger”.

Discussion

Shakespeare proposed the race of his characters to represent disorder and chaos and maybe to indicate to the Elizabethan world to gaze after a person's exterior as this can be deceiving. Desdemona possessed "whiter skin than snow and smooth as monumental alabaster" and because of this was seen as a number of beauty, innocence and "heavenly perfection" and was associated with heaven. Shakespeare used two widespread stereotypes and reversed the way Elizabethan times anticipated them to act thus creating a feeling of unease and disorder. Othello's dark skin meant he was often associated with torment, and the devil but his factual nature was the opposite- he was an honest, valiant and noble gentleman and loyal husband to Desdemona (Kolin). On the other hand, Iago possessed white skin and was mentioned to fifteen times or more as "Honest Iago", but behind his smooth disposition lay his factual identity- he possessed a bad, cunning and vengeful soul and was topped up with black rage and jealousy. Iago was Shakespeare's representation of the devil and acknowledged himself his devilish inclinations, suggesting that his "wits are employed with all the tribe of hell" and swears by the "Divinity of Hell".

Racism was an inherent topic running all through Othello and assisted to the tragedy. The foremost topics of the play were love, but more predominantly the insane jealousy which can arise from this. Othello loved Desdemona profoundly and when battled with her alleged infidelity was propelled to an insane jealousy which clouded his clear judgment and he discovered coldness and hate inside himself he not ever knew existed "My heart is turned to stone: I strike it and it hurts my hand" (Verdi). This insane jealousy is one of the forces which verify to be Othello's downfall, and is the very cause of the tragedy in Othello and thus, Othello is primarily a play about jealousy.

Racism is a topic woven through the text Othello and constantly appears in the pattern of racial comments and observations made by ...