Islamophobia in Shakespeare's Othello

Abstract EN

This study explores the theoretically underdeveloped concept of Islamophobia found in early Renaissance English literature.

More specifically, it is more concerned with roots of Islamophobia in William Shakespeare's Othello.

It draws its insights on postcolonial race theory, Orientalism, to prove Othello does commune with the controversial theme of Islamophobia.

Western critics described the union between the Moor and Desdemona as unsuccessful marriage as the bride is fair skinned and European and Othello is a barbarian Arab.

Because of his black skin and oriental ethnic, Othello faces enmity, clash of races, and opposition of beliefs spiced with atmosphere of jealousy.

As an "other" being, he becomes a scapegoat of a white man's plot.

Moreover, he is an Arab character not in the Arab world but in the Western world.

The main objective of the study is to identify the theme of Islamophobia found in Shakespeare's Othello.

To reach the research objective, the current study asks two questions.

First, did Shakespeare know about Islam? Second, is there an Islamophobic theme in the play ? The introduction section will give some background information about Islamophobia (since it is a modern underdeveloped concept) including definitions, causes and some Islamophobic quotes of prominent Western figures.

Then, it will investigate Shakespeare's relation with Islam and Muslims.

Finally, this study will adopt the postcolonial literary theory_Orientalism_ to prove the Islamophobic ideology found in Othello.