Themes: Race and the Outsider
Racial politics in Elizabethan England were emergent, because world exploration and interactions between races were still fairly new to England at the time. However, by the time Othello was written, Queen Elizabeth had proclaimed that too many Africans were entering England and began to discourage their entry to the country. In this way, one can certainly see how Africans might be viewed in a negative light during the time that Othello was first performed. They were seen as infidels and non-Christians, which may explain why Shakespeare included a passage in which Othello explains his transition to Christianity. Were Othello not Christian, it would have been harder for the Elizabethan audience to identify with the protagonist of the play.
Regardless of his Christianity, Othello is still seen as an outsider. This underlying racist attitude is reflected in many of Iago’s statements that liken Othello to a lustful animal (e.g., “the beast with two backs”). While there was a racist attitude emerging in England, Africa was also considered to be an exotic, mysterious place that most English people had never witnessed firsthand. This attitude is evident early in the play when Brabantio accuses Othello of seducing his daughter through magical charms or spells. Othello himself has given Desdemona a handkerchief that was enchanted by an Egyptian witch and stained with virgin’s blood. In a play that is otherwise void of any kind of supernatural elements, these allusions to magic are seemingly related to Othello’s African heritage. Despite his recognized merit as a general, Othello is not welcome to become a part of Brabantio’s family, and as a Black man, he is to some degree considered an outsider by Venetian society. It is impossible to know Shakespeare’s artistic intent, but Othello is clearly a sympathetic and admirable character, despite his being an outsider in both the world of the play and Elizabethan England.
The tension between belonging and being an outsider can be seen in other characters as well. Desdemona, for instance, occupies a tenuous position as a woman on the frontlines of Cyprus. While the war never actually occurs, she cannot know that it will not happen when she opts to follow her husband to battle. Emilia, as Desdemona’s attendant, must follow her mistress to Cyprus, and Emilia’s presence there is also questioned. All of these outsiders are eventually killed. The question of who has a right to claim certain spaces is even present in the first few lines of dialogue in the play. Cassio has been promoted to the position of lieutenant, but whether or not he deserves that role is unclear based on his experience and the testimony of others in Venice.
Expert Q&A
Which quotes in Othello relate to the theme of being an outsider in a closed society?
Quotes in Othello that relate to the theme of being an outsider include Iago's derogatory remarks in Act I, Scene 1, where he calls Othello "an old black ram" and "Barbary horse," emphasizing Othello's racial difference. Additionally, in Othello's dying speech in Act V, Scene 2, he reflects on his paradoxical position as both a valued and excluded member of Venetian society.
How do the themes of religion, culture, racism, and gender inequality in Othello affect his relationship with the Venetians?
Themes of religion, culture, racism, and gender inequality significantly impact Othello's relationship with the Venetians. Religious allusions cast Othello as evil, while cultural barriers prevent his true acceptance despite his military value. Racism deeply affects his interactions, leading to self-doubt and mistrust, particularly in his marriage with Desdemona. Gender inequality influences his and Desdemona's relationship, as well as Iago and Emilia's, highlighting the era's patriarchal norms and contributing to the tragic outcomes.
Discuss post-colonial ideas in Shakespeare's Othello.
How would your reaction to Othello be influenced by your social, political, and cultural position?
Your reaction to "Othello" may be influenced by your social, political, and cultural perspective, particularly when considering Othello's emotional degradation. Factors such as his outsider status as a Moor, his insecurity, and the racial dynamics in a predominantly white power structure can resonate differently based on your own background. Analyzing these elements could provide a unique insight into how Othello's strength deteriorates, reflecting the reader's own societal and cultural positions.
In Othello, how do race, ethnicity, and culture function?
Race, ethnicity, and culture in "Othello" highlight the protagonist's insecurities and societal challenges. Othello, a Moor, marries Desdemona, a Venetian, which angers her father and underscores cultural tensions. Othello's insecurities about his race, age, and cultural differences make him vulnerable to Iago's manipulations. Desdemona's innocence and isolation in a foreign culture lead to her dependence on Othello, leaving her defenseless when his love turns violent. These elements drive the tragedy through misunderstanding and manipulation.
How does the portrayal of Othello and society's differing views on integration reflect in characters like Brabantio and Iago?
Othello's portrayal in Shakespeare's play highlights society's conflicting views on integration. Characters like Brabantio and Iago represent differing attitudes: Brabantio shows a more open-minded, albeit complex, view, while Iago embodies racial prejudice and exploitation of stereotypes, using Othello's otherness to manipulate others. This reflects societal tensions, where some characters, like Desdemona and Cassio, embrace integration, while others, like Iago, exploit racial fears and prejudices for personal gain.
What stereotypes about Italians' personalities and attitudes are evident in Othello?
The significance and implications of the term "Moor" in Othello
The term "Moor" in Othello signifies Othello's North African heritage, emphasizing his racial and cultural difference within Venetian society. It highlights themes of racism and otherness, as Othello faces prejudice and discrimination. This term also reflects contemporary attitudes and Elizabethan views on race, contributing to the play's exploration of identity, power, and social dynamics.
How does bias skew perspectives in Othello?
Bias skews perspectives in Othello as people react to situations based on internalized racism or sexism. Additionally, Iago causes tragedy because of his deep bias against humankind as inherently low-minded and evil.
How does Iago use Othello's race to provoke Brabantio?
Iago exploits Othello's race to provoke Brabantio by using racist and inflammatory language. He alarms Brabantio with vivid, animalistic imagery, describing Othello as an "old black ram" and a "Barbary horse" to imply the marriage between Othello and Desdemona is unnatural. Iago also refers to Othello as the devil, playing on racial stereotypes of the time. His manipulation successfully incites Brabantio, but Desdemona later reassures her father of her love for Othello.
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