Roderigo refers to Othello as a ‘wheeling stranger’. Othello is also set apart from the other characters by his colour and this shows that he cannot fit in. The way the other characters treat Othello, show that Venice has a darker side, a racial undercurrent. Othello, whilst pleading his case about Desdemona, tells the Duke and Senators, ‘her father loved me, oft invited me – still questioned the story of my life’. This shows that he is accepted as a warrior and a guest to Brabantio’s house, but not as a son in law, as Brabantio says that Desdemona and Othello’s marriage is a ‘judgement maimed and most imperfect’. Othello is good enough to fight in wars but not good enough to be an equal.
Venice is a paternastic society, as Desdemona says to Brabantio, ‘To you I am bound for life and education, my life and education both do learn me how to respect you’ and later, ‘You are the lord of my duty’.
From the beginning of the part of the play set in Cyprus, we can see that there much contrast with Venice. The storm for example which, ‘cast water on the burning bear’ and was an ‘enchafed flood’, shows how unsettled the environment is. The characters are now away from safety and security. Iago uses this to his advantage, he carries on with his injustices as he knows he is away from the law and order of Venice.
Iago has insider knowledge of Venetian women, and he uses this to poison Othello’s thoughts. He says ‘ in Venice they do not let heaven see the pranks they dare not show their husbands’. This is important for the portrayal of the affair between Cassio and Desdemona, as Othello cannot dispute this information. The gullibility of Othello as an outsider is apparent here as he has faith in what Iago is telling him, he has no mean of checking this and so falls prey. Othello even makes it easier for Iago by saying, ‘if more thou dost perceive, let me know’.
Cassio’s mistress, the courtesan Bianca, highlights some the morals of the characters and shows how demeaning the men are towards women. Bianca is annoyed with Cassio and asks why he hasn’t been to see her: ‘ What? Keep a week away? Seven days and nights? Eight score hours? And Lovers’ absent hours’. He then gives her Desdemona’s handkerchief, and tells her to go, as he does not want to be seen ‘womaned’. The conversation between Cassio and Bianca is an example of a man speaking ungraciously to a woman. Iago takes this knowledge of Venitian courtesans and uses it in his plan.
Desdemona is away from her family in Venice and is therefore unprotected from the evil fate that befalls her. It is her word against Othello’s, who has been strongly influenced by Iago. This can be seen when Desdemona cannot convince Othello that the handkerchief has been stolen, she says, ‘I say it is not lost’, to which Othello replies ‘ Fetch’t; let me see it’. The loss of the handkerchief shows the loss of faith between Othello and Desdemona, and this is never recovered.
Iago and Othello contemplating how to kill Desdemona and Cassio, shows how the civilized values of Venice have fallen away. Othello, who was eloquent and grand with speech in Venice is now talking about chopping Desdemona ‘into messes’, agrees when Iago says ‘do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated’ and is letting him be Casio’s ‘undertaker’. Othello and Iago are free to do as they wish, without the restraints of Venice.
In Cyprus, Emillia speaks out and is transgresive, towards Iago: ‘Villainy, Villainy, Villainy! I think upon’t, I think- I smel’t – O villainy!’. She would not do this in Venice.
Desdemona is away from her family in Venice and is therefore unprotected from the evil fate that befalls her. It is her word against Othello’s, who has been strongly influenced by Iago. This can be seen when Desdemona cannot convince Othello that the handkerchief has been stolen, she says, ‘I say it is not lost’, to which Othello replies ‘ Fetch’t; let me see it’. The loss of the handkerchief shows the loss of faith between Othello and Desdemona, and this is never recovered.
Since the characters have left Venice, they have become more cunning and sly, as there is no law to punish them, the frantic scene in which Cassio is wounded by Roderigo, who is killed by Iago shows this. After stabbing Roderigo, Iago goes back to helping Cassio by tying his shirt around the wound: ‘ Light gentlemen, I’ll bind it with my shirt’. Iago would not have been able to get away with this in the security of Venice. The deaths of Othello and Desdemona in the final part of the play also show how with no law to guide them, evil can prevail.
In conclusion, Venice is of great importance to ‘Othello’, as it shows how inhabitants from a civilized society can be drawn into events which have been developed away from law and order.
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