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In Othello, a tragedy written by the outstanding English poet and playwright William Shakespeare, black and white colors are frequently mentioned and attract particular attention. At first sight, they refer to skin colors as Othello is a Moor who marries Desdemona, a young and fair Venetian lady. However, black and white colors do not describe racial differences between characters they symbolize severe contradictions that eventually lead to tragedy.
Black and white colors are used to demonstrate the attitude of a noble society toward moors and interracial unions. When Iago is deeply unsatisfied with the marriage of Othello and Desdemona, he exclaims: Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe (Shakespeare, 1606, act 1, sc. 1). In the comparison of Othello with a black ram, the black color symbolizes power, strength, fear, mystery, anger, aggression, and unhappiness, and some of these features are characterized the Moor. In turn, the white color Desdemona is the color of innocence, purity, weakness, virginity, and goodness. The juxtaposition of colors and their meanings marks the unnatural and unhappy marriage of two completely different people who should not be together. In addition, in this phrase, a negative attitude of Venetian society towards people of other races is presented.
In general, in Othello, black and white colors clearly represent evil and good. As black is the color of the night, all malicious and tragic events, including meetings of Iago and Roderigo, all their actions aimed to destroy Othellos marriage, and the death of Desdemona and Othello happen at nighttime (Shakespeare, 1606). The light and whiteness of love between Desdemona and Othello turn to black violence, jealousy, anger, and murder.
Reference
Shakespeare, W. (1606). The tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. Web.
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