His men in Cyprus trust him and respect him. “Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, my very noble and approved good masters, that I have ta’en away this old man’s daughter, it is most true true, I have married her…”(I.ii.416-434). It is because he is always fighting for approval, he is so soft spoken. ![]() Othello is clearly a man of prominence and respect, but the choice to not use his first name for much of the first act shows that the color of his skin has prevented him from truly fitting in. However, we do not learn Othello’s actual name until much later as they only refer to him as the “Moor” or the “thicklips”. The play opens in Venice with Roderigo and Iago conversing about Othello. ![]() With the added pressures of his position he places his trust in Iago, which leads to his eventual corruption. When he is called to Cyprus, he is given authority. Othello command respects in Venice, however he is not the leader. This paranoia is in part due to his elevated status. In this scene, Othello is unaware that Iago is manipulating him, and Othello begs Iago to tell him what he fears to be true, that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. “Nay, yet there’s more in this: I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, as thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts, the worst of words” (III.iii.1776-1780). At war, his trust is replaced with paranoia. Good signior, you shall more command with years than with your weapons” (I.ii.279-281). “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Instead, he ends the conflict with reason. When confronted by Desdemona’s father and his men, he chooses not to fight. He won the heart of Desdemona honestly, and he loves her without question. While in Venice, Othello is introduced as a smart and loving man. ![]() When Othello moves from Venice to Cyprus he experiences a shift in how he acts and how he is treated, leads to his downfall. While the change of setting does have an effect on the environment of the play, it has an even greater effect on Othello himself. Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello takes place in two very different locations: peaceful Venice, and war torn Cyprus.
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