Othello

Othello (play)

is a figure whose race undermines his heroism --- By making his protagonist black, Shakespeare prepares his original audience to question Othello's authority, to suspect that he might misuse it groundlessly.

Dolan considers Othello in relation to its historical context. She notes how in Shakespeare's society, murdering one's spouse was considered a threat to the social order. Dolan also comment son how Jacobean drama reflects 17th century anxieties about the radical 'other', the traitor 'inside', the plotting subordinate and abusive authority figures. Dolan says that Othello can be linked to all these 'spectres of disorder.' Dolan defines him as a 'domestic tyrant who murders his wife on spurious grounds.' She also suggests Othello is in an ambiguous position because of his race. He cannot hold onto his authority with any confidence or security because he is different from the Venetians. For Dolan, Othello's race would have undermined his heroism: 'by making his protagonist black, Shakespeare prepares his original audience to question Othello's authority, to suspect that he might misuse it groundlessly.'

is reflective of 17th century 'spectres of disorder', i.e. anxieties about the radical 'other', the traitor 'inside', the plotting subordinate and abusive authority figures.

Frances DolanThinkers

Frances Dolan