Short analysis of character Othello by Shakespeare
Othello (also titled The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor from Venice) is a well-known play written by William Shakespeare, for the first time performed at the beginning of the 17th century and based on the story Un Capitano Moro by Giovanni Battista Giraldi Cinthio, which is about half a century older. The character from the title is undisputedly one of the most tragic characters, not only among Shakespeare's works but in the whole world of art too.
Let’s take a look at three main characteristics, or shall we say reasons, for so special position of this character among so many others!
1. Racism. Being colored in a society of all whites is definitely not a good start, yet the story of Othello begins with an even stronger contrast. He was a slave, he escaped, became a warrior, a military leader, and a hero. He seems like an example of rag to riches story plot until we start to realize how racism still managed to get him.
The play is full of remarks about his race, from the African origin of him to the shape of his lips. It seems almost everybody, including Brabantio, his father in law, can’t go over the fact how different he looks. Despite all the heroic achievements he offered to society, the fact is still simple – he is a black man in a white society.
Othello is an outsider and this is a negligible part of his charm. We all have a different experience with racism, which is still alive and kickin’ all over the world, so our levels of empathy differ.
But on the other hand, each one of us has at least a few experiences about being an outsider, a person with different education, experience, background or whatever may come in one’s way in a certain situation.
Such situations can be very stimulating and it looks for a while Othello managed to find a place for himself in the society which appreciates his military skills. Unfortunately, the same society can’t get over his marriage with a white woman.
It is not only an interracial marriage, but it’s also a marriage between members of completely different social classes. Othello knows he is not truly accepted and this inevitably leads to the tragic ending.
2. Jealousy. If we want to find a typical character obsessed with jealousy, we can say Othello is a perfect example.
Iago, the guy who was surpassed when Othello was promoted, skillfully manipulates with his already existing doubts and thanks to a few accidental situations Othello slowly loses his temper until he finally kills his own wife. Only after Desdemona’s dead body, he realizes his capital mistake and after a heartbreaking monologue commits suicide.
From the very beginning, it is clear Iago is not Othello’s friend, but the hero of the story still decides to believe him despite his own wife’s claims and proofs of love and faithfulness.
This play is a superb handbook about jealousy, an emotion, which exists in each one of us and can work a driving force in the progress of humankind, but can very fast cause a disaster, if it’s not balanced with joy, trust, and other positive emotions. Othello is obviously not capable of controlling his anger, what doesn’t make his suitable for a military officer or a family man either.
Again, each one of us experienced jealousy in different forms and intensities, so it’s relatively easy to identify oneself with Othello, although very likely not in so extreme expressions.
3. Self-centeredness. According to all already said, Othello’s self-centeredness is prominent. He is unable to cope with Desdemona’s feelings or Iago’s motivations because everything he can think about is Othello and nobody else.
His inability to overcome his own personal and extremely small world of limitations and deeply ingrained beliefs about his own inferiority is another dimension of Othello’s tragic character.
He simply can’t believe he is worthy of a lady of Desdemona’s quality. This conclusion instantly leads to a set of questions about his love in the first place, but such doubts surpass the main goal of this basic analysis of Othello’s character.
