In finishing this play I still find myself sympathizing with Othello. Throughout this play I found that Othello was constantly looked upon as an outsider who did not deserve his military achievements or Desdemona’s hand in marriage. For instance Iago so desperately lacked power and control over his own life that he set out to ruin Othello simply because Othello failed to name him Lieutenant. Iago resented him for his high military accomplishments and was unable to accept the fact that a Moor was more successful than he, a white Venetian. Iago sets out to ruin Othello by convincing him that Desdemona is cheating and he is easily convinced because of his insecurities. Othello appeared to be calm and confident on the inside but on the inside felt as though he was not good enough for Desdemona’s love and affection because he was a Moor. I tend to feel bad for Othello because all he wanted to do was fit into the Venetian lifestyle and his race and religion would not allow it.
Brabantio was another figure who was not able to accept Othello for his race. Regardless of his high military standing Brabantio was convinced that Desdemona was tricked with “drugs and minerals” without any evidence to support this notion (56). Brabantio also identifies Othello as a “foul thief” having stolen his daughter without his approval (56).
I look with pity on Othello’s situation because it was his insecurities that got the best of him, causing him to think irrational thoughts which led to the murder of his beloved wife. His aggressive behavior seemed to solidify the Venetians stereotypical view of the Moors which in turn enhanced the Venetians view that they were of a more civilized race.
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