The Antagonistic Racial Prejudice in Othello

In his plays, Shakespeare, has had the foresight to explore themes relevant to our modern world. In fact, he primarily focusses on the theme of racism in Venice, where ‘Othello’ is set. Shakespeare seems to convey to the audience that the tragedy of ‘Othello’ is rooted in racial tensions within Venetian society. During Shakespearean time, much like the rest of Europe, Venice was very insular and unaccepting of other races. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that racism was ingrained in Shakespeare’s depiction of Venetian society. Moreover, Shakespeare’s perception of Moors is implicitly based on the tale of Africanus. Africanus, like Othello, was a Moor who had been taken in by Western society and converted to Christianity. He had written a detailed description on the African community based on his exploration and adventures on the continent. It has often been argued that Shakespeare was inspired by the tale of Africanus, hence based Othello’s character on such a concept.

Othello is undoubtedly a victim of racial bias and abuse within Venetian society, which results in his downfall. Shakespeare highlights that while in a high position, Othello experienced racial abuse from many in the community. Iago persistently abuses Othello behind his back, referring to him as an ‘old black ram’ (Act 1, Scene 1) when attempting to rouse Brabantio into realising his daughter had left him. Iago’s racist abuse shows that Venetian society accepted racial abuse and as they were inherently prejudiced against Moors. Furthermore, Brabantio’s racially charged description of Othello, ‘sooty bosom of a thing such as thou’ (Act 1, Scene 2) proves the racist attitudes prevalent at the time. Indeed, Brabantio’s comments, could have also positioned Othello to feel he was truly a less worthy member of Venetian society. Such a feeling would likely have given rise to deep seated insecurities and deflated self-worth. which are some of the degrading characteristics displayed by Othello later in the text. Brabantio also illustrates a common perception of Moors amongst Venetians, that Moors were animalistic beings. While Shakespeare portrays Othello as a noble man at the beginning of the play, but as the play progresses, he depicts Othello’s reversion to his natural animalistic nature. Othello has many epileptic fits throughout the play, ‘My lord is fall’n into an epilepsy’ (Act 4, Scene 1), which highlight his reversion to his supposedly ‘natural’ state. The common theatrical convention at the time was to display Moors as violent animals. The convention was popularised by George Peele, in his play ‘Battle of Alcazar’. He famously depicted an African king as bloodthirsty and throughout the script associated ‘Moor’ with barbarism. Shakespeare himself followed such a convention in his earlier play ‘Titus Adronicus’, where the principal antagonist is a bloodthirsty Moor. Such a theatrical convention indicates that during Shakespearean times, it was commonly believed that Moors were barbaric and animalistic. Even though Shakespeare seems to be making a forward-thinking statement by casting a Moor as his protagonist, in his portrayal of Othello, he still reverts to the racist norms of his society.

Shakespeare indicates that the perception of Moors within Venetian society contributed to the tragedy of Othello. Shakespeare consistently depicts members of the Venetian society as undermining the tenacity shown by Othello and Desdemona in their love for each other. In fact, Iago profits on such racist beliefs in his manipulation of Roderigo. Despite his firm belief that Othello’s relationship with Desdemona was a loving one, he expertly manipulates Roderigo into paying him money by playing upon the widely held belief that interracial marriage was untenable, thereby raising Roderigo’s hopes that he will regain Desdemona’s love. He even juxtaposes the nature of the couple through his description of Othello as an ‘erring barbarian’ (Act 1, Scene 3), while describing Desdemona as a ‘super subtle Venetian’ (Act 1, Scene 3). Such a cunning tactic highlights the fundamental belief in racial superiority within Venetian society. Indeed, such a belief often resulted in the display of subtle racial prejudice towards Othello, which made the environment in which he lived highly hostile. Lodvico is also shown to display such subtle racial prejudice when questioning the Moor’s mental stability during his fall from grace, ‘Are his wits safe. Is he not light of brain?’ (Act 4, Scene 1). Lodvico seems to be questioning Othello’s mental faculties not based solely upon his actions, but also on his Moorish descent, as he implies that he is mentally incapable. Through such depictions of Venetian society, Shakespeare suggests that societal harmony is improbable in a multicultural society. He insinuates at racial superiority, as shown in his depiction of Othello, which indicates that assimilation between two different racial groups is not possible. Such sentiments are highly relevant even in our modern society, as there are many who suggest that those of other cultures cannot integrate into our own Australian society.

These campaigners are often outwardly prejudiced against other cultures, suggesting they are unable to integrate into the Australian way of life, due to the values they hold from their birth countries. Shakespeare’s depiction of the racial challenges within Venetian society support such a line of thinking. However, Shakespeare’s writings are a product of his times, therefore his depictions were based on the assumptions that those of different castes and creeds were not created equal. Such racist attitudes have progressively been rejected by our society, which has resulted in relatively successful integration of immigrants of other races over the past forty years or so. The racial prejudice and abuse towards Othello play a major role in the tragedy of the play.

Moreover, Othello’s lack of knowledge and understanding of Venetian social interaction results in his downfall. Shakespeare portrays Othello as having little knowledge of Venetian social customs, which Iago uses much to his advantage. Othello admits he has little knowledge of Venetian society and confesses as much to Venetian leadership: ‘And little of this great world can I speak, more than pertains to feats of broils and battle’ (Act 1, Scene 3). Such an admission highlights Othello’s lack of general understanding of Venetian social customs. Therefore, Iago often positions himself as Othello’s social advisor, interpreting the actions of other characters for Othello. He justifies his initial suggestion of Desdemona’s infidelity by basing it on his own credibility when dealing with social matters: ‘I know our country disposition well’ (Act 3, Scene 3). Iago’s manipulation is highly contingent upon Othello’s lack of knowledge of Venetian social customs. Iago’s initial suggestions of an affair were all the more effective as Othello did not understand the normalcy for close relations between men and women in Venice. Iago wryly suggests as much when he say, ‘I will gyve thee in thin own courtship’ (Act 2, Scene 1). Othello respects Iago’s counsel on social matters and trusts his advice, ‘And knows all the qualities, with a learned spirit in human dealings’ (Act 3, Scene 3).

Othello’s lack of understanding of Venetian society is based solely upon his racial heritage. He is largely an outsider to Venetian society who is not integrated into the aristocratic social hierarchy within Venice. While he is a respected military commander, he is not believed to be an equal, as has been discussed earlier. He was not brought up in the Venetian society as many of the play’s other characters had, therefore he lacks the basic understanding one learns as a part of life in their community. Othello’s difficulty in assimilating into Venetian society has parallels with many immigrants in today’s world. Many first-generation migrants struggle to integrate into Australian society or form meaningful relationships with Australians from different cultural backgrounds. My parents, who are first generation migrants, took a significant amount of time to integrate within Australian society. There were many significant differences between my parent’s cultural norms and Australian way of life, hence it took them time to reconcile the two. Shakespeare depicts a similar dichotomy in Othello. While in Venetian society, men and women often have close relations outside of marriage, Othello is paranoid at the mere sight of Desdemona supporting Cassio. Iago exploits such a cultural difference when portraying Desdemona’s support of Cassio as representing an affair, ‘And by how much he strives to do him good, she shall undo her credit with the Moor’ (Act 2, Scene 3). Moreover, Othello was well aware of the notorious culture of prostitution in Venice, which further exacerbates his fears of Desdemona’s infidelity. Venice was known for sexual infidelity and prostitution. Their famous courtesans were included in many accounts of the city, such as the accounts of the journey of Thomas Croyat, a British traveller. Othello consistently refers to Desdemona as a ‘strumpet’ and ‘whore’ after learning of her alleged infidelity, which implies he is acutely aware of prostitution within Venice. Othello’s awareness of prostitution in Venice prompts him to believe Iago’s assertions of Desdemona’s infidelity, as it was often thought outside of Venice that infidelity was common within the city. Othello’s poor understanding of Venetian society clearly plays a role in his demise.

Finally, Othello’s insecurity over his race plays a significant role in the tragedy of the play. Othello displays deep insecurity over his race, particularly when considering whether he is worthy of Desdemona’s affection: ‘Haply for I am black and … am declined to the vale of years’ (Act 3, Scene 3). Othello’s insecurity leaves him vulnerable to Iago’s suggestions of Desdemona’s infidelity, as he believes his race encouraged Desdemona to have an affair with a white man. Othello was likely influenced by the widespread sentiments that his relationship with Desdemona was untenable. As many of those around him thought it was likely Desdemona would lose her affection for him, he too adopted that commonly held belief. His insecurity is displayed in a variety of ways. He is quite possessive of Desdemona, ‘I had rather be a toad and live upon the vapor of a dungeon than keep a corner in the thing I love for others’ uses’ (Act 3, Scene 3), which is likely a result of his insecurity over whether she truly loved him. Moreover, Othello becomes increasingly jealous of Cassio as the play progresses. Cassio represents much of what Othello wishes to be; he is a white man who is well accepted within Venetian society. Othello wishes to be respected by his peers in the Venetian leadership, as shown in his display of respect towards them, ‘Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, my very noble and approved good masters’ (Act 1, Scene 3). Therefore, as he learns of Cassio’s alleged relationship with Desdemona, he is consumed with jealousy and rage and fails to think clearly for the rest of the play. As a result, he fails to evaluate the evidence Iago presents, instead choosing to fantasise about Cassio’s murder, ‘I would have him nine years a-killing’ (Act 4, Scene 1). Shakespeare suggests that one’s racial identity is a key part of their self-worth. He portrays Othello as a vulnerable man who is confused about his place in society, as on the one hand he is a respected soldier, but on the other he is racially vilified. Shakespeare highlights that if one cannot reconcile their racial identity with their place in society, they will continue to question themselves and others, a truly untenable position. The racially persecuted landscape results in Othello’s insecurity, playing a large role in his downfall.

Ultimately, the tragedy of Othello has much do to with the protagonist’s race. Othello is a victim of severe racial abuse from Venetian society. Moreover, Othello’s unique upbringing resulted in his lack of knowledge of Venetian society. Finally, Othello’s insecurity over his racial identity plays a dramatic role in his downfall.

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