The issue of racism in Othello and the problems of racial hatred in Elizabethan England.

In the 17th century, racism was an accepted part of public life; people of color were often thought of as "savage."Race is a particularly critical factor in Othello. It is impossible to read Shakespeare’s Othello without considering the issues of race, color and hegemonic ideologies as they are presented in the play. As we go through the play we see a complex relation between a black man, a white woman and the state. The crime committed by Othello can also be judged as a crime of the ‘pressure group’. But in order to understand the racial issues we should, at first, consider the Elizabethan attitude to the black people. Othello is a Moor. Othello moves from being a colonized subject existing on the terms of white Venetian society to a tragic downfall. The post-colonial reading of Othello rests with the examination of the "insider/ outsider" dynamic.  For the post-colonial thinker, the establishment of "insider" vs. "outsider" stratification only developed as a result of colonialism and in the drama, there might be a clear statement being asserted about how "the other" needs to be subjugated and controlled.

Racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Racism is defined as discrimination or prejudice directed against somebody who belongs to a different race. It is someone who discriminates someone because of their ethnicity and race. Racism is certainly featured throughout the play in William Shakespeare’s Othello. From about mid sixteenth century the English encounter with Africans began. Native West Africans had probably first appeared in London in 1554. Blacks were a very visible minority in Shakespeare’s London. Europeans considered that African men are barbaric, illiterate, and promiscuous and they are good only to be used in servitude as the white man’s property. However the Elizabethan era started in 1485, with the end of wars of the roses. It ended in 1603, and is considered to be the golden age. Other races were usually ignored in the Elizabethan era. Black people were seen as exotic creatures at first and were brought to England as people without rights. Black people gradually gained some right and were known a Moors but tension still revealed between the different races due to belief of superiority.

Racism back then was most common and brutal. It was common to single out north and west Africans out of the way they are dressed, behaved and their customs in Elizabethan England and to refer to them as devils or villains. Racism today is still happening every day. Although racism is not as common, it is just as brutal. People are attacked, judged, and neglected due to their skin colour and race. Stereotypes and racial slurs are more common due to people being desensitized.

While looking at the racial overtones of Othello we must truly evaluate the treatment of Othello as a Moor, his position is Venetian society and his marriage to Desdemona. At the beginning of Othello we see Othello as a great man who, because of his superior qualities, is the only man for a job that requires those qualities. He is not only a great soldier and leader but he is filled with good quality. Othello is mistreated due to the colour of his skin. Even though Othello is very important member of the military, he is still seen as somebody of lower class by many people.

Racism is most certainly featured throughout the play in William Shakespeare’s Othello. It was written sometime between 1600 and 1605. In that time the ethnic minorities were so unimportant that they were almost ignored. Othello a black moor rises and has a position of a general in Venice and is a well respected and trusted by his white leaders this whole thing is totally ignored. But everything changes after Othello marries the young and the beautiful Desdemona who was the daughter of senator Brabantio. When Cassio is chosen to be Othello’s personal assistant, Iago becomes jealous. Iago decides to use Othello’s marriage as revenge for what Othello done. After raising Brabantio from his bed Iago shocks him by 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).

The ‘not much subtle’ words of Iago shows us that other races in Venice are treated differently.  They are even related to the devil and animals in disguise. However, we can 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)

Brabentio believed that Othello had used witchcraft on her. This is a racist attitude because Brabantio thinks that it is impossible for his daughter to fall in love with a moor, unless he used some sort of witchcraft, this thought led us to an assumption that  a black man has nothing to give to a white 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).

Here we can find another presentation of racism; Brabantio believes that the Duke will support him because they are both white and Othello is black. The Duke of Venice believed Brabantio’s tale, but Othello was saved because the Turks were attacking Cyprus and he was needed badly. Desdemona also 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 of one’s character were reflected in the 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, L291-3).  

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 honorable.

The demonstration of Racism is displayed throughout the whole play. Iago’s decision to destroy Othello in Act 1 is not specifically based on colour, but he believes the promotion in the military more. 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 white 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”. The racial slur and insults of Iago and racist comments of Roderigo proves that there is racist sentiment within the play. The racist sentiment is confined to brabantio, roderigo and iago. The character, Othello does not lower himself to respond to these insults. The injurious racial blubbering of the whit echarcters only strengthens Othello against the stereotypes. Looking at the character of Othello through the color prejudices of early 17thcentury England further shows how Shakespeare was very progressive for his time period.