A Foreigner's Dwindling

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Trinidad Navia

Professor K. Cassedy

English 112

4 April 2011

A Foreigner’s dwindling

Othello was a respected General in the Venetian Army. His military reputation gave him a disguise to hide his true character, an insecure man. Othello held a high position in society but nonetheless his Moorish background kept him as an outsider which causes an internal identity conflict. Not trusting his military capabilities to lead or his own emotions, he taps into his savage nature and commits a heinous crime against his lovely wife.

During the Elizabethan Era, Moors (North African Muslim) were not considered civilized or well spoken. The reason Othello was valued among the white Venetian society was due to his military triumphs. Even though he was almost never insulted in front of his face, he was reminded of his background constantly. He knew he had to uphold the reputation he was given which he even suggests that he’s not worth of his status because of his color. “Rude am I in my speech, and little blessed with the soft phrase of peace…” (I.iii.81-82) Thanks to that insecurity, he did not see anything beyond that. The constant reminder that he was a Moor kept on building up inside, he tried to pretend that it did not bother him. His father in law did not approve of his marriage with Desdemona and made it clear in front of the council, he dislike Othello because he was “different”. “ to fall in love with what she feared to look on! It is a judgment maimed and most imperfect That will confess perfection so could err Against all rules of nature, and must be driven To find out practices of cunning hell Why this should be. I therefore vouch again That

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with some mixtures pow’rful o’er the blood, Or with some dram, conjured to this effect, He wrought upon her.” (I.iii.98-106) Even the Duke who likes Othello points the color of his skin in public. “And, noble signior, if virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.”...