Poor Othello

In Act 3 of William Shakespeare's Othello, Iago tells Othello that Desdemona may be cheating on him with Cassio. Othello, an honest and good man, is reluctant to believe that the love of his life is unfaithful. The reader cannot help but feel sorry for Othello when he begins to express his regret at the thought of Desdemona's infidelity. He says, "Haply, for I am black And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have...." (III.iii.264-266). Here, Othello recognizes (out loud) for the first time that his race separates him from the men of Venetia, just as the rest of the characters have been hinting to all along. He experiences a waver in self-confidence, worried that he may not be good enough to satisfy Desdemona, as he once thought he was. Moreover, Othello continues saying, "She's gone, I am abused, and my relief must be to loathe her. Oh, curse of marriage....I had rather be a toad And live upon the vapor of a dungeon Than keep a corner in the thing I love For others' uses" (III.iii.268-274). Othello expresses the fact that if the rumors are true, he will be hurt and will have no choice but to hate Desdemona in attempt to console himself. Moreover, he confesses that he would rather live an incredibly low form of life, as a toad, rather than have to share his wife. Is that too much to ask? For one to honor marriage? Othello's statement of "oh curse of marriage" is ironic because marriage should be looked at not as a curse, but as a blessing! Othello's fear and reluctancy to believe the Iago's claims evoke sympathy from the reader as well as cause increased disdain for Iago.