Othello is a very interesting and powerful character in Shakespeare's 'Othello'. It almost seems that he is a god. He acts with more power than the governor. When he returns from war, he is celebrated for six hours. When the governor becomes injured during the brawl at the end of Act III, Othello still demands information from him before he offers to help him. Othello appears to be above authority, simply because he is a war hero. At the time, it seems that war heroes were considered nobility.
Othello is described in many different ways by the other characters within the play. For instance, on page 66, Desdemona belittles herself to Othello by stating that her "heart's subdued/Even to the very quality of my lord." She claims that Othello is a better person than her, both morally and spiritually.
However, not all mention of Othello is praiseworthy. Iago, the villian in the play, is jealous of Othello and his success in war and in love. He is upset that Othello has chosen Cassio as his lieutenant, when he is older and more experienced. He then plans revenge on both Cassio and Othello through the use of Desdemona, who both men cannot help but fall in love with. Iago even states, "For, sir,/It is as sure as you are Roderigo,/Were I the Moor I would not be Iago" (48). It is not good to have a jealous subordinate, because he could eventually plot an uprising.
The only question that I can pose regarding Othello is why does everyone keep referring to him as Othello the Moor? It seems that his status and his demeanor are based on his cultural background.
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