An Interpretation Of Othello's Stigma From The Perspective Of Foucault's Power Discourse Theory

Othello is one of the representative works written by Shakespeare.Since it is published,it has attracted the extensive attention of numerous scholars.Their studies on this work are mainly centered on feminism,social psychological context and writing techniques and so on.However,there are insufficient studies exploring the play from the perspective of power and discourse.From the perspective of Foucault's theory of power and discourse,the thesis aims to analyze the tragedy of Othello,revealing the operating mechanism of the mainstream white class,which is produced to realize the control and discipline on Othello,and illustrating Othello's means of some tentative “counter-discourse” practice to struggle to get rid of such situation and the result of those practice under the power discourse of the white.Then it further points out the root of Othello's tragic fate so as to explore the outlet for the predicament of the Blacks.This thesis is arranged into six chapters.Chapter one gives a brief introduction to Shakespeare and his Othello.In addition,researches on Othello at home and abroad will be concluded.Chapter two introduces briefly Michel Foucault's theory about power and discourse and Goffman's stigma theory.Chapter three mainly discusses Othello's deviation because of his overwhelming power relation with the whites.This part focuses on the basics and to pave the way for the following.Chapter four mainly talks about Othello's stigmas because of his behaviors being against social norms made by the dominant whites.Chapter five mainly analyzes Othello's ways to revolt against power and his stigmas brought by the whites including subverting whites' beliefs,disguising his unwanted characteristics and getting rid of the influence of the whites.In addition,the causes of Othello's failure and the enlightenment of his resistance will be concluded in this chapter.Chapter six is conclusion part.In this chapter,the profound significance,limitation and difficulties of this thesis will be pointed out.The result demonstrated that as a black Moor who should have been at the bottom of the society,Othello's struggle for power only leads to his deviant behaviors and bear all kinds of stigmas imposed by the dominant whites.In addition,disguising unwanted characteristics only can lead to further isolation,depression,and anxiety and when he goes out in public,he can in turn feel more self-conscious and afraid to display anger or other negative emotions.Finally,the power of an individualis limited,therefore,the importance of the collective should be attached to when resisting stigmas under the power and discourse.