Racism

In the 16th century:

black people had been known in London, and by the time Shakespeare was writing.

Ships carrying black slaves passed through London, and many stayed.

foreigners were seen with curiosity and suspicion.

To be black was to be strange.

the colour black was discirminated against: blacks were associated with ugliness, savagery, sin, and lasciviousness. Indians, Africans and Inuit, at various times were a curiosity.