Using detailed supporting evidence, discuss the extent to which identity is a central theme or motif in the play.

Elly Wang Identity is the upmost important theme in the play Othello, which can be reveals the tragedy that the protagonist unknowingly brought upon himself. Shakespeare reveals that individual may derive identity from several aspects of peoples lives that include alienation, reputation, and honesty. Together, these elements construct an identity which can be divided into two parts: an outwardly one that is presented for the world to see and an inner one that is only known to the individuals themselves. Shakespeare explores the idea of social reputation as a vital essence of human identity. In the beginning of the play, Othello makes a grand and eloquent speech in order to defend himself from Brabantios accusations. The reason behind the speech seems to be that in blowing up his exotic background, Othello defends himself from racial harassments. Undeniably, Othellos turbulent childhood as a soldier would suggest that he has made an effort to fit in with the sophisticated and civilised men of Venice. Initially, his humble excuse that rude am I in my speech compared to other gentlemen. But the speech tells of his year to year the battles, sieges, fortunes that *he+ has passed in an eloquent and melodramatic manner, which creates irony. Instantly, the audience is lead to suppose that his identity centres on the image of a rather far-fetched heroism. From this, it can be perceived that although Othellos pride in his background may defend him from alienation, the army commander only has a superficial perception of himself as an exotic hero due to his dark colour and race. Consequently, it is to *Othellos+ honour and his valiant parts constructed by his own tales that Venetians like Desdemonas soul and fortunes consecrate. Not only does this identity help the exotic soldier receive respect from others in the army, Othello also uses services which [he] has done the seignior as a tool to out-tongue *the seigniors+ complaints and justify his fidelity when he subjected to unjust racial attacks such as by Branbantio. In other words, good service to the state of Venice makes the foreign soldier an insider far more fair than black. Because of this, Othello holds honour dear, after all why should honour outlive honesty. Consequently, the fundamental concept about social reputation is that it is brittle. While an individuals social identity may bring about success in life, it will always remain vulnerable to external factors such as alienation and personal achievements. Alienation can often bring about a sense of loss of identity, thus in constructing social identity a sense of self-worth and confidence are gained. Due to this social identity may be of a greater importance to an outsider as it fulfils the individuals lacking sense of belonging and identity within a community. Shakespeare also emphasizes that Othellos heroic identity gives him a blunt and rationalised morality which refutes any evil that creates problems for him. It is the realisation that he and his most dear wife are both capable of such evil which turns his rationality to turmoil. On this basis, it is interesting to consider how Othello could have avoided carrying out the honourable murder. Quite simply, the audience must acknowledge that some aspects of human personality do not surface until the individuals are faced with the situations. In Othellos case, this is to do with his inability to tolerate any failure or signs of disloyalty. Othellos prompt sacking of Cassio early in the play is an exemplar of the zero-tolerance system that he operates. Othello claims that he loves *Cassio]; but never more be officer of *his+. Evidently, Othello did not sympathise with Cassio, who is left to

lament over his loss of the immortal part of *himself+ *his+ reputation. Although this decision may have seemed to be an effective resolution to the problem, it is only later in the play when such quick decision making becomes involved with Othellos relationships, and the audience begin to perceive a problem. Iago suggests that Othello, as loving his own pride and purposes has an extreme confidence that prevent himself from considering the validity decisions and to fight without a prompter. Othellos reason that killing Desdemona was an honourable murderer is a display where he ironically justifies he and his wifes righteous identity by sinning. Othello, in his anguish also remarks that if that the earth could teem with woman's tears, /each drop she falls would prove a crocodile, emphasizing his blatant dislike of women, a contrast to his initial idealisation of her. Othello states that for nought I did in hate, but all in honour. Nevertheless, it is true that Othello does not admit his harshly mistaken choice of punishment. Othellos murder of Desdemona indicates peoples moral codes needs to be flexible and allow room for reconciliation. Forgiveness is a virtue, especially in interpersonal relationships. However, it is a true tragedy that Othellos lack of self-knowledge makes him oblivious to such insight and unable to free himself from the pitch made from his own virtue of honesty. Othellos marriage to Desdemona is the other significant factor which contributes to his social identity. In marrying fine Venetian woman Desdemona, Othellos reputation becomes as fresh as Dian's visage. In other words, his identity is made even more white or fitting with the Venetians when he marries a white woman. Othello had been happy, if *he+ had nothing known Desdemonas involvement with Cassio. Once the foreign soldier learns that he has been betrayed, for ever the tranquil mindthe big warsOthellos occupations gone. The perfect maid that paragons description and wild fame is now labelled a devil. Quite obviously the foreigner feels that he has lost the jewel of his soul, the identity of a glorious soldier that has previously enabled him to maintain a high rank in the Venetian State. Now, Othellos feels that he has become a fixed figure for the time of scorn in the Venetian State. Iago uses Othellos loss of identity to draw up emotions of insecurity and anger, which eventually turns Othello into a green-eyed monster. However, because of Othellos immense pride in his identity as a heroic soldier, when it is revealed that he had been manipulated by into perpetrating the crime, Othello expresses his agony that now his reputation is now irreversibly black as *his+ own face. This is a contrast to his initial identity of being far more fair than black. Through the complete loss of his sense of identity and self worth, Othello now sees himself as a malignant and turband Turk, an enemy to the Venetians who beat a Venetian and traduced the state. In the finale, he is indeed in a state of confusion and he questions why should honour outlive honesty, as his code of honour has let him succeed until this very moment in his life. Othello feels that he has no choice but to take his own life in a final effort to make clean his transgression and renew his identity overall as he wants to be remembered as one who loved not wisely but too well. It remains ambiguous whether Othello finally understand that his love for Desdemona was superficial. However, it is most evident that the tragic hero remains desperate to leave a glorious immortal reputation behind, which is a rather pathetic effort considering that his murder of Desdemona cannot be undone. Shakespeare uses the tragic hero to teach his audience that valuing ones materialistic reputation has as much a destructive effect as valuing any other things in life that are artificial. Despite the tragic actions Othello undertook, his desire to be identified as innocent before God is admirable to an extent. While it is obvious that Othello shows empathy to a degree, it is on a quite

superficial level that does not cross personal boundaries. As Othello is trained to make rationalised decisions for the best of his army, he fails to recognise the complex emotions that he stirs up in Iago when he promotes Cassio. Because emotional intelligence is generally indispensable in making rational judgements, this indicates Othello is naturally incapable of carrying out such predictions, and obviously some decisions he makes can only be executed successfully with a good emotional intelligence. As an illustration, Desdemona was executed or else shell betray more men and thus Othello reasons that it is better for the Venetian men that *he+ kills *Desdemona+ and love thee after. Othello show no sign of empathy by calling Desdemona a cunning whore of Venice that married Othello when Desdemona claims she is *his+ true and loyal wife. Shakespeare demonstrates that while people in leadership positions need to establish the strong sense of innate morality, they also need to understand the subtleties of human emotions. This enables leaders to predict the effect their decisions will have on the interpersonal relationships within the team and be truly respected. Had Othello the humility of restraining his pride from devouring on his reputation, he may have not become such a narcissistic character, and may have even out-smarted Iagos manipulation. In addition, the audience also learn from Iago that reputation can be fabricated. Peoples identities may exist as a dual: the social reputation (as discussed in the case of Othello) and a true inner identity. Throughout the play, there is dramatic irony of an honest and most valiant Iago perceived by Othello and all other characters, and another devil Iago that is only revealed in his soliloquies. In another words, reputation is not always valid and can be misleading. Due to the fact that Othellos mind *is+ in his visage his thoughts are expressed directly. In contrast, Iago is an individual whose internal identity is entirely opposite to his external identity. Critics consider Iago to be the most contrived and evil man of the Shakespeare antagonists. This is mainly due to the fact that Iago allies himself with the devil by saying that I am not what I am, an antithesis of Gods statement I am that I am and Othellos statement that his parts /*his+ title and *his+ perfect soul shall manifest *him+ rightly. Othello failed to realise the ability of men to fabricate their identities because he did not have the heart to betray his own moral conscience. According to Iago, to wear *his+ heart upon [his] sleeve is only for daws to peck at, thus Othello makes himself extremely vulnerable because of his honest. Iago comments that, the social reputation of human identity is the immediate jewel of *peoples+ souls that remains perpetual. It is obvious that the Iago is the only character who truly understands that social reputation does not serves to justify a persons real identity. In this way, Iagos emotional intelligence enables him to gain incredible insight into the psyche of Othello and other characters, thus manipulating them into bringing tragedy upon themselves. In conclusion, identity is an overreaching theme in Othello, which proves to affect many aspects of an individuals life from the status within a community down to the most intimate relationship. Although external identity has a great contribution to a persons welfare as to earn respect and admiration, (even for those who are outsiders of a community), it should not be forgotten that external identity is materialistic. The internal moral identity is actually of a greater significance as it affects the decision making processes people in times of distress and contributes to the sense of true value and self-understanding.