Shakespeare’s Othello has been seen not as an ordinary victim or villain, but is a combination of both presented as a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat. (tragic-hero) throughout the play Othello is characterized as a strong-willed man who often trusts the wrong people which in turn leads to his demise.
Othello begins the play as a good man with good values, who is a trusted solider and a loving, caring husband to Desdemona. A Turkish invasion leads Othello to be asked to lead an army in Cyprus as the “Duke describes him as “valiant” by the Duke, and “brave” by Montano” (Oconnor, Evelyn) Although Desdemona’s father Brabantio isn’t to faund of …show more content…
Barbantio doesn’t believe that Desdemona who has many suitors would choose the Moor Othello as her husband. He talks to Barbantio as if Othello was suiting his daughter his daughter would love him as well and says, “I think this tale would win my daughter too”(1.iii 170) “your son-in-law is far more fair than black”. (1.iii 288) Iago who undoubtedly claims to “hate the Moor” even admits himself that “The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not, is of a constant loving noble nature and I dare think that he’ll prove to Desdemona a most dear husband” (2.i 282-285)
These traits contribute to his tragic flaws Othello is too proud, too trusting, too impulsive, and extremely insecure. Othello admits to the audience he is self-centered and arrogant when he says “loving his own pride and purposes”. Even when Othello speaks of his marriage with Desdemona he is overconfident in saying “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them”. Possibly Othello loves Desdemona for the fact she feeds his ego and idolizes his life or maybe she’s the only woman who understands him. He later pushes Desdemona away as his mind is full of false thoughts from
Othello begins the play as a good man with good values, who is a trusted solider and a loving, caring husband to Desdemona. A Turkish invasion leads Othello to be asked to lead an army in Cyprus as the “Duke describes him as “valiant” by the Duke, and “brave” by Montano” (Oconnor, Evelyn) Although Desdemona’s father Brabantio isn’t to faund of …show more content…
Barbantio doesn’t believe that Desdemona who has many suitors would choose the Moor Othello as her husband. He talks to Barbantio as if Othello was suiting his daughter his daughter would love him as well and says, “I think this tale would win my daughter too”(1.iii 170) “your son-in-law is far more fair than black”. (1.iii 288) Iago who undoubtedly claims to “hate the Moor” even admits himself that “The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not, is of a constant loving noble nature and I dare think that he’ll prove to Desdemona a most dear husband” (2.i 282-285)
These traits contribute to his tragic flaws Othello is too proud, too trusting, too impulsive, and extremely insecure. Othello admits to the audience he is self-centered and arrogant when he says “loving his own pride and purposes”. Even when Othello speaks of his marriage with Desdemona he is overconfident in saying “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them”. Possibly Othello loves Desdemona for the fact she feeds his ego and idolizes his life or maybe she’s the only woman who understands him. He later pushes Desdemona away as his mind is full of false thoughts from