『오셀로』의 비극적 요인: 타인종에 대한 편견

Abstract

Othello is usually referred to as ‘a tragedy of jealousy.’ Since A. C. Bradley’s study on the characters, the word ‘jealousy’ has been recognized as a tragedy-causing factor in Othello. But the important thing that we never have to pass over as the tragic factor in this play is an issue related to racism. The racist insinuations are displayed by Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio who are Venetians. These Venetians hate Othello. The seeming reasons are that Othello promoted Cassio as a lieutenant, and for Roderigo and Brabantio, that he married Desdemona. But the concealed reason is that Othello is a black man. Othello tries to settle in Venitian society by marrying Desdemona, but he meets a long-rooted social convention, a prejudice against other race. Especially, the fact that black Othello married Desdemona, a white lady of Venice, makes these Venetians arouse their great indignation. Their hatred stretches into racial attacks. They name Othello such contemptuous things as “an old black ram,” “devil,” “a Barbary horse,” “a lascivious Moor,” “the thicklips,” or “foul thief.” For them, Othello is only a mercenary soldier and black Moor. Iago plays a leading role in using racism against other race. He disdains Othello’s racial heritages(his black skin and appearance). But for Othello, he is always an honest Iago. For his purpose, Iago continuously stirs up Othello’s inferiority complex on black skin. And he implies to Othello that Desdomona’s love to him may be changed. Increasingly, Othello is fallen into a ruse by Iago whom he always thinks of ‘his honest ancient’. Iago destroys Othello’s superiority by destroying his belief in the relationship with Desdemona. Then, Othello starts exposing his barbarism and concludes that Desdemona is “an impure woman.” Finally, he loses his reason and suffocates her to death. Othello clearly exposes ‘racial prejudice’ in Venetian society. Othello’s black appearance and nature are used as the strong racist factors. Othello and Desdemona are victims by the conventional racial prejudice that has deeply been rooted in Venice.