Othello
Othello by William Shakespeare, also known as the Moor of Venice, is one of the most well known tragedy play ever written by him. Perhaps one of the distinctive factors shown in this classic tragedy play would be the main character, Othello, an African, or a black, which separates most of his other heroes such as Hamlet or King Lear. Being a black, Othello is given a high status in society - noble, famous, and highly placed in the regards of his rulers, he has everything except for having a different skin color. His only weakness is a pervading insecurity and self-loathing, which provides a good opportunity for the villain, Iago, to take advantage on his fatal flaw an unreasonable, irrational jealousy that drives him to kill what he holds dear which is his wife and in the end throwing everything away when he commit suicide after knowing his mistakes of accusing her. The play revolving on Othello the powerful yet unsecure hero and Iago, master of manipulator provide us with variety and current themes of racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal. However, it is through Othello’s character that we are able to comprise a main theme for the play which is appearance versus reality.
Throughout the whole play, it can be seen that the main theme is all about positive versus negative, good versus bad, right versus wrong, and even though there are some grey lines towards these claims, to sum up all of these, it is clear to see that it is mostly regarding appearance versus reality. This can be well seen by the villain of the play which is Iago the manipulator who throughout the play was scheming to get back at Othello for promoting Cassio instead of him. It is known that Iago was claimed by most of the character as being Honest Iago but the reader knowing better are aware on what Iago real intention is all about. Iago deceiving and able to control the simple minded and foolish Roderigo was no surprise to us. However, the surprising thing was even the skillful soldier and leader, Othello fall prey to Iago’s scheme. Othello who pride himself for being a great warrior and in control of every movement in the play has a weakness which is being an outsider. Iago’s main weapon to mislead all the characters in the play may be because they all have the same opinion towards him which is: they trusted Iago.
From the appearance, racism is seen because from the characters skin color, their attitude and characteristic are judged. This can be seen by how Othello was judged by those who distrust black people and despise them; Iago, even though he is Othello’s ensign, he despised him as much as any other racism white people are. Iago frequently repeated the term to compare “black” and “white” numerous of time can be seen in one of the famous quotes:
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe.
Arise, arise;
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.
Arise I say! (1.1.9)
The ironic part of the play would be the fact that Othello himself perceived himself as being the wild, uncivilized outsider even in reality he was not the sort of person. Other than that, Othello being well known for being the great warrior was still naïve towards the corruption of individuals that is happening in reality. His nature of trusting people is very dangerous, especially when he put his full trust on Iago, the one he should be avoiding and keeping an eye on. Since he trusted people who claims that Iago is honest, he trusted Iago full heartedly. As one can say, the appearance is very deceiving when one assumed and judge by the book cover.
What would have appeared to be foul play was later been said to be all a misunderstanding; the love between Othello and his wife, Desdemona was being question not only by the husband himself but also by her own father, Brabantio, that she is not someone to be trusted:
Look to her, Moor, if thou has eyes to see:
She has deceived her father, and may thee (1.3.286)
Othello and Desdemona marriage was never clear and how they even attract each other was not clear. It is because of this reason that made Othello’s marriage with Desdemona seem as a foul play, where Othello being a black was accused of using black magic to woo her. However, it was reveal that it was not black magic that tie them together but the magic of love and respect for each other that lead them to fall in love with each other. Othello and Desdemona show their affection for each other regardless of racial and cultural differences. My heart’s subdued. Even to the very quality of my lord. I saw Othello’s visage in his mind, And to his honors and his valiant parts Did I my sould and fortunes consecrate (1.3.250 – 254)Though it may sound bizarre, in the end, their love is forever. It may appear that there was no hope between the both of them and their love was neither genuine nor honest. To love someone, jealousy must be experience and Othello’s jealousy was derived from his sincere love for Desdemona, for he does not know how to handle the fact that Desdemona may no longer love him the way that he loves her. Othello decision to kill his wife was the climax of their relationship. However, even at the time of her death, Desdemona was singing which shows that she had forgiven Othello. As the statement given above, it is clear that from the appearance, it is a total contrast towards reality. The main theme of the play revolves around taking advantage of the appearance and assuming it to be truth when the truth in reality is a total contrast with the issue. Everything was going peacefully until Iago wanted something that was not meant for him thus him breaking the rule of the natural order. Iago plays an important role in the play as he is almost similar to Othello, controlling everyone’s movement, only Iago’s manipulates their will in order to trap them in an intricate net of lies. Even the mighty Othello has fallen into his trap. This shows how everyone has their own weaknesses and them looking confident and powerful does not necessary means that they are who they are inside in reality.
Work Cited
1. Vaughan, Virginia Manson. “Othello, a Contextual History”. Cambridge University Press, 1994.
2. http://www.gradesaver.com/othello/study-guide/major-themes/
3. http://www.shmoop.com/othello/quotes.html
4. http://www.field-of-themes.com/shakespeare/essays/Eothello3.htm
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