『오셀로』—타자의 타자
Othello: Other’s Other
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The purpose of this paper is to explore how the prejudice against ‘otherness' determine the tragic fate of Othello. Othello is not a tragic hero but rather a victim of the racial prejudice of Venetian society. Desdemona is also a victim of the gender prejudice in that society. Iago is the main character who represents the social prejudice against ‘otherness.' However, we should notice the fact that Othello is both an ‘other' and one who oppresses ‘other.' It is revealed in the relationship between Desdemona and Othello himself. He is a racial other oppressed by the prejudice of Venetian society, and also a male character who tortures Desdemona with his gender prejudice at the same time. He represents a dual persona, as a victim of racial prejudice and also as a Venetian who gets rid of himself, a jealous and cruel Moor, an ‘other' in himself. Othello seems fit to the concept of the traditional tragic discourse. A great and noble general makes a terrible mistake obsessed by uncontrollable jealousy, and at the moment he recognizes the truth he destroys himself. Tempted by the villain Iago, Othello who committed sins of jealousy and murder arouses pity and fear to the audience, warning the danger of evil and jealousy. According to this perspective, it seems Shakespeare's view of human nature is that a great general can be a cruel monster in a moment. However, the most important element that determines the tragic result of the play is the prejudice against ‘otherness' to the eyes of both Venetian people and Othello. We should approach Othello not with the conservative view that justifies the prejudice against ‘otherness,' but with a critical view of the misfortune and pain that this prejudice results in. This play reflects a rage against other's success, overflowing of materialism, and social reality full of deceptions and intrigues. The tragedy of ‘other' is not an imitation of an individual's behavior but that of social prejudice and political ideology. If this play is regarded as a tragedy and we feel pity toward Othello, it enforces how wicked the conservative prejudice of white male society is.
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to explore how the prejudice against ‘otherness' determine the tragic fate of Othello. Othello is not a tragic hero but rather a victim of the racial prejudice of Venetian society. Desdemona is also a victim of the gender prejudice in that society. Iago is the main character who represents the social prejudice against ‘otherness.' However, we should notice the fact that Othello is both an ‘other' and one who oppresses ‘other.' It is revealed in the relationship between Desdemona and Othello himself. He is a racial other oppressed by the prejudice of Venetian society, and also a male character who tortures Desdemona with his gender prejudice at the same time. He represents a dual persona, as a victim of racial prejudice and also as a Venetian who gets rid of himself, a jealous and cruel Moor, an ‘other' in himself. Othello seems fit to the concept of the traditional tragic discourse. A great and noble general makes a terrible mistake obsessed by uncontrollable jealousy, and at the moment he recognizes the truth he destroys himself. Tempted by the villain Iago, Othello who committed sins of jealousy and murder arouses pity and fear to the audience, warning the danger of evil and jealousy. According to this perspective, it seems Shakespeare's view of human nature is that a great general can be a cruel monster in a moment. However, the most important element that determines the tragic result of the play is the prejudice against ‘otherness' to the eyes of both Venetian people and Othello. We should approach Othello not with the conservative view that justifies the prejudice against ‘otherness,' but with a critical view of the misfortune and pain that this prejudice results in. This play reflects a rage against other's success, overflowing of materialism, and social reality full of deceptions and intrigues. The tragedy of ‘other' is not an imitation of an individual's behavior but that of social prejudice and political ideology. If this play is regarded as a tragedy and we feel pity toward Othello, it enforces how wicked the conservative prejudice of white male society is.
참고문헌 (21)
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