Shakespeare’s Othello has caught people’s attention for more than four hundred years now. This is may be true for many other Shakespearean plays as well, but Othello was exceptionally popular at its time of origin and is not less so today. Reasons for this are probably manifold, but the notions of gender, sexuality, status and race which are still very current issues might contribute to this timeless and universal appreciation. The latter is at the focus of this essay.
Table of Contents
- Racism in Othello?
- Is there a consistent notion of prejudice and discrimination in Othello?
- A more thorough analyse of the two main characters in the play
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the portrayal of racism in Shakespeare's Othello. The author investigates whether consistent notions of racism exist within the play, analyzes the characters of Othello and Iago in terms of racism, and ultimately provides a personal interpretation of Othello and the play's possible intentions.
- The use of the term "Moor" and its potential for prejudiced connotations
- The paradoxical nature of Othello and Iago's characters
- The role of jealousy and hatred in Iago's motivations
- The impact of stereotypes on the portrayal of Othello
- The reversal of stereotypes throughout the play's plot
Chapter Summaries
- The essay begins by examining the historical context and the prevalence of the term "Moor" in Shakespeare's play. It explores the potential for prejudiced interpretations of this term, acknowledging that while sometimes used neutrally, it can also carry negative connotations.
- The author then examines the characters of Othello and Iago, highlighting their paradoxical nature. Othello, a black Moor, is admired by many but ultimately falls victim to Iago's machinations. Conversely, Iago, a seemingly ordinary Venetian soldier, acts as the play's villain, demonstrating that appearances can be deceiving.
- The essay delves into Iago's motivations, emphasizing the role of jealousy and hatred. His envy of Othello's success, fame, and love fuels his desire for revenge, and his racial comments are seen as expressions of these deeper emotions.
Keywords
The main keywords of this essay include racism, prejudice, discrimination, xenophobia, stereotypes, Othello, Iago, Moor, jealousy, hatred, and paradox.
- Quote paper
- Kay Adenstedt (Author), 2009, Shakespeare's Othello: "Racism in Othello?", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/134855
