Abstract

How does the emergence of alterity appear in European medieval texts? Was the different “Other” recognized by their “race”? Does the concept of “race”—that we know today—even exist in the Middle Ages? Should the fear of “Otherness” be described as an act of racism or prejudice? Do Black-skinned characters emerge inferior and “racially” discriminated because they look different? Did anti-Black racism really exist during the Middle Ages? If so, is it similar to that of the modern period? If not, how should we label the treatment of Black alterity? Medievalist scholars offer different answers to such questions, complicating the discourse surrounding “race,” “racism,” and the European Middle Ages. The association of Blackness and the Black presence with inferiority persists across various fields and periods, particularly during the European Middle Ages. In this article, I present some views of prominent medievalists regarding “race” and “racism.” Additionally, I explore the inclusion of Black characters in two Arthurian romances, investigating the portrayal and significance of Black alterity. By analyzing The King of Tars and Morien, which reflect the societal, religious, ethnic, and cultural realities of the Middle Ages, the discussion in this article aims to contribute to the conversation about “race,” “racism,” and the depiction of the “Other” in terms of prejudice and racism during the European Middle Ages.