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Othello Aristotle once defined a concept of tragic hero, which should be a character with a flaw in personality or judgment that will lead this character to some actions resulting into disaster. In the play, Othello, written by William Shakespeare, Othello fits the concept of a tragic hero. The tragic end of Othello happened due to the character flaws that he had. Othello was a tragic hero, because of the tragic end that he brought upon himself. Othello is shown as naive, unsophisticated, proud, and strong-willed. This is the short list of characteristics it is broad in meaning, almost a paradox in ways.
These are the personality traits that are brought out in the character of Othello throughout the play, The Tragedy of Othello. However, only a few of these traits would have been apparent if it had not been for the character of Iago. He instigated all of the wrong- doing that occurred by recognizing the weaknesses of Othello and using them against him. Iago was a better judge of character than most, thus he was able to pull off the scheme that he did by playing everyone off of one another to confuse, irritate, and eventually breakdown and drive Othello to self-destruction. From the very beginning of the play it is clear that Iago is an evil figure. He clearly states in the first scene his undying hatred for the hero, Othello.
At first glance such hatred seems unfounded. The only explanation that he gives in the beginning to the rather rubbish character Rodrigo, is that he wants revenge for being passed over for a promotion to lieutenant by his commander, Othello. We later find that he has an underlying, ridiculously unfounded jealousy that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. Those are only superficial reasonings for his hate, though. The real characteristics that make up his depravity and keep his machination of revenge alive are as innumerable as they are evil. An entire essay could be written on that subject alone.
There is never a question of Othello's greatness. He and Desdemona share a love that is absolute and true. He is also a figure of great importance in Venice despite his race. He has the ability to appoint military officers, converse freely with high-ranking officials, and marry a Senators daughter.
Even with all his power, in a white society, his race leaves him vulnerable. With this vulnerability, Othello is a very insecure man. This allows Iago to plant seeds of doubt that readily grow into plants of fruition and jealousy. Once the jealousy is fully developed in Othello he is a very changed man. By the end of the play, Othello has regained some of his nobility, but has allowed Iago to pervert his thoughts. We witness this when he is in the bedchamber with Desdemona and he is speaking, once again, in a noble tone, but his reasoning is obscured.
He believes that he has to kill Desdemona as a being of divine justice. He reasons that he must not let betray other men. He is so deluded that he actually believes that he is being merciful by allowing her a last prayer and by not scarring her body. At this point, Othello has been pushed so far over the edge that all hope of returning to his once-noble self is lost. When he is made aware of the true situation he cannot bare it and he ends up taking his own life.
According to Aristotle's definition, a tragedy should have a final moment of potential resolution and a tragic hero should have a final moment of potential self-awareness. By the end of the play, Othello has regained some of his nobility, but has allowed Iago to pervert his thoughts. We witness this when he is in the bedchamber with Desdemona and he is speaking, once again, in a noble tone, but his reasoning is obscured. He believes that he has to kill Desdemona as a being of divine justice. He reasons that he must not let betray other men. He is so deluded that he actually believes that he is being merciful by allowing her a last prayer and by not scarring her body.
At this point, Othello has been pushed so far over the edge that all hope of returning to his once-noble self is lost. When he is made aware of the true situation he cannot bare it and he ends up taking his own life. The Tragedy of Othello fits Aristotle's definition of tragedy because Othello the main character brought tragic end upon himself. Words: 762 Bibliography: Winner, A. , Analyzing Shakespeare's Plays, London: Books, Inc, 1996.
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