Comparing and Contrasting the Chiaroscuros Between Othello...

In a work of typical literature, the blackness of something represents its darkness and how evil it is, and the whiteness represents the purity and goodness of something. William Shakespeare plays with the status quo of literature in his play Othello by giving Iago, a white man who should represent purity, an evil, black heart and by giving Othello, a black man, a noble, white heart when he should represent evil. Shakespeare â€Å"founds his play on the rupture between outward signifiers and inward signifiers, between the Moor’s evil-seeming black face and his ‘perfect soul’, between his ancient’s honest-seeming white exterior and the ulcerous evil that breeds around his heart† (Calderwood 59). Shakespeare brilliantly messes up the routine use†¦show more content†¦Othello’s nobility is extended in the Senate scene when he proves his virtue to the courts through his testimony and becomes an â€Å"honorary white man† through his honesty with the courts and his good intentions with Desdemona (Hall 82). The Duke even tells Brabantio that his â€Å"son-in-law is far more fair than black† (Shakespeare 5), showing the full admiration of the court and their ability to overlook the color of his skin and into his honest soul. Iago is also loved, but he has the advantage of being white. His skin, being the symbol for purity, allows others to welcome his council and his presence warmly. Othello and Cassio call him â€Å"honest Iago† and â€Å"good Iago† because his words are sweet and he appears to have wonderful advice and he gives the illusion of being a good friend. He â€Å"is not regarded as a gentleman with a gentleman’s humanistic as well as militaristic virtues† (Siegel 119) like Othello, but he is trusted and well liked. It is not until the end of the play when Iago kills Roderigo that a character in the play realizes Iago’s true virtues. When Emilia finally realizes that Iago, her husband, planted the handkerchief for Othello to see, she â€Å"curses Iago in similar terms of eternal damnation† (Hyman 51). This symbolizes the realization of all the characters that Iago is actually a devil. Othello accepts his blackness, but accepts the praises of his war victories. He is a gentleman and is adored by every character that knows him except for