One of the major issues in Shakespeare's Othello is the impact of the race of the main character, Othello. His skin color is non-white, usually portrayed as African. Othello is referred to by his name only seventeen times in the play. He is referred to as "The Moor" fifty-eight times. Webster's Dictionary states that a Moor is "Any individual of the swarthy races of Africa or Asia which have adopted the Mohammedan religion." This indicates that Othello is constantly being degraded and set up as an evil person throughout the play. What this really means is that Othello is being judged by his skin color rather than the content of his heart.
There are many references in the play to indicate that Othello was dark colored. The first image we, as a reader, are given of Othello is that of a black ram having sexual relations with Desdemona. Iago's line reads "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe" (1.1.88-90). Later on in the play, there are many other references to Othello's color and race. Desdemona's father, Brabantio, is appalled to learn that his daughter is having a relationship with a "sooty bosom" (2.3.27). Emilia refers to Othello as a black devil (5.2.132). This scene does not suggest that Emilia is racist in any way. She most likely was angry with Othello because he had just killed his innocent bride. However someone's interpretation could be that she is suggesting that Othello is evil because he is black. Othello even calls himself black (3.3.265). Iago also specifically says that Othello is black (2.3.27). Shakespeare's use of the word black, however, could merely mean non-white in general. Roderigo's comment that he has "thick lips" indicates that he is of African descent (1.1.67). Using the modern understanding of these references, Othello would most likely be portrayed as an African on modern stage. It is interesting to examine whether Iago and other support characters see Othello as a "noble lord" or a "black devil.
