What is Otherness/Othering in Othello?
One of the outstanding writing qualities of Shakespeare is how he uses many underlying themes in a manner that the reader has to pick up on in an endeavor to understand the work from Shakespeare’s perspective. Otherness remains highly vivid throughout Othello, whereby the concept represents the condition of being different from the normal.
Shakespeare uses otherness to explore the character of Iago, a highly educated who feels he should have higher ranks like Cassio. Otherness appears in the way that he is a white man who enjoys tormenting others and doing evil activities. Usually, such a character is expected to be a person of good morals. Shakespeare manages to show that even a white man bred in good morals and highly educated can also take part in evil activities. At the same time, Iago serves as Othello’s ensign. In this manner, the author expresses otherness since it was the other races that served the white men. By showing that white men can work under other races amicably, Shakespeare introduces a topic that was many light years ahead of its time.
Otherness is also manifested through the character of Othello. Although Othello was a better person morally than the likes of Iago, he has black skin. Iago strives to show everyone that Othello was savage and not deserving of his opportunities in leadership. The author shows otherness in that a black person was in leadership and was of good morals as well. Black skin was associated with bad stereotypes, which is defied by Othello in all measures. Otherness occurs on numerous other occasions, such as when Emilia takes down Iago as he never reciprocated her love. He shows women are capable of such strong actions when they seek what they deserve.