Loomba's Key Arguments About Race and Gender
Loomba argues that Othello presents a double vision - it's simultaneously "a fantasy of interracial love and social tolerance, and a nightmare of racial hatred and male violence." This duality reflects how progressive the play was for its time whilst acknowledging the brutal reality of racial prejudice.
The critic highlights how ideologies work from within us, not just externally. Othello becomes a victim of racial beliefs precisely because he internalises misogynist ones about women's supposed duplicity. This shows how prejudice creates a vicious cycle - those who suffer discrimination often perpetuate it against others.
Jacobean stereotypes portrayed black people and Muslims as "godless, bestial, and hideous" with tendencies toward "unnatural sexual practices" and being "prone to anger and jealousy." Yet Shakespeare complicates these stereotypes by giving Othello both "military skill and rhetorical abilities" alongside his capacity for violence.
Quick Tip: When analysing Othello's character, consider how he both challenges and confirms racial stereotypes of Shakespeare's era.
