Have you ever thought about how much Othello's race and the racism around him affected his life? Othello struggled a lot during the play because of his dark skin color. He was called several racist names such as "the Moor", "old black ram", "Barbary horse" and "thick lips" (Shakespeare 1.1.40; 1.1.88; 1.1.111; 1.1.66). The term “racism” has existed for several years; it began in the 20th century (Bartels 433). Besides, the way the Elizabethan era viewed black people was similar to the way racism exists today, with all the racial comments and stereotypes. Being a black person in a predominantly white ethnic area at that time must have been challenging, in Othello's experience. Othello was the black sheep gathered around a flock of white sheep, he was an outcast. Racist comments were made by many characters like Iago, Brabantio, Roderigo, and Emilia. If there was a prize for the most used racial comment towards Othello, Iago would win. The racism in Othello had a huge impact on Othello. He was judged by the color of his skin, not his personality. Othello's race and the racism that surrounded him affected his life by ruining his marriage to Desdemona, alienating him from everyone in Venice, and making him an easy target for Iago to manipulate. To begin with, Othello's race and the racism around him ruined his life. marriage to Desdemona. Othello and Desdemona were a good couple, but you know what they say, all good things must come to an end. Almost everyone had a problem in their relationship. At that time, interracial relationships and marriage were not allowed. While Brabantio (Desdemona's father) was sleeping, Iago and Roderigo woke him up telling him that Othello was having sex with his daughter Desdemona at that very moment (Shake...... middle of paper ..... for most people Many of the actions that took place in Othello still happen today, such as racism, stereotyping, manipulation, and jealousy. Works Cited Adelman, Janet “Iago's Alter. Ego: Race as Projection in Shakespeare Quarterly 48.2 (1997): 125-44 » JSTOR Web February 17, 2014. Bartels, Emily C. “Making More of the Moor: Aaron, Othello and Renaissance Refashionings of Race.” (1990): 433-54. Berry, Edward. “The Alienation of Othello.” is not seen": the primal scene of racism in Othello." Shakespeare Quarterly 44.3 (1993): JSTOR Web, February 17, 2014. Shakespeare, William M. Parker [San Diego, California]: ICON Classics. 2005. Electronic Book Collection (EBSCOhost). Internet. February 17. 2014.