From the start of the play the reader is informed of the racial prejudice that Othello will encounter throughout the play. A great soldier, Othello is well respected by the people of Venice however there are multiple times where characters clearly use racial slurs against him. It is remarkable how a man of his caliber is bullied by the everyday man with no mention of resistance by Othello. The disrespect characters display provides evidence that as long as your skin is not white, you are of little to no relevance. A clear example is found as Brabantio engages the Duke on the kidnapping of Desdemona. “She, in spite of nature, Of years, of country, credit, everything, To fall in love with what she fear’d to look on! It is a judgment maim’d and most imperfect. That will confess perfection so could err. Against all rules of nature.”(1.3.6) It is obvious that Brabantio believes it is not possible for someone as beautiful as Desdemona to fall in love with a man of his nature. The cow in the room, him being black. Now this is the biggest slap to the face. A man who fights for Venetian independence is brought to trial for his love of a white women. It proves that there is some wrong with an interracial marriage if Brabantio cannot come to terms as to how it happened. The cherry on top is the relationship Othello and Brabantio had before the marriage was brought to light. “Her father loved me, oft invited me, Still questioned me the story of my life. From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes,That I have passed.”(1.3.130-134) Brabantio and Othello were close knit, their relationship seemed as if they were best friends. Now with a bond that close, I find it hard to believe that Brabantio would deny his blessings of their marriage, yet they find themselves at the hands of the Duke. The only need for such intervening would be the utmost hate knowing that Desdemona has married a man of the inferior race. A man who he once welcomed is considered a monster. Brabantio much like many of the characters in the play has no respect for Othello. No matter how high ranking he is, he will always be considered a black ram. Knowing that people are explicitly using racial slurs against him, Othello may have self-image problems. An example being “Maybe because I’m black.” (3.3.268) As he uses his complexion as an explanation for certain events, it seems as if he blames himself for problems that occur. There seems to be a presence of self-hatred as he demonstrates his insecurities. The biggest downfall of Othello is not Iago, but the battle with his inner psyche.
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