Othello: Links Between Act 1 and Today

While it was written a long time ago, Shakespeare’s play Othello has many themes that can still be related to current themes in society. Act one in this play, introduces main characters and even highlights the major themes that will be reoccurring throughout the play.

One theme that is present from the very first few lines of the play is a theme of jealousy.  Jealousy is timeless, it existed back in the 1600s and it still exists today.The play starts off with Iago complaining to Roderigo out of jealousy. Iago is angry with Othello for not appointing him Lieutenant. Othello instead gave this position to Cassio and demoted Iago to his servant. Iago believes that this position should have been given to him; that Cassio is not the right fit. His long rants to Roderigo outline his jealousy:

“Despise me

If I do not. Three great ones of the city

(In personal suit to make me his lieutenant)

Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man

I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.

But he (as loving his own pride and purposes)

Evades them with a bombast circumstance

Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,

And in conclusion

Nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he,

“I have already chose my officer.”

And what was he?

Forsooth, a great arithmetician,

One Michael Cassio, a Florentine

(A fellow almost damned in a fair wife)

That never set a squadron in the field,

Nor the division of a battle knows

More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric...”

(Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 8-25)

In his rant he is explaining how Othello chose Cassio over him. He talks about how Cassio is not well-suited for the job, saying he has no more hands-on experience in battle than an old woman. Iago is clearly jealous that he himself did not get the position. His jealousy is the root of his anger and leads him to devise plans to bring down Othello and Cassio. This very situation could still happen today. If someone gets a position that another wants they are likely to have feelings of jealousy. This can happen in a workplace, school, household etc.

Another major theme in Othello is that people are prejudice against those who are not like them. Today, prejudices are not at their worst, however they still exist, including prejudices against race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Othello, being a black man in a white society, is subjected to many prejudicial remarks. He may be respected by most; however those people still express feelings of racism. Although his race hasn't necessarily affected his ability to gain power and become General, it has affected the way people treat him. For example, in Act One Othello is often referred to as "the Moor", a derogatory term for a black man. Roderigo also refers to Othello as “thick-lips”, making a crude racist comment. This following quote demonstrates racism used by Iago to convince Barbantio that his daughter, Desdemona, has run off with Othello: 

“ Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise;
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.
Arise I say!”

 (Act 1. Scene 1. Lines 94-98)

Iago is making racist remarks to urge on Barbantio’s anger towards Othello. He explains that Othello, “an old black ram” is having intercourse with his daughter. Othello is also being called a devil. In that time there was a belief that only black men could be possessed by the devil. This was a prejudice belief in that era. This can be connected to many prejudices and stereotypes today, i.e; black men are more likely to commit a crime. Later Iago says to Barbantio:

“I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.”

 (Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 126-127)

Here Iago is referring to Othello as an animal, telling Barbantio that he and his daughter are making “beasts with two backs”. While at first Barbantio does not believe Iago, after some convincing his is ready to kill Othello. His anger and negative feelings towards Othello are amplified by the fact that Othello is black, lower class and older than Desdemona. These differences between them cause Barbantio to feel such severe prejudice feelings.  

One more major theme expressed through Act One of Othello is that some people will manipulate others to help them get ahead and that people are not always who they appear to be.

In this act, Iago needs Roderigo. Iago does not want to get in trouble himself, so instead he uses his “friend” Roderigo to act out his plans. Roderigo is not very intelligent and is very gullible, which makes him an easy target for manipulation. Iago realizes this and takes advantage; using him like a puppet in his show. Iago tells Roderigo that he will help him get Desdemona, while in fact he is only using him. To Roderigo, Iago appears to be a kind and caring friend, but he admits himself that he is not who he appears to be:

“Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,

But seeming so, for my peculiar end.

For when my outward action doth demonstrate

The native act and figure of my heart

In compliment extern, ’tis not long after

But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve

For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.”

(Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 61-67)

 

Iago is good at fooling others, just like many people in today’s world. Dominant individuals sometimes take advantage of people less powerful because it is easy and makes less work for them. In society, the weak and trusting can be victims to manipulation as Roderigo is in this act.

These are only a few on the themes brought out in the first act of Othello. Though this play was written a long time ago, it seems as though many themes can still be applied to today’s society.