The Impact of Racism on Shakespeare's Othello - Essay Example

Shakespeare's Othello is an interesting play that puts the issue of race at the forefront. Race is crucial to Othello's characterization and to the conflict that defines the plot. Othello is referred to as "the Moor". Venice of Italy, Othello's his adopted home, the play's chief setting, highlights Othello's difference from the other characters. Italy during that time was devoid of a cohesive national identity. It was composed of various loosely associated city-states such as Venice, Milan, Florence, and Rome. Each city-state had its own separate finances, government and its own administration. The city-state of Rome was the seat of the Pope and Catholicism. Therefore, after the Reformation, it represented an antagonistic political and religious force against Protestantism in England. At that time, Italy was the site of classical Roman history and civilization which paved the way for the "Renaissance" of European culture from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century. (Nostbakken, 2000) Differences matter. Othello was not a Venetian by birth and therefore his status is ambivalent: he both belongs and does not belong to the city of Venice. He belongs because he is Venice's military general whose main role was to defend the city from possible invaders, and he is a Christian who shared a common religion with his fellow Venetian citizens. However, he is also a real stranger from a strange country, a foreigner and an outsider. The play manifests the inherent tension which exists between the differences that set him apart and the qualities that allow him to play a respected and vital role in the city's day-to-day life. Cassio, another key character of this play, is an outsider but he is less of a stranger compared to Othello for he is a European gentleman. Cassio comes from the beautiful Italian city of Florence. Othello, in contrast comes from the unknown and misunderstood world of Africa. (Nostbakken, 2000) The courtesans of Venice were prostitutes serving an upper-class clientele. Some were wealthy and sophisticated women themselves. The women were also known for their constant jealousy, violence, and treachery. Bianca is a courtesan whose presence adds an obvious Venetian flavor to the play. Bianca's major response to Cassio's behavior towards her goes against English perceptions about courtesans as wicked women. In this play, Shakespeare presents the strong positive and negative impact of identity by exploiting many degrees of difference between various characters of the play as distinguished by their rank and status, and by their places of origin, adoption, or conquest. Shakespeare wrote this play for English audiences in the early seventeenth century and this play reflected and responded to problems, situations, and problems of the period. Hence, the play showed identities defined by differences as well as similarities. In a sense, the responses of English audiences were also influenced by their own sense of identity as a nation. Iago's character speaks for the corruption and intrigue in Venice. In the first scene, he implies the practice of political prejudice, as opposed to impartiality, by explaining that friendship gained Cassio the title of lieutenancy while Iago's attempts had failed. Iago acts as a model of self-interest rather than duty. Iago's advice to Roderigo to "put money in thy purse" exemplified the naked greed that foreigners identified with Venice's highly prosperous merchant economy. Iago is inherently revengeful, scheming, and manipulative. His dominance in the play mirrors the dark side of humanity and also the dark side of Venice. Iago is a true native of Venice and he belongs there in a way that Othello, the outsider, does not. (Nostbakken, 2000) Venetian women were perceived to be very deceptive. Desdemona was shown as a "super-subtle Venetian" and suspects practically every man and woman as being unfaithful, adulterous, or promiscuous. However, Desdemona does not fit the Venetian stereotype of infidelity and deception. She was a faithful woman. (Calderwood, 1989) The setting influences the relationship between audiences and the story enacted on stage. Venice, the backdrop for the play, is an Italian city, was markedly Catholic. It was part of Christian Europe which was very different from the non-Christian states in the Far East. Venice, was the embodiment of a key protector of Christianity from Eastern threats of Islam and an entrepot for trade and international relations from the west to the east and the south. This setting is defined by peace. Cyprus, the second important setting in the play, exists a military extension of Venice in the eastern Mediterranean. This island is defined by war rather than peace. Cyprus is one step away from England and one step closer to Islam, an alien religion. However, the island symbolizes the farthest fortress of the Christian world. Cyprus is the last stronghold guarding it from the Ottoman Empire to which Turkey belonged. The play has various historical references. The play reflected the Turkish threat to overtake Cyprus in the 1570s. The Turks were strong adversaries to Western Europe because the Ottoman Empire was a military powerhouse and because their Islamic religion was against Christianity. The English audiences and the Venetian characters within the play considered Turkey as an incomprehensible place whose citizens were hated enemies who harbored hostile intentions against the Venetians. The play also mirrored the developing relations between England and Venice. In the 1570s, England developed started fostering closer relations with Venice both as a trade competitor and as a useful commercial contact. During Elizabeth I's reign, diplomatic ties remained informal. However, when James VI of Scotland succeeded to the throne as James I of England, Venice became the first Italian city-state to which a regular English ambassador was appointed. Constant state correspondence provided engaging accounts of the city's culture and commerce. Ambassadors from Venice also began coming to England in 1603. King James the I gave the Venetians a royal welcome. Shakespeare composed Othello after James's ascent to the throne at a time when political relations had increased England's interest in Venice. Othello's color and race is highly different from the Venetian characters surrounding him. He is a Moor and he shared this color and race with the Turks. Othello's main character is black which is repeatedly emphasized throughout the play and would need to be played out through black masks or makeup used on stage. This play showed the history of racial prejudice and conflict that has developed from the seventeenth century to the present. Due to his race, Othello's character was extremely controversial. The marked degrees of difference between Venetians and Turks, Europeans and Moors, Christians and Muslims are shown in the play. The complex and shifting attitudes of English people in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries towards the other nations, races, and religions make up a rich context from which to approach this Shakespearean tragedy. These are some of the historical circumstances which were prevalent during Othello's time. In 1554, the African trade brought the first black men to England. In 1558, Queen Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England. In 1571, the famous Battle of Lepanto took place between the Turks and the Holy League. The Turks were defeated in October 7. In 1589, George Peele writes The Battle of Alcazar, a play with a black villain. In the 1600, ambassadors from Morocco visit England for six months. In 1601, Elizabeth I issues her first proclamation against the blacks in England. (Jones, 2005) Venice had a good reputation for its justice, peace, and good government. However, it was also known for the decadence of its pleasures, particularly its sexual liberties. As a whole, Italy was perceived as a place of classical learning, history, and art. It also showcases contemporary refinement, wealth, and economic power. The English had traveled to Venice to discover its sites, to study and to trade. (Jones, 2005) The rash dispute between Brabantio and Othello which interrupts the council meeting reflects the view of Venice as having an unbiased, and severe justice system. No council decisions are made until they hear from each affected party. Brabantio was as a respected Senator. Othello was an accused outsider and a strong military figure. Desdemona was a young woman who was under her father's authority and supervision. Brabantio the Duke, and Othello both appealed to both the severity and impartiality of the law. (Nostbakken, 2000). When Othello requests Desdemona as his witness, he says, If you do find me foul in her report, The trust, the office, I do hold of you Not only take away, but let your sentence Even fall upon my life. (Othello, 1.3. 117 - 120 ) When the council finds that no actual crime has been committed, Brabantio accepts the cause of the public good over his own personal grievance. Act 1 of Othello shows Venice as an organized and just society. This play also shows that order prevails over chaos, and harmony over dissent. (Nostbakken, 2000) Shakespeare's play, Othello, mirrors the racism which was prevalent in the setting, the individual characters of the play, the development of the play and its historical references to the period. References: Calderwood, James. 1989. The Properties of Othello. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press. Hall, Joan Lord. Othello: A Guide to the Play. Westport CT: Greenwood Press. 1999. Jones, Nicholas. 2005. A Bogus Hero: Welles's Othello and the Construction of Race. Shakespeare Bulletin. Volume: 23. Issue: 1. Nostbakken, Faith. 2000. Understanding Othello: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Page Number: 27 Read More