Social Acceptance In Othello

Social Acceptance is what we all secretly aspire. The term “social acceptance” though rarely defined, refers to the ability to accept or tolerate differences and diversity in others. “Being happy” is a feeling experienced as a result of being delighted or pleased about a particular thing. The lack of social acceptance gives life to racism, sexism, homophobism and prejudice. The desire to be socially accepted or part of a group in an effort to feel accepted, safe or protected within a cooperative society is part of being happy. Some of the factors that influence social acceptance are: Culture, race and beliefs. I believe that as human beings, we need different forms of social acceptance in order to be happy. This can be examined from several
perspectives and proven to be undoubtedly true. Most of us belong to one or more social group. Some might be very large, while others may be very small. Size is not a factor in acknowledging or recognizing a functioning social group. Within a social group, people look to each other for physical and emotional acceptance, warmth, loved and support. Social acceptance within groups is a necessity for its continued existence.
A happiness research carried out over 50 years suggests that the quantity and quality of a person’s social connections is so closely related to their well-being and personal happiness that the two can practically be equated.
People with many friendships are less likely to experience sadness, loneliness or low self-esteem. (Carter 1) Racism plays a major role in social acceptance. People feel the need to be connected, love and accepted. So many have been discriminated because of the color of their skin. In Shakespeare’s Othello, Desdemona accompanies Othello to Cyprus after surviving fierce scrutiny for marrying “a moor” (a black man). When brought to court to speak for herself in the matter of the marriage, she declares that she freely and lovingly takes Othello for her husband and affirms her love for him. She explains that she accepts him as he is and speaks of the quality of his mind, honor and courage.(Bradford 1).Desdemona accepted her husband for who he was, a black man, but society couldn’t. Back then interracial couples were basically frowned upon. Desdemona wanted people to know how happy she was with her husband, she also wanted their acceptance but unfortunately she didn't. This reconfirm the effects racism has on social
acceptance.
Another example of happiness through social acceptance is found in “Shakespeare's Othello”. Characters from all different backgrounds are represented. Their happiness depends almost entirely upon their social interactions with others; the play suggests social acceptance and security as prerequisites for happiness.Cassio and Othello represent characters driven by the pursuit of excellence and honor in their political life; a pursuit which holds them captive to the opinions of others. Cassio's demotion devastates him due to the loss of esteem he must endure with his peers. He breaks down saying, "Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation / I ago, my reputation." It is clear that Cassio is unhappy because of his demotion, and he fears rejection from his peers.(Bradford 1) Cassio obviously feels the need to be socially accepted. He felt that when he lost his reputation he lost the immortal part of himself . He was no longer accepted the way he wanted and there was nothing happy about that for him.
Today’s gay’s and lesbian’s population groups have some of the same obstacles with social acceptance as Desdemona did .Homosexuals have been fighting for their rights for over a century now.
They are constantly trying to be accepted by society for who they are and not who they are being forced to be. Its my personal belief that homosesuals are unable to stop themselves from liking the people they do.Many people feel that a same sex marriage erroneous and because society are unable to accept them for who they are, most homosesuals tend to go into depression and/or commit suicide. Social acceptance has become such a major part of our lives that the lack of it makes individuals feel dejected, undesirable and abandoned. Researchers have found that people are happier when they are with other people than when they are alone.(Boehm2) Boehm is saying that, no one likes being alone.Being accepted by at least one person makes you feel happier than when you are alone. people with strong social connections have less stress-related health problems which lowers the risk of mental illness and a faster recovery from trauma or
illness.(Boehm2) It's Veenhoven's personal belief that people do not need social acceptance in order to be happy.He believes that a person can go throughout their whole life without being accepted by anyone and can still be happy but what he doesn't know is that relationships create a psychological space and safety so that we can explore them and learn.(Boehm1) When people feel safe and supported they have the ability to love and be loved, care and have a mutual understanding with others. (Boehm1) Not being socially accepted has a major effect on our lives, for so many reasons, people feel the need to be love llll be loved and that may be their way of feeling happy. No one wants to live their life feeling like they don’t belong, all of us need other people in order to be well and thrive. We just feel better just being around people. And we need close relationships in order to be happy.(Schooler1)