One of the themes that most intrigued me, especially towards the end, was that the insider versus outsider. Othello is treated as a Venetian because of his tales and his loyalty to protect the land, yet at any moment, his differences can make him become an outsider. Perhaps this is why he was so easily manipulated by Iago; he had little trust in his society's acceptance and loyalty to him, Desdemona included. Even at the end, Othello assumes that perhaps Desdemona was unfaithful because he was different compared to Cassio. Othello was walking on a thin social thread that would snap with the help of anyone as seemingly trustworthy as Iago. All Othello's confidence needed was a push from someone wishing him misfortunes. I suppose in a sense we are all a bit like this. We walk around seemingly confident until something or someone challenges our truth, even if there are no bad intentions coming from other people or the universe itself. If that person is already teetering on social inclusion and exclusion, that frail confidence goes out the window. Othello didn't really have family or kinsmen who were undoubtedly loyal to him, and the second best whom he thought could fill that void was Desdemona. It is no wonder he reacts with such disparity to the point of throwing away his respectable reputation.
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