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Othello

How is race viewed by the character in Shakespeare¡¯s ¡°Othello¡±? Compare and contrast these different views. Consider the time period as opposed to the viewpoints of today. Use examples from the text.

In the play ¡®Othello¡¯ by William Shakespeare rare is a major issue. The issue of race is integral to the conflict between characters that develops throughout the play. The issue of race refers to the ways in which racial differences are exploited by the characters throughout the play. Throughout the play there are many conflicts that are created due to the difference in race. This includes the conflict between Desdemona and Othello, Iago and Othello and Roderigo and Othello.

Othello¡¯s conflict with Desdemona comes about as consequences of their racial and cultural differences. This racial distrust on behalf of Othello is instigated by Iago¡¯s cunning machinations. Iago takes advantage of Othello¡¯s naivety by suggesting that Venetian women are not loyal: ¡°In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks/ They dare not show their husband¡± (Act II scene 3 lines 202-203) The word ¡°prank¡¯ means sexual infidelity. By stereotyping Venetian women as being unfaithful, Iago is manipulating Othello in turning against Desdemona. This could only be possible as Othello is not from Venice and naively him. This illustrates how Othello and Desdemona¡¯s conflict arises from racial and cultural differences. Throughout the play Othello was named as a ¡°moor¡± for numerous of time. This shows that Othello is not being treated equally as others because he is a black man living in a white society. Othello¡¯s wife Desdemona also calls Othello a ¡°moor¡±: ¡°Due to the Moor my lord¡­. That I did love the Moor to live with him¡± (I iii 187, I iii 244) In this quote Othello is being called a moor by his closet person he can find in Venice clearly shows to us that a black man living in white society will not get equally...

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