Othello as an outsider

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.

Throughout the first act, a host of disparaging and select terms are used to describe Othello by a number of different characters. Referred to as “he” and “him” by Iago, the first mention of Othello leads the reader to believe that Othello does not hold a lot of merit or status with his portrayer, as he is not afforded the decency to be called by name. Another term frequently used to describe Othello, “Moor,” (or “the Moor,” “his Moorship,” etc.) derived from the race of the general, is a label that clearly sets Othello apart from the white Venetians he keeps company with. Although some use it and mean no harm, when said by the likes of Iago and Brabantio, “the Moor,” turns into a racist slur, deliberately used to undermine and ostracize Othello from society. Likewise, depictions such as “thick-lips,” and “the devil,” from Iago are further used to play on Othello’s outwardly different physical appearance, enforcing the notion that Othello is different, and an outsider in their community.

Another way Shakespeare explores the relationship of an outsider is through the implications given by various characters that Othello barely human. Describing the act of Othello and Desdemona sleeping together, (to Brabantio) Iago tells, “An old black ram is tupping your white ewe.” In this situation, Iago draws attention to the difference in both skin colour and age between the two, while