Othello - A Racist Play?

Term Paper , 2009 , 23 Pages , Grade: 1,0

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

Othello already raised questions about the nature of race, its social implications and about the correlation of outer appearances and inner qualities. The matter of skin colour and racist stereotyping is evident in Othello and it is vital for the interpretation of the play. As an “extravagant and wheeling stranger/ Of here, and every where” (1.1.135-136). Othello is not just like any other man, but largely defined by his origin and colour. In this paper I want to examine the role of Othello's skin colour in the play and if we can consider the play as racist. Although these questions are today probably more relevant than ever, my main focus will be to analyse the importance of race in the context of Shakespeare's times.
In order to answer the question, whether or not Othello is a racist drama, I first have to define the term 'race'. As the concept of race has changed over time and is still changing, I will also look at Elizabethan attitudes towards race and foreigners and how strangers were portrayed on the Elizabethan stage. The play is not set in England, but in Venice, a place that serves a certain function in the play, which I will also examine. In the second part of this paper I will look at the play itself and its characters. I will analyse the different roles and their attitudes towards Othello's colour and how they influence Othello's self-perception and his personal fate. In Othello skin colour and blackness stand for more than just physical appearance or cultural background, but it is also linked to the character's inner lives and it largely determines the outcome of the play. The importance of racial concepts in Othello will be examined in the last part of this paper.

Table of Contents

• INTRODUCTION.
• DEFINITION OF RACE.
• RACE IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND.
  • ELIZABETHAN IMAGES OF FOREIGNERS
  • STAGE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE OTHER.
  • ELIZABETHAN ATTITUDES TOWARDS VENICE
• CHARACTER'S ATTITUDES TOWARDS OTHELLO'S RACE.
  • DESDEMONA
  • IAGO.
  • BRABANTIO.
  • CASSIO
  • OTHELLO......
  • THE AUDIENCE.
• IMPORTANCE OF OTHELLO'S RACE FOR THE PLAY
• CONCLUSION

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to explore the significance of Othello's race in Shakespeare's play, examining whether the play can be considered racist. The paper will analyze the play's characters, their attitudes towards Othello's race, and how these attitudes impact Othello's self-perception and ultimate fate. The paper will also analyze the historical context of race in Elizabethan England and the play's representation of foreigners.

• The concept of race in Shakespeare's time
• The representation of foreigners on the Elizabethan stage
• The impact of Othello's race on his relationships with other characters
• The role of race in Othello's downfall
• The play's relevance to modern discussions about race

Chapter Summaries

• The introduction examines the play's relevance to modern questions about race and introduces the main objectives of the paper.
• Chapter 2 defines the concept of race, highlighting its historical evolution and its significance as a social construct. It explores the notion of race as a social distinction between groups and the ongoing debate regarding the existence of distinct human races.
• Chapter 3 examines the perception of race in Elizabethan England, focusing on the increasing knowledge about foreign cultures and the influence of colonialism on English attitudes towards foreigners. This chapter explores the representation of foreigners on the Elizabethan stage and the hostile reception of 'Moors' in England.
• Chapter 4 delves into the play's characters and their attitudes towards Othello's race. It analyzes how these attitudes shape Othello's self-perception and his ultimate fate.

Keywords

This paper focuses on the themes of race, colonialism, prejudice, and representation in Shakespeare's play Othello. The analysis centers on the historical context of Elizabethan England, the social implications of race, and the impact of Othello's race on his character and his relationships with other characters. Key concepts include the Elizabethan image of foreigners, the portrayal of the 'other' on stage, and the relationship between race and identity.

• College: University of Bremen
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Anouk Anderson (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 23
• Catalog Number: V132901
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640391752
• ISBN (Book): 9783640391639
• Language: English
• Tags: Othello, Racist, Play