Othello Racial Identity Paper

Racial Identity and Power Dynamics: Exploring the Significance of Othello's
Blackness in Shakespeare's "Othello"
Introduction
Shakespeare's decision to make Othello, the tragic hero of his play, a Black man stands out in
Elizabethan literature. Written at a time when race and racial stereotypes were pervasive, "Othello"
captures complex themes of race, identity, and power. This decision was both radical and revealing,
as it used racial identity to highlight tensions in society and to examine profound aspects of the
human condition. Through Othello's blackness, Shakespeare introduces a critical lens on how racial
difference influences perception, relationships, and social hierarchy, ultimately shaping the tragedy
of Othello's downfall.
Elizabethan England and Perceptions of Race
In Elizabethan England, encounters with people from Africa and the Middle East were increasing
due to burgeoning trade routes and travel. Yet, Black individuals remained marginalized and were
often seen through stereotypical lenses. This society frequently viewed Blackness with suspicion or
associated it with exoticism, otherness, and inferiority. By making Othello a Moor-a term often used
to refer to Muslims or people of African descent-Shakespeare situates him as an outsider in
Venetian society. This external perspective allows the play to address how difference is constructed
and exploited within the social and political hierarchy.
Power and Alienation
One reason for Shakespeare's choice of a Black protagonist may lie in the way it heightens the
sense of alienation and vulnerability that defines Othello's journey. Although a respected military
general, Othello is still treated as an outsider. His Blackness compounds his otherness, making his
loyalty and achievements remarkable but precarious in a society that can turn against him at any
moment. This racial distinction, therefore, provides a unique foundation for exploring themes of
alienation, especially when compounded by Iago's manipulations. Iago's exploitation of Othello's
insecurities about his identity taps into the deeply ingrained anxieties surrounding belonging, love,
and acceptance that people of color faced in predominantly white societies.
Blackness and the Theme of Jealousy
Othello's blackness is not just a surface trait but is essential to the theme of jealousy that underpins
the tragedy. Iago capitalizes on Othello's insecurities by fueling the notion that he is not an equal
partner to Desdemona, partly because of his racial background. Iago's suggestion that
Desdemona's love for Othello is unnatural or inexplicable reflects society's tendency to view
interracial relationships with suspicion. Othello's jealousy and self-doubt are magnified by his
awareness that his racial identity sets him apart, making him feel that he may indeed be unworthy of
Desdemona's love and fidelity. This internal conflict drives the tragedy and underscores how racial
difference becomes weaponized within intimate relationships.
The Moor as a Symbol of the Exotic and the Dangerous
Othello's Blackness also serves as a symbolic marker of the exotic and the dangerous, two
concepts that fascinated and unsettled Elizabethan audiences. By portraying Othello as an "exotic"
figure, Shakespeare plays with the fascination that many Europeans held for those considered
foreign or different. However, Othello's exoticism also carries a darker connotation: his eventual
descent into jealousy and violence reflects the stereotypes that Elizabethans held about people of
color. This descent confirms the worst fears of those around him and reinforces their prejudices,
even though the audience is aware that these traits have been skillfully manipulated by Iago. Thus,
Othello's blackness enables Shakespeare to criticize these racial biases subtly while also
demonstrating how such biases can become self-fulfilling when they are internalized.
Racial Conflict and Identity in Renaissance Drama
Shakespeare's depiction of a Black protagonist engaged with Renaissance concerns over identity
and cultural conflict. "Othello" reflects a period in which Europe was encountering different races,
religions, and cultures. The character of Othello serves as a conduit through which Shakespeare
interrogates European fears and curiosities about those they deemed as "others." By creating a
sympathetic yet flawed Black character, Shakespeare expands the boundaries of tragedy. Othello's
identity as a Moor encapsulates tensions between Christian and non-Christian, European and
foreign, civilized and uncivilized-all of which were prominent cultural binaries at the time.
Shakespeare's choice, therefore, is more than aesthetic; it is also cultural and political, raising
questions about the inclusivity and integrity of European society.
The Tragic Hero as the Racial "Other"
The concept of the tragic hero is crucial in understanding Shakespeare's choice to make Othello
Black. Typically, the tragic hero is of noble standing, facing a downfall due to personal flaws or
external forces. Othello's race and status as a Moor not only heighten his nobility-since he has risen
to prominence despite societal prejudices-but also make him vulnerable to downfall precisely
because of these external societal pressures. Othello's nobility and Blackness thus make his
tragedy distinct, exploring a societal critique beyond personal flaws by focusing on systemic racial
biases. His unique position as a Black tragic hero exposes the intersection of personal ambition and
societal limitations, a reflection on how society's perception can shape an individual's fate.
Shakespeare's Social Critique Through Racial Representation
By casting Othello as a Black man, Shakespeare delivers a critique of the Venetian society that
mirrors Elizabethan attitudes. Through Othello's interactions with characters like Desdemona, Iago,
and Brabantio, the play examines how racial prejudice functions as a subtle yet potent social force.
Shakespeare does not necessarily portray all Venetians as overtly racist but rather emphasizes how
racial bias can lie dormant, ready to be exploited. Brabantio's discomfort with his daughter's choice
and Iago's inflammatory rhetoric reveal how deeply embedded racial biases are within society, even
when unspoken. In this way, Othello's race is central to Shakespeare's critique, underscoring the
destructive power of prejudice.
Conclusion
In choosing to make Othello Black, Shakespeare defied conventional Elizabethan ideas of the tragic
hero and challenged societal norms about race, love, and identity. Through the character of Othello,
Shakespeare exposes the limitations and tensions of a society that cannot fully accept or integrate
the "other" despite celebrating their accomplishments. Othello's racial identity amplifies the tragedy,
as his insecurities are both personal and socially imposed, making his eventual downfall not just a
personal loss but a societal critique. His Blackness is, therefore, more than a characteristic; it is a
central element that shapes his fate and unveils the latent biases of his society, making "Othello" a
play that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences in its exploration of racial identity and
social justice.

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Racial Identity and Power Dynamics: Exploring the Significance of Othello's

Blackness in Shakespeare's "Othello"

Elizabethan England and Perceptions of Race

to refer to Muslims or people of African descent-Shakespeare situates him as an outsider in

and exploited within the social and political hierarchy.

Power and Alienation

alienation, especially when compounded by Iago's manipulations. Iago's exploitation of Othello's

and acceptance that people of color faced in predominantly white societies.

Blackness and the Theme of Jealousy

difference becomes weaponized within intimate relationships.

The Moor as a Symbol of the Exotic and the Dangerous

questions about the inclusivity and integrity of European society.

The Tragic Hero as the Racial "Other"

Shakespeare's Social Critique Through Racial Representation

destructive power of prejudice.

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