A Great Tragedy
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest tragedies ever written. Othello idealizes Desdemona as a Christ figure, labels Othello as the tragic hero, and also follows the guidelines of Aristotle’s definition of a great tragedy. Othello is a prime example of what a true tragedy should consist of.
Desdemona is considered the Christ figure in Othello because her life parallels that of Jesus Christ. Like Christ, Desdemona is considered innocent. She remains pure until marriage, symbolized by her wedding sheets. Desdemona is murdered for the sins she does not commit. She is taken out of this world based on the wrong of others; although she dies, she never places blame on anyone. Likewise, Jesus Christ does not place blame one the ones who crucify him, asking God to “forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Holman King James Bible, Luke 23:34). Desdemona asks to “say one prayer” (Shakespeare, V.ii.82) before she takes her last breath. She, like Christ, wishes to …show more content…
Othello comes “from men of royal siege” (Shakespeare, I.ii.22). He has a noble background and is an honest man. His downfall does not occur because he is a bad person but because he possesses a tragic flaw, his naivety. Othello is overly trusting, depending on Iago as his primary source of wisdom. He allows Iago to plant doubt in his head and then turns on the innocent. Othello’s reversal of fortune is brought about because of this error in judgment. He is made to believe he is doing the right thing because he trusts Iago with his life. He believes Desdemona must die in order for justice to be carried through; he takes this into his own hands. Othello realizes, shortly after, the error of his ways. Once he realizes his wrong doing, he takes his own life in order for true justice to be served. He takes the blame for what has occurred and therefore takes his own
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest tragedies ever written. Othello idealizes Desdemona as a Christ figure, labels Othello as the tragic hero, and also follows the guidelines of Aristotle’s definition of a great tragedy. Othello is a prime example of what a true tragedy should consist of.
Desdemona is considered the Christ figure in Othello because her life parallels that of Jesus Christ. Like Christ, Desdemona is considered innocent. She remains pure until marriage, symbolized by her wedding sheets. Desdemona is murdered for the sins she does not commit. She is taken out of this world based on the wrong of others; although she dies, she never places blame on anyone. Likewise, Jesus Christ does not place blame one the ones who crucify him, asking God to “forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Holman King James Bible, Luke 23:34). Desdemona asks to “say one prayer” (Shakespeare, V.ii.82) before she takes her last breath. She, like Christ, wishes to …show more content…
Othello comes “from men of royal siege” (Shakespeare, I.ii.22). He has a noble background and is an honest man. His downfall does not occur because he is a bad person but because he possesses a tragic flaw, his naivety. Othello is overly trusting, depending on Iago as his primary source of wisdom. He allows Iago to plant doubt in his head and then turns on the innocent. Othello’s reversal of fortune is brought about because of this error in judgment. He is made to believe he is doing the right thing because he trusts Iago with his life. He believes Desdemona must die in order for justice to be carried through; he takes this into his own hands. Othello realizes, shortly after, the error of his ways. Once he realizes his wrong doing, he takes his own life in order for true justice to be served. He takes the blame for what has occurred and therefore takes his own