What Makes Othello A Tragic Figure?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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There are many undesirable traits in Othello, like his jealousy and gullibility. However, the core of these problems and his main tragic flaw is his insecurities. ... Iago was easily able to convince Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful.

What is the tragic flaw of Othello?

Othello's tragic flaw is often identified as jealousy , and he is indeed a jealous man. The thought of his wife, Desdemona, with another man nearly drives him crazy. Yet behind this jealousy is something more. Othello has a strong tendency to act before he thinks and before he knows all aspects of a situation.

How is Othello tragic?

Othello is also a domestic tragedy: the tragedy of marriage . Othello and Desdemona have a passionate love which could be seen as a threat to the rules established by patriarchal order: their intense, emotionally charged and equal marriage challenges ideas about class, race and the conformity of women.

What makes a tragic figure?

A tragic hero is a type of character in a tragedy, and is usually the protagonist. ... Tragic heroes typically have heroic traits that earn them the sympathy of the audience , but also have flaws or make mistakes that ultimately lead to their own downfall.

How is Othello's status as a tragic hero established in the first act?

Also, a man should have nobility from birth, as Aristotle says, yet Othello slowly climbed the ladder of hierarchy enabling him to stable that status as the Moor (Venetian Moor) yet he sets himself as a tragic hero because he isn't going to accepted into society due to his colour .

Why is Iago so evil?

All of the problems he causes are through lies, treachery, manipulation, and a deep unknown hatred . Some of his hate is fueled by jealousy and revenge. The ironic part is that he is known as “honest Iago”. Every act contains an evil plot set up by Iago.

Is Desdemona a tragic hero?

Desdemona can be seen as both a tragic victim but also a tragic heroine: she endures suffering that is greatly out of proportion to her mistakes but also lacks the wisdom to see that her effort to reunite Othello and Cassio as friends is the background to Iago's manipulation of Othello.

Why isn't Othello a tragic hero?

Othello as well had many characteristics that make him a tragic hero, he was doomed from the start, he has a noble nature but imperfect as a person and creates a tragedy because of his bad judgment .

Who comes in the room after Othello kills Desdemona?

Othello triumphantly admits to Emilia that he killed Desdemona, and when she asks him why, Othello tells her that Iago opened his eyes to Desdemona's falsehood. Unfazed by Othello's threat that she “were best” to remain silent, Emilia calls out for help, bringing Montano, Graziano, and Iago to the scene (V. ii. 168 ).

What is the most tragic part of Othello?

There are many undesirable traits in Othello, like his jealousy and gullibility. However, the core of these problems and his main tragic flaw is his insecurities . Othello is the only black character and an outsider in Venice brings upon many insecurities.

What are the 4 characteristics of a tragic hero?

  • Hubris : excessive pride. ...
  • Hamartia: a tragic error of judgment that results in the hero's downfall. ...
  • Peripeteia: the hero's experience of a reversal of fate due to his error in judgment. ...
  • Anagnorisis: the moment in the story when the hero realizes the cause of his downfall.

What are examples of a tragic hero?

  • Aristotle's Characteristics of a Tragic Hero. Aristotle was famous for classifying the characteristics of a classic tragic hero. ...
  • Oedipus. ...
  • Romeo Montague. ...
  • Creon. ...
  • Jay Gatsby. ...
  • Peter Pan.

Why Is Romeo a tragic hero?

Romeo is considered a tragic hero because he is of noble birth, strikes fear into the audience through his demise and allows his tragic character flaw to influence his choices which consequently leads to his downfall.

What is a tragic hero according to Aristotle?

The present study investigates the tragic hero, defined in Aristotle's Poetics as “ an intermediate kind of personage, not pre-eminently virtuous and just” whose misfortune is attributed, not to vice or depravity, but an error of judgment . The hero is fittingly described as good in spite of an infirmity of character.

Is Othello a tragic hero according to Aristotle?

“Othello, the Moor of Venice” can be considered as a Shakespeare's tragedy in which Othello serves as the tragic hero according to Aristotle. ... Othello is a tragic hero since he is a respected man at the begging enjoying power and honor but later faces downfall when he murders his wife suspecting her of being unfaithful.

Is Iago a tragic hero?

Tragedy can expose humans fallibility and weaknesses. Iago tells Othello that his wife, Desdemona is having an with his friend, Cassio. ... Othello deeply believes in Iago's lies, and kills Desdemona and Cassio.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.