Racism is a major theme in most plays, with Blacks being treated as inferior while, on the other hand, the Whites are portrayed as superior. However, the major goal of artistic works is to represent the issues in society. Thus the major goal of bringing racism into play is due to its impact on society, as shown in Shakespeare’s Othello. Although Othello shares the same religious practices and values as the other fighters, he is black and everyone refers to him as the ‘moor’ instead of calling him by his name. Despite the name being demeaning, it is disrespectful he is their leader and deserves respect and proper recognition. In Othello, Shakespeare brings the theme of racism best through Iago, who often criticizes Othello for being Black.
Iago presents Blacks as devilish while addressing Brabantio due to Othello’s intimate relationship with Desdemona. Iago says, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise! Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire of you (Shakespeare 1.1.97-101)” Historically, especially in the sixteenth century, the devil was being presented as a Black while righteousness or godliness as White which is manifested well in this play. Iago here wants to show that Blacks are different from whites and are linked with devilish actions, and thus, Othello’s intentions for Desdemona are not good. Despite being a Christian, Iago calls Othello a devil to depict the evil in him. Since everyone believes that he is evil, Brabantio accuses him of wooing Desdemona through the use of witchcraft due to the information he gets from Iago.
Furthermore, Iago discourages inter-racial marriages regarding the intention of Desdemona to marry Othello. Iago says, “Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural— But pardon me” (Shakespeare 3.3.268-278). Iago perceives that it is unnatural for a white woman to marry a Black man. Historically, interracial marriages between whites and Blacks or other inferior races were discouraged because it was believed that they would give birth to children of lower status.
Another instance of racism occurs when Iago uses animal symbolism in his tirades against Othello. The utterances emanate from the notion that blacks are inhuman and cannot behave appropriately. During this episode, Brabantio opposes Iago’s accusations of Desdemona eloping in the middle of the night. Iago describes Othello’s house as Grange, a derogatory term for a farmhouse and claims that if Desdemona keeps sleeping around with Othello, she will give birth to children that neigh (Shakespeare 1.1.120-125). Comparing Desdemona’s children with horses shows Iago’s hatred against the blacks because he views them as meaningless creatures.
Brabantio also insists that Othello enchanted Desdemona with charms, leading to her falling in love with him. He observes that the woman “Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight! Judge me the world, if ’tis not gross in sense That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms” (Shakespeare 1.2. 90-94). Describing Othello’s bosom as sooty is disrespectful and a way of saying that he is dark and unlovable. Since Othello is the only black-skinned person in the play, he is exposed to high levels of discrimination and prejudice. The characters also connect the issue of race with sexual norms and marriage. In the past, individuals viewed interracial marriages as a violation of the set social rules
In conclusion, Iago brings out the theme of racism significantly well, specifically in addressing Othello and his relationship with Desdemona. Individually, he dictates almost everything about what others should do, including Othello, Desdemona, and her father. On the other hand, Othello lacks confidence and is not proud of his origin. The ultimate act of killing Desdemona confirms the racist stereotype that black people are violent and should be feared. However, Iago’s character generally represented how the Whites perceived Blacks and the issue of inter-racial marriages.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. “Othello:[1622].” Oxford Text Archive Core Collection (1991).
write