"Othello is more the victim of circumstances than a man snared by his own weaknesses".
"In Shakespearean tragedy uncertainty is of the essence".
(E. A. J. Honigman).
The much-acclaimed Shakespearean critic A.C. Bradley has defined the character Othello as "purely noble, strong, generous and trusting and as tragic hero merely a victim". However, is it fair to infer that a man's tragic downfall, due to his own faults, can be classified as victimization? Perhaps Othello's victimization was not purely due to his own flaws, rather his circumstances which may have contributed to his downfall? As Shakespeare's masterful plot unfolds, it is witnessed that both Othello's weaknesses and circumstances contributed equally to his downfall. .
Othello is a man shrouded in mystery and "otherness". This "noble Moor" is a man of honour, discipline and love. Yet this brilliant soldier and leader is transformed from a rational, honourable man, into a malevolent creature at the hands of a monster best described as a "motiveless malignity" - Iago. Othello's metamorphosis is disastrous, completely destroying himself and his love Desdemona in a tragic climax. The ensnarement of Othello's mind, body and soul is his horrid victimization. However, it is important to consider the factors which brought about this tragic downfall. .
Othello's circumstances in the play pose quite unfavourably for him. Basically, his culture, race and upbringing pit fate against him and enable his victimization by the hand of Iago. Thus one could argue that Othello's tragic circumstances played an integral part in his downfall. Indeed, Othello's status as an outsider may be the reason he is such easy prey for Iago.
Whilst it is not clear whether Shakespeare intended Othello to be a dark or olive skinned Moor, it was his intention to convey him as an outsider. Thus we can assume that even in a city as multi-cultural as 17th Century Venice, there was still a strong undercurrent of racism.
