The effects of race in Othello

            Othello is a tragedy play by William Shakespeare that is believed to have been written in 1603. The story revolves around two protagonists Othello who is a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and Lago an officer who ranked below him in the army. The impact of race is a major issue in this play. Othello’s skin is non- white and often it is portrayed as African or Arabian depending on the production. In the play Othello is only referred by his name only 17 times and on 58 occasions he has been referred to as “The Moor”, whose definition fits a Muslim who descends from Northwest Africa…Thesis statement: Othello’s ability to develop as an individual has been affected by the internal insecurities brought about by a conflict that tear him between two cultures, his ability to develop has also been affected by societal standards placed on him due to his physical characteristics.

 Individuals discriminate due to various reasons: alarm, jealousy, the yearning for supremacy, or simply the need to disconnect themselves from other people. Therefore, they can utilize an individual’s skin color to express their loathing. Othello is happily married and the position he holds in the Venetian army bequests him respect and admiration despite of his African background. At the start of the story, the writer makes it clear that Othello has not come into contact with discrimination (Shakespeare, 2001). However, as the story unfolds and tags the reader along Othello’s journey, racism becomes a key issue in the entire story. Lago openly reveals to Othello the existence of racism and advices Othello to take action against racists. Through Lago’s influence of Othello and other people, his racism assertions come to life and in the end, people judge Othello’s erratic character through his color. Hence, when Othello believes in the existence of racism, he generates it.

 Othello background

Othello is an African leader, born into the royal family. He even boasts of his royal heritage. Othello left his African homeland and his royal lifestyle of assured extravagance to dwell amongst Europeans and free himself from the duties that came with his prince rank. At his newfound household, his only responsibilities were to individuals he himself selected to serve: The régime of the day and his life partner, Desdemona (Shakespeare, 2001). Even in his post as a general, Othello had liberty as he could do whatever he wants even it meant quitting. Therefore, he enjoys everything that comes with his position. His skin color did not prevent him from getting the most out of his life while living among Europeans.

Race

The heartbreaking sequence of events sparked by Othello eloping with Desdemona. The fact that the couple obliged to elope brands the relationship illegitimate in the eyes of Venice. However, from their own viewpoint, there is nothing wrong with the relationship and the author portrays them as proud and entitled to their own lifestyles. Undeterred by the peoples’ opinions and the general condemnation they experience, Othello and his wife act as if it is a right to fall in love with anyone (Shakespeare, 2001). Othello’s marriage with the upper class white woman somehow influences how people view him and his actions. Othello and his wife behave as if they are at liberty to do as they wish at a time when discrimination and sexual inequality are within the fabric of the society. In other words, Othello’s actions triggered resentment toward him and his wife. Making it worse, his skin color played a role in fair treated he received.

 Due to their actions, the couple finds hatred unleashed upon them, in the form of Lago, the poisonous fury of a community whose fundamentals shook due to their marriage. For instance, Bravantio warns that the couples’ actions would not go unpunished (Daileader, 2005). Brabantio immediately perceives the marriage as a dishonor to his name and vows to revenge against Othello. It is vital to note that Brabantio is Desdemona’s father. In addition, Brabantio argues that Africans are inferior people and whites should treat them with contempt. These sentiments seem to point out Othello’s marriage to Desdemona even though he was from an inferior race. Shakespeare makes it obvious that the racism Othello encounters is as a result of his new marriage and the world in which they live in.

Lago and the rest of the people utter subtle racism statements without a single indicator of distress or reproach, which indicated the acceptance of racism and prejudice within the community. In some instances, people describe Othello’s features with unkind and uncouth words. For example, some European describes him as ‘the person with thick lips’. In his public conflict with Othello, Roderigo realizes it is unthinkable for Europeans ladies to get into romantic relationships with dark hideous men (Daileader, 2005). Furthermore, Roderigo claims that females who get into intimate relationships with black men are either bewitched or crazy. These utterances may not directly affect Othello but they manifest racism and prejudice, which later influences the life of Othello.

William Shakespeare’s Othello reveals racism from a unique angle. Throughout the entire story or play, racism comes out in certain perspectives. The author wrote the play between 1600 and 1605. During this period, ethnic minorities was an insignificant aspect of a person’s identity and the society often overlooked (Daileader, 2005). This explains the reason Othello had a high rank in the Venice army and earned the respect of his colleagues and other leaders. Nevertheless, when Othello enters into a union with Desdemona, the beautiful youthful lady, the daughter of Venice’s leader, Brabantio, everything changes and racism manifests. Lago develops jealousy when Othello selects Cassio as his personal assistant. In response to Othello’s actions, Lago plots against Othello and racism is one of the ways of accomplishing his wishes. More so, through Lago’s actions, one thing becomes clear, not all races are equal in Venice and some of the people are pretentious in their actions. More so, Brabantio would prefer his daughter remain unmarried than to give her to a black man. Brabantio goes further and claims his daughter’s marriage is illegal. The duke of Venice obviously swallows Brabantio’s bait and believes the lie. Nevertheless, the Duke has to leave Venice due to official duty elsewhere and fails to take action against the marriage. Secondly, Desdemona convinces the council that she wedded Othello because of love and he did not bewitch her.

 During the Elizabethan period, people believed that the mistakes of a person reflected on his or her physical appearance. Nevertheless, the Duke speaks with Brabantio and assures him of his daughter’s safety in the hands of Othello (Nicholson, 2010). In other words, the Duke indirectly claims that Othello is not like other Moors and assures Brabantio of her daughter’s security.

 The illustration of discrimination in Othello occurs from the beginning to the end of the play. Nevertheless, Lago’s firm decision to destroy Othello is dependent on many other factors and not necessarily color (Nicholson, 2010). Hence, the Lago sees Othello as a rival who overshadowed him the moment he stepped into Venice and took the rank of an army general. Hence, his color only facilitated his pursuit for revenge. Another fact is that racism does not play a part in the tragic end of the story. In fact, Shakespeare portrays Othello as a good man who people manipulated into committing an atrocious crime.

 Via the well thought, cautious and multifaceted development of Othello, it is progressively obvious that he is not a savage, as people perceive him to be. More so, Othello’s character contrasts all the unkind and racist descriptions people heap on him at the beginning of the story. Instead, Othello is a jovial human being and his first words convey the profundity of his character, intellect, and refinement. He motivates his accuser to retain peace and avoid violence. Therefore, Othello is a good man despite of misperceptions about him; he is a goodhearted person with good intentions. In the story, the subtle messages indicate that he no need for proof that he is a good man (Tierney, 2011). Therefore, it is up to the reader to pick a side: Lago side or Othello’s side due to the contrasting perceptions painted by his enemies. In the entire book, there exist few instances of Othello creating enmity with other people or even recognizing differences he has with other people. In fact, he is a very humble and sincere person does not harbor hatred in his heart for. His positive character lays a foundation in the first session of the book. He accepts his racial variance yet his skin color does not make him inferior. In fact, he takes note of his uniqueness as a way of establishing peace and taking offering help to other members of the community. In addition, he is friendly and appeals to both friends and lovers. Racism and negative comments about him does not deter him from accomplishing success and expanding his territories. In other words people around him admire him greatly and ready to interact with him.

 One thing is apparent and obvious in the story that is Othello’s ability to fit into a Whiteman’s community without any qualms (Tierney, 2011). Despite Iago and Roderigo’s negative comments toward him, he does not waiver from his courageous character neither does he fight back directly which reveals his will to do good and the reader has no option but to give an outright appreciate for such an excellent character.

In summary, Othello is one of the first black main character in literature works. William Shakespeare does a good job in developing this hero. Othello ascends into a position of power and influence in the Venice army. With power comes envy and jealousy. His status makes him a marked man as a foreigner hence exposure to racism especially from his father in law who believes Othello tricked his daughter into an interracial marriage. With race comes gender and sexuality. Just like any other male character, men assume that women are promiscuous hence accusation of infidelity hence showing the reason Othello easily believes him. In the end, Othello strangles his wife due to promiscuity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Daileader, C. R. (2005). Racism, Misogyny, and the Othello Myth: Inter-racial Couples from Shakespeare to Spike Lee. Cambridge University Press.

Nicholson, C. (2010). Othello and the Geography of Persuasion. English Literary Renaissance, 40(1), 56-87.

Shakespeare, W. (2001). Othello (Vol. 6). Classic Books Company.

Tierney, R. (2011). Othello in Tokyo: Performing Race and Empire in 1903 Japan. Shakespeare Quarterly, 62(4), 514-540.