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.

Shakespeare was well aware of racial tension in England and included the theme of racism in Othello. He shared some of the deep fears of his contemporaries about black people. As early as 1596, Queen Elizabeth complained of the number of black people in England and racism in the 16th century did exist, but the ideas and images were only partially developed. In England more than in southern Europe, the concept of blackness was loaded with intense meaning. Englishmen found the idea of blackness a way of expressing some of their most ingrained values. The meaning of black before the 16th century, as described by the Oxford English Dictionary, included "deeply stained with dirt, soiled, foul, deadly, baneful, disastrous, sinister". Black was an emotionally partisan color and a sign of danger. Therefore, Shakespeare created a character who reflected some of these attitudes. Othello is a Moor of noble descent and a convert to Christianity and was sold to slavery and redeemed. The description of Moors emphasizes many attributes seen in Othello: extreme jealousy, courage in battles and pride. Othello as an African is important not because of what he is, but because of how he is perceived specifically by the other characters and by himself. Most characters in the play show some type of racism towards Othello. His blackness is not only a mark of physical alienation but a symbol to which every character in the play, himself included, must respond.

Iago and Roderigo speak most obvious racial slurs against Othello. Roderigo refers to the "thick_lips" (1.1.66), "gross clasps of a lascivious Moor" (1.1.126), and the "gross revolt" of Desdemona (1.1.134). He also labels Othello as a "wheeling stranger" (1.1.136). Iago makes several references to Othello's race as well, referring to him as an "old black ram" (1.1.88-89), a "devil" (91), and a "Barbary horse" (111-112). Othello is also associated with excessive sexuality when Iago tells Barbantio that his "daughter and the Moor are now making the beast/ with two backs" (115-116). This cultural perception contributes to the racist atmosphere. Othello's sexuality is connected to his race, which is perceived as degenerate and disgusting.

Iago and Roderigo are not the only characters who exhibit some type of racism towards Othello's culture. Barbanito also projects the negative images associated with blackness. Desdemona's father invites Othello to tell tales, but refuses to accept him as a son in _law. He shows his anger when he refers to Othello as "too true and evil" (160), a "foul thief" (62) and "damn'd" (64). He is disgusted that Desdemona would "run from her guardage to the sooty bosom/of such a thing as though to fear, not to delight!" (1.2.70-71) and "fall in love with what she fear'd to look on!" (1.3.98). In addition, Barbanito claims that the only possible way Desdemona could fall in love with Othello is if he used his black magic. These all show racism similar to that of Iago and Roderigo.

Emilia, Iago's wife, reveals a more latent form of racism. She never mentions Othello's race until the final scenes of the play. When she discovers her lady has been murdered, she says in Othello's response, when he says "she is like a liar gone to burning hell/T was I that killed her", "O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!" (129-131). This shows she has always thought of Othello as a black devil and now he is blacker as a result of the murder. She continues by referring to the marriage of Othello and Desdemona as Desdemona's "most filthy bargain" (157), and claims Othello is "as ignorant as dirt" (164). These statements are not changed when she discovers her husband's part in the plot. Instead, Othello seems foolish as well as evil.

Desdemona communicates a more subtle form of racism. She falls in love with Othello not because of his appearance but for his words. She says that she saw "Othello's visage in his mind" (252), but she does not say that she found his physical form attractive. By not referring to his body, Desdemona confirms her father's belief that she should fear to look on such blackness. All of these quotes show that even Desdemona realizes there is something unnatural about her love for Othello because of his physical appearance.

Another reason which makes the love unnatural is the cultural difference between the two and it is also connected to race. Desdemona often fails to understand Othello because of cultural differences. These differences also emerge when Desdemona states ironically, when asked by Emilia whether Othello is jealous, "who, he? I think the sun where he was born drew all such humors from him" (29-30). She is tragically unaware of Othello's feelings.

Culture also separates their love because Othello loves her physically while she loves him for his heroic achievements. Othello seems obsessed with Desdemona's whiteness, while she plays down his blackness. Othello refers to Desdemona as "sweet" and "fair" most of the time. He seems constantly to think of her body and colour, "fair lady", "fair devil", "Yet I'll not shed her blood, nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, as smooth as monumental alabaster". Shakespeare emphasizes the opposition of white and black and creates a gap between the lovers.

The use of Othello's name is also important for racial reasons. Calling someone by name is a sign of respect. The characters in the play sometimes refer to Othello by his name, but others call him by the term "Moor". Iago refers to Othello by his name only five times in the play, usually when he is talking directly to him. Roderigo never refers to him as Othello, but twice as the "Moor" and once as "thick_lips". Desdemona also refers to Othello as "the Moor", however, her reference is coupled with adjectives such as "noble" and "lord". This continual reference to Othello as the "Moor" serves to remind the audience of Othello's inability to truly become a part of Venetian society.

Considering the play, we have to remember that Shakespeare created a complicated character and a very complex play. Othello is not simply a play about jealousy. However this play delves much deeper into the issue of race, ego, sex, self doubt and assimilation. We cannot separate Othello's otherness from his colour and culture. Because these factors are what make him "the other".