preview

Character Analysis Of Othello

Decent Essays

Othello is not just about one tragedy but several tragedies of suffering and injustice. The play ends in fatalities and heartbreak from the consequences of jealousy and racism. Othello is a well-respected military man who does not let race stand in the way of earning his reputable status and attention of beautiful Desdemona. But, when the seed of jealous is planted, Othello becomes easily manipulated into believing false accusations because of his own personal insecurities. He becomes a menace to himself through the pressures and conflicts pressed against him during his lifetime. These pressures include the stresses from Othello’s racial differences, the negative anxiety created from other characters, and his own subconscious not allowing …show more content…

He says, “you’ll / have your daughter covered with Barbary horse” (1.1.125) and “your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with / two backs” (1.1.130-131). The idea of man versus society and black men being barbaric is very influential in the tragedy by unescapably creating insecurities in Othello’s mind of jealousy and mistrust.
As racial differences poke at Othello’s insecurities, the conflict of man versus man becomes more clear. The controversies between characters are what causes destruction and casualties which add to the tragedy in Othello. In the beginning, Othello appears confident in himself and especially his marriage because he believes their love overcomes all racial differences in society. However, Iago is able to easily plant the seed of doubt by using these differences to his advantage. He reminds Othello of the racial differences within his marriage by saying, “As, to be bold with you, / Not to affect many proposed matches / Of he own clime, complexion, and degree” (3.3.267-270). He knows that, despite Othello’s confidence, he has weaknesses and insecurities because he is the minority. Othello’s man versus man is rooted from the seed planted by Iago. He makes Othello believe his wife is committing adultery thus making him turn on both Desdemona and Cassio. Iago is the supreme villain of man versus man. He is the corrupting force that eventually turns many of the

Get Access