Throughout the play Othello, William Shakespeare constantly displays Othello as an outcast whom is continually being segregated by the rest of society. Othello's depiction as a black upper class general automatically separates him from the rest of the characters in this play and despite his strong and powerful traits, Iago see him as a susceptible victim for manipulation. From the very early scenes in this play, Othello is characterized by men such as Roderigo and Iago as an outsider through their descriptions of him in discussion. Even in many cases Othello sees himself as somewhat of an outsider and does not feel of equal eloquence in comparison to his peers. Shakespeare's portrayal of Othello as a social outcast creates a vulnerable character whom is easily taken advantage of and further subjected to the will of Iago.
             From early on in this play Shakespeare presents Othello as a foreigner in his descriptions. In Act I, Scene I, during the conversation between Roderigo and Iago, Othello is described has "the thick lips" and an "old black ram". These racial labels placed on Othello place him in a category not similar with that of any other character in this play. It is as if Roderigo and Iago see him as simply a creature to be controlled and subordinated to their will. Iago views Othello's racial disparity as weakness and quickly agrees to assist Roderigo in his plan to get rid of Othello, however still holding onto his own evil agenda to control many other characters as well. Shakespeare also does not present Othello until the second scene of act I, however withholds giving him a name until scene III of act I. In addition, Othello's ship arrives last out of the three ships when voyaging to Cyprus. Though slight, the placement of Othello in last does not seem to be a mistake or a mere act of coincidence. Shakespeare purposely assigns Othello to this arrangement in order to further ...