The Ideology Of Racism In Othello Play

“The transatlantic slave trade led to the greatest forced migration of a human population in history” (Adi). It is estimated that nearly 25 million Africans were removed and spread throughout North America, South America, as well as Europe. This dispersal across several continents, had a far-reaching impact on the formation of the contemporary world. The transatlantic slave trade lasted over three centuries continuously wreaked havoc on the continent of Africa. This era would hinder the development of economies as a result of several factors including depopulation.

Along with the increase of Africans in Europe came the rise of the ideology of racism. Prejudice in daily life was already evident in several European countries. Before the slave trade, such animosity was mostly derived from either the distinct social classes of the period or religious hostility. However discrimination based on race had not been as apparent throughout Europe. More specifically, in England bigotry based on race became more prominent during the Elizabethan Era. This would have a profound effect on Elizabethan Literature.

Get quality help now

Marrie pro writer

Verified writer

Proficient in: Free Essays

5 (204)

“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Throughout the Elizabethan Era in England, racial discrimination was prominent and had a significant influence on William Shakespeare’s writing of Othello and racism motives.

Elizabethan England had already established distinct social classes before the slave trade. Primarily based on wealth and power, these divisions influenced how the English citizenry treated each other. The social classes began at the top with the Monarch who was Queen Elizabeth. Next came the nobility which included the wealthy, who owned large households. The third and fourth positions were occupied by the Gentry and merchants.

The Gentry class was composed of Aristocrats who had significant power and owned a smaller amount of land. The merchant class was the primary source of growth during the Elizabethan Era. This class also included traders, innkeepers, and shopkeepers. At the bottom of the social ladder were the Yeomen, servants, and peasants. The Yeoman were mainly responsible for generating crops for England. The peasants and servants were at the lowest level and had little if any rights (“Elizabethan Era Social Class Hierarchy”). In Elizabethan society, those at the top of the hierarchy likely were pampered by servants (Picardo). In Othello, we can see several examples of this. The main character, Othello, is a high ranking general has a servant named Clown. Desdemona, the wife of Othello, also had a servant who was named Emilia. These characters display the dynamics between the classes. As William Stearns Davis puts it, “Unfortunate is the man who does not have someone he can look down upon”. The upper class treated the lower ranking members of English society as their inferiors. The classifications became more complex as the amount of African residents in England increased.

The Africans in England had a peculiar relationship with the other residents of England. Africans had been residents throughout England’s history spanning as far back as the Romans. Although some were musicians and entertainers, they were primarily servants in England. The Africans in England were not regarded as slaves during the Elizabethan Era as English law forbid slaves. Throughout the tenure of Queen Elizabeth, black people relatively had freedom. There were even occasional marriages with native English citizens. Several were able to receive “costly and high-status Christian funerals”. Shakespeare was influenced by the people who surrounded him. He likely used his experiences with the black residents in England to formulate Othello’s character. England’s black population would experience a significant increase as slaves managed to escape Spanish ships. This played a role in the increased tension and discrimination that blacks in England would face. A reflection of this is evident in how Othello is treated in the play. Iago has a perverse and illogical contempt for Othello. Throughout the play Iago gives contradicting reasons for his animosity. Including not receiving a promotion to Lieutenant. The hatred had more to do with Othello’s race then his decision to promote Cassio to Lieutenant. Shakespeare used Othello’s character to defy the stereotypes that had been fostered during the time period.

The native English citizenry began to despise the rising population in England. Although some residents were able to live peacefully, the increase led people in England to believe there was a problem. They falsely believed that the increase in Africans should be perceived as disadvantageous for England. The hostility can be attributed to several key factors.