Race in Othello

Race in Othello

1. what were the intentions of Shakespeare on Othello's moor type?

   • 'Tawny Moor'
     • The Duke reassures Brantantio that his "son in law is more fair than black" although this could be read metaphorically. All the terms referred to him being black could just mean he is dark complexioned. Shakespeare's models could have been the presence of the barbary coast.
   • 'The Black Moor'
     • Roderigo in the play refers to Othello as "thick-lips" and Iago describes him as "an old black ram" This suggests that he was in fact a black moor however some critics argue that these are just hyperbole for a man slightly darker than a venetian.

2. "Blackness"

   • By catergorizing the colour black as dirty,evil,doomed and a sin it persuades the westerns thoughts in a racist discourse that was further fueled by the insisance with Africa.
     • Iago
       • "...you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse..." this quote links othello to being an animal suggesting that he is sub-human.
       • "I am the one, sir, that comes to tell you that your daughter and the moor are now making the beast with two backs." This quote again highlights Iago's lack of respect for his general as he does not use his name but refers to him as a "Moor". Also, this could imply that they are pursuing the next step after marriage, which is a baby: "the beast". Then further stating "two backs" which represents that they are of two different races.
     • Brabantio
       • " She, in spite of nature, of years, of country, credits, everything, to fall in love with what she fear'd to looked on! It is a judgement maim'd and most imperfect That will confess perfection so could err Against all rules of nature," The father feels very strongly towards this marriage and thinks that it is against nature in all ways and is doomed from the beginning.

3. Race and ideology

   • In Othello, Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio all share a common racist opinion and Iago exploits this.
   • Brabantio's daughter, desdemona clearly does not inherit this ideology of racism.
   • The duke is interesting as he looks past othellos race and gives him a chance to talk and actually sides with him over Brabantio. Shakespeare creates a world where the importance of race is challenged.
   • Othello was only first played by a black man in 1833, it was not until the 20 th century that it was considered compulsory for a black man to play this role.