changing perspectives on Othello

Depending on cultural differences and upbringing a text will have different impacts on the audience. Like any great piece of literature, William Shakespeare’s plays deal with timeless concerns that have the ability to be adapted and presented to remain relevant for modern audiences. Shakespeare’s Othello is a Jacobean play written in a time of racist attitudes towards foreigners and sexist attitudes to women. This revenge tragedy follows the protagonist Othello, a black army general who is manipulated by his ensign Iago. For me the way that race and colour is presented in contrast to the stereotypical portrayal highlights the prejudice apparent in not only the Jacobean society but our own as well. This is portrayed through Iago’s racist depiction of Othello and the opposing imagery of black and white. The play can also be viewed as having a strong feminist theme. The two heroines are portrayed as capable and steadfast individuals. Both women are the only characters that remain justified throughout in their loyalty to their husbands.

My interest in Othello is drawn to the way that race and colour is presented. Shakespeare was revolutionary in his casting of a black man to be the tragic hero and a white man to be the villain. In Jacobean society and even in many societies tody, the audience would of expected to see a black man as the felon. The setting in Cyprus is dramatically significant as it is isolated in the wild frontiers of war. Away from the structured society of Venice social norms and hierarchy are not relevant allowing Shakespeare to place a Moor in a position of authority. This daring theme of a black man in power has remained controversial ever since and it wasn’t until 1833 that a black man actually played the part. The issue of mixed race relationships was especially an issue in segregated America up until the twentieth century with Othello being played with blackface till 1940. The unnatural war setting also enables Iago’s passion to be unmasked,