Essay Plan: Othello as an Outsider
Argument 1: Othello as a racial and cultural outsider
Key Events
Iago and Roderigo use racist language to describe Othello in Act 1.
Brabantio reacts with horror to Desdemona’s marriage.
The Duke acknowledges Othello’s military value but still frames him as “different.”
Quotes
“An old black ram is tupping your white ewe.” – Iago (1.1)
“Blessed fig’s-end! The Moor is of a free and open nature.” – Iago (1.3)
“Against all rules of nature.” – Brabantio (1.3)
“Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.” – Duke (1.3)
Point to Make
Othello’s racial and cultural identity separates him from Venetian society.
Even when praised, it is through comparison to whiteness (“fairer than black”).
This establishes early on that he is admired but never fully accepted — setting the stage for
his insecurity.
Argument 2: Othello as an outsider in love and marriage
Key Events
Othello and Desdemona defend their relationship before the Senate.
Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft, unable to believe Desdemona chose him freely.
Iago later manipulates Othello into believing Desdemona’s love is unnatural or temporary.
Quotes
“She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them.” –
Othello (1.3)
“Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: / She has deceived her father, and may thee.” –
Brabantio (1.3)
“Haply for I am black / And have not those soft parts of conversation.” – Othello (3.3)
Point to Make
Their marriage crosses boundaries, challenging Venetian norms.
Othello internalises others’ prejudices, believing Desdemona might tire of him.
His outsider status makes him distrust the very love that should anchor him.
1
, Argument 3: Othello as a psychological outsider (internal conflict and downfall)
Key Events
Iago manipulates Othello into jealousy by exploiting his insecurities.
The handkerchief (a foreign symbol) becomes the “proof” of Desdemona’s betrayal.
Othello loses his sense of identity and descends into violence.
His final speech reveals his tragic awareness of being “othered.”
Quotes
“Othello’s occupation’s gone!” – Othello (3.3)
“Her name, that was as fresh / As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black / As mine own
face.” – Othello (3.3)
“Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away / Richer than all his tribe.” – Othello (5.2)
“Of one that loved not wisely, but too well.” – Othello (5.2)
Point to Make
His outsider status is not only social but internalised.
Othello’s insecurities are the entry point for Iago’s manipulation.
The tragedy lies in Othello believing the identity society has imposed on him.
Example Essay Structure
Introduction
Introduce Othello as a tragedy exploring race, love, and belonging.
State thesis: Othello’s identity as an outsider — socially, romantically, and psychologically —
is central to his downfall, as it fuels his insecurities and makes him vulnerable to
manipulation.
Body Paragraph 1 (Racial outsider)
Topic sentence: Othello is marked as racially and culturally different from the start.
Evidence: Racist insults, Brabantio’s shock, Duke’s “fairer than black.”
Argument: He is respected but never truly accepted; outsider status is entrenched.
Body Paragraph 2 (Marriage outsider)
Topic sentence: Othello’s marriage to Desdemona challenges Venetian norms.
Evidence: Brabantio’s accusations, Othello’s doubts (“Haply for I am black”).
Argument: His outsider identity undermines trust in his relationship.
2
Argument 1: Othello as a racial and cultural outsider
Key Events
Iago and Roderigo use racist language to describe Othello in Act 1.
Brabantio reacts with horror to Desdemona’s marriage.
The Duke acknowledges Othello’s military value but still frames him as “different.”
Quotes
“An old black ram is tupping your white ewe.” – Iago (1.1)
“Blessed fig’s-end! The Moor is of a free and open nature.” – Iago (1.3)
“Against all rules of nature.” – Brabantio (1.3)
“Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.” – Duke (1.3)
Point to Make
Othello’s racial and cultural identity separates him from Venetian society.
Even when praised, it is through comparison to whiteness (“fairer than black”).
This establishes early on that he is admired but never fully accepted — setting the stage for
his insecurity.
Argument 2: Othello as an outsider in love and marriage
Key Events
Othello and Desdemona defend their relationship before the Senate.
Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft, unable to believe Desdemona chose him freely.
Iago later manipulates Othello into believing Desdemona’s love is unnatural or temporary.
Quotes
“She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them.” –
Othello (1.3)
“Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: / She has deceived her father, and may thee.” –
Brabantio (1.3)
“Haply for I am black / And have not those soft parts of conversation.” – Othello (3.3)
Point to Make
Their marriage crosses boundaries, challenging Venetian norms.
Othello internalises others’ prejudices, believing Desdemona might tire of him.
His outsider status makes him distrust the very love that should anchor him.
1
, Argument 3: Othello as a psychological outsider (internal conflict and downfall)
Key Events
Iago manipulates Othello into jealousy by exploiting his insecurities.
The handkerchief (a foreign symbol) becomes the “proof” of Desdemona’s betrayal.
Othello loses his sense of identity and descends into violence.
His final speech reveals his tragic awareness of being “othered.”
Quotes
“Othello’s occupation’s gone!” – Othello (3.3)
“Her name, that was as fresh / As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black / As mine own
face.” – Othello (3.3)
“Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away / Richer than all his tribe.” – Othello (5.2)
“Of one that loved not wisely, but too well.” – Othello (5.2)
Point to Make
His outsider status is not only social but internalised.
Othello’s insecurities are the entry point for Iago’s manipulation.
The tragedy lies in Othello believing the identity society has imposed on him.
Example Essay Structure
Introduction
Introduce Othello as a tragedy exploring race, love, and belonging.
State thesis: Othello’s identity as an outsider — socially, romantically, and psychologically —
is central to his downfall, as it fuels his insecurities and makes him vulnerable to
manipulation.
Body Paragraph 1 (Racial outsider)
Topic sentence: Othello is marked as racially and culturally different from the start.
Evidence: Racist insults, Brabantio’s shock, Duke’s “fairer than black.”
Argument: He is respected but never truly accepted; outsider status is entrenched.
Body Paragraph 2 (Marriage outsider)
Topic sentence: Othello’s marriage to Desdemona challenges Venetian norms.
Evidence: Brabantio’s accusations, Othello’s doubts (“Haply for I am black”).
Argument: His outsider identity undermines trust in his relationship.
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