How Does Shakespeare Present Racism In The 21st Century
Racism is a concept that each and every single one of us in the room today is familiar with, this is both from our everyday experiences in the 21st Century and through Shakespearian texts. Shakespeare explored many themes and racism is one that is quite predominant throughout the text, Othello. Shakespeare broke the societal norm of his time by creating a black hero and using a white villain to undermine and deceive his otherwise flawless black character.
It is through Shakespeare, that we are able to explore notions of racism and inequality, which were present then and still present now, thus enables us to see that this is still a highly topical issue in the 21st century, deeming it a very relevant and important unit for all to study.
Acceptance …show more content…
is something we all hope to give and receive in our lifetime. The majority of us do in fact receive this acceptance, however, there are some people who don’t. Immigrants strive for acceptance, but due to our misunderstanding of their culture we often don’t give it to them. This concept is explored throughout Othello and is clear that he is on the outskirts of his society. He is commonly referred to as “the Moor”, yes people respected him as a general, but not as a person due to his skin colour. In Act III Othello states, “Haply, for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation that chambers have”, this is simply suggesting that he is not equipped with the complexities of Venetian life, due to him not being as refined as the Venetians. Throughout the play, Iago, as we all know plays on Othello’s insecurities and societal differences into manipulating him into believing that he will never be accepted by the members of his society due to his race. Similarly, this is relevant to the current refugee crisis occurring in many countries right now. We as a country and many other countries have lost our ability to understand and accept other cultures that aren’t the same as our own. This then causes us to jump to conclusions, making statements like “All Immigrants are uneducated”, “All Immigrants are poor”, and “All Immigrants are stealing our jobs”. It is evident that we as nations may judge a book by its cover before we truly get to see what is underneath. For example, Anh Do - a former refugee, and now a very well-known Australian, author, actor and comedian who has contributed nothing but positively to our country, however when he first came the Australian public was very sceptical about his presence, however, we learnt to accept him. Therefore being exposed to Shakespeare, and in particular Othello, it exposes the individuals to the Venetians lack acceptance and cultural understanding and enables one to explore types of racism that we have become accustomed to in our 21st-century lives.
Miscommunication and stereotyping are one of the main reasons racism occurs, it is seen in multiple aspects of our day to day lives.
Quotes such as “old black ram”, “sooty bosom”, and “thick lips” are said many times throughout this Shakespearian play and are much like the racist comments that are evident in our everyday conversations. Othello played a very special role in this text, as more often than not the black characters were often portrayed as the villain, in doing this, Shakespeare already defied most stereotypes in that time. In saying this, the other characters comments in the text are no different from some of the racial comments are no different from some of the racial comments we here in the 21st Century. For all those who read the text, it brings forth stereotypes that entail black men to “practice witchcraft, to subdue terrified maidens”, and a majority of the time refers to Othello’s as an animal rather than a human. This is portrayed in the text when it states “Your daughter, and the moor and making the beast with two backs”. Like then, in the 21st century, these racial comments are still seen and are often as a result of our misunderstanding of culture. For example, when we hear the word, “Muslim”, we stereotype them into being bad due to their association with ISIS, and or some form of terrorist. We often jump to conclusions, and generalise these people around the actions of only a small minority of the group and then treat their entire religion and culture with the same form of disapproval that we should only have towards a few individuals. These stereotypes and generalisations are evident across the globe with people seeing colour as a way to define the good and the bad. It is evident, that through this, it is making it clear that racial profiling and stereotyping is evident in both Othello and the 21st century in which makes Shakespeare and his texts increasingly relevant to the 21st
Century.
Racial profiling and stereotyping in our world has made inequality become more and more relevant in the 21st Century. Shakespeare has incorporated this through his play with although Othello is a general, because of his racial status he is still not worthy of Desdemona. Inequalities such as this, are still evident now, with studies finding that resumes with black sounding names are 50% less likely to be read, and even considered. This idea of racial profiling and stereotyping based on the colour of one’s skin further reiterates how important and relevant Shakespeare’s plays, particularly Othello is to the 21st Century.
Through the play Othello, Shakespeare brings forward the notion that each individual should be accepting and tolerant of all races and differences. This is seen through the usage of Othello and him being the black hero, as well as with Desdemona and her ability to look past his colour purely on the basis of love, “for she had eyes, and she chose him (me)”. Thorough this, is brings to light the anti-racism movements and laws against discrimination which allow people to see the good in all they meet not just the ones of favoured skin colour. Through the inclusion of racial profiling and stereotyping, Shakespeare has explored the theme of racism in his plays, particularly Othello. These notions discussed throughout the text, is highly topical to the 21st-century world as racism continues to be a very big issue that we are continuing to tackle.
It is through Shakespeare we learn that we should be accepting of tolerant of race and difference. It is through Shakespeare that we acknowledge all individuals can be heroes. It is through Shakespeare that we become a more united globe.
It is through Shakespeare, that we are able to explore notions of racism and inequality, which were present then and still present now, thus enables us to see that this is still a highly topical issue in the 21st century, deeming it a very relevant and important unit for all to study.
Acceptance …show more content…
is something we all hope to give and receive in our lifetime. The majority of us do in fact receive this acceptance, however, there are some people who don’t. Immigrants strive for acceptance, but due to our misunderstanding of their culture we often don’t give it to them. This concept is explored throughout Othello and is clear that he is on the outskirts of his society. He is commonly referred to as “the Moor”, yes people respected him as a general, but not as a person due to his skin colour. In Act III Othello states, “Haply, for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation that chambers have”, this is simply suggesting that he is not equipped with the complexities of Venetian life, due to him not being as refined as the Venetians. Throughout the play, Iago, as we all know plays on Othello’s insecurities and societal differences into manipulating him into believing that he will never be accepted by the members of his society due to his race. Similarly, this is relevant to the current refugee crisis occurring in many countries right now. We as a country and many other countries have lost our ability to understand and accept other cultures that aren’t the same as our own. This then causes us to jump to conclusions, making statements like “All Immigrants are uneducated”, “All Immigrants are poor”, and “All Immigrants are stealing our jobs”. It is evident that we as nations may judge a book by its cover before we truly get to see what is underneath. For example, Anh Do - a former refugee, and now a very well-known Australian, author, actor and comedian who has contributed nothing but positively to our country, however when he first came the Australian public was very sceptical about his presence, however, we learnt to accept him. Therefore being exposed to Shakespeare, and in particular Othello, it exposes the individuals to the Venetians lack acceptance and cultural understanding and enables one to explore types of racism that we have become accustomed to in our 21st-century lives.
Miscommunication and stereotyping are one of the main reasons racism occurs, it is seen in multiple aspects of our day to day lives.
Quotes such as “old black ram”, “sooty bosom”, and “thick lips” are said many times throughout this Shakespearian play and are much like the racist comments that are evident in our everyday conversations. Othello played a very special role in this text, as more often than not the black characters were often portrayed as the villain, in doing this, Shakespeare already defied most stereotypes in that time. In saying this, the other characters comments in the text are no different from some of the racial comments are no different from some of the racial comments we here in the 21st Century. For all those who read the text, it brings forth stereotypes that entail black men to “practice witchcraft, to subdue terrified maidens”, and a majority of the time refers to Othello’s as an animal rather than a human. This is portrayed in the text when it states “Your daughter, and the moor and making the beast with two backs”. Like then, in the 21st century, these racial comments are still seen and are often as a result of our misunderstanding of culture. For example, when we hear the word, “Muslim”, we stereotype them into being bad due to their association with ISIS, and or some form of terrorist. We often jump to conclusions, and generalise these people around the actions of only a small minority of the group and then treat their entire religion and culture with the same form of disapproval that we should only have towards a few individuals. These stereotypes and generalisations are evident across the globe with people seeing colour as a way to define the good and the bad. It is evident, that through this, it is making it clear that racial profiling and stereotyping is evident in both Othello and the 21st century in which makes Shakespeare and his texts increasingly relevant to the 21st
Century.
Racial profiling and stereotyping in our world has made inequality become more and more relevant in the 21st Century. Shakespeare has incorporated this through his play with although Othello is a general, because of his racial status he is still not worthy of Desdemona. Inequalities such as this, are still evident now, with studies finding that resumes with black sounding names are 50% less likely to be read, and even considered. This idea of racial profiling and stereotyping based on the colour of one’s skin further reiterates how important and relevant Shakespeare’s plays, particularly Othello is to the 21st Century.
Through the play Othello, Shakespeare brings forward the notion that each individual should be accepting and tolerant of all races and differences. This is seen through the usage of Othello and him being the black hero, as well as with Desdemona and her ability to look past his colour purely on the basis of love, “for she had eyes, and she chose him (me)”. Thorough this, is brings to light the anti-racism movements and laws against discrimination which allow people to see the good in all they meet not just the ones of favoured skin colour. Through the inclusion of racial profiling and stereotyping, Shakespeare has explored the theme of racism in his plays, particularly Othello. These notions discussed throughout the text, is highly topical to the 21st-century world as racism continues to be a very big issue that we are continuing to tackle.
It is through Shakespeare we learn that we should be accepting of tolerant of race and difference. It is through Shakespeare that we acknowledge all individuals can be heroes. It is through Shakespeare that we become a more united globe.