To what extent does Othello and the podcast (Ep 74: Ian Flight from South African apartheid)

support
the idea of relationships and experiences shaping an individuals sense of belonging.

Belonging, the sense of fulfilment and acceptance associated with the way in which an individual inherently
connects and develops a fondness of themselves, their environment and those surrounding them, is a pivotal
aspect in establishing a strong sense of identity. Shaped completely by the inextricable connection
relationships and experiences have on an individuals ability to belong, the feelings of fulfilment and
acceptance as well as an individuals initial perceptions and connections are altered and influenced over time
to result in the transformation of an individuals treatment and thoughts, and thus their belonging. William
Shakespeares tragedy, Othello, explores this connection through the complex challenges the characters
within the text face and through the ways in which the persona and personalities of the characters change in
reaction to these challenges. This connection is also portrayed within Ian Kaths podcast, Ep 74: Ian Flight
from South African Apartheid, through the challenges and conflicts presented that influence an individuals
ability to belong because of the way they, as experiences, influence an individuals sense of self and ability to
connect with others. The complexity of the challenging and conflicting nature associated with an individuals
sense of belonging in these texts is particularly presented through the three central concepts of the overall
judgement of racial stereotypes and the way they dictate an individuals treatment, the perception of gender
roles and how they determine the societal regard and treatment of an individual, and the loss of social
support networks and how that influences an individuals ability to trust and connect to others and their
environment.

The complex essence of belonging is challenged and altered through the way in which the diverse nature of
societal ideas and perceptions regarding racial stereotypes, particularly those concerning interracial
relationships, determines the treatment of individuals and groups within society. Conforming their actions
and controlling their thoughts, commonly shared ideas enforcing whats considered acceptable in society
prevented particular individuals and groups of individuals from achieving a sense of belonging as this
influences the relationships and experiences an individual faces. This is shown in Othello as within Venetian
society, the enforcement of traditional interracial relationship views stopped particular races from
experiencing what it meant to truly belong. These views essentially discriminated and dehumanised people,
particularly those of a darker complexion, and made it very difficult for individuals to be treated respectfully
as equals. As shown through Iagos proclamation to Brabantio Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
is tupping your white ewe, it is evident that Othellos and Desdemonas relationship is no exception to these
traditional views. Exhibited in Act 1, Scene 1 through comparison, Shakespeare uses colour imagery in
black and white, and its association with animal symbolism in ram and ewe, provides emphasis on the
idea of Venetian societys discriminatory and dehumanised nature regarding individuals of different races
and the typical racial stereotypes of society. It also elaborates on Iagos manipulative nature through his use
of commonly shared perceptions of racial stereotypes within society as a weakness to influence Brabantios
thought on the ideas of the relationship between Othello and his daughter, Desdemona. Through the use of
repetition on the word now, the idea of urgency associated with preventing the interracial relationship from
continuing is portrayed. Once again reflecting the racial stereotypical views of society, this reiterates the way
in which interracial relationships were perceived with a negative connotation because of the way the
individuals in these relationships were required to conform to societys expectations. The ability to achieve
belonging is influenced through the way in which individuals in these interracial relationships disregarded
the stereotypical racial views of society for love. This resulted in them being treated with even more
discrimination and dehumanisation because of the way that society perceived their relationship as unnatural
and the work of magic. These ideas of magic would have essentially been associated with the idea that love
between two people of different races couldnt be genuine. Brabantios reaction to the relationship between
Othello and Desdemona in Act 1, Scene 2 through the quote That thou hast practised on her with foul
charms, abused her delicate youth with drugs and minerals, presents the way in which society
stereotypically viewed interracial relationships at that time. Shakespeares use of juxtaposition in comparing
Desdemona in a positive connotation as having delicate youth to Othello having the negative connotation of
being represented as drugs and minerals, reiterates the way in which society perceived and compared those in
interracial relationships who didnt conform to societys commonly shared ideas and expectations. Through
the words charms, Shakespeare conveys this idea of magic in the sense that Desdemona could not
genuinely love Othello and that she had to be under a controlling love spell to be in the relationship of her
free will. It reflects the idea that Othello forced Desdemona into the relationship and is corrupting the
goodness within her. As a result of the way in which their relationship was perceived as one that could not be
associated with true love, neither Othello or Desdemona were able to achieve a true sense of belonging
outside of their relationship without being shunned and judged. Embracing the idea that true love between
different races can exist, their sense of belonging was altered as they were only able to feel belonging within
their relationship not outside of it because they were ostracised from society. Presented through the challenge
of society's perception of Othello and Desdemonas interracial relationship, experiences of a discriminatory
and dehumanising nature and typical racial views significantly puts unnecessary pressure on the relationships
and alters the belonging of the individuals within these relationships and their notions of identity. Similarly,
this idea of racial stereotypical views associated with relationships and experiences impacting an individuals
sense of belonging is shown in Ian Kaths podcast. Through the portrayal of Ian Cooks story as an
immigrant who left the South African Apartheid, the challenging and changing nature of belonging is
presented. Through the conflict associated with the enforcement of racial segregation, based on racial
stereotypical ideas in society, under an all white government that particularly eliminated interracial
relationships and conformed and controlled people of different races, the idea of the Apartheid itself being a
complex challenge in achieving belonging is conveyed. Although race was the main focus of the Apartheid,
with disregard to race, there had always been violence in South Africa as a result of the experience of
poverty. This is demonstrated in the statement politics of poverty, he who has versus he who has not,.. and
it, it has no racial barrier. Through Ian Cooks use of a calm and informative tone, his attitude towards his
home country and the Apartheid is revealed. Impacting his belonging, this tone presents the idea that he had
become accustomed to the practices of whites enforcing the racial stereotypical views around him through
segregation and that he had always known conflicts and the enforcement of politics in South Africa. It also
portrays the idea that he was used to there being a normal racial divide in society and of people being
recognised and treated differently based on their race, not their identity. The pause before the words and it, it
has no racial barrier changes the tone of the words to one of which is sadder, reflecting what he feels
regarding the treatment and experiences of all people in South Africa. Exposing his emotions not only
regarding the Apartheid but also the overall enforcement of politics and conflict as a result of poverty, the
idea of the belonging of all South Africans being impacted is conveyed. It also provides emphasis on his
sadness of only really understanding the extent of the enforcement of politics towards the end of the
Apartheid when it was getting worse and the issues were becoming more extreme. This implies that the
enforcement of racial stereotypical views were greater and impacting the belonging of more people in a
harsher manner, and was a part of the reason why Ian Cook left the country before the Apartheid was over. In
Ian Kaths podcast, the experiences associated with the Apartheid and the relationships concerning
segregation was where people of different races werent able to associate with each other. This shaped the
way in which individuals and society in general were able to feel a sense of belonging and notions of
identity, as it influenced the behaviour and perception of themselves, those around them and their
environment. Although portrayed in different ways with different contexts, through the exploration of the
way in which belonging is complexly challenged and altered by the enforcement of racial stereotypes that
conform and control individuals and society in general, Othello and my chosen podcast both explicitly
display to a large extent the way in which experiences and relationships, in particular the exclusion and
separation of these relationships, negatively shape an individuals belonging and identity in their society.

The complex and diverse concept of the way in which perceptions of gender roles within relationships,
particularly those in marriages, essentially dictate the treatment and societal regard of individuals is
significant in exploring how relationships and experiences provoke a change in an individuals sense of
belonging. Challenged by the traditional views of society and of particular individuals, the ability to truly
belong is influenced and altered by the different treatment these individuals experience based on their gender
and the way the experience of this treatment affects relationships. This is shown in William shakespeares
Othello through the commonly held traditional views and ideas of Venetian society which prevented certain
groups of people, in particular women, from achieving a true sense of belonging. They essentially restricted
these individuals by objectifying them and disgracing them for going against societal norms. Objectified as
Brabantios possession, the character of Desdemona, his daughter, is no exception to this treatment. This is
exhibited in Act 1, Scene 1 when Iago proclaims to Brabantio Thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your
daughter, and your bags! Thieves, Thieves! Shakespeares use of your when referring to Brabantios
daughter, Desdemona, portrays this idea of ownership. Presented with the word thieves, Shakespeare
provides further emphasis on the way in which women were objectified as possessions of men during the
Renaissance time period to the point where the they didnt recognise their objectification as a gender role or
inequality. Repetition of this word also reflects the ideology of people in Venetian society as one that
disregarded the identity of women and disgraced them, in this case Desdemona, for going against societal
norms by persistently insisting that they were stolen like a possession instead of having the free will to leave.
This representation of Desdemona reflects the idea of woman in Venice during the Renaissance time period
not being able to have their own sense of belonging because of the way in which their perceptions and ideas
of belonging were altered and dictated by their owners. The perceptions of gender roles dictating the
treatment of individuals is also presented through the way in which women were passed on as property from
one male figure to another male figure in their life. With the gender role of being owned to fulfil the needs of
men, women in society were oblivious to the unequal treatment hindering their belonging as they were raised
believing that these different gender roles were normal and they considered them as a duty for the men in
their lives. This is clearly exhibited in Act 1, Scene 3, when Desdemona defends her relationship with
Othello to her father, through the statement You are lord of all my duty; I am hitherto your daughter. But
heres my husband; and as much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father, so
much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord. Through Shakespeares use of irony, the idea
of Brabantio trying to prevent the normal societal procedure of a womans duty and loyalty moving from
father to husband when married is conveyed. This presents the desperation Brabantio feels regarding loosing
his daughter and his desperation to prevent her from leaving him. It portrays the way in an individuals sense
of belonging within these relationships and their connections outside of them, particularly with their family,
were impacted. The analogy between Desdemona and her mother also elaborates on this traditional societal
procedure but in the context of her fathers marriage. In an attempt to respectfully reason with her father,
Desdemona presents to him with the way in which her mothers primary duty moved from her father to her
husband after she was married, relating it to Desdemonas own situation in an attempt to make her father
understand. This portrays both the belonging she feels in her own relationship with Othello and also the
belonging her father felt in his relationship. The casual tone of this statement also portrays the way in which
gender determines the treatment and roles of individuals in Venetian society and the way that women and
people subject to this treatment have become accustomed to these traditional roles. As a barrier, gender roles
were objectified particularly within relationships as a result of the traditional views of Venetian society
during the Renaissance time period. This impacted the relationships and experiences of women as men
inherently owned them and could do with them as they pleased. Shown in Act 5 Scene 2, this is presented
through Othellos proclamation of Casio did top her: ask thy husband else. Shakespeares use of the
pronoun her instead of identifying women by their actual names, provides emphasis on both the ideas of the
way in which women were perceived and objectified with roles as property, and the way they were
considered owned by the men in their lives. It conveys the treatment of women in which involves their
identity being disregarded and having the societal perception of it being inferior and considered not of value.
It also presents the way in which Othellos attitude towards women, particularly Desdemona, has changed as
a result of Iagos manipulation of Othello in his plan for revenge. Through the use of rhetorical questions,
loss of identity and free will is elaborated and the impact of traditional perceptions of gender roles on
belonging is portrayed. Influenced by relationships and experiences, the traditional views and treatment of
women through their objectification into gender roles and ownership within relationships shaped their
notions of identity and ability to belong. Likewise, the complexly and diversely challenging nature of
perceptions determining the treatment and societal regard of individuals through gender roles is shown
throughout the podcast, Ep 74: Ian Flight from South African Apartheid. With a particularly different focus
on male gender roles instead of those of women, this podcast explores the way in which gender roles and
societal ideas impact the belonging of an individual. With a disregard for the impact these roles have an an
individuals ability to belong, men, like women, are subject to and become accustomed to the traditional
perceptions and societal expectations of gender roles. Demonstrated through Ian Cooks statement the
hardest part I suppose as an immigrant is if you havent got cash, and if youre a man like I am where you
want to provide well for your family, we had no money, the idea of there being male gender roles based on
traditional society perceptions and ideas is presented. This statement refers to one of the challenges he
experienced as a migrant to find a job and fulfil the gender role of the provider. Through Ian Cooks use of
a calm tone the idea of this role being something he has become accustomed to, to the point where he doesnt
see it as a gender role, is conveyed. Not spoken in a discriminatory or harsh manner, this also portrays the
way in which the role as the provider of the family was so normal for him that he actually wanted to be able
to fulfil that role. As spoken, the volume of these words change and become louder towards the end of the
statement, providing emphasis on Ian Cooks desperate need for money to fulfil the important gender role of
being the provider for his family. Impacted by the traditional perceptions and views of society concerning
gender roles, belonging is challenged and changed through this podcast based on the way Ian Cook in his
relationship reacts to the concept of perceptions regarding gender roles influencing the treatment of
individuals. Through the concept of perceptions of gender roles within relationships dictating the treatment
and societal regard of individuals, Othello and Ian Kaths podcast both explore to a complete extent the
inextricable connection between relationships and experiences and their association with belonging.
Presented through the way experiences of the enforcement of traditional gender views in society impact
relationships, the challenging and changing nature of an individuals ability to belong is portrayed.

The challenging nature of losing social support networks and thus losing a sense of identity in the people or
environment an individual once associated with transforms the way in which they are able to connect and
develop an affinity with themselves, their environment and those around them, thus impacting their sense of
belonging. Through the experience of not being able to connect, the challenge of individuals becoming
ostracised from society and isolated within their relationship makes it difficult for them to achieve a sense of
belonging. In Othello, an individuals perception of themselves and their place within society significantly
effects their ability to belong. Demonstrated through the exploration of belonging as not necessarily a
physical concept, but as a mental concept, the relationships and experiences individuals face within this
tragedy and how theyre influenced when an individual experience a loss of formidable relationships within
their support network has the impact of resulting in their downfall. This is exhibited in Act 4, Scene 1
through Othellos proclamation of As both the raven over the infected house. Shakespeares use of
personification on the infected house not only conveys this idea of feeling lost in an ostracised place
without strong support connections, but also alludes to the idea of home not necessarily being the physical
place, but instead his mental state regarding his relationship with Desdemona. Linking Desdemona to his
belonging of home, the negative connotation and symbolism of death from the reference of the raven
foreshadows the future treatment of Desdemona as a result of Iagos manipulation that has not only resulted
in the downfall of Othellos reasonable persona but also of Othellos perception of Desdemona as one that is
made up of lies from Iago. As a result of being ostracised because of his relationship with Desdemona,
Othello was easily manipulated and Iago used that to his advantage in his plot for revenge. As a result of the
facade of trust and Othellos reliance on Iago for a support network, the instigation of Iagos scheming was
made easier in which he mislead Othello into believing that Desdemona was cheating on him with Casio,
who would be considered a typical ladies man. This is presented in Act 5, Scene 2 within Othellos statement
My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago. Through the use of repetition and dramatic irony,
Shakespeare presents the extent at which Othello had been manipulated by his only social network and as a
result of his reliance on that network, his belonging has been unknowingly impacted to now believe in a false
reality where Desdemona didnt love him. The experience of losing relationships within an individuals
support network having an impact on their sense of belonging is also portrayed through the way that
Roderigo reacted to the rejection of Desdemona, who he considered the love of his life, and Brabantio, her
father. This is portrayed in Act 1, Scene 1 through his proclamation to Brabantio of him being an
extravagant and wheeling stranger of here and everywhere. Shakespeares use of juxtaposition conveys the
idea of Roderigos perception of himself, his environment and those around them being challenged and
altered by the relationships and experiences he has. Its also presents him as a nomad without roots in
Venetian society. This idea of belonging being a mental state instead of physical place is also reiterated
through this because although he is a nomad and stranger, he did initially feel content and a sense of
belonging within his relationship with Desdemona. This is why the elimination of that social connection
hindered his belonging. In Othello, an individuals loss of relationships in their social support network and
their experiences associated with altered perceptions of themselves, their environment and those around them
changes and challenges both the physical and mental aspects of belonging. Similarly, the challenging nature
of the way in which a loss of social support networks impacts an individuals identity and belonging is
presented within Ian Kaths podcast. As a third generation South African, Ian Cook practically left all of his
support networks behind in his hometown when he migrated into New Zealand and other countries to escape
the enforcement of conscription and Apartheid. This loss of social connection and initial challenges of life as
an immigrant is presented within the statement whats familiar and whats real and whats known is no
longer there so you cast to drift in circumstances where your survival is not clear at all and (pause) they were
extremely tough times. Through variations in the pace of Ian Cooks words, his emotions regarding losing
these social relationships and his experience of hardships as an immigrant are reflected. This pace also
presents the overall tone of a calm sadness regarding what he experienced and how that impacted the past
relationships he once had. It also reiterates the idea of belonging not only being impacted as a result of
leaving his homeland but as a result of the mental connection with those he was leaving behind. The use of
pause before the words they were extremely tough times portrays the idea of him reminiscing on his past
overwhelming and hard experiences as an immigrant and how they effected his relationships and made it
difficult for him to create new support networks. In both Othello and Ian Kaths podcast, the challenging
nature of support networks and their impact on identity and belonging in both physical places and mental
states, in terms of perceptions, is accompanied with and shaped to a complete extent by the connection it has
with relationships in these support networks and the experiences that influence the maintenance of these
relationships.

An individuals ability to belong is shaped to a complete extent by the inextricable connection relationships
and experiences have on belonging. William Shakespeares text, Othello, and Ian Kaths podcast, Ep 74: Ian
Flight from South African Apartheid, both explore completely this connection through the way in which the
feelings of belonging as well as an individuals initial perceptions and connections are challenged and altered
over time to result in the transformation of an individuals treatment and thoughts, and thus their sense of
belonging and notions of identity. Although these texts are different they both completely explore the extent
at which relationships and experiences shape an individuals sense of belonging of themselves, their
environment and those around them through different concepts. One of these concept concerns the way in
which belonging was complexly challenged and changed as a result of the enforcement of traditional racial
stereotypical ideas in society which determined an individuals regard and treatment in society and prevented
individuals of different races from feeling like they belonged. Another refers to the concept concerning the
way in which the traditional perceptions of gender roles in society similarly determined the treatment of
individuals and forced them to conform to expectations of individuals in society to the extent at which they
no longer recognised the roles as inequality between genders. The concept of support networks and how
changes within those networks challenge and alter an individuals sense of belonging and make it difficult to
maintain existing support networks is also shown in both texts through the exploration of relationships and
experiences. Through different concepts and contexts, both Othello and Ian Kaths podcast present to a
complete extent the way in which relationships and experiences are pivotal in shaping an individuals sense
of belonging.