Looking at Othello (The Character)

When we first begin the play, Othello, we hear Iago talking to Desdemona's father about how a "black ram" is defiling his "white ewe".  Not a very good impression for a character that the play is supposed to be about.  The line immediately gives us a negative impression of Othello, and we are confused even more when we meet him and find that he is a very likable, nobel, and honest man.  This distinction introduces one of the major elements in the play - racism.  Still in act 1, scene 1, we hear him referred to as; “the Moor” (I.i.57), “the thick-lips” (I.i.66), “an old black ram” (I.i.88), and “a Barbary horse” (I.i.113).  His off color is not without its downsides though.  In a social context, people around him are drawn in by his exotic nature and charm.  Due to the fact that he has an immediate barrier to overcome, a much heavier weight is placed on his charisma in order to make friends.  The weirdest part about Othello to me is his insistence to be viewed as an outsider.  For example, in spite of his obvious eloquence in Act I, scene iii, he protests, “Rude am I in my speech, / And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace” (I.iii.81–82).  It almost seems as though he doesn't have enough confidence in himself to overcome this.  He is not rude in his speech at all, and yet he still belittles himself when he speaks to others, which raises the question - is it humility or lack of self-confidence?  The only time Othello really loses composure is after Iago repeatedly assures him the Desdemona has been unfaithful.  Yet a short while later, Othello regains his composure and, once again, seduces both the characters and readers with his speech.  Then he kills himself, Shakespeare is so unoriginal.