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The question is meaningless.

It's like asking if Shakespeare was a Democrat or a Republican.

Racism, as we know it, did not exist in Shakespeare's time. No one thought in terms of race. Othello being a Moor was no different to Shakespeare as his being French or Italian. There was no racial hatred primarily because there were no black men around to hate.

Any racism is merely putting a 20th century interpretation on a 16th Century play. It can be an interesting intellectual exercise, but you'll merely find whatever you set out to find.

Posted by Reality Chuck on March 25, 1997 at 05:09:58
In Reply to "Regarding Othello, does anyone think Shakespeare was a racist? Why or why not?" posted by Rebecca McLean on March 24, 1997 at 15:31:07

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• I Agree Kimball One 09:20:51 3/25/97 (0)

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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help