Race And Difference In Shakespeare's Othello

The role of race and difference that’s in Shakespeare’s portrayal of Othello is significant. Throughout the play, Othello is often referred to as “the moor,” which highlights his blackness and his status as an outsider in Venetian society. Since he is considered as an outsider he is viewed with suspicion and distrust. The play also highlights the fact that Othello is a military General, which is a position that is typically reserved for white men. With all of the distrust and mistrust falling on Othello’s back, it leads to him being insecure and hard on himself in the play. Facing racism can take a heavy toll on someone, especially if you are around the ones who are portraying it frequently. Different characters in the play often express racist

Now sir, be judge yourself, Whether I in any just term am affined To love the Moor.” This shows that Iago doesn’t like Othello’s skin color and don’t want him to be military general. Iago’s racism is particularly sneaky, as he uses it to manipulate Brabantio (the father of Othello’s love of his life) and turn him against Othello. In Act 1 Scene 1 page 5, Iago says, “Your heart is burst, you have lost your half soul. 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.” This explains that Iago is waking up Brabantio to news that his daughter is sleeping with a black man and soon he will have black grandchildren. Speaking of Brabantio, Othello’s marriage to Desdemona is met with disapproval by Brabantio due to Othello’s skin color. Desdemona’s father Brabantio is outraged when he learns that his daughter has married a black man, and he accuses Othello of using witchcraft to win her over. In Act 1 Scene 2, page 4 Brabantio says, “Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her! For I’ll refer me to all things of sense, if she in chains of magic were not bound, whether a maid so tender, fair, and unhappy,