Character Analysis of Shakespeares Othello

Above all else, this Othello character analysis reveals that Shakespeares Othello has gravitas. A celebrated soldier and trusted leader whose race both defines him â€Å"The Moor† and defies his lofty position; it would be rare for a man of race to have such a highly respected position in Venetian society. Othello and Race Many of Othellos insecurities are derived from his race and from the perception that he is lowlier than his wife. â€Å"Haply for I am black, And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Othello, Act 3 Scene 3, Line 267) Iago and Roderigo describe Othello at the start of the play, without even naming him, using his racial difference to identify him, referring to him as â€Å"the Moor†, â€Å"an old black ram†. He is even referred to as â€Å"the thick lips†. It is generally the morally dubious characters who use his race as a reason to disparage him. The Duke only speaks of him in terms of his achievements and his valor; â€Å"Valiant Othello†¦Ã¢â‚¬  ( Act 1 Scene 3 Line 47) Unfortunately, Othello’s insecurity gets the better of him and he is moved to kill his wife in a fit of jealousy. One could argue that Othello is easily manipulated but as an honest man himself, he has no reason to doubt Iago. â€Å"The Moor is of a free and open nature, That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,† (Iago, Act 1 Scene 3, Line 391). Having said that, he more readily believes Iago than his own wife but again this is probably because of his own insecurities. â€Å"By the world, I think my wife be honest and think she is not. I think that thou art just, and think thou art not.† (Act 3 Scene 3, Line 388-390) Othello’s Integrity One of Othello’s admirable qualities is that he believes that men should be transparent and honest as he is; â€Å"Certain, men should be what they seem† (Act 3 Scene 3 Line 134). This juxtaposition between Othello’s transparency and Iago’s duality identifies him as a sympathetic character despite his actions. Othello is manipulated by the truly evil and duplicitous Iago who has so few redeeming qualities. Pride is also one of Othello’s weaknesses; for him, his wife’s alleged affair confounds his belief that he is a lesser man, that he cannot live up to her expectations and her position in society; her need for a conventional white man is a critical blow to his achieved position. â€Å"For naught, I did in hate, but all in honour† (Act 5 Scene 2, Line 301). Othello is clearly very much in love with Desdemona and in killing her he denies himself his own happiness; which heightens the tragedy. Iago’s true Machiavellian victory is that he orchestrates Othello having to take responsibility for his own downfall. Othello and Iago Iago’s hatred of Othello is profound; he does not employ him as his lieutenant and there is a suggestion that he bedded Emilia previous to his relationship with Desdemona. The relationship between Othello and Emilia is never corroborated but Emilia has a very negative opinion of Othello, possibly based on dealings with her own husband? Emilia says to Desdemona of Othello â€Å"I would you had never seen him† (Act 5 Scene 1, Line 17) presumably this is out of love and loyalty to her friend as opposed to a lingering affection for him. Othello would be very attractive to someone in Emilia’s position; he is very demonstrative in his love for Desdemona but sadly this turns sour and his character becomes more recognizable to Emilia as a result. Othello is brave and celebrated which could also account for Iago’s intense hatred of him. Jealousy defines Othello and also the characters associated with his downfall.