Othello: Racism (Wilson's Assignment)

Racism is a very prevalent theme in Othello; in which many of the events and conflicts in Othello are centred in it.

Throughout the play, we can see that Othello has been placed in a society setting where racism is so prevalent where the white are considered as more superior and the blacks being marginalized as the more inferior and savage race. Even in throughout the play, Othello is often addressed as the Moor rather than his own name, which reflects upon a great degree of Othering.

“Iago: Even 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”
(Othello, Act 1 Scene 1, line 88-91)

From here as well one can already see how Othello has been distinguished by his skin colour, and how he was related to the devil as if he has any blood ties with the devil himself - which is obviously a very degrading relation to be made on any human being in relation to his or her race.

This quoted part of the play has also reflects on the “holier than thou” mentality of the White majority towards Othello, and of their perception that they are more “godly” because of their white skin and Othello is “related to the devil” because his skin is black even though Othello is a Christian and believes in the same God just like the rest of them (Which ironically in the Bible, it was written in Colossians chapter 3 verse 11 in the New International Version that “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”, which literally, irrefutably, and directly mean that there should be no distinction or discriminations between believers).

And in addition to the accusation to being related to the devil, Othello is also being accused by Brabantio for witchcraft which is demonic by origin in the Christian belief, which is also shown in the next quoted passage of the play:

“Brabantio: O thou foul thief, where has thou stow’d my daughter?
Damn’d as thou art, thou has enchanted her,
For I’ll refer me to all things of sense,
(If she 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? to fear, not to delight.”
(Othello, Act 1 Scene 2, Line 62-65)

Apart from the race-related accusations, Line 62-65 also reveals the perception of Brabantio that he thinks that it is unthinkable for his daughter to elope with Othello out of love or free will because of the blackness of his skin. Barbantio’s perception is also enforced in a clearer manner in Line 220-234 in Act 2 and Line 232-244 in Act 3:

“Iago: Lay thy fingers thus, and let thy soul be instructed: mark me, with what violence she first lov’d the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies; and will she love him still for prating? let not the discreet heart think so. Her eyes must be fed, and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be again to inflame it, and give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners and beauties; all which the Moor is defective in: now, for want of these requir’d conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abus’d, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor, very nature will instruct her to it, and compel her to some second choice.”
(Othello, Act 2 Scene 1 Line 220-234)

Iago: Ay, there’s the point: as, to be bold with you,
Not to affect many proposed matches,
Of her own clime, complexion and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends;
Fie, we may smell in such a will most rank,
Foul disproportion; thoughts unnatural.
But pardon me: I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear
Her will, recoiling to her better judgement,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And happily repent.

Othello: Farewell, if more
Thou dost perceive, let me know, set on
Thy wife to observe; leave me, Iago.”
(Othello, Act 3 Scene 3, Line 232-244)

The quoted passages reveals a concept of “nature” and “innateness” which the society in Othello believes in, where a white woman like Desdemona would never fall in love with a black man just like Othello because such is her innate nature. And with this concept of “innateness” also comes in the idea of beauty, status, manners, sexual attraction and even social standard as being racially innate as well - and from all these one can also implicate that the Whites think that they are innately and by nature more superior than the Blacks which in Othello, is represented by Othello himself. And with this mentality being injected into Othello from such a social environment, one must understand Othello’s feelings of internal inferiority and insecurity that comes as a result of being there - and it is also the same feeling of inferiority that has caused his marriage to crumble; for it is from this feeling of inferiority complex that his jealousy drew its strength from it which in turn was planted by the mentality of the society that surrounds him.

“…Haply, for I am black,
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declin’d”
(Othello, Act 3 Scene 3, Line 267-269)
“O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour in the dungeon,
Than keep a corner in a thing I love,
For other’s uses:
(Othello, Act 3 Line 3, 272-276)

Even though he has converted into Christianity which promotes equality regardless of race and backgrounds, the influence of racism is so strong in the society that it is deemed as relevant and acceptable by all - even by Othello himself. The racism that was existent in the society of Othello was the main causes to the tragedy that befalls Othello in the end, not Iago’s insinuation. Any one who is harbouring feelings of hatred or racial sentiments could have taken over his role with ease in the play, but this fatal concept of racism in the settings of Othello will always end up becoming the greatest villain that Othello can never overcome as long as the idea of racism remains unchallenged in that society.