Topic > Racism and Jealousy in Shakespeare's Othello

The Elizabethan era was the most evident period in which racial discrimination was very evident. Shakespeare's famous play, Othello, is an example of literature that shows the effects of racism. Therefore, Othello is a tragedy that deals with racial conflict rather than other plays that deal with the feeling of jealousy that comes from belonging to the opposite race, or the feeling of being marginalized due to belonging to a minority. The show shows racism that puts a limit on love and also destroys the happiness one feels in the face of prejudice from one's peers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In Othello, the protagonist is a courageous, successful African soldier who is also given the title of supreme commander of the Venetian army. Although he is only a Moor, Othello dedicates himself to the service of his society. When it comes to serving his country, Othello can be seen as a significant and physically powerful figure, respected by those around him. However, his deep-rooted insecurity about his race makes it difficult to enjoy the sacrament of holy matrimony. Othello is surrounded by his countrymen who do not wish to see the interracial couple of Othello and Desdemona. The duration of the play consists of the verbalized racism represented by the words "Moor" and "Nero", these names are not associated with anyone else in Othello which creates this division and feeling of being an outsider. At the beginning of the play, Othello's first name is not used when he is introduced, in fact he is instead called "thick lips" and "old black man". As the play develops, the audience can see Iago's growing hatred towards Othello's race. In Iago's mind a black soldier cannot be as successful as a white soldier, a black man is not worthy or deserving of marrying a white woman. When Iago hears the news of Othello and Desdemona's marriage he becomes angry, spitting racist language in response. In the Elizabethan era, marrying without the father's knowledge was unacceptable, however when it is discovered that Desdemona married a black man, this further aggravates the situation. As Othello "steals" Brabantio's daughter from him, he furiously says to Roderigo: "Oh, if I had had her!". Brabantio would have been happier with a marriage to a man he did not approve of than a marriage with a black man. Because of all the damage Othello causes, his reputation as a good soldier is destroyed. Othello's fellow soldiers were able to see his race pass in some aspects due to the respect of his killings, however when the truth about the secret marriage is revealed, the respect that Othello once had is gone. Othello is irritated by the idea of ​​being judged only by the color of his skin. Othello at one point rejects the idea that he is a Moor and instead wishes to be accepted as a fellow Venetian stating: 'It is not yet known, -That, when I know that boasting is an honor, I will promulgate- I will take my life and being far away by royal siegemen, and my demerits can speak without frills to a proud fortune like this I have achieved: it remains clear that Brabantio will never accept the marriage between Desdemona and Othello. In the eyes of Brabantio dal Moro nothing good can come of it. Othello's illusion of the good soldier is shattered because he is of another race. For him, if Othello is black, then Desdemona and her love cannot be real and are therefore questioned. Brabantio is so blinded by Othello's skin color that he believes the only way Desdemona could be in love with Othello is if she is bewitched. From this idea Brabinito proclaims: O thief,where did you hide my daughter? Damned as you are, you have enchanted her; for I will refer to all things of the sense, whether she were in chains of unbound magic, whether a maiden so tender, beautiful, and happy, so averse to marriage should be shunned. When Desdemona is given the chance to respond, the audience is spellbound as to what she really thinks of her husband's race. Desdemona admits that she is not necessarily impressed by Othello's appearance but instead is with him more in his mind replying "I saw Othello's face in his mind." Reviewing the play, it is easy to see that the root of the conflict was due to the marriage of Desdemona and Othello. Othello's greatest sin was that of having married the white Desdemona. The fault between the two is not the love and affection they share, but the fault was not taking into consideration the impact of his race. It is evident from the beginning of the play that Othello is an outcast, yet the marriage lights the flame of racism. Once the marriage is revealed, it fuels the fire of Iago's hatred even more. When the position of lieutenant goes to Othello instead of him, he becomes furious. This shift in rank is what Iago bases his revenge on. He can't stand the idea of ​​having someone he sees as inferior to him in charge. This sparks jealousy in Iago's heart and from then on his only mission is to destroy Othello. At this point, the thing that pushed Iago to carry out his plan was Othello's darkness and now considered the image of the devil. Starting from these ideals, Iago believes that the relationship between Othello and Desdemona will end soon, mostly because of him. This feeling of jealousy is linked to the film 'O', a Shakespeare adaptation filmed by Tim Blake Nelson. In Nelson's adaptation the character of Iago is played by the character Hugo. Hugo is the son of the basketball coach and throughout the film the viewer can see that his father prefers Odin to his son. This favoritism pushes Hugo to always seek the attention and approval of his father and his peers. Odin is the "symbol" black boy of the school and, ultimately, is the star of the basketball team. Hugo's true jealousy begins when Odin neglects him for a position he believes he deserves. Instead, Odin awards MVP to an underclassman, Michael. Much like Iago in the play Othello, Hugo burns with jealousy and anger at such a high level that he is willing to do anything to topple Odin from the throne and become "king" of the court. Just like in the play, Hugo uses manipulation to betray anyone who stands in the way of his revenge. The first step in Iago's revenge plan is to ally himself with Roderigo, who is undoubtedly in love with Desdemona. In his speech to Roderigo, Iago comes to the conclusion that Roderigo's feelings for Desdemona will fade and that she too will eventually grow tired of her betrothed. He supports this theory by saying that Desdemona will get tired of the Moor's stories and intelligence and that she will be content with his looks, since she didn't marry him for his looks in the first place. As previously mentioned, Iago's plans are purely motivated by his deep prejudice towards Othello. Iago believes that he will achieve his goal of ruining Othello if he can make him suspicious of his wife. Iago feels that he can only succeed because of his vigorous feeling of inferiority compared to Othello. In doing so, Othello is discarded and Iago manages to turn everyone against the Moor. Once alienated, Othello comes to the conclusion that Desdemona is betraying him, just as Iago wanted. Othello may not have confidence in his marriage due to his ethnicity and culture. Othello knows that his skin color does not match the "pure" white of his fellow white Venetians, thus creating a mistrust in his relationship because he, 55(4), 406-426.