...Aristotle’s concept of a tragic hero “William Shakespeare’s “Othello” the Moore of Venice Tragedies frequently focus on a tragic hero that has a flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall. According to Aristotle, the tragic flaw is the most important part of the hero and the events that occur in the work is a reflection of that flaw. A tragic flaw is essential in a true tragedy. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello is a prime example of an Aristotelian tragic hero. His gullibility and jealousy are the main reason of his downfall. Othello deals with love lost because of gullibility and jealousy. According to Aristotle, the life and soul of tragedy is the plot; Incidents in the plot have the best effect if they occur unexpectedly, and in consequence of one another. A great tragedy grips the audience with the plot; Aristotle also states that the sense of the inevitable must be present in tragedy. The central character must be noble and have a higher stature than most men. The tragic hero must also have better qualities than secondary characters but must also exhibit flaws. Another part of the central character is that he is destroyed by himself, not by others, bad luck, or depravity. These are the criteria necessary to be classified as an ideal tragedy. The main character of Othello is an example of a tragic hero, his basic elements matches him up to a true hero as defined by Aristotle. Othello was a soldier all his life, due to his Moorish descent; he...
Words: 1490 - Pages: 6
...Othello 1. a. Point of attack: A rich man, Roderigo has been trying to win a woman Desdemona, but he finds out she has recently married Othello, who has just gain the position of lieutenant that Roderigo’s friend was in the running for. Roderigo and Iago seek out Desdemona’s father and tell him that his daughter has been forced to married Othello. b. Exposition: When Brabanzio finds out his daughter is missing he gathers people to go out and find Othello. When he finds him, Brabanzio accuses Othello of stealing his daughter by witchcraft and reports this to the assembled state. When the duke and senate side with Othello, because he explained that he had won Desdemona on his own without witchcraft, Desdemona herself even defends herself and announced it was her choice to marry Othello, and that she is changing her allegiance to be with her husband. Rising Action: After defeating the Turks, there is a celebration, Roderigo thinks that Desdemona needs to be with him and he and Iago come up with a plan to make this happen. Iago mentions that even if Desdemona did want to leave Othello, her next choice would probably be Cassio. The plan to eliminate Cassio is put into action, and Iago explains that this is the first step to ruin Othello (which is his main concern). Cassio was provoked by Roderigo and chases him, when Governor Montano tries to step in, Cassio stabs him. Othello takes away Cassio’s rank of lieutenant. In order to win back Othello’s trust...
Words: 819 - Pages: 4
...Literature Paper 3: Othello How are conflicts between the individual and society presented in the play, Othello? In drama terms, the definition of conflict is the opposition between characters or forces that motivates or structure the action of the plot. In Othello, the conflicts between the individual and society are manifested through the conflicts between friends and enemies, Othello’s inner conflict, cultural and racial disparities which lead to racial discrimination. In this play, society precedence over the individual as the society somehow has forces to control the individual. takes Shakespeare uses techniques such as contrast, soliloquys, dramatic irony, syntax rhythm to achieve this. As a foreigner, Othello is an individual who is discriminated by the society he lives in which is dominated by white Venetians. Though he is a respectable general, he is still regarded as an outsider. In the beginning of the play, Iago presents Othello as a misfit in Venetian society because of different race and skin tone. This is seen through the snide remarks about Othello. “…an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe…” (1.1.88-89) This dramatic incongruity between Othello as the “old black ram” and Desdemona as the “white ewe” emphasises the Othello’s otherness. Through the antithesis-the contrasting light and dark imagery-we see the racial conflict between Othello (individual) and the Venetian society. The conflict between Othello and Brabantio is a microcosm of the conflict...
Words: 1159 - Pages: 5
...Othello Notes Reputation/Honour Importance of the theme of Reputation / Honour in Othello: The significant theme of reputation and honour is portrayed frequently throughout the novel Othello. Many of the characters in the novel carefully consider the consequences of their thoughts and actions in regards to their reputation and honour, making sure that they appear noble even when their actions are irrational and selfish. Such an example is shown when Iago appears to be simply stating the obvious about Desdemona, instead of manipulating Othello to believe his own fears. Othello is dictated by his desire to live up to his reputation, achieved through years of being a general in Venice. Reputation, used in conjunction with jealousy and trust, provide the key elements which provoke Othello’s mental disintegration shown predominantly by language techniques, into a world of mistrust and assumption. It is logical to assume that Othello’s suicide was a consequence of his need to preserve any traces of reputation left from his dedicated work as a general; from the characteristics portrayed of Othello it is implied that the act of imprisonment would crush Othello – he would no longer be an honourable citizen. In a similar way to Othello’s suicide, Iago’s sudden and unpredicted vow of silence could be assumed to also be a form of self-preservation, manipulating other characters by preventing any more damage to his reputation by not accidentally admitting details of his ignobility. ...
Words: 8721 - Pages: 35
...Othello Is Responsible for His Own demise. Othello is a play written by William Shakespeare. Othello is the character the play is named after and is therefore the main character. The play describes how Othello is lead to believe that his wife has been unfaithful to him. This treacherous act is the work of the villain, Iago. However, as we are about to study, his demise is might be his own doing. Othello by William Shakespeare. In the play, the main character is portrayed as too trusting and too naïve. The play is one of Shakespeare’s most tragic stories. Othello holds a very respectable position among his peers. He is a military commander who lives in a mansion and has people working under him such as Cassio. This puts him in the perfect position for a great demise, one with an impact. He turns down Iago’s request to be the lieutenant and gives it to Young Cassio instead. Although this in itself is not wrong, it sets Iago’s hateful mind in motion to plot for the perfect revenge. Iago feeds him with lies about his wife and convinces him that she is unfaithful to him. He goes a step further to state Cassio as her partner in her act of unfaithfulness. Othello’s character is an irony of his position as a general; he does not see to find facts but instead lets emotions that are manipulated out of him to get the better of him. Even though the role of Iago in the tragedy cannot be argued with, it is the character of Othello that makes him an easy target. His naivety and lack of...
Words: 1612 - Pages: 7
...Clearly, Othello is guilty of misplaced trust--he believes a man whom he didn't feel was fit for the lieutenancy over his wife, and as you note, many factors contribute to the tragedy of the play. Ultimately, though, Othello is responsible for his own actions and is therefore at fault. While Othello does exercise poor judgment in whom to believe (especially for an experienced military leader), he deserves less blame for his downfall. He is a product of a prejudiced society, a society which uses him for his military prowess and exotic culture but then stereotypes him as animalistic, lustful, jealous, and violent. Iago knows that Othello is insecure in his relationship with Desdemona because of the difference in their race, age, and social class, and he uses that insecurity against the general. Thus, someone could validly argue that had it not been for stereotyping, Othello might not have fallen as he did. other factors contribute to his downfall as well. One of these is man's inability to view women without suspicion and jealousy. It is the idea of ownership that prevails in the way men view women. We see this idea Throughout the play. Desdemona is referred to as a treasure or a jewel, Cassio praises her as the "riches of the ship." Even though Othello loves Desdemona dearly, this tendency of men to want to control and the fear of losing runs deep within him. "We can call these delicate creatures ours, but not their appetites," Othello rages. It is easier for a man to trust...
Words: 417 - Pages: 2
...pivotal role because they reveal Shakespeare’s views on women and marriage, such as women being portrayed as a possession and as submissive. As depicted in the play, Desdemona is a young and beautiful Venetian women. She goes against the traditional Venetian custom by marrying an outsider instead of one of the rich Venetian man she is expected to marry. This unruly outsider is a black man by the name of Othello. In the beginning of the play, Desdemona was a strong woman who defied traditional beliefs, but as the story continues, her strength is weakened, and her relationship with her husband falls apart. This is due to the fact that a man named Iago told lies to Othello about Desdemona’s faithfulness simply because he wanted to ruin their marriage. Othello is insecure about being an outsider and chooses to believe Iago's report that Desdemona is cheating on him rather than believe his wife is faithful, and her independence slowly shifts over to obedience. Othello clarifies that Desdemona is wedding him since he is brave, and she adores his stories and way of life. Othello is a solid, prevalent, and all around regarded officer. At the point when addressed by her dad about her spouse she states, "But here's my husband, and so 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" ( Act 1, Scene 3, lines 184-188). She certainly advises her dad that she will be faithful to her spouse, just as her mom...
Words: 1149 - Pages: 5
...The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story Un Capitano Moro ("A Moorish Captain") by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army; his wife, Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio; and his trusted ensign, Iago. Because of its varied and current themes of racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal, Othello is still often performed in professional and community theatres alike and has been the basis for numerous operatic, film, and literary adaptations. The play opens with Roderigo, a rich and dissolute gentleman, complaining to Iago, a high-ranking soldier, that Iago has not told him about the secret marriage between Desdemona, the daughter of a Senator named Brabantio, and Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army. He is upset by this development because he loves Desdemona and had previously asked her father for her hand in marriage. Iago hates Othello for promoting a younger man named Michael Cassio above him, and tells Roderigo that he plans to use Othello for his own advantage. Iago is also angry because he believes, or at least gives the pretence of belief, that Othello slept with his wife Emilia. Iago denounces Cassio as a scholarly tactician with no real battle experience; in contrast, Iago is a battle-tested soldier. By emphasizing Roderigo's...
Words: 1056 - Pages: 5
...A Drama Analysis of Williams Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ Othello: Insecurity and Jealousy Shakespeare’s, Othello, is witness that everyone, no matter their cast in society, can become vulnerable when they are brought to doubt their sense of self. As a person matures and reaches the level of adulthood, they take on many different types of responsibilities as a functioning part of society. Society characterizes its members based on how effectively they deal with their responsibilities, and furthermore an individual’s identity and sense of self is derive in part, from their ability to handle the triumphs, growth and difficulties associated with being an adult. The way a person conducts his or herself determines how they as well as others perceive them. Ultimately, when making decision throughout life a person looks at what they as an individual value, and therefore what they perceive themselves to be influences their decision-making. When one works to destroy the reputation of another they seek to tarnish the way others perceive said person. On the other hand, in Shakespeare’s tragedy we see Iago go a step further, instead of just working to ruin Othello’s reputation, he targets the foundation of Othello’s sense of self. First, Iago plays on Othello’s jealousy by causing him to suspect Desdemona of being unfaithful without presenting any legitimate evidence. This jealousy leads to anxiety from which Iago goes on to insinuate that the very foundations of his love for Desdemona...
Words: 1242 - Pages: 5
...Analytical Essay Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, he wrote this masterpiece in 1603. The play mainly revolves around four central characters: Othello, the Moorish general in the Venetian army; his wife, Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio and his ancient, Iago. In this play, by not showing Othello at the beginning of the first scene, Shakespeare creates an uncomfortable feeling to the story. Furthermore, he foreshadows the conflicts to come later in the plot. One of the conflicts is Iago becoming the archetypal evil villain who ruins Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Iago manipulates Othello’s weakness his jealousy; Iago hates and does not respect women which is one of the main reason of his plan for revenge against Othello. Firstly, Iago knows how to observe people and uses human psychology to manipulate people’s minds. Iago manipulates Othello’s weaknesses which make Othello feels insecure. For example, after Cassio looks for help with Desdemona, Iago gets a golden chance to talk to Othello in private. Iago starts to plant the seed of jealousy in Othello concerning Desdemona and Cassio. Iago tells Othello to “beware …of jealousy” (III/III/l.195) which makes Othello nervous and start to suspect that Desdemona is cheating on him. Moreover, Iago warns Othello to “observe her well with Cassio.” (III/III/l.228) which causes Othello believes from the bottom of his heart that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him. Furthermore, he tricks Othello into believing that...
Words: 1432 - Pages: 6
...OTHELLO In the tragedy Othello, written by Shakespeare in 1604, about a Moor named Othello who marries the beautiful Desdemona, causes much disdain and envy in the masses. A man named Iago deceives Othello and everyone else to manipulate for his own cause and jealousy and ultimately meets his doom when Iago’s wife spills the truth of Iago’s deceit. As Othello plays as the tragic hero, Iago plays out to be the villain, who is also very reminiscent of the devil. Iago reflects all that can be evil in humans and he is revealed throughout the play as the devil. Iago is scheming, untrustworthy, and cunning. He doesn’t care who he hurts or destroys as he makes his way towards his endgame. Iago is jealous of Othello, Cassio, and others because he believes Othello has had an affair with his wife, Cassio has attained a higher position as well as his superiors. This results in a plan to destroy those in power because of his insecurities and gain control over what he does not. Iago’s corruption is initially revealed as he speaks with Brabantio outside his home in the streets of Venice about how Othello is ruining his daughter. Iago is with his “friend,” Roderigo, and talks of Desdemona, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.91). While Iago is speaking with Rodreigo before they plan to yell up to Brabantio’s window, “For when my outward action doth demonstrate the native act and figure of my heart. In compliment extern, 'tis not long after...
Words: 716 - Pages: 3
...Othello Research Paper Othello is quite an interesting tragedy; full of deception. The Moor, also known s Othello is the undisputed “hero” of our story; but his heroics are no match for the sly antagonism of the character Iago. Iago is a bitter, crafty mind that uses his political prowess and friendly swagger to deceive his victims. Desdemona has her innocence used against her and exposed for a weakness as she is blinded by what’s right in front of her. The Moor, also known as Othello is the undisputed “hero” of our story; but his heroics are no match for the sly antagonism of the character Iago. Othello isn’t our everyday hero; seeing that there aren’t too many black heroes in the seventeenth century; especially in Venice. I feel as though Othello could have done very little as a human being to avoid his fate. When Iago began to manipulate the mind of Othello in Act 3, we finally begin to see the weakness in our “hero”. Othello being the hero and man that he is, we as an audience don’t expect him to be so weak minded in such a fixable situation. This brings thoughts to my mind about how blind love can make people in this world. Sometimes we fall so in love that we can’t see the very thing that stands in the way of our love growing. Being blinded by love doesn’t always end “happily ever after”, sometimes the worst possible thing could happen when you’re in the way of a mad ”blind” man that’s carrying a sword. So if I could ask first time readers of this story a question...
Words: 838 - Pages: 4
...In The Tragedy of Othello, the character Emelia is oblivious to the fact that her husband, Iago, is a nefarious and jealous man who has wronged Othello and many of the other characters in the play. Towards the end of the play, she encounters an epiphany in which she realizes that her husband has deceived Othello and convinced him that his wife, Desdamona, has been unfaithful and disloyal. In the play Emelia does I ago the favor of retrieving the handkerchief. She says “I nothing but to please his fancy.” Here, she is simply trying to please Iago and be an obedient wife. Little does she know that she is aiding Iago in his plot to convince Othello that Desdamona is unfaithful. In the scenes before Emelia’s epiphany, she is completely oblivious to Iago’s dirty deeds. Emelia’s moment of truth occurs when Othello explains to her why he murdered Desdamona. Othello tells her that Iago had helped open his eyes to Desdemona’s falsehoods. He explains how Iago had found the handkerchief in Casio’s room. At this moment, Emalia realizes that retrieving the handkerchief had aided Iago with his lies. Emelia’s epiphany is the most significant of all. Her epiphany is causes Iago’s ultimate downfall. She informs the others that Iago had deceived them all. Her epiphany is also the cause of Othello’s death. After Othello realizes that Iago had played him, he kills himself next to Desdamona. So even after he hears the truth and Iago had been converted to a slave, Othello still dies. And if...
Words: 288 - Pages: 2
...Name Course code Tutor’s name Date Othello Othello is one of the great works of Shakespeare that has intriguing experiences. Othello explores different aspects of life but the most interesting one is the aspect of jealous entangled with love. The characters act in very interesting ways that leave anyone reading the book to be always curious of what happens next. The way women have been presented in the play is a clear indication of how patriarchy had taken root in the society at that time. Women have been oppressed and have little to do in any love relationship for men control everything. One character that seems most interesting is Lago. He is the wicked character especially with his funny actions against Roderigo and Othello. Lago is such an interesting character because of the way he is able to manipulate the thinking ways of both Othello and Roderigo to believe what he wants. Lago manages to convince Roderigo to accompany him to see Brabantio and inform him how Othello had eloped with his daughter Desdemona. This prompted the two lovers to be summoned by the Duke of Venice for the matter to be resolved (Shakespeare). Lago seems to have a general hatred for women by ensuring that their relationships are not smooth. Through his actions in the book, Lago manages to convince Othello that Desdemona was unfaithful with his suspicious evidence. Lago is a very smart character that has a lot of determination to achieve what he intends. He manages to vent his anger to Cassio...
Words: 617 - Pages: 3
...Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Date Racism in Othello Once or twice in a lifetime, individuals go through the ordeal of racism or being alienated; in the play by William Shakespeare, Othello, the young man Othello has served the city of Venice in a number of ways ranging from emerging victorious in the wars he fought to providing other services to the same city. At the time the play was being written in the 17th century, the minority groups were considered nonentities, irrelevant and were also ignored in most activities of the society. Despite the frustrations faced by the blacks during this time, Othello emerged a unique black man who managed to become a military general who was even accorded respect by the white people who were also in power. However he started experiencing the diverse effects of racism when he got married to Desdemona, the daughter of a senator by the name Barbantio; what made people to insist that the marriage across the races was not the right thing. Other characters were not pleased with move of Othello to marry the senator’s daughter and resort to calling him names such as the moor, which indicated his race; they referred to him with such names so that they could remind him that he was a descendant of Africa. This fight which was launched against the minority groups within the play Othello later brings his marriage to a tragic end. The play Othello cannot be seen as being racist, but the characters within the play were racists...
Words: 1874 - Pages: 8
