Racist discourse in English literature: A study on Shakespeare's Othello

This thesis aims to analyze the racist discourses in William Shakespeare's "Othello" through textual analysis and discourse analysis methods, to question the claim that the play supports racist stereotypes and to discuss how theatrical performances can address racism. In the introduction, the definition and different types of racism are presented and the context in which Othello deals with the theme of racism is explained. The general perception of racism in the English literature of the period and examples are given to understand the historical and cultural roots of racism. At the same time, factors such as the political and social developments of the period, colonialism and efforts to create a national identity provide an important background for understanding the play. The thesis mainly focuses on seeking answers to three questions. These are 1- Does Othello use racist language and imagery that perpetuates stereotypes about race and ethnicity? 2- How do the characters in Othello contribute to the depiction of racial prejudice? 3- What is the impact of racist discourse in Othello on the interpretation and reception of the play? In the text analysis and close reading section, the dialogues and monologues between Othello's characters are analyzed in detail. The first question focuses on whether stereotypes about race and ethnicity are used in Othello. It is examined how the characters of the play define Othello, who is defined as "Moor", with otherizing language and images and how the discourses of these characters show how racial prejudices are transmitted. The discourse analysis section seeks an answer to the second question. The characters' actions and language show how racial prejudices shape their perceptions and interactions, leading to tragic consequences. The conclusion discusses the impact of racist discourse in Othello on the interpretation and reception of the play. In the context of the third question, it examines how the interpretation and reception of the play's themes of racism are shaped by the audience. At the same time, the idea of how the work of theater can both support racism and be used as a tool to combat racism is discussed.