Othello- a tragic hero

             Tragedy is defined as a drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw . This tragic flaw is inborn to the main character. The tragic hero must be noble, having a higher stature than most men, must have a tragic flaw and this flaw must play the primary role in his downfall. In William Shakespeare's Othello, Othello is a tragic hero.
             Othello is a nobleman and a general in Cyprus. He lives in a mansion and has several people under his command. Cassio is his lieutenant and Iago is his Ancient. Othello speaks of his high rank and good wealth:
             From men of royal siege, and my demerits
             May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
             As this that I have reach'd. (Act I, scene II, lines 21-24)
             Othello is very wealthy and is of high status. Also, Othello is confident of his merit, his claim to respect and worth. Othello, being a soldier all his life, is seen as a very honorable man. His title alone, governor-general, presents an air of nobility, confidence, and strength. This title defines someone who is held in high esteem by the people of Venice:
             Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
             Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,
             And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
             I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.
             People have a good impression of Othello. He is of high estate, having people under him, such as Cassio and Iago.
             Othello's tragic flaw is his gullibility. Othello trusts Iago's words too much and he does not pay attention to anybody around him. As the play continues, and Iago continually taints the mind of Othello more effectively, Othello becomes more stricken with brutal suspicion and damaging emotion causing him to lash out and become weak in every possible way. In the play, dramatic irony is shown, allowing the reader to realize that Othello fully trusts a man who is, "Jan...

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Othello- a tragic hero. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 02:57, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/8104.html