In Othello Shakespeare explores the nature of social prejudice. How far does your reading of the play support this view?

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‘In Othello Shakespeare explores the nature of social prejudice’. How far does your reading of the play support this view?

Although Shakespeare does display the unusual trait of empathy towards society’s ‘outcasts’; most of society at that time was plagued by ‘social prejudice’. However, prejudice in itself is a loose term for it simply refers to bigotry. Thus, it provides a rather extensive category to examine, for instance, in ‘Othello’ racism is the most prevalent form of prejudice, yet misogyny and intellectual prejudice is also apparent. Instead, it’s the ‘social’ aspect of the phrase that narrows the focus down a little as now it is apparent that the prejudice is not confined to any particular person, the problem being of course, that the only way for Shakespeare to portray such prejudices is through the medium of individuals.

Those with a higher status within society are generally perceived to be those who are the most cautious with their views, yet Brabantio demonstrates no notion of restraint when Othello ‘enchants’ Desdemona and marries her. In fact, Brabantio’s prejudices are conveyed in quite a brazen and passionate manner as he contrasts the “thief” of Othello with the “delicate youth” of Desdemona. Through this contrasting imagery, Shakespeare highlights that Brabantio believes Othello to be at fault and given rational mind, Desdemona would never have opted for marriage. This is quite an emphatic demonstration of racism, as Brabantio clearly believes that Othello stole Desdemona as opposed to Desdemona mutually agreeing to the marriage, a concept that is further emphasised by the constant references to the “chains of magic” that were used be Othello to capture his victim. In Shakespearian times, it was feared that Africans held the power of black magic and had the ability to manipulate the world around them, therefore Shakespeare here just utilises a common stereotype to engage the audience (at that time) with Brabantio’s viewpoint. Brabantio even goes as far as labelling Othello as an “abuser of the world” thus implicating him with crimes beyond what he has apparently committed towards his daughter. This perception is of course, completely irrational and perhaps fuelled slightly by the abruptness of the marriage, although that is not really an excuse given the fact that Brabantio, “loved me [Othello], oft invited me”, which shows that Brabantio has no qualms with Othello’s personality, meaning that the only true reasoning behind his abhorrence towards the marriage is the colour of Othello’s skin.

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However, Brabantio takes the racism one step beyond the realms of stereotypical racism, he actually denounces Othello’s status in full:

“Of such a thing as thou”

Brabantio goes from despising the values that Othello’s skin colour stands for, to not even perceiving Othello as human. Whilst Desdemona is placed on a pedestal as a “maid so tender, fair, and happy”, Othello is no longer recognised as being in the same world as Desdemona. Instead, by being dehumanised, Othello is released of all the characteristics present in a human and thus, capable of even greater evil. This of ...

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