Othello

William Shakespeares play Othello has many themes, including jealousy, marriage, and hatred. However, a more subtle theme in the work is racism. Although he is a well-respected, valiant, and just all-around good guy, Othello is often insulted or sterotyped due to his race. One of the biggest racists in the works appears to be Iago, who often refers to Othello as an animal or merely "the Moor". These names show Iago views Othello as less than human because of his ethnicity. However, the villian is not the only perpetrater. Even Othello's friends often give backhanded compliments to him regarding his race. The Duke, and admirer of Othello, claims he is "far more fair than black" (Act I,iii, 287). The major irony in this situation is Othello is a seemingly perfect hero, he is a good fighter, husbend, and does not even get angry at the slurs aganist him. However, most in the play are unable to see him as anything but "the Moor".