Racism is a major theme in Shakespeare’s Othello, as the main character is a person of color. Being black triggers the tragic events surrounding Othello’s life and making up the play. The play begins with Othello’s planned elopement with a white royal woman, Desdemona. The characters’ behaviors and the plot of the play are influenced by Othello’s skin color.
Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, does not want an African man to marry his daughter, preferring a white man as a spouse. Othello’s skin color and race are the only reasons why Brabantio does not qualify him as a couple for Desdemona because he fears it would make slaves feel equal with the white Venetians. Since the entire plot revolves around the tragedies of Othello, which begin with his elopement, racial differences are at the center of the play.
Othello’s race affects how other characters, especially Iago, view and treat him. For example, Iago always refers to Othello as the Moor instead of using his name. While describing him to others, he uses demeaning terms, such as the black ram, to contrast him with Desdemona, who he calls a white ewe.
There are racial stereotypes depicted in Othello’s character, as Iago and Brabantio perceive him as inferior due to his supposedly inferior race and yet believe his race makes him a fierce soldier on the battlefield. While the latter stereotype is an advantage that has given him the prestigious title and position of a general, the former is utilized by Iago in his revenge plan.
Iago makes Othello believe that Desdemona would not love a black man as much as a white one, referring to the relationship between her and Cassio.
Othello also believes his race is inferior, and Iago’s claims get him so angry with his wife that he intends to kill her. He is enraged that Desdemona does not love him deeply because of him being a good fighter but choosing Cassio for his appearance. Othello’s expectation to be loved due to his battlefield skills rather than his personality indicates an inferiority complex linked to the racial stereotype.