s of people. However, as Davison explains, Othello is not 'about' race, or colour, or even jealousy. It dramatises the way actions are directed by attitudes, fears, and delusions that rule the subconscious than by evident facts. (Davison, 1988, p.64) We can criticise Shakespeare's use of racism from a contemporary perspective, but it is important to remember that it was inherent in the culture in which he was writing, and Iago is shown as simply recognising an effective way to bring about Othello's downfall - he also makes him insecure about his age and lack of experience with women. Othello is an example of a noble black man at a time, supposedly, when, 'negroes were not known except as slaves,' (Appendix) yet racism inherent in the society which he lived was capable of reducing him to the barbarous state everyone at root expected of him. Thus Shakespeare presents us with a morality play at the historical height of the colonial slave trade with racism and miscegeny at its core, first we witness this through Brabantio, then the tragic consequences when Othello, with Iago's help, turns social prejudice onto himself. ...
