Roles of Othello in the Play - Term Paper Example

Roles Of Othello In The Play In Shakespeare’s tale, Othello, he uses different characters to put across his principal ideas, which are a reflection of the society setting. His use of Othello, a black character, exemplifies the differing perceptions of different people in the society. Othello helps bring out core themes in the tale. Shakespeare brought to light the theme of jealousy through Othello’s character. Othello inspires insecurity in Iago, who deems himself better than Othello as a soldier and a man owing to his race. Iago is jealous when he suspects Othello of having an affair with his wife; this jealousy is so overwhelming that he plots to have sex with Othello’s wife. He says, ”Till I am even’d with him, wife for wife, or failing so, yet I put the Moor, at least into a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure.” (2.1.299-302). Othello, who thinks he is not capable of jealousy, is incited by Iago into a jealous feat over his wife’s affairs, that he ends up killing her. Othello’s race plays into Desdemona’s portrayal of the black person as one incapable of jealousy. She says, “I think the sun where he was born, drew all such humours from him.” (3.4.30-31) the implication here is that the African sun burnt out all of Othello’s vices such as jealousy. Ironically, her thesis is proved wrong when he kills her from wild jealousy. Self esteem, which refers to one’s image of oneself, is a leading theme in the tale. Othello is depicted as an overconfident man in both his career as a general and a man. He is convinced that his wife, Desdemona, recognizes that he gave up so much in order to be with her. When Iago tells him that Cassio is romantically interested in his wife, Othello tells Iago, “Let him do his spite: my services, which I have done the signiory, shall out-tongue his complaints.” (1.2.17-19) Here, Othello exhumes confidence in the performance of his husbandly duties to Desdemona, therefore, downplaying any advances Cassio might make on his wife. Othello’s self confidence is also portrayed when he has to go to Cyprus, but does not care, because according to him, he is so strong that the hardships of war will not have a negative effect on him. He sees himself as a better soldier than all the rest. Shakespeare exemplifies this theme in his use of the black character, who were earlier accustomed to being servants; Othello is satisfied that due to his family’s work history, he would make Desdemona love him more by simply using his words. Moreover, through Othello, Shakespeare exemplifies the theme of brotherly love. This is the affection felt towards a collegue or a friend. Othello illustrates this theme in his explanation of how his father-in-law was affectionate towards him before he married his daughter. He says, “Her father loved me; oft invited me; still questioned me the story of my life.” (1.3.128-129). We note that although Brabantio was affectionate towards Othello, he was, however, convinced that Othello had used magic to win over his daughter, Desdemond. Barbantio thinks that all members of the black people practice black magic. Further, Othello affirms that, on his visit to Cyprus, the indigenous people showed him ample love and welcomed him into their homes. The indigenous people appreciated Othello’s race as they saw him one of their own. Shakespeare also demonstrates the magnitude of brotherly love when Othello’s love towards Cassio results in the former rehiring Cassio. This is best shown by Desdemond’s statement,” one that truly loves you.”(3.3.48) when referring to the bond between Othello and Cassio. However, Shakespeare also shows that brotherly love can sometimes lead one astray; Othello’s love towards Iago proved to be his undoing as he blindly trusted him, unaware that the later resented him and was jealous of his achievements. Through Othello, we learn that the black community is accepted by other aboriginal people, who show them ample love. Othello’s role clearly brings out Shakespeare’s use of black and white as a theme. This portrays the racial undertones of the tale. The characters, who were mostly white, have different perceptions towards the black race. For instance, characters such as Iago portray their racist nature though their utterances, as they show black people as an inferior race that lacks in beauty. His report to Barbantio,” Even now, now, very now, and old black ram is tupping your white ewe.”(1.1.88-89) best explains his notion of the black race, Othello in particular, as unscrupulous people who will stain the white man when the opportunity presents itself. To show racism, Brabantio in his statement,” a maid so tender, fair and happy would not naturally run to the sooty bosom of such a thing as thou.” Demonstrates his belief that it was impossible, for his beautiful white daughter could fall in love with the black Othello,, without him using black magic on her. The Duke’s knowledge, however, contradicts these beliefs. He sees Othello as a righteous and upright man; thus, his color does not matter. He says to Brabantio,” and noble signior, if virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black.”(1.2.288-290) Shakespeare was intent on bringing out the theme of evidence and judgment in this tale. He shows us the importance of gathering evidence before passing judgment, as is the common practice in court. Barbantio falsely accuses Othello of using black magic to make Desdemora fall in love with him. He judges Othello based on his perception of the black people as people who practice witchcraft. According to him, Othello’s race was a drawback for his daughter to love him on her own accord. He explicitly tells Othello that anyone with strong judgment can see that his daughter was lured into marriage by foul means. On the other hand, Othello’s pride deterred him from proving his wife’s infidelity before judging, and eventually murdering her. Through his statement, “I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove, and proof, there is more but this-away at once with love or jealousy.”(3.3.189-192), Othello affirms the need to gather evidence before passing judgment. In conclusion, Shakespeare used Othello’s race in the story to illustrate the different perceptions and attributes of the white and black people. He notes that racism deters development, and the community’s wellbeing. We note that although a majority of the white people see their black counterparts as inferior to them, the black people find ways of asserting themselves as equals, or sometimes superior to the white people. Work cited Shakespeare, W. Othello:, The Moor of Venice.1.1.1-256,1603. Print. Read More