Aspects of Cartographic Demonization in Shakespeare’s Othello

Abstract

This research paper examines the concept of cartographic demonization in Shakespeare’s Othello, focusing on how geography and spatial metaphors are employed to geographically demonize and marginalize Othello as an outsider, based on his geographical background. Cartographic demonization, defined as the process of using maps, geographical representations, or spatial imagery to produce negative views of certain individuals or locations, is essential to comprehending Othello’s depiction as the “tainted Other.” The study explores how spatial and racial constructs contribute to Othello’s alienation in Venetian society, regardless of his military rank or personal qualities. By studying essential scenes and dialogues, the paper reveals how Othello’s African origins and Moorish identity are portrayed through a prism of otherness, tying him to barbarism, savagery, and moral perversion. References to “cannibals” and “anthropophagi,” together with metaphors such as the “barbary horse,” characterize Othello as both exotic and menacing.  The geographical and racial prejudices are further intensified in the transition from Venice to Cyprus when Othello’s identity increasingly merges with what was depicted as the “barbaric East.” Theoretical perspectives from Edward Said’s Orientalism and Robert T. Tally Jr.’s Spatiality elucidate how literary mapping influences Othello’s narrative, transforming him into a character that represents the ideological and racial demarcations between the familiar and the unfamiliar. The results indicate that geographic demonization not only alienates Othello but also exposes him to exploitation, ultimately resulting in his terrible demise. This analysis highlights the persistent importance of spatial critique in comprehending how literature mirrors society’s perspectives on race, identity, and difference.