Racism In Othello

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Othello is relevant to the modern world and its cultures through the characters behaviors and beliefs towards certain groups of people, such as women and people of color. People of the current era are expected to believe in the equality of all people and not in a hierarchy-like system which puts white, Christian, men on the top, while people of color are on the bottom. However during the 16th century, people thought the opposite; women were treated as property and people of color were often slaves or treated poorly. People of modern times see foreigners as someone along the lines of a refugee or someone looking for a better life, while people of the Elizabethan period saw foreigners as savages. After the time of colonizing America, most …show more content…
Additionally, women during this era were treated as property, for example they were expected to be married off to benefit their families. As well as being treated as property, women were often treated unfairly within many communities, such as with Christian areas. In many areas in which Christianity influenced, women were still not forgiven for Eve’s betrayal, subsequently causing much of the female population to not be trusted and viewed as villainous. This view is prominent with ‘Othello’s character Iago. This can be proven with much of his dialogue, for example his statement that a woman’s actions are “merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will”. However, in modern times, most women have freedom to marry whomever, to work, and to vote. Although uncommon, women in current times are still treated poorly, abuse and treatments such as forced marriage, rape, and attacks unfortunately still happen within countries such as India, Peru, Turkey, Sudan, and most of the Middle East. In conclusion, the play ‘Othello’ has changed how people of modern times see past societies. People during the Elizabethan era had tended to see foreigners in a different light than people of the 21st century. Although, in general, racism has barely changed, but it is less violent. Similarly, women are still treated worse than men, however women are now given more freedom in their
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