How Is Othello Alienated In Society

Brabantio shows his racist ways clearly here; he feels that his daughter could never love Othello unless she had been somehow tricked! When one looks deeper into this mindset we understand how loving Othello, the Moor, could be seen as such an issue to her father. Then and even today color is associated with, “sin, damnation, and eventually, sexual promiscuity” (Hall, 182). White on the other hand is associated with, “purity, virginity, and virtue” (Hall, 183). For Desdemona to love Othello she must give up her innocence. For a “pure” and “virtuous” woman to love a man such as Othello she must be a “sinner” and a “whore.” This “realization” of his daughter’s lack of purity causes Brabantio to die due to pure grief as Gratiano explains to us:

It the only thing that makes him estranged from all the other characters. In the opening scene of the play, Shakespeare “exoticizes Othello with [his] references to him not by name but as, "the Moor," and as an "extravagant and wheeling stranger" (1.1.58 and 1.1.37)”(Aubrey 1). During that time black people were slaves which is why the racism in Othello was definitely racism and one of Iago’s forms of control. Othello earned his status despite his physical appearance, so its lowering to use that description of Othello when he is more than that. Furthermore, not only is Othello being outcasted in the play but also to the audience. It is set by Iago that the idea of a black man and a white woman together is inhuman. He constantly uses derogatory terms to describe to Brabantio To corrupt Othello and Desdemona’s relations. Iago claims that Brabantio will “have [his] daughter covered with a Barbary horse. [He’ll] have [his] nephews neigh to [him]. [He'll] have coursers for cousins and jennets for germans” (Act 1 scene 1 line 125-127 )if he does not do anything to stop them. Iago says this to describe to Brabantio what his mixed would look like. Moreover the animals he uses are not pure breeds which is what he want to emphasize to Brabantio that the act itself of Othello and Desdemona being together is bestial nut having his grandkids being mixed is something that Brabantio cannot stand to think about. Iago

When one sacrifices their independence and sense of self-worth in order to appease another, they quickly lose sight of their true self and original intentions. This idea is thoroughly explored in William Shakespeare’s “Othello” as Desdemona, an upper class member of Venetian society, deliberately surrenders her freedoms and independence as an individual after marrying Othello, a Moor general of the Venetian Army. While Desdemona and Othello maintain a respectful and equal relationship at the beginning of the play, Othello soon begins to treat Desdemona in a cold-hearted and vindictive manner. Desdemona’s value of the institution of marriage above her own personal well-being leads her to sacrifice her once strong held values of independence,

“My name, that was as fresh As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black As mine own face. (3.3.385)” When Othello says these lines it is evident that he starts to internalize a lot of racist comments made by his white counterparts which makes this a pivotal part of the play. At this point Othello suspects that Desdemona is unfaithful with Cassio and insinuates that his reputation is tarnished and “begrimed” because of Desdemona’s uncertain cheating. It was very common during the Elizabethan time period that wives were a big part of a husband’s reputation because wives were a representation of husbands. When Othello refers to his name as being ‘fresh as Diane’s visage’ he compares the freshness of a white fame with no blemishes to his name. When Othello fears that his wife has cheated on him he compares his name to ‘begrimed of black’, blaming his wife for tarnishing his reputation. By comparing the blackness of his own skin with something unclean and grimy, Othello internalizes the racist comments Venetian characters (like Brabantio) have been saying all along.

Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’, set in early Venice, focuses on the key relationship between titular character Othello and his wife Desdemona, to comment on the human condition through the text. The relationship between the married couple allows us to understand Shakespeare’s commentary on human nature, particularly how humans are inherently selfish, prone to falling victim to jealousy, and are made both stronger and weaker by their emotions.

Set in 16th century Venice, Othello, by William Shakespeare, explores the idea of an outsider from the very beginning of the play. Shakespeare uses Othello, a black army general, to explore the relationship of an outsider in high Venetian society using a variety of approaches. The reader sees characters consistently referring to Othello in derogatory and demeaning terms, as well as frequent implications that Othello is scarcely human. Further exploration of an outsider in society comes from Othello himself, as he outlines a few of the major differences that set him and the community apart.

These instances heighten his nobility as a character. He is in great demand by the duke and senate due to his honorable qualities. This is evidenced by Cassio's comment that the senate "sent about three several quests" to look for Othello (I.ii.46). Othello is a noble man who is well known and respected for his position as a general. He is experienced in battle and shows great courage and demonstrates high levels of dignity. Othello shows immense respect for his fellow man, we see this in his initial relationships with Casio an Iago. Othello's valiant personality is a major part of his success in the military as well as with his marriage, to Desdemona. Because of his exotic qualities, he is able to woo his wife in an art of story telling, reflecting his nobility and honor. Such a storey seduces Desdemona, causing a strong bind to Othello made from a mixture of love and lust. The Venetian government trusts Othello enough to put him in full martial and political command of Cyprus; indeed, in his dying speech, Othello reminds the Venetians of the "service" he has done their state (V.ii.348). However noble or revered by his peers Othello may be, it is his honor, aided by his naivety and insecurity that lead to his destruction.

Othello by William Shakespeare raises the issue of how rampant beliefs and attitudes in a society can cause a person to question their sense of self. In a society where racial equality is near non-existent, Othello, a black skinned foreigner in the Venetian society, is constantly reminded of his status as an outsider. Othello, however, is not depicted in a stereotypical manner and despite occupying a highly respected position he is often confronted with blatant racism throughout the play. The prevailing attitudes and beliefs of Venetian society towards Othello are exploited by Iago in order to manipulate Othello’s self confidence and emotional state.

The conflicts of the play started with the marriage of Desdemona and Othello because it was unacceptable and degrading for a wealthy Venetian to marry an evil corrupted moor. Brabantio even argued that Desdemona “fell in love with what she feared to look on” (1.3 116) explaining that Desdemona is supposed to fear the moors and not fall in love with them. Since Desdemona and Othello got married it went “against all rules of nature” (1.3 119) because it was considered horrific for there to be interracial marriage. Automatically the tension Brabantio created by arguing the wrongfulness of Othello and Desdemona getting married caused immediate conflict among the play. Although interracial marriage with Othello and Desdemona can be viewed from

Haply, for I am black/ And have not those soft parts of conversation/ That chamberers have, or for I am declin’d/ Into the vale of years (yet that’s not much) She’s gone. I am abus’d: and my relief/ Must be to loathe her” (III.III. 304-309). As the emanation of social interaction among various races appear within English literature, the vault of new beginnings and change takes hold. William Shakespeare’s Othello, is most notably recognized for the character, Othello. Through various texts of literature, the idea of racial construct and discrimination was never an easy topic to come by. Since the play was written in Europe during the 1600s, the emergence of slave trades in this area further divided races. The play itself follows the tragedy for Othello, and the transition from a military general to a tragic hero. The limitation of power plays a huge role in Othello’s ability to withstand the manipulation of multiple characters. Although he is Moorish general in the Venetian army, he is still indeed a Moor, a socially lower class, muslim man. From this, cultural collision of ethnicity influences how Othello is treated and the disadvantages he faces because of his color. Through the mere jealousy in which Iago, Othello’s standard-bearer, has for Othello’s life, he proposes the idea to manipulate his life by using the one difference between all men, race. When Iago awakes Brabantio, the father of Desdemona, he hopes to initiate his plan to take down Othello. His description

William Shakespeare’s 16th century play Othello is a duplicitous and fraudulent tale set alternatingly between Venice in act 1, and the island of Cyprus thereafter. The play follows the scandalous marriage between protagonist Othello, a Christian moore and the general of the army of Venice, and Desdemona, a respected and intelligent woman who also happens to be the daughter of the Venetian Senator Brabantio. Shakespeare undoubtedly positions the marriage to be viewed as heroic and noble, despite Othello’s hamartia and subsequent downfall that inevitably occurs. Their marriage is then sabotaged by the jealous Iago, Othello’s ensign and villain of the play. While Iago’s ostensible justification for instigating Othello’s demise was his failure to acquire Othello’s position as lieutenant, Iago’s motives are rarely directly articulated and seem to derive from an obsessive, almost aesthetic pleasure in manipulation and destruction. Through the genre of the play, being a Shakespearean tragedy, and the structural devices employed by Shakespeare such as plot development, exposition, foreshadowing, dénouement, dramatic excitement, and catharsis, the key ideas of jealousy, appearance vs. reality and pride are developed and explored.

Only by considering a range of perspectives can we truly appreciate the world of Shakespeare’s Othello. It is through my exploration of these perspectives and their relationship with changing morals and values that has enriched my understanding of the play. One such reading of the play challenges the marginalisation and objectification of woman in a patriarchal Venetian society, while taking into account the changing role of women in modern society. Another interpretation of Othello examines its post colonial elements through the protagonist Othello, and his insecurities of being a black man in a white society. My interpretation of the play as a portrayal of the values existing in Shakespeare’s time is filtered through these

Othello is a military hero, widely respected and admired by most. Even his enemies have a grudging respect for him. He has taken the loveliest lady as his bride, and has a seemingly great life. He is seen as a very good man, as proven by the words of the Duke of Venice: “..If virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son in law is far more fair than black.”(Page 47, Line 285-286). Despite all this, Othello does have a fatal

In the critical essay “Othello” by Drama for Students it recognizes the struggles characters face with society’s standards. It explains the importance culture plays on each character’s decision. It is believed that characters who experience conflict are a perhaps a result from not, “understanding the values and assumptions that shape the reality of [cultural values]” (“Othello”). I agree that delusion sometimes gets the best of characters. Throughout the Novel Othello provides a prime example of delusion. In addition, a factor of his downfall is a result of the insecurity he feels from society. He ends up being blinded by what society thinks and the stress gets to him. The reflection of the culture is seen throughout some things Iago says. Iago decides to anger Desdemona’s father by telling him that she, “[is] covered with a Barbary horse” (Shakespeare). We learn that this behavior is normal among most of the characters. The comparison to Othello as an “African horse” reveals the levels of respect the people of Venice show towards him. Moreover, the insecurity revealed in Othello reveals a reflection of delusion due to accepting assumptions made by society. In regard to, the themes of prejudice against another race, and the importance of social, cultural influences Othello may be considered, “Shakespeare’s most innovative tragedy regarding [these themes]” (“Othello’). For the time the play was published Othello was possibly the most innovative strategy. Othello followed the formula of Shakespeare’s other tragedies, but the overall theme of race was expressed. This made Othello

Within this play, fundamental questions about humanity, as well as situations, attitudes, and problems that continue to hold strong universal meaning to this day are explored .It shows Shakespeare’s ability to create characters who resemble real life individuals and reflect lifestyles and personalities accurately.  You could not help but be moved by the dark despair and utter wretchedness of Othello’s downfall! Shakespeare has dramatically explored many aspects of the human condition in this play, The Tragedy of