Elizabethan views on race

Definition

Elizabethan views on race refer to the perspectives and attitudes held during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, particularly regarding different ethnicities and cultures. These views were heavily influenced by colonial expansion, emerging trade routes, and the burgeoning interest in non-European societies, which often resulted in a mixture of curiosity, prejudice, and exoticism. This context is crucial for understanding how racial dynamics are portrayed in works like 'Othello,' where characters are often seen through the lens of their race and otherness.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Elizabethan society was marked by a sense of superiority over other races, often viewing non-Europeans as inferior or savage due to a lack of understanding and exposure.
2. Racial stereotypes during this time were reinforced through literature, theater, and art, depicting people of different races in ways that reflected societal prejudices.
3. Explorations and colonization efforts led to a growing awareness of diversity but also intensified negative attitudes towards those seen as 'other' or different.
4. Othello's character exemplifies the complexities of race during the Elizabethan era; he is both a figure of nobility and a target of racial prejudice.
5. The emergence of slavery as an institution began during this period, impacting how individuals viewed race and contributing to systemic discrimination.

Review Questions

• How did Elizabethan views on race influence character portrayals in literature such as Othello?
  • Elizabethan views on race shaped how characters were depicted, particularly in terms of their otherness. Othello, as a black protagonist, is portrayed with both dignity and vulnerability; he embodies nobility but faces racial prejudice from other characters. This duality highlights how societal perceptions can influence individual identity and interactions, revealing deeper truths about race relations in that era.
• In what ways did colonialism impact Elizabethan perceptions of race, particularly regarding characters like Othello?
  • Colonialism expanded European awareness of different cultures and ethnicities while simultaneously fostering negative stereotypes about non-Europeans. In Othello’s case, his status as a Moor both elevates him as a military leader and simultaneously subjects him to ridicule and scorn from Venetian society. This tension illustrates how colonial attitudes infiltrated personal relationships and social structures in the play.
• Evaluate how the themes of otherness in Othello reflect broader societal attitudes towards race during the Elizabethan period.
  • The themes of otherness in Othello provide critical insight into the Elizabethan mindset regarding race. The way Othello is alienated despite his achievements mirrors the broader societal tendency to view racial difference as a source of suspicion. The play critiques these prejudiced attitudes by showcasing Othello's tragic downfall resulting from manipulation by Iago, who exploits societal racism. This not only underscores individual struggles against prejudice but also reflects systemic issues within Elizabethan society itself.

Related terms

Otherness: A concept that describes the way individuals or groups are perceived as fundamentally different or alien from the dominant culture, often leading to marginalization.

Colonialism: The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically, which shaped perceptions of race during the Elizabethan era.

Exoticism: A fascination with and idealization of cultures perceived as foreign or different, often resulting in stereotypes and oversimplifications of those cultures.