Racism is one of the most important topics covered in Shakespeare's play "Othello". The primary character of the play, which is set in the Venetian Republic, is Othello, a black man who has earned the rank of general in the Venetian army. Othello ultimately dies as a result of the racial discrimination and persecution he experiences throughout the play. The complex and nuanced portrayal of racism in "Othello" takes into account both the racial issues of Shakespeare's day and contemporary issues with race and identity that are still relevant today.
In William Shakespeare's play Othello, the other characters' perceptions of Othello are significantly influenced by his nationality. Among the characters who are prejudiced towards Othello because
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Othello is painfully conscious of his outsider position as a black man in a world where white people predominate. The remarks and attitudes of people around him serve as continuous reminders of his peculiarity. Othello confesses his racial vulnerability in Act I, Scene II, calling himself a "old black ram" and referring to himself as such. Due to his insecurities, Iago may exploit Othello's dread of being rejected and shunned as a tool to manipulate him into turning on his wife and closest supporters.
Another way in which Othello's perceived shortcomings are linked to his race is through his jealousy. Desdemona is Othello's wife, and he loves her dearly, but because to his fears and Iago's scheming, he believes she has been unfaithful. Othello's jealousy is influenced by his ethnicity, which makes him feel less desirable and less able to cling to his wife's love than a white man could. The drama ultimately comes to a catastrophic finish because of his unreasonable and violent actions motivated by his
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They contend that Othello is prone to the schemes of the other characters because of his outsider status in the play's predominately white society. These analysts contend that Othello's skin color has a significant bearing on the social commentary of the play, which emphasizes the problem of racial prejudice and discrimination in early modern England.
However, other scholars minimize the relevance of Othello's race, contending that the play is more interested in other themes like jealousy and treachery. They contend that although though Othello's race is discussed frequently throughout the play, it is not the primary subject of the work and has no bearing on the motivations and actions of the characters.
Despite these divergent viewpoints, many critics agree that racial concerns in Othello are significant. They contend that Shakespeare's representation of Othello as a black man is essential in this context because it highlights how early modern England's cultural background, which was marked by racial prejudice and discrimination, is reflected in the play. They also point out that Othello's race contributes to his feeling of alienation and loneliness and that many people of color experience similar things in cultures where they are