The Importance Of Race In Shakespeare's Othello

Although some try to avoid it, most people’s opinions of others are sadly regarded based on race. These ethnic groups cause people to think of others as superior or inferior to them, sometimes becoming so extreme that people start to doubt themselves. These ideas are incorporated in Shakespeare’s play, Othello, a tragedy about a black war general named Othello, who is often referred to by many racial names, such as “the Moor.” He has recently married a young woman named Desdemona, a character completely opposite in race and status. Their relationship causes much outrage, especially from Desdemona’s father, Brabantio. However, Othello soon faces more trouble after Venetians named Iago and Roderigo conspire together to ruin Desdemona and Othello’s

Some people, due to their minority, receive less privilege and have a significant effect on others as it causes people to make snide remarks about their race. Othello is a representation of the minority races, for similar to the oppression of many black lives today, Othello’s foreignness from another country defines himself as an outsider that receives less trust and respect from the people around him. Although Othello was considered different in the beginning by not committing actions black men were expected to do, he succumbs to this racial pressure in the end by becoming the barbarous and savage man everyone expected him to be, by killing Desdemona. Through this, Shakespeare displays the impact of race, and how it can immensely affect the minds and opinions of others, as racism cannot be avoided. Although some try to ignore Othello’s race, such as Desdemona, this is ultimately not possible as each character, even Desdemona, makes reference to race by calling Othello “the Moor” at least once. Shakespeare therefore makes it plain that racism is inevitable, despite people’s attempts to resist it, showing how the race of one’s self must be accepted in order to avoid the same chaos like Othello. This acceptance of race is seen today, especially in the activist movement of “Black Lives Matter,” where many accept their race and protest against the discrimination and violence against black