The Fall of Othello

Bailey Lovell
Shakespeare
Shaw
3 December 2010
The Fall of Othello It would seem to most that that the protagonist in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice should have everything going for him. A respected member of Venice’s elite and an integral part of the military, Othello appears to have it all together. However, a closer look reveals a few cracks in his otherwise firm foundation. Othello is a black man in a white world, and he is self-conscious about this. Not only does he feel isolated because of his race, but he is insecure about being older than Desdemona; therefore, he is quick to believe that she is having an affair with the handsome and young Cassio. Also, he has a different culture than others in Venice. Othello’s insecurities with his race, his age, and the fact that he is culturally different than Venice’s power players all lead to his downfall. Othello is a black man in sixteenth century Venice. While he has advanced in the military and become highly respected by many, he still feels lesser than those around him because of his race (“Othello”). In the following quote, Othello mentions that he feels unable to speak intelligently or beautifully because of his race: Haply for I am black, And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have; or for I am declined Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much— She’s gone. I am abused, and my relief Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage, That we can call these delicate creatures ours And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad And live upon the vapor of a dungeon Than keep a corner in the thing I love For others’ uses. Yet ’tis the plague of great ones; Prerogatived are they less than the base. ’Tis destiny unshunnable, like death. (3.3.267–279)
While he does indeed speak eloquently, he is self-doubting because he is different. Othello is older than Desdemona, and he worries that she may become disenchanted with him and seek a younger man. Iago, being a close friend and confidant of Othello, plays on Othello’s feelings as and makes Othello believe the unthinkable. In the third act, Iago and Othello enter into a room to see Cassio and Desdemona talking to each other. The conversation is innocent, but it is all Iago needs to plant a seed in Othello’s mind: I speak not yet of proof. Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio. Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure. I would not have your free and noble nature Out of self-bounty be abused. Look to ’t. I know our country disposition well. In Venice they do let God see the pranks They dare not show their husbands. Their best conscience Is not to leave ’t undone, but keep’t unknown. (3.3.200-209.) Othello feels like an outsider in Venice. While he is a military official, he feels that he is still seen as an exotic creature (“Introduction”). When explaining his meeting with Desdemona’s father, he mentions how he seduced him with stories of his past: Her father loved me, oft invited me, Still questioned me the story of my life From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes, That I have passed. I ran it through, even from my boyish days, To th ' very moment that he bade me tell it, Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field, Of hair-breadth ’scapes i ' th ' imminent deadly breach, Of being taken by the insolent foe And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence And portance in my traveler’s history. (1.3.130-143.) Othello is considered a tragic hero of literature. Like most modern heroes depicted in movies, books, and television, Othello is imperfect. In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, Othello’s key imperfection is his insecurities within himself. He is insecure with his race, his age, and his feelings as a stranger to Venetian society. His feelings of inadequacy lead him to trust those unworthy of friendship. Due to this, Othello is his own biggest enemy.

Works Cited
Bevington, David, ed. “Introduction to ‘Othello, the Moor of Venice.’” The Complete Works of Shakespeare. 5th ed. Pearson & Longman: New York, 2004. 1150-1155.
Shakespeare, William. “Othello, the Moor of Venice.” The Complete Works of Shakespeare. 5th ed. Ed. David Bevington. Pearson & Longman: New York, 2004. 1156-1200.
“Othello”. www.folger.edu. Web. 30 November 2010.

Cited: Bevington, David, ed. “Introduction to ‘Othello, the Moor of Venice.’” The Complete Works of Shakespeare. 5th ed. Pearson & Longman: New York, 2004. 1150-1155. Shakespeare, William. “Othello, the Moor of Venice.” The Complete Works of Shakespeare. 5th ed. Ed. David Bevington. Pearson & Longman: New York, 2004. 1156-1200. “Othello”. www.folger.edu. Web. 30 November 2010.