The paper

The paper I am attempting to write looks at the similarities between Othello and Muhammad. Both are great war leaders, both have epileptic experiences, and both are operating under a delusional state. Othello is operating under the idea that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Muhammad is, according to some, operating under the delusion that God is speaking to him. It does not seem that it is coincidental that the main character in a play about converting is similar to the most important member in a religion that is pushing for conversion. Shakespeare's audience would have known little about Turks and Muslims. Othello's character would show the true nature of Moors: their predisposed tainted nature, causes them to only appear one way but actually be another. Othello appeared to be a noble Christian but his absolutes and uncompromising nature made him delusional and violent. Othello's likeness to Muhammad would indicate that while Muhammad may appear to be respectable due to his success in the battlefield, and creation of a new religion, in reality he is also violent and delusional and thus those who follow his religion are also violent and delusional. In the end both Othello and Muhammad as well as the all Muslims are sentenced to eternal damnation. Othello's characterization and comparison to Muhammad results in characterizing all Muslims in the same way as Othello.