Othello's Outsider Status and Vulnerability

Othello’s Words

Last Speech

It is certainly one of Othello’s weaknesses, the fact that he is an outsider. But it is not merely this insecurity that undoes Othello: Othello also does not know how to love in the matrimonial sense—he has no learning or experience there, which is why he says also at the end of the play, “I loved not wisely but too well.” But then even more heartbreaking are these words: “I kissed there ‘ere I killed thee; no way but this, killing myself to die upon a kiss.” How can one even begin to unpack that! Othello carries within him notes of Judas-level betrayal (Judas kissed Christ and betrayed Him to the soldiers), the madness of a jealous husband who has lost his mind only to recover it too late, and the voice of penitent. He proceeds to take his own life in an act of self-judgment—but who can judge him for doing so? Othello is of a higher stature and caliber than most men. His susceptibility to Iago’s plot, nonetheless, does have something to do with his outsider status: a Venetian might have seen through Iago sooner; but I do not see much evidence of insecurity playing a part. Othello shows no insecurity before the senators at the opening of the play when he defends his elopement.

Othello Discussion 5

In Act 3 scene 3, Iago never outright accuses Cassio of sleeping with Desdemona, but rather he drops hints and suggestions and lets Othello put the pieces together in his own mind. He lets Othello make the suggestion in this scene, and then he just repeats it back to him as though it were all but a fact. When Iago is caught, he says nothing and vows that he will be silent from that day forward: he will not speak a word to explain himself or defend himself. He knows he is a liar, but he is caught now and his tricks are so obvious there is no way for him to spin the truth to his advantage—so he essentially seals his lips like a child taking his ball and going home.