Prejudice And Racism In William Shakespeare's Othello

During the Elizabethan Era Interracial marriage would have been unusual at that time. Because Black people back then were viewed as slaves and nothing more. A marriage between a black man and a white woman would have been a huge deal back then.Characters like Iago would help use racism to make Othello question his marriage to Desdemona. Iago, one of Othello’s right hand man was actually his worst enemy. Iago was jealous that Cassio go the promotion and not him. Iago would destroy the marriage of Othello and Desdemona, and he even dismantles his own marriage too. One of the first racist remarks toward Othello was to Brabantio, Desdemona father. Iago said to Brabantio “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe. Arise,
“But Shakespeare would surely have been puzzled to understand the claim that his play opposes racism, cast as it is in a language particular the politics of our own century.”(Neill Pg. 313) Michael Neill is arguing that Othello’s skin color is just an estrangement to the Venetian society back then. That being uncommon for a black person to have any power back then and to be marrying a white person too. By act three Othello suspects Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, and Othello says “Her name, that was as fresh As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black As mine own face. (3.3.386-388)” Saying that she is ruining his reputation among all the people of Venice. That his reputation is everything, and is now blaming this stain on his reputation towards his name because she is cheating on him. Othello refers to his reputation as fresh as Dian’s visage, meaning that his reputation was like a white face and now that she has cheated on him, it is now turning back to his former black face that is
As, to be bold with you, Not to affect many matches Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, Where we see in all things nature tends Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural But pardon me I do not in position Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear Her will, recoiling to her better judgment, May fall to match you with her country forms And happily repent.” (3.3.228-237) Othello says “If more thou dost perceive, let me know more. Set on they wife to observe, leave me Iago.”(3.3.238-240) Iago is trying to manipulate Othello, by saying this is not a common marriage that she might have married you for some other reason other than love. Iago is also saying that she might rethink her marriage with him. That she might marry White many so she can be happy. Othello is unsure if his wife is actually in love with him or is just in it for some reason he can't figure out. But in actuality she really does love Othello, and Iago is trying to make her look unfaithful to her husband and it is driving Othello