Presentation of race and colour in \'Othello\' PDF

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Presentation of Race and Colour in ‘Othello’ General ideas and comments about race and colour

Critical readings/ arguments from critics

Why did Shakespeare include a Moorish hero at all?

Salgado – argues that Othello’s “blackness does not raise problems about racial harmony” but is a reminder of the “strangeness and individual quality of Desdemona’s choice.”

● Perhaps it is to highlight Othello’s good character (at least at the start). He’s good and nobles despite all he’s gone through. For example, he talks of “Of being taken by the insolent foe, / And sold to slavery…” (p47). ● Maybe Shakespeare is presenting a fable, in which the characters are supposed to look past racial boundaries. ● Race is only an issue in the play because certain characters made it so (e.g. Brabantio.) ● He did not appeared bothered about comments regarding race at the beginning of the play. ● It only becomes an issue towards the end, when he loses confidence in himself, after which he allows racial comments to get to him and he becomes a fool. Although Desdemona never regrets her marriage and refuses to accept that their love is tainted because of his race, she stills comments that she “saw Othello’s visage in his mind.” (p51) ● This holds conflicting ideas. ● Could be considered racist – she has to actively and consciously ignore his race in order to see his “visage” or soul. Race was at least once a barrier that she had to overcome. o If the person who loves him had to look past his race to accept him, it will inevitable be an issue for others. o Said at the beginning of the play – perhaps foreshadows that race will cause a downfall. ● Could be considered very accepting, especially

(These are just critical readings, they aren’t necessarily here to support my claims.)

● In Elizabethan and Jacobean times, women had little power, yet Desdemona still defies social expectations, despite being restricted by her gender. ● She’s headstrong – sees Othello’s personality. ● However, this is also arguably her downfall – this headstrong and wilful trait makes him not trust her. o Was happy to defy social norms and cultural expectation once, so perhaps she would do it again and cheat on Othello.

Salgado – when Brabantio was “forced to consider him in a more intimate relationship, he is trapped in the cultural stereotype.” ● The society/people of Venice are not necessarily directly racist, as people respect Othello in a professional context. They admire him for what he’s achieved and how far he’s risen in society. However, they don’t want to welcome him into their homes and personal lives. ● On the other hand – no one, not even Brabantio after some convincing, actually tried to stop or break up the marriage. They’re still tolerant, if not accepting.

for the 16th/17th century. Shows her headstrong nature, as she won’t let race stop her.

The Duke to Brabantio – “your son in law is far more fair than black.”

Salgado – few in Venetian society can “see the man within the soldier”

● Ironic – this is an outwardly racist comment which pleads for racial tolerance concerning Othello. ● The Duke might be attempting to advocate equality in terms of what was acceptable and understood at the time. ● To be considered ‘normal’, one had to be white. ● However, the Duke needs Othello to lead the army. Might only be pleading for tolerance because he needs Othello.

For example, the Duke only defends him because he needs Othello’s help in defeating the Turks.

Many of the characters who mention race/are bothered by it are ones we do not trust anyway, e.g. Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio, especially in relation to the marriage.

Loomba – “black-skinned people were usually typed as godless, bestial, and hideous, fit only to be saved by Christians.”

“Sooty bosom”, “the thicklips”, “old black ram is tupping your white ewe” and Brabantio saying Othello must have used witchcraft to win his daughter. ● These are in some ways an attempt to create a stereotype – we have not met Othello yet. ● “Sooty” – dirty, stains, inconvenient – as if he is saying Othello has stained Desdemona. In some ways ‘blackened’ her? ● “An old black ram is tupping your white ewe” o Animalistic imagery – dehumanises Othello for being black, and Desdemona for marrying him. o “White ewe” = young, pure, innocent image of Desdemona. o “Your” = creates a possession of Desdemona – should belong to her father still, despite marrying. ● However, these stereotypes are arguably undermined once we Othello, as his extreme

Othello is most definitely depicted as bestial. Also: “Both blacks and Muslims were regarded as fiven to unnatural sexual and domestic practices, as highly emotional and even irrational, and prone to anger and jealousy; above all, both existed outside the Christian fold.” ● Loomba has highlighted important stereotypes of black and Muslim men that existed in the Elizabethan era. ● Shakespeare has created a character that despite his noble status in society, fulfils these prejudices. Shakespeare may simply have been mirroring the views that were held at the time, not in an attempt to preach racial tolerance but to conform to society’s outlook.

eloquence and humbleness prove them wrong. Makes them look like fools, so we immediately see them in an inferior light. Why does Othello’s race become problematic in the second half of the play? ● Iago has destroyed the black/white racial harmony – they’re now in opposition, thus making race an issue. ● Othello begins to behave in such a way that feels unnatural. We know him as gentlemanly and loyal, but he begins to support these stereotypes. ● Or has Shakespeare deliberately presented his downfall to demonstrate that even the most noble of “moors” will act in this way. This reading would fit suitably to the era. Positive reading regarding race: He is depicted in a positive manner: loyalty, honour, eloquence.

Ania Loomba – “Ideologies, the play tells us, only work they are not entirely external to us. Othello is a victim of racial beliefs precisely because he becomes an agent of misogynistic ones.” ● “Ideologies… only work because they are not entirely external to us” – people have internalised the ideologies of society, including Othello regarding women, thus has done so with race.

Salgado – “It is only when Othello begins to think of himself as a ‘typical’ black man that the seeds of tragedy are sown.”

● Salgado is arguing that Othello’s downfall is ● There’s great emphasis on his dialect – he’s caused by a loss of uniqueness and the more eloquent and seemingly intelligent than consequential conforming to society’s those around him – illicit respect. E.g. “Most expectation of him as a black man. potent, grave, and reverend signiors, / My very ● No longer confident, Iago was able to make noble and approved good masters…” (p46) – Othello see himself as typical. He is addressing his elders in such a way that ● Therefore, Salgado is arguing that race they immediately respect him. Understands contributed to his downfall. how to win support. ● He is more noble and eloquent than his male counterparts, such as Brabantio or Roderigo. ● Audiences enjoy seeing the underdog do well. He is a fascinating hero – more dynamic and unusual, especially because of his background. ● We therefore see why Desdemona chose him and appreciate the uniqueness of her choice, especially because she had an active choice – “she had eyes and chose me” (Othello) Robert Burton, 1616 – a commentator from the time – “Southern men are more hot, lascivious and jealous, than such as live in the North: they can hardly contain themselves in hotter climates,

but are the most subject to prodigious lusts.” Arguing that black “Southern” men were more promiscuous and thus more prone to lust taking over. Perhaps, at the time, would have explained marrying Desdemona without her father’s permission, or killing her in a jealous rage....