Othello's transformation

[Vasdeus]

Hello all. I have a small question about Othello's transformation throughout the play.

I've noticed that, at the beginning of the play, Iago and Roderigo sterotype Othello; they characterize him using beastial imagery, calling him the "black ram" and the devil". Othello, upon entering the play, proves this wrong, showing himself to be an eloquent man, refined in his actions. However, as the play progresses, and Othello becomes more violent of speech and action, he lowers himself to Iago and Roderigo's characterisation of him.

My question is this: why does this happen? What is the purpose of reducing Othello to a stereotype after painstakingly showing him to be otherwise? Is there some wort of didacticism that I'm missing here? Anybody know?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me.

[Charles Darnay]

Iago and Roderigo are not the only ones who stereotype him. The play shows (amongst other things) that we are what people make us to be. The world wanted Othello to fit into their view of what a Moor is, and, with Iago's help, this was accomplished.

Now of course, the question is - is Shakespeare racist, and showing that the Othello we meet in Act I is merely an act, and that the Othello at the end of the play is who he (and all Moors) really are?

or.

Is Shakespeare critical of such a view: showing that people will do anything it takes to get someone to fit into their views of the world - and that Iago's machinations were designed just to prove his initial assessment?

[Vasdeus]

Thanks for your reply. I think what you've said really makes sense, in particular:


The world wanted Othello to fit into their view of what a Moor is, and, with Iago's help, this was accomplished.

I don't think that Iago was the soul progenitor of Othello's eventual violence; but rather Iago exploited a deep inner conflict in Othello. He was torn between two worlds, not properly fitting into either, and Iago realised this. The ingrediants were there, Iago was simply the catalyst.

In regards to your two assessments of this theme, I think that I agree more with the latter, however there are some things that I disagree with. I don't think that Iago was necessarily trying to prove his initial judgements of Othello. After all, it is implied within the play that Othello and Iago had been close friends for some time before the events of the play. If it weren't for this, I would fully agree with you, but however, because of this, I look at Iago's actions as being more vindictive. He's not simply trying to fit Othello to how he thinks he should be, but he's degrading him to the stereotypical savage, the violent and rageful Moor, not for himself, but for others to see. Iago isn't some out-of-touch racist, trying to fit people into the mould of his preconceptions, but a purely malevolent societal manipulator.

[Charles Darnay]

Most of this I can agree with - except for the Iago and Othello used to be friends part. Part of Iago's brilliance is that he doesn't outright lie: manipulates the truth, sure, but not lie.

So in this exchange:



RODERIGO
Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.

IAGO
Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man,
I know my price,

I.i


he is being quite honest.