Othello A Tragic Hero Analysis

Improved Essays
Keleigh Tovey English 12
Mr. Follette
25 November 2017
Is Othello a tragic hero?
Othello is a character of high standards who is slaughter by his environment, his own behavior, and his destiny. His wreckage is basically expressed by his own behavior, and also by the activities of the characters enclosing him. The awfulness of Othello isn’t a blame of deserted corrupt, yet is fairly an outcome of an extensive variety of emotions, judgements and confusion, and struggle for individuals diversion displayed by the characters. Othello is first appeared as a legend of war and a man extraordinary dignity and boldness. As the play proceeds with, his character starts to descend and turn out to be less respectable. Othello’s character changes from an innocent military pioneer, to a killer. He has certain qualities which influence him to appear to be gullible and authentic contrasted with numerous other individuals. Iago knows Othello is a glad man, Othello is open and trusting nature in the start of the play
…show more content…
Because he is dark, as well as in light of the fact that his entire individual is particularly puzzling. He is strange in that he accepts there is enchantment all around. With this dim side, he is additionally exceptionally cordial, and not brilliant. He isn’t perceptive and the plans of Iago function admirably on him. For every one of the risks and experiences he has been engaged with, the man is as yet innocent of the dishonest of different people. Othello is a trustworthy nature person. He puts all his trust in Iago meanwhile at war and during Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. Everybody considered Iago as legit, and it would be abnormal for Othello to trust any extraordinary. For instance, Othello had told Duke: “So please your grace, my ancient; A man he is of honesty and trust. To his conveyance I assign my wife, with what else needful your good grace shall think, To be sent after me” (Act iii scene I, lines

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    A tragic hero is typically known as someone who has heroic qualities, but bears a major flaw which either leads to their death or an ultimate punishment. Shakespeare’s play, Othello and Edward Zwick’s film, The Last Samurai both have characters that portray all of the elements of a tragic hero. Although Othello and Nathan Algren both demonstrate that they are flawed and noble, it is clear that Othello is a better example of a tragic hero because of how he is affected by the war, his perception of honor, and his fate due to the things he has done and the things that are inflicted upon him. Although Othello and Nathan Algren are both affected by the battles they have fought, they are affected in different ways.…

    • 1296 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Morally ambiguous characters are very common. From the classic works of literature, such as Shakespeare’s Othello, to modern characters, such as Marvel superheroes, morally ambiguous characters are used by writers to make a point and to spark an idea in the minds of their audience. Two examples of these types of characters are Iago from Othello and Henry Higgins from Pygmalion. Both characters played pivotal roles in their perspective plays. Despite being static characters, both played important roles in driving forward the events and developing the theme of the play.…

    • 1543 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    The tragic flaw of his credulity is seen in many scenes “Iago is most honest” (II.iii.7) and “My lord, you know I love you.” (III.iii.118) are examples of the machiavellian trap Othello finds himself falling into. Othello is seen as a kind hearted soldier with a noble persona but being naive in nature he is lead to believe that those around him are as honest as himself. The manipulation that is played out by Iago shows his cunning and his capability to fool those around him to get the results he wants.…

    • 1273 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Thoughtout life a person will encounter many different types of evil, including, lust, greed, jealousy, and hate. All of these powers have the potential to be evenly destructive and cause huge amounts of harm to an individual or group of people. In literature the forces are talked and discussed and have inspired the following books Lord of The Flies, Long Way Gone, Othello. All of these books have characters that have one of these traits that make them do things that they would not do without them.…

    • 465 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    A “tragic flaw” represents a shortcoming or defect in a character that ultimately leads to the destruction and downfall of themselves or those around them (Anand, 76). In an instant, a character can be taken from their peak to their lowest low. A character can also possess a flaw in which another may exploit and manipulate; such is the case in Shakespeare’s Othello. In Othello, the primary villain and character who drives the plot forward due to his skillful and ingenuous manipulation is Iago, who tears apart the marriage of Othello and his wife Desdemona. Iago, however, is simply a catalyst for their marriage to turn sour.…

    • 1407 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Race Quotes In Othello

    • 889 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Othello trust Iago to much and totally relies on Iago therefore making him really vulnerable to Iago’s evil schemes. As a result of him being so gullible, it leads to him becoming jealous which leads to him losing control of…

    • 889 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Othello is a Moor from Venice. Othello has been caught between his best friend Cassio and his wife, Desdemona. Othello, after Iago’s manipulations, seeks retribution on his beloved wife for allegedly having an affair. Othello has also been viewed as a very sympathetic character. Othello is distinguished as sympathetic because he suspects his wife is having an affair with his best friend, his handkerchief was stolen by Emilia, and he committed suicide for killing one of the people most dear to him.…

    • 1486 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Othello’s honourable and honest-nature, integrated with his insecurity of being an outsider, racially and culturally, found him to being easily preyed upon for Iago’s ploy. As previously mentioned several times, Iago portrayed himself as an honest and loyal friend, which he employed against Othello, stating, “The Moor is of a free and open nature,/ That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,/And will tenderly be led by the nose/ As asses are” (1.3.390-393).Just as Othello was so easily deceived because of his open nature, Iago used Othello’s racial insecurity, to enhance his plot of twisting his love for his wife, Desdemona. In other words, Iago used the same tactic Brabantio, Desdemona’s father used when he found out about the secret marriage, as Iago comments, “She did deceive her father, marrying you;/ And what she seem’d to shake and fear your looks/ She lov’d them most” (3.3.208-210). Moreover, despite what it appeared to be, Iago fooled Othello, using his racial insecurity in order to question for him to question his wife’s faithfulness, when in reality, Desdemona would never be unfaithful.…

    • 1007 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Iago Psychopath Analysis

    • 1341 Words
    • 6 Pages

    His knack for making up lies and feeling no remorse is evidence that Iago is a psychopath who does not have a conscience. Iago’s insincerity exceeds his harmful lies and clever deceit of almost all the characters , including his many faces, leaves the audience wondering if he even knew who he really was. From the very beginning, it is obvious that Iago should not be trusted, from the time he was causing trouble for Othello and Desdemona with Brabantio, acting too chummy with Roderigo and hiding his true motives for everything from everyone. Iago will never be able to truly present himself to anyone for even he knows that he “... is not what he…

    • 1341 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Identity In Othello

    • 1074 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Shakespeare’s Othello is one of his most interesting and controversial plays that really gets at the heart of human nature and questions the concept of perception and people’s relationships with one another. In the play, Othello, a successful general in the Venetian military, is led into jealousy and violence towards his wife from the lies of “honest” Iago. Various scholars of the play have attempted to explain Othello’s character and how such a high-status, noble man could have so easily descended into a simple vengeous murderer. Many theorize that behind Othello’s fragile facade of pride and nobility is a deep-rooted insecurity and naivety that leads him to be suspicious, and later, violent.…

    • 1074 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello suffers “the classic war between passion and responsibility” due to his conflicting thoughts about Desdemona allegedly being unfaithful, while attempting to maintain his responsibilities of being a rational and composed leader. By way of Iago’s manipulation and lies, Othello begins a metamorphosis of his character, that causes him to become a man who loses sight of his moral responsibilities and duties, leaving his decisions completely governed by his passion. The significance of Othello’s transition in character is incredible to the play, as it contributes to the theme of how unchecked passion can stray even the strong-willed from maintaining their moral responsibilities. Othello’s overwhelming thoughts of doubt and betrayal, planted by Iago, cause him to lose sight of his responsibilities, in being a poised and rational leader.…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Shakespeare’s 17th century tragedy ‘Othello’ explores universally recognized themes dealing with the self and a social environment such as jealousy, manipulation and how they can accentuate human flaws. These issues are encountered by Iago in his soliloquy and great insight is given through many techniques and developed characteristics; giving insight on Shakespeare’s overall intentions. This soliloquy enhances and shapes the audiences understanding of the play through language techniques, dramatic irony and character insight. Much of Iago’s plots to perform a the plan, which leads Othello to his jealousy inspired demise, are shown in this soliloquy. Throughout ‘Othello’ the main backbone of the play is the concept of jealousy and human flaws which are explored in Iago’s soliloquy; not only…

    • 1115 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Iago is shown to have a good reputation, an honest and loyal man to Othello and the society, but that does not mean it is the reality. Othello believes Iago without knowing his true nature and refers to others "Iago is most honest," (2.3.7). Iago is shown to be trustworthy in the past because he has not deceived anyone, and proved his loalty to Othello with several years of service for him. Also being the reason why Othello believes in him. Since Iago has a good reputation and is respected by most, Othello can easily finds Iago trustworthy and believes Iago tells him.…

    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages
    • 2 Works Cited
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Iago: The Perfect Villain

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages

    It’s clear that Iago doesn’t truly love anyone or trust anyone but himself. From what Iago says, "I am not what I am," we see his actions of deception with Othello in III. iii. Beginning with the proclamation that he is one who has "some soul," he closes with defiance.…

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Iago’s ability to manipulate people and convince Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity is shown when Iago makes up a false story of him laying with Cassio and hearing him mutter “Sweet Desdemona let us be wary, let us hide our loves” (3.3.420-421). This story was the very first lie that Iago told Othello to ensure him that Desdemona was disloyal. Iago makes himself more believable by being wary, and having Othello beg for his information on Desdemona and Cassio. This makes Iago’s motive of having Othello believe in Desdemona’s infidelity easier to convey. Not only do Iago’s actions manipulate Othello; the behaviour of other characters also leads him to believe in Desdemona’s infidelity.…

    • 1005 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays