In William Shakespeare’s, Othello, racial prejudice is a common theme that can be seen throughout the play. The racial prejudice that is seen in, Othello, can be compared to racial tensions in Elizabethan England during this time. Othello is a moor, which is an African Muslim, who has fallen in love with a Venetian woman. The love between these two individuals opens up a door for conflict in the play. During this era, interracial marriage was taboo, so Othello faced many conflicts concerning his marriage to the Venetian woman, Desdemona. Similar racial tensions can be seen throughout society in Elizabethan England. In England during this time period, division concerning race was a large part of society. As the play begins, some racially
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During this time, Queen Elizabeth I reigned over England. Some say that the reign of Queen Elizabeth I marked the beginning of a racial war against Moors in England, because, “She promulgated the expulsion of the Moors of England from the land of their birth” (Don, Jaide). This caused a wave of racial division to flow throughout England. This time period of racial discrimination is portrayed by Shakespeare through the writing of, Othello. Shakespeare most likely wrote this play based upon the society he was living in. Moors were discriminated against during the Elizabethan era, similarly, Othello was discriminated against because he was married to a woman of a different race. Racial prejudice is seen as a common theme in the play, but it may not have been intentional. Although many see this play as a revelation to the racially prejudice society in Elizabethan England, it is possible that Shakespeare did not have this in mind while writing it. Othello, may have been a reflection of society in England during the 17th century, rather than a proclamation of racial injustice. Shakespeare was obviously living in discriminant society, so it is possible that he merely wrote what he saw and heard in modern
During this time, Queen Elizabeth I reigned over England. Some say that the reign of Queen Elizabeth I marked the beginning of a racial war against Moors in England, because, “She promulgated the expulsion of the Moors of England from the land of their birth” (Don, Jaide). This caused a wave of racial division to flow throughout England. This time period of racial discrimination is portrayed by Shakespeare through the writing of, Othello. Shakespeare most likely wrote this play based upon the society he was living in. Moors were discriminated against during the Elizabethan era, similarly, Othello was discriminated against because he was married to a woman of a different race. Racial prejudice is seen as a common theme in the play, but it may not have been intentional. Although many see this play as a revelation to the racially prejudice society in Elizabethan England, it is possible that Shakespeare did not have this in mind while writing it. Othello, may have been a reflection of society in England during the 17th century, rather than a proclamation of racial injustice. Shakespeare was obviously living in discriminant society, so it is possible that he merely wrote what he saw and heard in modern