Shakespeare’s Othello and the Challenges of Multiculturalism

Abstract:

Though Shakespeare is an Elizabethan playwright, his plays still resonate with our contemporary world. The parallels between Othello and the failure of intercultural communication and integration of Muslim Diaspora in western countries are strikingly identical. This paper explores how and why in Shakespeare’s time and ours a multicultural mindset and culture have not succeeded to eradicate ethnocentrism, stereotype and fanaticism. Thus conflict, violence and misunderstanding between individuals belonging to different cultural and religious communities are still ravaging multicultural societies. It also aims to promote a humanistic perception of the other that celebrates difference and diversity rather than sameness and uniformity.