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The Dehumanization Of Belonging In Othello By William Shakespeare

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The intricate concept of belonging is one of a complex nature, that can be developed and formed within an individual’s identity in accordance to an amalgamation of attributes; such attributes include people, places, societies and the larger world. These attribute are often influenced by context. When a coalescence of these features is beneficial to an individual, a sense of belonging is generated, creating acceptance and union within them. On the other hand, when these features are detrimental to an individual, a sense of belonging, or in this case, lack thereof, is produced, forming solitariness and seclusion within them. Though the notion of belonging may stimulate ideas of inclusion and involvement, some texts may choose to depict decisions of exclusion or obstacles that hinder …show more content…

An excerpt of Act 1, Scene 1 (Lines 110-112) explores this concept when Iago exclaims “Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you.” Shakespeare cleverly incorporates animalistic imagery to showcase the role that race has in a society and its effect on an individual’s social standing. Iago uses his relationships to manipulate those around him and convey his dehumanisation of Othello, expressing his true perception of him and exhibiting his hatred towards him, as it shows what lengths he will go to in order to take revenge on Othello. His belief that he is entitled to Othello’s promotion angers him when he finds out that he is not the promoted one; rather it is Cassio, as he reflects on the military experience he has in comparison. Though Othello is a general that serves Venice, Iago disrespects him and refers him to derogatory terms such as “The Moor” because of his race. Furthermore, the word “your” is used in reference to Desdemona, Brabantio’s daughter. It exemplifies the power that Brabantio has over his daughter and the

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This encounter takes place earlier in the play, right after Iago and Roderigo have convinced Brabantio into believing the scandalous and provocative gossip they have fed him. Othello speaks these words in an attempt to placate Brabantio, who has just stormed into the Duke’s council, agitated by Iago’s claims concerning his daughter. Additionally, his monologue is addressed to everyone present in the chamber so that he may prove his innocence more widely. He confirms that he has married Desdemona, but denies the allegations that he has won her through trickery and that this is the extent of his “crime.”

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Yet, it also highlights an ironic suggestion that Othello’s ‘life experience and history are broader’ than the surrounding ‘noble and approved good masters’ (1.3 229) In order to further develop his honesty and sincerity, Othello utilises repetition, ‘Her father loved me, oft invited me, Still questioned me the story of my life’ (1.3 127 128). This use of reiteration suggests that Brabantio had in fact welcomed Othello and indeed begged him, ‘To th’ very moment that he bade me tell it-‘ (1.3 133). It is Othello’s exotic depictions of ‘Cannibals that each other eat’ / ‘and men whose heads Do grow beneath their shoulders’ (1.3 142 145) that intrigues not only Brabantio, but Desdemona. It would seem that Brabantio never discouraged his daughter from listening to Othello’s stories and ‘she’d with a greedy ear Devour up my discourse;’ (1.3 149 150).

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Throughout the play, Iago, Roderigo, and Brabantio display covert or overt racism towards Othello. At the beginning of the play, Iago, Othello’s ensign, and Roderigo, a wealthy man in love with Desdemona, discuss Othello’s marriage and their hatred for Othello. During their dialogue, the first references made of Othello are “his Moorship” and “the Moor,” which is how most of the characters refer to Othello (Shakespeare 687). Rather than referring to Othello nominally, they refer to him by his ethnicity, showing their inherent racism.

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The exploitation of Othello’s race leads to the manipulation Roderigo, Cassio, Brabantio, the Venetians, and the audience to see Othello as inferior although, the only difference between him and the Venetians is his lineage. In the first act of the play, Iago and Roderigo go to Brabantio’s house to rile him out of his sleep. This is seen as the first step of defaming Othello’s character. The two

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