I actually think it is not totally historical accurate to say that interracial relationships have been taboo for so long. I think that they became more taboo after slavery, when white people in the U.S. and especially the South wanted to make sure that black people would continue to be oppressed. In the time period when Shakespeare wrote Othello, I am not sure that it was as remarkable as it looks to us, looking backwards. In the 1600s and 1700s racism was not fully developed and there may have been more flexibility before U.S. slavery was fully established. After all, Othello is called The Moor, not the negro. So I think that historical context matters in understanding race.
But at the same time, there is no question that marriage laws are a way that society decides who does and doesn't have rights. I think there are so many taboos on marriage (gay marriage, interracial, interfaith) because people see marriage as a way to structure society. Whether you are married, how many times you are married, who you are allowed to marry: these all are seen to reflect on people's place in society.
As for comparing the Lovings and Othello/Desdemona: both couples are in love, though there are class differences. The Lovings were average people (he was a bricklayer), and neither was the child of a political leader or a military hero. Although, I never realized that Mildred was African American and Native American, because people talk about them as black and white. Finally, the story of the Lovings shows how hard people had to struggle to get basic rights that others took for granted.
Casey,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that race was seen completely different pre-slavery. Although we can't know for sure how race was regarded back then, we can assume that racism was not as mainstream in society. That said, difference in the color of skin was not invisible to the eye. This is shown in Othello, the color of his skin being mentioned and an animal-like image associated with his darkness. We can assume that racism wasn't as prevalent, but we know it was around. I am glad that society is starting to be more accepting and that people can marry for love instead of vanity and appearance.
Casey,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that the concept of race, as well as the reactions and taboos surrounding it have changed over the course of history. Even today, while we pretend that racism has gone away, there are still many lingering taboos about interracial marriage, and we have a long way to go before these taboos are wiped out completely. I also agree that there are many similarities between Othello and Desdemona's relationship and the relationship between the Lovings; however, one difference I saw was the fact that the Lovings' relationship survived through all the conflict and pushback they received from others, whereas, Othello and Desdemona's relationship fell apart fairly quickly when they faced conflict, largely caused by the interference of others (Iago).