Paper Summary:

This paper reviews William Shakespeare's play "Othello". It examines how the theme of 'other-ness' and 'outsider-ness' that is evidenced by the ability of appearances to lie, rather than tell the truth, runs through the play, though it is most clearly embodied in the character of Othello himself. Othello is a Black man, a Moor, who is fundamentally "other" or perceived as alien by the society in which he dwells. It discusses how Shakespeare represents alienation as not just being evil in terms of blackness, but alienation in "Othello" also means that a character is existing in a constant state of tension with his or her environment.

From the Paper:

"The idea that one can become a stranger to one's self permeates even to the lesser characters of the play (2.3) Othello is deeply disappointed when he sees Cassio, the man he promoted, brawling in the street. Cassio blames himself and wine for his loss of a position, for the wine making him a stranger to himself. Of course, it is Iago who has skillfully manipulated Cassio to drink to much wine. Iago tells his wife Emilia that he wants the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona, which she promised him she would never lose. Emilia obeys him, becoming duplicitous in her actions if not in her thoughts to the mistress she loves. "

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