Great literature from the past is often re-read and studied. These stories become classics because of their timeless themes that can be applied to any generation. Shakespeare is considered the master of creating universal works. His plays were written in the late 1500s to the early 1600s, but they are still an important part of literature today. The language in his stories is sometimes hard to comprehend. However, the themes are so truly universal that people enjoy reading his plays still today. Shakespeare’s Othello is a universal work that has several immortal themes. One of these everlasting themes is hatred is often based on preconceived notions. The theme hatred is often based on preconceived notions from Othello can be seen in the movie Step Brothers and in the United States before and during the Civil Rights Movement.
In Othello, Brabantio and Iago hate Othello because he is a black Moor. Neither character knows much about Othello, but they already hate him without reason. When Brabantio hears of the news that his daughter, Desdemona, has married the Moor, he assumes that Othello has tricked her or used magic to get her to marry him. Brabantio accuses Othello saying, “O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter? Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!” (I.ii.64-65). In this scene, Brabantio has a preconceived notion of Othello because of his skin color, which leads him to hate Othello. Brabantio then learns that his daughter loves Othello and has willingly married him. He is still stubborn, but the Duke tries to reassure him by saying, “If virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black,” (I.ii.285-286) proving that Othello is actually a good man. Brabantio’s hatred for Othello was based on a false preconceived notion.
Not only is the theme hatred is often based on preconceived notions seen in Othello, but it is also seen in the major motion picture Step Brothers. Brennan and Dale are forty year old men that still live with their parents who recently just got married. Both characters disapprove of the marriage, do not want to be step brothers, and definitely do not want to live together. They were comfortable in their previous lives, and assume that it will be terrible living together. Both characters hate each other before they even get to know each other. In one scene, Brennan and Dale purposefully try to sabotage each other by playing pranks on one another. However, once they get to know each other, they realize how similar they are. In another scene, Brennan asks Dale if they, “just became best friends,” and Dale responds with a resounding, “Yup!” proving that their jaundiced ideas of each other were incorrect (Step Brothers). This theme of preconceived notions leading to hatred is seen in Step Brothers and Othello.
This unwavering theme is seen in historical events as well. Ever since slavery began in the United States, many white people have hated black people simply because of their skin color. The Civil War and the end of slavery inspired even more hatred for blacks. During the Civil Rights Movement, many people realized that there was no reason for African Americans to be mistreated. However, some whites began to hate blacks even more once they received more rights. This hate was shown even in sports when Hank Aaron was close to breaking the home run record. “Some whites resented an African American taking this coveted record and sent thousands of hate letters and threatened Aaron's life and family as he was nearing the record” (Campbell). Even though all races in America have equal rights today, racism still exists. The root of racism is based on preconceived notions. During the Civil Rights Movement, many whites discovered that these distorted ideas towards blacks were wrong and started to treat them with more respect. An extremely important part of United States history revolves around the theme hatred is often based on preconceived notions.
Shakespeare’s Othello connects to Step Brothers and The Civil Rights Movement through one of its themes. All three of these sources have the common theme; hatred is often based on preconceived notions. This theme has proven to be true throughout all generations. Shakespeare is known for displaying universal themes in his works. Othello and The Civil Rights Movement share another theme also. This is that showing love can often require courage. It took courage for Othello and Desdemona to show their love for each other. Also, in the Civil Rights Movement, it took courage for blacks and whites to show love to each other. Even the people who realized that all humans were equal had to put up with a lot of criticism to show love for the other race.
Works Cited
Campbell, Laura, and David Woodward. "Civil Rights." African-American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship. Library of Congress, 21 Mar. 2008. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart9.html>.
Perrine, Laurence. “Othello.” Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. Fort Worth. Harcourt College. 2002. 1361-1462. Print
Step Brothers. Dir. Adam McKay. Prod. Judd Apatow. Perf. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Sony Pictures, 2008. Film.
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