The Tragedy of Othello When one speculates on the word tragedy, it is commonly associated with the traditional genre of Greek dramatic plays. A tragedy is a type of drama, which depicts the causally related events, that lead to the downfall and suffering of the protagonist, a person of unusual moral or intellectual stature or outstanding abilities (Lecture). Tragedies, from their origin of ancient Greece, never faltered, and continues to be an appreciated genre of drama. William Shakespeare is among the several notorious writers of tragedy. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the characteristics of a tragedy are defined by the having fondness of Othello, having them witness his epic fall from grace, and having sympathy after everything has gone wrong.
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At the beginning of the play, Iago and Roderigo plan to lie to the king that Othello is having sex with his daughter. Iago yells in the window “Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul” (1.1.90) and “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.91). By Iago lying on Othello, readers assume that Iago is the antagonist and Othello is the protagonist. As Othello’s character becomes more prominent you learn that he is a modest, hardworking man. Othello also tells Iago “But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhousèd free condition put into circumscription and confine for the sea’s worth” (1.2.25-27). This is Othello expressing openly that he genuinely loves his wife. These features on the view point of Othello helps the readers establish a connection with …show more content…
Othello original started off as “the highly respected general of the armies of Venice” (Lecture). By the play representing him as a highly respected outcast in society, the readers connect an emotional bond with Othello. With that bond the readers personally experience the breakdown of Othello. After killing Desdemona, Othello yells, “Cold, cold, my girl, even like thy chastity. O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils, from the possession of this heavenly sight!” (5.2.290-292). He is miserable at the thought of himself killing his innocent wife, and he wishes that devils come rescue him from him treacherous deeds. Othello’s last words are, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, killing myself, to die upon a kiss” (5.2.376-377). This leaves the readers sad for the character
At the beginning of the play, Iago and Roderigo plan to lie to the king that Othello is having sex with his daughter. Iago yells in the window “Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul” (1.1.90) and “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.91). By Iago lying on Othello, readers assume that Iago is the antagonist and Othello is the protagonist. As Othello’s character becomes more prominent you learn that he is a modest, hardworking man. Othello also tells Iago “But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhousèd free condition put into circumscription and confine for the sea’s worth” (1.2.25-27). This is Othello expressing openly that he genuinely loves his wife. These features on the view point of Othello helps the readers establish a connection with …show more content…
Othello original started off as “the highly respected general of the armies of Venice” (Lecture). By the play representing him as a highly respected outcast in society, the readers connect an emotional bond with Othello. With that bond the readers personally experience the breakdown of Othello. After killing Desdemona, Othello yells, “Cold, cold, my girl, even like thy chastity. O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils, from the possession of this heavenly sight!” (5.2.290-292). He is miserable at the thought of himself killing his innocent wife, and he wishes that devils come rescue him from him treacherous deeds. Othello’s last words are, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, killing myself, to die upon a kiss” (5.2.376-377). This leaves the readers sad for the character