The Racial Identity of The Moor in Othello

Shakespeare’s Othello remains one of the most complex and intriguing plays in the Western canon of literature. One of the central figures of the play is the titular character, Othello, a general in the Venetian army who has also been identified as a Moor. Othello’s racial identity has often been a point of contention among scholars and critics, as it raises complex issues about race relations, identity formation, and cultural hybridity in Renaissance Europe. In this essay, I will explore some of the different interpretations of Othello’s racial identity and how they can help us to understand the play’s broader themes.

To begin with, it is important to clarify what we mean by the term “Moor” in the context of Othello. In Shakespearean times, “Moor” referred to people of predominantly Arab or Berber descent who had come to live in North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. The Moors had a strong cultural and historical presence in Europe, especially in Spain, which was ruled by Muslim dynasties for several centuries. In Othello, however, the term “Moor” is used somewhat more broadly to refer to someone who is of African descent. Othello is described by other characters as being “black” or “dark” in complexion, and his physical appearance is often contrasted with the fair-skinned Venetians who surround him.

In many ways, Othello’s racial identity is central to the play’s plot and themes. On one hand, Othello’s status as a black man in a predominantly white society makes him a vulnerable and marginalized figure. He is often subjected to racist slurs and accusations of being savage or barbarous, even though he is a highly respected and accomplished military leader. On the other hand, Othello’s identity as a Moor also speaks to his cultural and linguistic hybridity. Unlike the other characters in the play, who are all Venetians or Europeans, Othello has lived a life of travel and adventure in various parts of the world. He speaks several languages and has experienced many different cultural traditions, which makes him both a fascinating and an enigmatic figure to those around him.

One of the most prominent interpretations of Othello’s racial identity is that it represents a kind of “otherness” that is viewed with suspicion and fear by the white characters in the play. Several critics have argued that Othello’s blackness is meant to emphasize his outsider status, and to underscore how his status as a racial minority makes him vulnerable to manipulation and deception. For example, Iago, Othello’s main antagonist, uses Othello’s race and cultural as a way to play on his insecurities and plant seeds of doubt in his mind. Iago suggests that Desdemona, Othello’s wife, is cheating on him with Cassio, a white Venetian, and plants the idea that Othello’s blackness is a major factor in why Desdemona might find him unappealing or unattractive.

Other critics, however, have argued that Othello’s racial identity represents a kind of hybridity or cultural synthesis that is actually a strength, rather than a weakness. They note that Othello’s experiences of travel and cultural exchange have given him a unique perspective on the world, and that his ability to navigate different cultural contexts makes him a wise and empathetic figure. These critics argue that Othello’s status as a Moor represents a kind of global perspective that is sorely lacking among the other characters in the play. Othello’s racial identity, they suggest, is what allows him to ultimately see through Iago’s deception and bring the play to its tragic conclusion.

In conclusion, Othello’s racial identity is an important and complex element of the play that has inspired much debate and discussion among scholars and critics. Whether we view Othello’s race as a source of vulnerability or of strength, it is clear that his status as a black man in Renaissance Europe raises important questions about race, identity, and culture that remain relevant to this day. By exploring the different ways that Othello’s racial identity has been interpreted, we can gain a deeper understanding of both the play itself and of the broader historical and cultural context in which it was written.