Caryl PhillipsThinkers

Othello is a figure whose fatal mistake is to question his own judgement.

Othello is a figure whose love is the love of possession. She is a prize, a spoil of war.

Othello is a figure whose tragedy is a result of his insecurity and isolation in Venetian society: 'Life for him is a game in which he does not know the rules.'

Othello is a man of action, not a thinker.

Othello is a man whose life is rendered a tragedy because of the pressure placed upon him.

Othello is a man whose position is tenuous. in his very first speech he subconsciously acknowledges the social pressure he is under (as a black man in a white world) when he makes references to his services to the state.

Othello is constantly feeling threatened and profoundly insecure

Othello is grossly insecure -- it is Desdemona who chooses him and not he her ("she had eyes and chose me").

Othello is lacking in confidence as a wooer ("It was my hint to speak" ... "upon this I spake")

Othello is tragedy is caused when he begins to forget that he is black.