Example Of Essay On Identity In Shakespeares Othello

William Shakespeare’s Othello is a tragic narrative of consequences arising out of a misplaced sense of identity, one that is based not on a personal conclusion, but on the society’s perception of an individual. Thus, Othello is subjected to numerous factors, such as his race, first and foremost, then his social status and finally military service, which serve as the indicators of his identity, and he is all too eager to believe the lies of others more than his own eyes.
Initially, Othello is seen as an outsider, simply because of the color of his skin, and is referred to as a black ram, the Moor and thick-lips, all of which denote the fact that he is of African origin. This immediately sets him apart from everyone else, and he is never allowed to forget this. This, in combination with his exceptional military service is what is making him an extraordinary story-teller, a persona of exotic origins and adventures in faraway places, which is exactly what makes Desdemona fall in love with him.
Thus, by using these notions of identity, which do not come from Othello but rather from the world around him and which shape his identity, Iago transforms him into a mere puppet, manipulated by others into not only believing what others tell him to believe, but also do what others instruct him to do. The identity that Othello is in possession of is not the one that stems from his own opinion of himself, and this is why he is such an easy target for Iago, who uses him for his own evil purposes.
Shakespeare’s Othello indicates the notion that without a personal sense of identity, one is an easy subject for the wickedness of other people, and cannot distinguish between truth and lies. Due to all of this, Othello cannot be destined to be happy with his beloved, wrongfully accused Desdemona.