Was Racism Intended in the Play Othello?

Question: Was racism intended in the play Othello?

Some critics believe that there is an issue of race in the play Othello. This issue of race is against the main character in the play, Othello, a brave lieutenant. For example, at the end of Act 1 Scene 3 during Iago’s soliloquy, he specifically said: “I hate the Moor”. A “Moor” indicates a black person from an ethnic group in Italy. Iago didn’t call Othello by his name or rank but by his race. By saying he “hates the Moor” it also means he hates the whole race, not only Othello. They think that it’s crucial in the play that the audience notice Iago is racist because may be, just may be this is the main reason why Iago dislike Othello so much.

On the other hand, other critics may not agree with above argument. They think the fact that Iago called Othello a “Moor” is not important because the other characters in the play called Othello a “Moor” as well. For instance, in Act 1 Scene 1 during Roderigo and Barbantio conversation they both address Othello as “the Moor”. In Act 1 Scene 3, the Senator called Othello a “brave Moor” to praise him for his skills in battle. Furthermore, in the same scene Desdemona also uses the phrase “the Moor” to refer to Othello. Desdemona loves Othello; she would do anything for him. She even volunteers to come to Cyprus to accompany her husband despite the dangers and certainly she has no reasons to be racist to her husband.

In my own opinion, I personally think that the issue of race only becomes important in modern times and it has no relevance in its original context. The Moor is simply just another way the rest of the characters in the play call Othello.