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Introduction

During an era known as Elizabethan, it is vital to note that Europeans had not yet embraced the concept of race as it was later known. ‘Black’ in Elizabethan English could be used to describe any complex appearance from Sub-Sahara African to Suinsaunbed Northern European. Pale skin during this era was seen as attractive and conventional especially when it comes to women. Yet, Shakespeare in his writing makes fun of this appearance. In the Elizabethan era, individuals tend to associate darkness and blackness with evil spirits and for this reason, it was not surprising to showcase devils using a black skin. In the narrative, Shakespeare is referring to this belief as a racial stereotype as soon as Aaron, his character (Titus Andronicus), comes out clearly that his villainous actions will make his souls as black as face. However, it is vital to note that the western Europeans did have some reservations and prejudices towards Moors sine they were dark-skinned. They were mostly encountered in the Middle East and Africa. In this case, there were an extensive level of prejudice towards Moors or Muslims like Othello and Aaron. For extended number of years, most missionary countries in Europe had engaged in conflict with Islam powers of Middle East, Turkey and Africa and this two civilisations is known to have forged a high level of military threat to each other during this Elizabethan era. Some scholars were forced to make some publications on some of these issues. For instance, Johannes Leo African in the year 1550 who is a Christian who had transformed from Moorish wrote a book known as A geographical History of Africa. In this book, he tried to explain some of his experiences in he region and listed the characteristics that make African people unique. His deceptions of Africans are natural since he tends to explain both the positive and negative side of these people. Yet, some of his descriptions were stereotypical and whenever a European writer translated this book, his explanations were made more negative. The most prominent character in Shakespeares Othello demonstrates some of the attributes associated with Moors. Iago tends to exploit the jealously and credulousness of Othello who ends up suspecting Desdemonia of adultery. As a result, Iago exploits the tendency of the Moors to get angry which culminates in making Otthelo murdering his wife. Moors are vulnerable beings as evidenced by the falling sickness that was the reason why Othello suffered from Epilepsy. The portrayal of Moors possessed an effect effective of the Elizabethan era it was something that was dramatised during this era. In most instances, Moors, and other Muslims were seen as outsiders, infidel’s barbarian, and violent individuals. Simultaneously, they were also seen as one of the dangerous individuals to European countries especially after the growth of the Ottoman Empire. The Collaboration of Queen Elizabeth and Sultan Muradd11 who was the leader of the Ottoman Empire welcomed a new era of policies, communication and cultural exchange. For this reason, any writings during this period and imagination have received their influence from stories and tales narrated about Moors and their behaviour. Traders, politicians, captives and travellers told the stories. Besides, the Elizabethan individuals kept on keeping a medieval distorted image of the Moors in every playwriting as their character. However, in Shakespeares writing, he potrayed a controversial image of the Moors who decided to change their religion from Muslims to Christianity. The origin of Moors commences with the story of Muhhammad, as it is showcases in different English literatures in the Middle Ages. It is a narrative of a slow emergence of a robust historical being from a grotesque thick mist and a fantastic legend. The narrative remained unhanged into the Renaissance period and beyond. One reason why Muhhammad remained a legendary figure for an extended period was partly because of the hostile stereotypes and prejudices of Christians towards Moors and Muslims as an alien religion. Apparently, his belief was reinforced by the crusaders memory and the ever present threat and fear of the ever expanding Turkish Empire during the sixteenth century. The English viewed Moors as a threat to their religion and Shakespeares emphasises that they were frighted by the conversion of Moors. The Moors were known by ethic names that accompanied religious connotation.

Iago is a perfect fit of describing a Machiavellian villain. By looking at most of Iago’s scenes, there is high level of racism and hate towards the Moors. First, he is very jealous of the position that is currently held by Othello because he constantly reminds everyone how he should be the one in charge. Moreover, he also insists that Othello being a Moor should not have Desdemonia because of she come from a white race. As such, this is where his animalist character towards Othello starts coming into play especially considering that the play takes place in an Elizabethan era where individuals with colour were seen as inferior, intelligently and morally. By describing Othello as a beast with two backs highly suggests Iagos view on his racial position in the society an issue that hurts him because he is his follower. In simple terms, he simply wants Othello to get out of the position to ensure that the hierarchy of the White Individuals is back in power. Iago manages to deceive most characters in the play by attempting to display an honest facade. He is able to ensure that these individuals around him trust him. Since no one sees him as a deceiving man, he manages to manipulate everyone. Just like most Europeans, he exerts power and control over others so as to fulfil his objectives and goals of destroying Casio and demeaning Othello and his reputation. Rodrigo’s passion, his foolishnesses and love for Desdemonia coupled with his trusting nuance assist Iago to succeed in his evil plan of hurting Othello. The Moors who are known to heavily depend on he advice of others is one of the reasons why Iago manages to manipulate and hurt Othello. Iago hates Moors and believes that they are angry and they depend heavily on what others advice them. The Moors are also known to be credulous and jealous something that assists Iago to make Othello start believing that discrimination is real. He uses the love between Desdemonia and Othello to manipulate them. In this case, Othello uses Moors weak spots to fulfil his revenge on Othello. Moors are known to be totally devoted individuals and the obsession of winning Desdemonia back helped Iago to exploit this weak point.

People get involved with discrimination for various reasons such as desire for power, envy, fear or the need to dissociate themselves from others. In the process, they can lean on an individuals skin colour to showcase their dislike. Othello in the play is a widely respected and happily married person in the Venetian army despite the colour of his skin. During the early stages of the play, Othelo as an individual is yet to experience discrimination. Yet, Iago plays an instrumental role in enlightening othello on issues of discrimination. Iago manages to ruin Othellos marriage by revealing the existence of racist Ideas to othello and convincing him that he must set up stringent strategies against those people that are having racist-fuelled resentment. However, his claim comes to pass through his manipulation coupled with a few other members of the society. As the play comes to an end, it is widely seen that the members of the society use the colour of his skin to tun against him that also makes him believe that racism indeed exists. Being an African prince both in a royalty and a privileged family, he fled from r his luxurious life to a European country to remain free from innate royalty obligations. In other works, in his new land, he believes that his only responsibility is the Venetians he was chosen to serve. Apparently, at the beginning of the play, it is imperative to note that even in his new land, he still experiences freedom since he can relieve himself of his duties at any time. Othello delights in his newfound freedom and his skin colour has not curbed his progress in realising his status in the society. Although his achievements brought him success and admirations of the people around him, it also brought in jealousy and hatred from a few resentful individuals such as Rodrigo and Iago. Iago starts developing hatred towards him as soon as he appoints Casio as his lieutenant. He plots revenge against him by trying to manipulate Rodrigo who has feelings for Desdemona. Rodrigo expresses his hatred towards Othello by ranting some Racial slurs towards him. Together, Iago and Rodrigo plans to end Othello’s marriage by ensuring that Brabantio, Desdemona’s father believes that she was kidnapped. They manage turning Brabantio against him as soon as they bring up a topic of race when Iago mentions that “An Old black man is having an affair with your white ewe”. With this phrase Rodrigo and Iago hints to him that their future children will be half-breeds which will make him a ridicule of the community. Believing that such issues would endanger his leadership position as a senator, he accuses Othello of bewitching and kidnapping his daughter in an effort meant to retain his status and power in the society. Othello defends himself by pointing out that previously, Brabantio had love for him and even invited him. With this statement, Othello indicated that his father in law was not a racist until when Iago manipulated him and that made him believe that it was in his best interest politically to engage in discriminative acts. Desdemonia supports his husband and acquits him of any wrong doings. The Duke also defends othello by stating that he is fair than black. Brabantio offers supports to his defence by indicating that the Duke should not put so much significance to the Skin Colour of othello but on his behaviour and the nature of his deeds.

Othello commences to actually believe that some of the racial aspects exist. At the beginning, he is unaware of the existence of racism and does not harbour any racism thoughts. He believes that his title, parts and perfect soul would manifest him in the right way. At the beginning He does not believe that any racial thoughts or racial slurs could establish his guilt. Additionally, these thoughts of universal equality works against the claims Iago made that his wife Desdemona is cheating on him because of the colour of his skin. Othello declares in confidence that she chose him because she had eyes. Yet deep down, he believes that Desdemona has an inherent nature of having feelings for men from her race. Through this doubt, Iago enters and manipulates him by telling him that Desdemona compares him with other men from Venice and regrets marrying him. As soon as he remains alone, he keeps thinking that if indeed Desdomona is cheating on him, he would cast her out. Yet, as he brings thinks about his race and how different he is, Othelo shouts at Desdemona and uses her, as a scapegoat for his anger and self-loathing. He does not only criticise his wife for neither her behaviour nor her sins, he assumes that his race-related weaknesses were the reason why Desdemona chose to have an affair with another man. As a result, this thought is an indicator that Othello is indeed starting to believe that racism exists. He is starting to hate his wife because he thinks hat she engaged in infidelity because of his race. He believes that casting her out is not enough. He intends to loathe her because he assumes that her discrimination and cheating has caused him feel inferior and much pain. As Iago continues to manipulate him with supposed infidelity of his wife, he is further enraged with jealously and anger. As soon she murders Desdemona, those who admired and respected him have no choice but to use his race to question his character and explain his misdeeds.

In conclusion, othello was living an exemplary life free of any racial aspects except for those individuals who resented and envied him or had fear that their powers would be sabotaged. The few individuals such as Rodrigo and Iago capitalised on his race as an avenue of destroying him. For the other members of the society, he was seen as a virtuous and noble general and this implies that they gave no attention to the colour of his skin. Yet, as soon as Othello committed atrocious deeds due o his uncontrolled jealously and anger, the individuals who respected and admired him turned against him not by judging is behaviour, but by focussing on his distinguishing racial characteristics.