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Analysis And Discussion Of Racism In Othello
Racism is usually defined as prejudice or discrimination directed against someone of a different race based on such a belief ("Racism"). It is someone who is prejudice and discriminates someone because of their race, ethnicity. One saying is, "Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and hopefully, we shall overcome it" (Rosa Parks).
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In William Shakespeare’s Othello, racism is certainly featured throughout the play. Othello was written some time between 1600 and 1605. In a time were ethnic minorities were so unimportant that they were almost ignored, a black man rises and has a position of a general in Venice, and is well respected and trusted by his caucasian leaders.
However, when Othello marries Desdemona, the young and beautiful caucasian girl, and daughter of Senator Brabantio everything changes, the racism of the 17th century world begins to take place. Iago becomes jealous when Cassio is chosen to be Othello’s personal assistant. As revenge for what Othello has done, Iago decides to use Othello’s marriage against him. Iago raises Brabantio from his bed, and shocks Brabentio saying, “Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst, you have lost half your 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: Arise, I say”(A1,S1,L112-17). We can assume that Iago is not subtle. The words that he states show us that other races in Venice are treated differently. They are even related to animals and the devil in disguise. We can also confirm that racism is in the atmosphere after Brabantio’s reaction.
Brabantio displays this racist atmosphere when he confronts Othello on the marriage situation and demands Othello to tell him where his daughter is, “ Damn'd 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 happy,
So opposite to marriage that she shunn'd/
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom.
Of such a thing as thou”(A1,S2,L63-71)
When Brabantio discovered that Desdemona wasn’t forced and willingly married Othello, he had a suspicion. In other words, Brabantio believed that Othello had used witchcraft on her. This is racist because Brabantio is stating that it impossible for his daughter to fall in love with a Moor, unless he used some sort of witchcraft because a black man has nothing to give to a caucasian woman – even a noble soldier such as Othello.
Brabantio would rather have his daughter unmarried than be with a black man. He believes that the Duke will agree with him when he asks him to rule on the legality of the marriage, “Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,
Or any of my brothers of the state,
Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own; For if such actions may have passage free,
Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be”(A1,S2,L96-100). This is another presentation of racism; Brabantio believes that the Duke will side with him because they are both caucasian and Othello is black.
The meaning of his speech is that other races will be accepted while they are useful, and while they remember where they belong and stick to it. Marrying Desdemona a beautiful caucasian girl, whom every man would want, was rising above his supposed rank.
The Duke of Venice obviously believed Brabantio’s tale, however Othello was saved because the Turks were attacking Cyprus and he was needed. Secondly, Desdemona persuades the council that she married Othello because she loved him, and he did not use witchcraft on her.
In the Elizabethan times, it was believed that the errors in the characters were reflected by their outer appearance. However the Duke tells Brabantio that his daughter is safe if Othello is her husband. The Duke says, “and, noble signior,
If virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black”(A1, S3,L291-93). When the Duke says this, Racism is in the atmosphere because the Duke is implying that Othello is not like all the other moors, Othello is honourable.
The demonstration of Racism in Othello is displayed throughout the whole play, however primarily in Act 1. Iago’s decision to destroy Othello is not specifically based on colour, but the fact that he believes the promotion in the military more. (However throughout the play the word Moor)
While racism indeed is demonstrated in Othello, it has nothing to do with the tragic outcomes in the play. On the contrary, Shakespeare has displayed Othello as a good black man who was driven to do horrible things by a caucasian man. Shakespeare’s point is that appearance is no indicator of the person beneath the skin. Like they say, “don’t judge a person by their colour”.
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Connections To The Real World
Sometimes I wonder why racism continues today. Not much has changed since Elizabethan Times when it comes to Racism. This is because this concept is timeless. In the modern world, Racism is portrayed in many forms through movies and television, music industries, advertising, etc without us noticing.
Movies and television:
Movies and television continuously manipulate race in their productions. The characteristics of the visuals from media have influenced us to believe that some certain groups are defined by certain looks and behaviors. Even though that it’s not based on all the people in the group, the understanding by the audience is that the stereotype is true and believable. We always believe what we see, and never question if this is right or wrong and if we do we're considered to be the outsider. A example is that “blacks are associated with drugs and crimes, Latinos with illegal immigration, Natives with alcoholism and tribal conflicts, and Arabs with terrorist acts.” More often stars that are black are leading in gangster movies where crimes, shootings, and drugs take place. Examples are Menace to society, Boyz in da Hood, New jersey drive. Asians play the roles where they usually are fighting in ninja style, such as Rush hour, Shanghai Noon, and The one.
Music industries:
Racism is also present in music industry. Racist lyrics are present and promoted in today’s music, especially rap music and this is unfortunate. Some rap music debases caucasian people, same as what they have done to the black people. This looks like they want revenge for what the caucasians have done to the Blacks. One example of this is the rapper by the name Ice Cube. Ice Cube Promotes the killing of white people. Many black artists that promote racism and racist ideas are LL Cool J, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Dr. Dre, Method Man, Coolio. All of these black artists through the music industries use their music to promote racism and racist ideas.
Advertising:
Advertising is another part of the media that promotes racism. We all know that the goal for advertising is to make a profit by selling the product, service or idea. So, if the product is geared for a certain group/race, that group /race will be represented in the advertisement. Advertisers make eye-catching visuals to capture the consumers. The advertiser, usually send a message that relate to the actual lifestyle of their audiences. For example, cigarette companies tend to focus on specific targets. Research has shown they end to focus on targets such as blue-collar women, ambitious Hispanics or urban blacks. In many more ways, advertising continues to be a promoter of racism.
This is one of the movies, where black people are leading in gangster movies where crimes, shootings, and drugs take place.
This is one of the movies, where Asians play the roles where they usually are fighting in ninja style
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Connections To Myself And My Personal Response
Connections to self:
Racism had an affect on everyone’s life at a certain point. For example, Arabs are usually categorized under a stereotype that “Arabs are Terrorists” (especially Muslims). So, one time I was a forth grader playing at school having fun and it was time to go home. I was sitting on the bus and some 5 year old boy walks up to me and questioned me if I was hiding bombs under my headscarf. I believe this happened because racism in the media portrays Arabs in that type of image (being a terrorist).
Another time was when I was in 6th grade, and same thing happened as before but I boy started asking questions like are you bald, and many other questions about terrorism because thats what the media portrays.
Personal Response:
Overall, I think that the play Othello is well written and well constructed. Shakespeare is an amazing writer, the concept of having the good guy as a black person and the evil guy as a caucasian person is very clever and meaningful. Without making the full story based on racism towards black people because in the Elizabethan time they were racist towards black people. While reading Othello I was so keen on figure out what was going to happen next, if something huge based on racism was going to occur. After reading the play, I came to the conclusion that nothing has really changed from Elizabethan Time, racism is still occurring however its hidden from the eye, its usually the meaning behind the situation. It’s actually occurring, we just have to focus and have an open mind!
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