On a superficial level, the story of "Othello" is one of jealousy, love and an unquenchable thirst for power. When we take a step closer and delve into what's happening, it's easy to see the problems surrounding possession, ownership, power, property, politics, security, insecurity, and love. On their own, these individual problems seem to be just that, unrelated. A closer look reveals the underlying problem of masculinity. In an era strictly dominated and enforced by men, there was a lot to live up to for those born male. Masculinity is the dangerous conceit and underlying root of all complications in Shakespeare's "Othello." .
Masculinity could mean any number of things in this context. What comes to mind initially is the macho sense of the word, that every man needs to lift weights and suppress any emotion that might reveal some vulnerability. The definition implied here is the idea that a man has certain duties that he must fulfill to be considered masculine. Such duties include things like providing for a family, be a leader, or have a daughter and protect her both physically and emotionally; because after all women are just property who can't think for themselves and don't know what's best, right? It's only masculine to choose the husband for your daughter and arrange a marriage that will leave her well off financially so that she may bring the family name nobility and pride. Yes, masculinity is all of these things, but in Othello we are focusing on the power of the word and how it brings about so much unnecessary trifles. .
Iago uses this elusive masculine title to induce numerous characters into his web. When Iago and Roderigo first address Brabantio at his home in Venice in act 1 scene 1, they call into question his fatherly duties, a.k.a. his masculinity. When Brabantio feels doubted about whether or not he can keep his property, daughter, contained and safe, he is outraged. He is even more furious when he comes to find that she's gone.
