Preview

Impact Of Racism In Othello

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
619 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Impact Of Racism In Othello
The play Othello by William Shakespeare explores the powerful impact racism can have on the minds of its victims and how it can shift their perspectives of themselves. This connection to racism in the play is revealed through repeating patterns, that allows the audience to understand the devastating tragedy caused as a result of this racism. Othello is moulded by society to believe that he is different as a result of both the purposeful and unconscious use of the word “Moor” which is a word used to describe black people from the North West of Africa, despite him being a high ranking General in the military. During multiple scenes throughout the play Shakespeare shows how Othello has been corrupted by society’s views of him and as a result begins …show more content…
A significant part of Othello’s Hamartia that led to his tragic downfall was his acceptance of the believe foisted upon him that he would never truly be loved by a white woman, because he was led to believe that being black was unattractive and undesirable. Iago awakens this subconscious belief buried within Othello’s mind and is part of Iago’s ‘poison,’ that results in Othello murdering Desdemona and killing himself.

Othello is moulded by the predominantly white society with which he had been assimilated into, he begins to accept his classification as a ‘Moor.’ This term makes him believe that he is subconsciously inferior to the white society. This allows doubt to rapidly seep into his mind about the loyalty and chastity of Desdemona, this is because he believes that he is not as worthy for her as the handsome Cassio is and believe she does not truly love him. Othello is rarely referred to by his name during the play and is simply called the ‘Moor,’ it presents him as an outcast and different. During the first scene of the play Iago refers to Othello sarcastically by referring to him as "his Moorship's ancient” this use of the word ‘Moorship’ refers
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Othello Story Racist?
    • 1774 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Othello Story Racist?

    When reading the play Othello, a modern day reader cannot help but wonder if the play is racist. After all, there are several places found throughout the story that reference derogatory terms towards people of African descent. Comments such as, “Blacker devil”(5.2. 131), “an old black ram” (1.1.9), and, “Moor are now making the beast with two backs” (1.1.7), may leads the reader to believe that story is racist towards black people. However, this may not be true for a number of reasons, one being that these terms are only used out of spite or anger towards Othello. These types of comments aren’t seen too often during the story and are never used because the character generally has a racist view of Othello. Only when these characters are angered is when these racial slurs come about. In addition, Othello was written with the main protagonist to be a black man, and the antagonist to be white people. Therefore, this story can be interpreted in multiple ways with regards to racism.…

    • 1774 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Elizabethan Attitudes to Women, Race and Transgression in Othello
    • 1113 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Elizabethan Attitudes to Women, Race and Transgression in Othello

    Throughout Shakespeare’s Othello, the concepts of race, gender and transgression are continually explored and employed to reflect the characteristics of Elizabethan values and attitudes expressed in Elizabethan society, through rejection and acceptance of gender and racial stereotypes in the first three scenes of Act One - the pinnacle of this being the marriage between Othello and Desdemona. Shakespeare forces the audience to challenge these stereotypes by portraying the African Moor, Othello, with a high level of status, authority and power within the military, and challenging the social conventions of the Elizabethan era by creating a marital union between two people of different races. By doing this, Shakespeare confronts the norms and values of society through use of Elizabethan attitudes, scrutinizing what it considered to be normal and acceptable within society and the reasons for this.…

    • 1113 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Jealousy And Racism In William Shakespeare's Othello
    • 787 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Jealousy And Racism In William Shakespeare's Othello

    The works of Shakespeare are so significant as the effect of racism, a key concept, which is relevant to both Shakespearean and contemporary audiences, is portrayed through a racial epithet spoken by Roderigo in Act 1 Scene 1 “Your fair daughter, transported, to the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor”. The derogatory language describes Othello as impure, allowing the audience to understand the typical…

    • 787 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Iago in Act 1 Scenes 1&2
    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Iago in Act 1 Scenes 1&2

    Because Othello has defied his position in society as a black man by proving himself through his talents and his honourable actions, he is still discriminated by Iago, who voices out his disdain for him openly. He uses the symbolism of a “Barbary horse” to represent Othello. This is extremely demeaning to Othello, a man of royal lineage who has carried himself off with only the utmost integrity and honour. This shows that although he has many merits and is regal in his actions and demeanour, he is still associated with the stereotype that all blacks are barbarians. Furthermore, the sibilance within “the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor” highlights the sinister and libidinous traits that Blacks are stereotypically known to possess. This forms a disgusting…

    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    How Does Iago Use Racial Epithets In Othello
    • 1250 Words
    • 5 Pages

    How Does Iago Use Racial Epithets In Othello

    Shakespeare writes about an African, Othello, who is called “thick-lips” and “lascivious moor” (I.i.42,76). It is true that Othello is from Africa and could be considered a moor, but he never displays any sort of inappropriate sexual desires. Iago slings these racial epithets (and many others) toward Othello to undermine his personhood and to mock characteristics that are the heart of who Othello is. Iago does more than insult Othello’s appearance, but undermines the history and culture of Othello – his entire life and upbringing. Racial epithets are also used by characters in Heart of Darkness.…

    • 1250 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Othello Race and Stereotypes Essay Example
    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Othello Race and Stereotypes Essay Example

    Race is very important in the play. Othello was a moor. In simplest terms he was a man of color. His race is what set him apart from the other characters. Also Othello is the only character of color which automatically set him inside. Being that he is a military general (a position not offered to black men) a lot of the characters don’t like him, and a lot of characters described him negatively because to them he was just a moor. But others respect and admire him because of his accomplishments. Iago was not his biggest fan so of coarse he said things that were not meant to be nice. “Iago: Even now, now very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise; Awake the snorting citizens with the bell. Or else the devil will make a grandsire if you arise I say!” (Act 1, Scene 1) Here Iago is upset that a moor is with a white woman. So he tells Desdemona’s father about the relationship. But all throughout what he is saying he is making racial slurs. In response to this Desdemona’s father says “BRABANTIO: She, in spite of nature, Of years, of country, credit, every thing, To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on! It is a judgment maim'd and most imperfect That will confess perfection so could err Against all rules of nature.” (Act 1, Scene 3) which means he feels that Desdemona’s feelings for Othello is wrong. It is unnatural since he is black and she is white. Even Othello himself describes his color as being something bad at one point. “Othello: All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. 'Tis gone. Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! (Act 3, Scene 3) Throughout the play there are many comments as to Othello’s race. I personally think the whole play is based around two things his race in comparison to everyone else’s, and his race with Desdemona’s race because he is a “moor” and every one else is not. Well race and jealousy anyway but race is what stands out more.…

    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Discrimination In Othello
    • 137 Words
    • 1 Page

    Theme Of Discrimination In Othello

    Ideas of discrimination and racism have also been reflected within the play through the characterisation of Othello. Described as having “thick lips” and a darker skin tone, the protagonist experiences a sense of isolation from society due to his evident difference in physical appearance.. By demonstrating ideas of separation in the play, the reader is poised to read it as a text that incorporates strong ideas of discrimination, both evident during Shakespeare’s time and our current society. This discriminating prejudice leads to the deterioration of Othello’s confidence, where he states ‘for I am black’and ‘unworthy of love’. Ideas of discrimination and racism becomes particularly apparent when Iago constantly addresses Othello as ‘The Moor’…

    • 137 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Racism in Othello by Shakespear
    • 1166 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Racism in Othello by Shakespear

    Othello in Shakespeare's play is a black moor from North Africa surrounded by the white society of Venice. Many critics argue against racism in Othello although they believe it has got a racist theme. I think there are quite lots of proofs in the play which show that theme of racism is dominant and the problem of race should not be ignored. First, I will have a brief look at the meaning of black in the English society and the existence of racism in the 16th century and also where the character of Othello emerges from. Then I will refer to the attitudes of other characters towards Othello to conclude racism has been emphasized in the play.…

    • 1166 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Iago in Context
    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Iago in Context

    The Elizabethan portrait of the dark-skinned “other” clearly established him as a bestial force, dangerous because of their sexuality, temper and magical powers. Generally, a moor represented in plays before Othello confirmed these stereotypes. Shakespeare incorporates these racial stereotypes and uses Iago to depict them, for example Iago calls Othello a ‘barbary horse’, and claims that Desdemona will have children who will ‘neigh’.…

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racism In Othello
    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Racism In Othello

    Othello is the general of the Venice army and also mentions that he comes from a royal family which makes him as noble as Desdemona. Additionally, he says that “I love the gentle Desdemona”; despite all this the only person that is able to see the caring, strong and valuable side of Othello is Desdemona. Therefore, the visual essay compares the true side of Othello with the Othello that characters like Iago, Roderigo and Brabanito perceives. The play Othello also addresses many real life racial problems. For example, during the Shakespearean era readers of the play found the racial relationship between Othello and Desdemona very interesting. However, many were disturbed by what they saw during the play even though the actor playing Othello was most likely a white actor wearing black face paint. The legal map also demonstrates how little progression there has been since the Shakespearean era until only few decades…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Comparative Study of Othello and O
    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A Comparative Study of Othello and O

    Before the audience is presented with Othello, Iago and Brabantio would lead them to the common, negative presumption of a black character through degrading terms and bestial imagery such as ‘the Moor’, ‘thick lips’, ‘Barbary horse’ and ‘old black ram’. When we are presented with Othello, we are able to move away from these negative views and discern for ourselves what he is really like:…

    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    How Does Shakespeare Show Othello's Exclusion
    • 2428 Words
    • 10 Pages

    How Does Shakespeare Show Othello's Exclusion

    Othello is a black protagonist in the play, Othello. He differs from all of the other characters, because he is not a native European. Other characters notice and use his race and ethnicity as a means to belittle him. He is identified by other characters as being a ‘..Moor.' The Moors were the medieval Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula. The way that other characters respond and speak and about Othello…

    • 2428 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Black Man In A White Society
    • 1247 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A Black Man In A White Society

    Before the play even starts we already have a sense of how race and place have a paramount importance in the play simple from the title ‘Othello: The Moor of Venice’. This illustrates the fact that Othello is defined by race by being ‘the Moor’ and being in the place ‘Venice’, and how this will affect the outcome of the play. This impression from Iago and Roderigo’s whom we meet at the very beginning of the play by their racist descriptions of him. Iago’s vulgar imagery of Othello the ‘black ram’ ‘tupping’ Desdemona the ‘white ewe’ is an example of this, and it plays on the well-established connotations of good and evil through colour. This is a dramatised example how ‘white society’ (in the case Roderigo and Iago) uses Othello’s skin colour to pervert a situation, and so making him feel like an outsider.…

    • 1247 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racism and Manipulation in Othello
    • 1067 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Racism and Manipulation in Othello

    In many of Shakespeare’s plays he explores the ideas of racial tensions, Othello is an example of one of these plays. Othello’s racial background, although not entirely clear provides a platform for exploring ideas of racial conflict. He’s clearly an outsider to the Venetian society and of African descent, thus he’s is often subjected to racial stereotypes. When Iago first explains to Barbantio that his daughter is married to a Moor he says “…you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse…” (I.I.125), referring to Othello as an animal, “Barbary” is a region of Africa therefore implying Othello’s homeland. He also tells Brabantio “I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.” (I.I.129-131), Othello is once again compared to an animal, indicating that since he is of African descent he is not considered to be on the same level of respect as someone who born into the Venetian culture. He’s viewed as uncivilized because he cannot control his passions, these associations serve to perpetuate stereotypes of Africans and others of different ethnic identity. This also portrays Iago’s clever chose of words to alter Barbantio’s emotions, particularly knowing that Barbantio holds a racist viewpoint. A predominant fear during that time period was colored men sexually corrupting the white women of the Venetian society, which would explain why Othello’s relationship with Desdemona is described in…

    • 1067 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Othello: Racism And Jealousy
    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Othello: Racism And Jealousy

    A Moor in this case being an African-American, which was a phrase meaning one of the lowest in class. This exact representation of Othello being a Moor is even furthered when Iago calls Othello “an old black ram…” (4: 91). All this just supports the claim that Iago is a racist individual. One view that is cemented in Iago’s mind is the term “other”. As defined by Anne Marie Hacht, the term other means an individual who is in a location from which they don’t originate.…

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics