Shakespeare Social Activist- Novemeber 3, 2008

Was Shakespeare a social activist? In Othello, he does not conform to any social norms. To start off with, the evil character is a typical Englishman. Iago is white, intelligent, and has a good military career. This compared to Othello, who to start off with is black and ends up destroying his military career through his weakness. Then Shakespeare uses some interesting questions in “The Merchant of Venice.” The great speech, given to an “inferior” being asks questions that mankind has to answer about anyone. “If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die?” Does Shakespeare want us to understand that our soul, though the strenght may vary from person to person, is what needs to be given a chance to live.