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Black and White in Shakespeare's Othello

            In Shakespeare's "Othello," a central theme focuses on the contrast between the colors black and white, literally and metaphorically. Both colors (shades) associates itself with a character and their specific personality traits. Black is generally considered more sinister and dirty whereas white represents innocence and purity. Shakespeare isn't afraid to hold back and exploit the complexity of the terms black and white within Othello. Racial overtones are explicitly made throughout the novel. The complex and confusing values of black and white are used to reinforce the clash between horrible tribal-like behavior and angelic lawfulness. .
             The proverbial black sheep, the black and burning pit of hell, and black devils serve to designate black as morally foul. There is this assumption that the dark color goes hand in hand with grime and filth and the darkening of one's compassion. Shakespeare further stresses the evil and corruptive nature that is associated with black by writing that "Even now, now, very now an old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe" (Othello 1.1.89-90). This evokes the stereotype that black men have this hyper-sexuality that tends to be animal-like along with brute force they use against their victims. The offensive comment is said to manipulate Brabantio's fear of miscegenation because anything interracial is considered to be taboo and a curse. Essentially, black men are conjured up to be devils and it does not help when they are linked to the ominous black bird of evil omen: "As doth the raven o'er the infected house / Boding to all!" (4.1.21-22). The color black is filled with a negative charge that hints at racist notions. The infected house mentioned is an intentional demoralization of the society that black men inhabit solely because they live in it. This form of negativity is disguised as self-deprecation by Othello, who gradually becomes enveloped in darkness, and diminishes the bright light he was once surrounded by.


Essays Related to Black and White in Shakespeare's Othello

1. Shades of Black (Othello) race interpretation Shakespeare

Othello is described as "black" rather than "brown" by many of the characters in the play. This could be a symbolic technique employed by Shakespeare rather than a specific trait of Othello's. ... It is possible that Shakespeare's use of the word black could have simply been a literary tool within the character of Othello. ... In any case, to say that something is, for instance, blacker than white or hotter than cold is not very specific or telling. ... But in conclusion, I do not feel that Shakespeare necessarily prescribed the depth of blackness necessary. ...

  • Word Count: 553
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Is Shakespeare's characterisation of Othello Racist

Othello Many people believe that in Othello, by William Shakespeare, the main character, Othello, is depicted in a racist way by the author. ... Then there's the characterization of Othello from Shakespeare; by this I mean that Shakespeare speaks of Othello directly through the characters that display a lack of bias, Desdemona, the Duke, etc. ... They also exhibit their racism by using phrases like "thick lips" (1-1, line 71), "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe" (1-1, line 97), and "your daughter covered with a Barbary horse" (1-1, line 125). ... One main argument of someone...

  • Word Count: 670
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Racism In Othello

Shakespeare created Othello who is a protagonist as a black man. ... Shakespeare portrayed Othello as a commander in the army of Venice and he is the husband of Desdemona who is white and wealthy woman. ... Besides, Shakespeare creates a romantic relationship between black and white (Othello & Desdemona) but most people think that their relationship is wrong. ... As a result, Shakespeare wrote Othello, about a romantic relationship between black and white which was later destroyed. ... That is to say, according to Shakespeare black or white everyone can love each other freely. ...

  • Word Count: 1299
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Shakespeare

The crux of Shakespeare's Othello is the tragic fall from grace of valiant Othello' and the rippling destruction that occurs as a result of Othello's psychological decay. ... Shakespeare presents all of these elements spectacularly in Othello. ... In this sense, Shakespeare challenges Elizabethan ideologies and presents Othello as humanly equal if not superior to all the white characters. ... By seemingly complimenting Othello and saying that his qualities are of a white person, the Duke depersonalizes people of black skin, insinuating that they are not equally human and it is...

  • Word Count: 1812
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. The Tragedy Of Othello

Until this time, the actor in this role either was black, or was a white playing in blackface, and there seemed to be no doubt as to the fact that Othello was indeed supposed to be a black man. ... Many seemed to believe that Shakespeare could not have meant for Othello to be black at all, but simply a darker skinned white man. ... It was performed on Broadway more than any other Shakespeare play before or since, and was the first staging of Othello to have a black actor kissing and murdering a white actress. ... Webster chose Robeson purposely, a dark-skinned black man, wanting it to be ve...

  • Word Count: 1708
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Magic And Othello

Black versus white, good versus evil, these themes are provided to the reader by a deceitful Iago. ... Shakespeare uses the references as an aside. ... Shakespeare makes a theme of racism between Iago and Othello and other characters in the play. Brabanzio can't bring himself to believe that his wife so pure and white could be in love with Othello who is black the color of evil. ... Shakespeare brought amusement with these subjects to the stage. ...

  • Word Count: 883
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Othello Vs. Aaron Race In Shakespeare

Aaron Shakespeare used the idea of a person being black to great effect in two of his plays. ... Also his being black contributed to this by making Othello feel different wherever he went in an all white world. ... His blackness is not so much a character trait than it is a vehicle for Shakespeare to quickly let his audience know that Othello does not fit in. The second character that was created by Shakespeare as a black man was Aaron. ... Shakespeare used the color black in two of his play's for very different characters. ...

  • Word Count: 1913
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Othello vs. Aaron race in Shakespeare

Aaron Shakespeare used the idea of a person being black to great effect in two of his plays. ... Also his being black contributed to this by making Othello feel different wherever he went in an all white world. ... His blackness is not so much a character trait than it is a vehicle for Shakespeare to quickly let his audience know that Othello does not fit in. The second character that was created by Shakespeare as a black man was Aaron. ... Shakespeare used the color black in two of his play's for very different characters. ...

  • Word Count: 1882
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Othello and Elizabethan Values

Shakespeare's tragedy Othello demonstrates this, reflecting Elizabethan values which are still relevant in today's society. ... Shakespeare further showcases the supremacy of honour, by challenging the stereotype that white is good and black is evil. Othello, a black man, is unexpectedly characterised as righteous by Desdemona, "I saw Othello's visage in his mind, and to his honour and his valiant parts", illustrating the influence of honour to even triumph societal values of the time. ... Shakespeare's Othello allows insight into the Elizabethan values that are s...

  • Word Count: 878
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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