Othello Racism And The Moor - 1013 Words

Saachi Shenoy Ms. Ekta Shah English 2 Honors 20 September 2017 Othello: Racism and the Moor William Shakespeare’s Othello uses the racial tensions of the period to enhance the execution of the play subtly. At the time of his writing, ethnic minorities were so disregarded, almost to the point of being ignored, yet Shakespeare chooses to make the protagonist a black male who rises to power. Repeatedly throughout the play, the contrast of black and white as opposites permeates almost every plotline. When referring to Othello, the other characters often use darkness with a negative connotation whether it is meant to be derogatory, complimentary or a general observation. One of the best†¦show more content†¦While most times dark imagery is intended to be an insult, there are times in the book where it s used as a form of flattery. Not everyone in Venice shares the same harsh views as Brabantio. In fact, one of the most important men in the city, the Duke, is introduced when he disregards Brabantio racist concerns. â€Å"And noble/ signior,/ If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black† (Shakespeare 1.3.328-331). The irony in the dukes word choices arises because he uses â€Å"virtue† to emphasize how good, light and pure Othello s soul is. Harvard s Jeffrey R Wilson says â€Å"If virtue is beautiful, then Othello is not black, yet Othello is obviously black, which demolishes the premise of the Duke’s conditional.† This opinion just reinforces that though it s not an obvious insult, it s not beneficial. Although this is a compliment for Othello, it still distinguishes black and w hite people and portrays color stereotyping. As a whole, it ends up insulting his ethnicity rather than himself as a person because it just says that Othello is notShow MoreRelatedRacism By William Shakespeare s Othello1277 Words   |  6 PagesRacism in Othello William Shakespeare wrote Othello during the wars between Venice and Turkey dating back to the sixteenth century. On November 1, 1604, Othello was performed for the first time by King’s men at the court of King James I. Race is one aspect that affects people’s lives. â€Å"Racism rejects mankind and a means of legalizing diversity† (Mutlu 135). With traces of racism, Shakespeare portrays the story of a general and his wife. From the beginning of Othello, there is a coordination ofRead MoreOthello, By William Shakespeare1515 Words   |  7 PagesShakespeare’s Othello is seemingly about the blooming affection between a man and a woman. However, it is a love story gone wrong—or is portrayed as so by the author. 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