Context Of Race In Shakespeare's Othello

Melissa Tejada

Professor Phil Mirabelli

English 226

April 21, 2017

Context of Race in Othello Individuals express themselves through racism for many different reasons. Whether they’re afraid of them, envious, or see a power that may resound from that person they simply can’t stand. Therefore, when no flaw is seen to be used against them, they result in using their skin color to express these emotions. Our character, Othello, from Shakespeare’s “Othello” has such a power, and an envious life that caused certain individuals to act out against him. Iago being one of these. He convinced our protagonist that he must act upon those who supposedly harbor racist feelings towards him; like his colleague Cassio. It is through these poisonous words

He left from his country to be free from any of those kinds of responsibilities. Though he has similar obligations in his title, being in this position is something he chose. He serves those he chose to serve. He promotes the face that he can chose the course of his life when he says “But I love the gentle Desdemona I would not my unhoused free condition put into circumscription for the sea’s worth.” (1.2.25-28). What he’s explaining to Iago is that if not for anyone other than Desdemona, he would have chosen to remain free; single. The reason I bring these insights up is that, it brings contradiction to what a lot of the play displays. Showing Othello to be “less than” in many occasions by certain individuals on occasion. This however, shows that despite his skin color, he has options to choose from. He can make his own decisions, a position that he placed himself in because of his character, and noble way of being. That in a European-white society, he is still able to reach a high

He says that “my parts, my title and my perfect soul/shall manifest my rightly” (1.2.33-34). Othello is sure that he won’t be judged because of his race. He maintains this confidence when Iago tells him Desdemona is cheating on him because he’s darker than her, and Othello responds “Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw/ the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt/ for she had eyes, and chose me.” (3.3.193-195). Yet he also contradicts himself saying, “and yet, how nature weeing from itself…” (3.3.233), proving that even Othello sees it strange that Desdemona chose someone outside of her race. Iago takes advantage of this moment to say, “Her will/ recoiling to her better judgement/may fall to match you with her country forms/ and happily repent.” (3.3.242-244). Saying that Desdemona regrets her marriage to a moor. Now Othello thinks less of himself because of his skin color, and for this very same reason, now believes that Desdemona is unfaithful to him because of this insecurity. The moment Othello kills Desdemona, those who used to look up to him, now use his race against him, since they see no other explanation to why he would commit such a crime. Emilia, for instance, calls him a “blacker devil” (5.2.145). Although it was in mention to the fact that Desdemona was innocent, and noble in defending him even in her murder. The phrase itself is what is seen more as a racist phrase, as it refers