Ethnicity and Race in Othello

Ruben Espinosa's 2016 work identifies challenges in applying ethnicity and race as critical lenses to historically distant texts like Shakespeare's plays:

Quote: "There is a tendency to situate the issue of race and racism comfortably in the early modern world and to see Shakespeare's works as merely reflecting attitudes where, strictly speaking, 'race' had yet to be defined."

This captures the historicist/presentist dichotomy in Shakespearean criticism. Peter Erickson advocates for a cross-historical approach:

Quote: "The present is also historical. Both histories are in motion. Our contemporary interests are enhanced by the perspectives we bring from our early modern involvements."

Erickson views Othello as insufficient on its own to exemplify a full critical race framework, encouraging readers to think beyond mere historical context when exploring race in the play.

Definition: Historicist approach - Interpreting literature within its historical context. Definition: Presentist approach - Analyzing past literature through contemporary perspectives.

The analysis also touches on:

• The dichotomy of Man/city versus woman/wilderness in Othello
• Postcolonial rhetoric of race in the play
• Othello's status as a warrior and its implications for race and gender

Highlight: Othello and Desdemona's pursuit of truth challenges traditional notions of gendered spaces in the play.

Marxist and Feminist Intersections in Othello Criticism

While not explicitly mentioned in the provided transcript, it's important to note that Marxist reading of Othello often intersects with feminist perspectives:

• Both examine power structures and social hierarchies
• Marxist criticism may focus on class dynamics that influence gender roles
• Feminist criticism often incorporates elements of class analysis

Example: Emilia's relationship with Iago can be analyzed through both feminist and Marxist lenses, considering her subordinate position as both a woman and a member of a lower social class.

This intersection provides rich ground for exploring:

• Marxism in Othello
• Marxist criticism in Othello quotes
• How economic factors influence gender dynamics in the play

Highlight: Combining Marxist and feminist approaches can offer a more comprehensive understanding of power dynamics in Othello.