Examples Of Stereotypes In Othello

One's assumed stereotype affects how the majority population will treat them. Othello is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, set in the time of the Ottoman-Venetian War fought for the control of the island of Cyprus. The play centers around Othello, a well-decorated general in the Venetian army, and his wife Desdemona. His wife is the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian senator. She falls in love with the stories he tells her about the dangers he has faced and overcome. They both elope, Desdemona, betrays her father who says she is no longer welcome at his house and doesn't approve of Othello as he is a Moor, so she must travel with Othello to Cyprus when he is called to help aid in the war. Iago was also up for the position of general

They relay the scandal and promiscuity of Desdemona eloping with an African man. While she had suitors like Brabantio who were white, powerful, and wealthy. We see here already Othello as being hypersexualized and also criminalized in a way through the elopement. When we finally see Othello, he is different from what has been led to believe by Iago. He is well-mannered and speaks in a loving and respectful tone when regarding Desdemona. Desdemona defends herself and her husband by stating their love is pure and true. Stating she fell in love with him through the stories he shared of his valor. “[Desdemona] falls in love, not with Othello’s self but his adventures… What she responds to is more properly called self-creation than self-dramatization, for through his stories Othello attempts to shape an image of himself that will win acceptance in Venice and ...awaken Desdemona’s love.. Othello’s ‘identity depends upon a constant performance.”(Edward Berry, “Othello’s Alienation” ) These stories of valor are ways to prove himself not only capable but worthy of the same things that white men at the top of the racial hierarchy experience, like marrying a white woman. Racism is shrouded around him as he is one of the only, if not the only general who wasn't a white man. He had to be extra respectful and take all of the criticisms of him and assumptions others place

Leaving the position of general to Iago. He slowly convinces Othello into leading to believe that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio, Othello's lieutenant. He manipulates situations to best fit the narrative of Desdemona cheating on Othello. He tells his wife who is the lady in waiting for Desdemona to tell Desdemona to speak of how great Cassio is to Othello. Iago points out how Desdemona strayed from her nature when she married him instead of Brabantio. Iago also places into his head that Desdemona was quick to betray her father and societal norms for him. Who to say she would again break those norms and be unfaithful towards him? Othello concludes It would be in her nature to love someone who was from her own culture. So in loving him, her nature is erring from itself. "Haply, for I am black, And have not those soft parts of conversion" (Shakespeare 3.3.304–305) Othello is saying it must be because I'm black that she is now unfaithful to me. Othello has completely placed this upon himself. He is actively lowering himself to the bar that he was constantly trying to show he passed. He reduces himself to just his skin. This further creates alienation from Othello's true proud self and his wife Desdemona as he doesn't trust what she has to say. He is at war with himself which leads to the self-destructive behavior of