Othello's Dynamic Character

A man with color living in the Elizabethan era subjects in extreme racism from other citizens. William Shakespeare creates his first great black protagonist, Othello, to exhibit the hardships of interracial marriage and social acceptance. Othello’s status was quite complex being the General of Venice. He was greatly admired as a well serving General, however, was not accepted as Desdemona’s husband, particularly by her father, Brabantio. Othello’s “trustworthy” companion Iago manipulates him into believing his wife had a current affair with Lieutenant Cassio leading to Othello’s flaws throughout the play. In William Shakespeare's tragedy Othello, Othello’s dynamic character is presented as a great noble war hero with strong integrity that loses touch with his moral principles due to Iago’s scandalous rumors which eventually leads to his downfall.

Even though he was a Moor, many people applaud his great work serving and protecting the citizens of Venice. His exotic qualities and stories about his audacious fighting on the battlefield enlightened many others, particularly his lover Desdemona. Brabantio was proud and highly honored Othello’s courageous service, however, he was not well pleased when Desdemona took Othello’s hand in marriage. Despite his great efforts as a general, Othello’s skin color and age resulted in many racial slurs becoming problematic in marrying Desdemona. Brabantio disapproved the marriage because Othello must have “abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals that weaken motion.”(Act 1, Scene 2). Othello took these accusation quite calmly, showing how well he can undertake difficult situations. Ironically, Brabantio accepted him as a great war hero but not as a