Inkface

This book examines the evolution of Shakespeare’s Othello, highlighting themes of race, representation, and authority in theatrical interpretations over centuries.

In Inkface, Miles P. Grier explores the intricate journey of Shakespeare’s Othello from its origins in seventeenth-century London to its modern adaptations at the Metropolitan Opera in twenty-first-century New York. Grier delves into how the character of the painted stage Moor, alongside his wife, has been reduced to mere objects of interpretation, primarily for a presumed white male audience. This transformation illustrates the broader societal implications of representation and identity in theatrical productions.

The narrative highlights the era's booming print production, popular urban theater, and rising literacy rates, which contributed to a metaphorical understanding of Black skin as a readable, transferable ink. This metaphor became a crucial tool for a fraternity of literate white men, who wielded interpretative authority over marginalized groups. By treating these individuals as mere reading material, they asserted control over various domains, including the state, family, and commerce.

Inkface not only examines this fraternity's perspective but also sheds light on the counter-narratives of those who were excluded from this reading. Grier's work invites readers to reflect on the dynamics of power, representation, and the ongoing struggle for identity in the context of a historically significant play. Through this exploration, the book challenges us to reconsider the implications of interpretation and authority in both theater and society at large.