Othello's Relationship with Desdemona

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             Othello's origin and race were neither faulty nor insignificant in his life as a warrior until he was cunningly forced to question himself. In selections from Leo Africanus's The History and Description of Africa, a work written around the same time as Othello, Africanus describes blacks as "shepherds that liue a miserable, toilsome, wretched and beggarly life: they are a rude people, borne of brutish manners " (Africanus, 2). Although Othello was black, he was given societal approval by the people of Venice for his success and ability as a mercenary of war. On the contrary, if he had not possessed such capabilities, he would be considered by society as an animal "lead[ing] a beastly kinde of life, being vtterly destitute of the vse of reason, of desteritie of wit, and of all artes " (3). Othello accepted that he was black. He even admitted to Brabantio that he was "rude in [his] speech " (I.iii.81). However, through Iago's deceptive remarks, Othello became suspicious about his wife's infidelity, partly beginning to blame it on his inarticulate and barbaric nature, lacking "those soft parts of conversation that chamberers have " (III.iii.264). This is the first time that Othello negatively criticized his race or origin. Othello's judgment shows how quickly and how far Iago's insinuations have taken Othello, giving him reasons to be believe in Desdemona's infidelity. .
             Iago manipulated Othello by casually referring to Cassio, Othello's most trusted partner. The first ingredient in Iago's poisonous brew of lies was his evasive attitude, indirectly forcing Othello's curiosity to spark. Othello would not accept "nothing " for a response when asked "what does thou say, Iago? " (III.iii.94). Iago then proceeds to plant the first seed in Othello's already unbalanced mind:"Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady know of your love? " (III.iii.95-96). Although there is not a single thread of significant truth in Iago's comments about Cassio, Othello is extremely susceptible and paranoid that Cassio might be having an affair with Desdemona.