A tragic hero is a person with heroic potential who is fated by some supernatural force, eventually leading to destruction or to great suffering. F. Scott Fitzgerald, wrote one of his utmost famous novels, The Great Gatsby, that focused on Jay Gatsby, a romantic fantasist who wishes to fulfill his American Dream by flaunting his wealth in hopes of impressing and eventually winning the heart of the love of his life, Daisy. Gatsby’s tragic flaws lie beneath his incapability to view reality, which leads to his downfall. Similarly, in the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello, a Christian Moor, is a powerful and respected figure to those around him. Despite this, he is an easy target to approach because of his race, age, and life as
…show more content…
Through The Great Gatsby, many characters experienced degeneration of their morals due to the corruption of the American Dream and the hopes for the future, particularly Gatsby himself. Gatsby, who was affected by a society of morals, was placed in the perfect position to make himself a tragic hero. After Gatsby had been murdered, Mr. Gatz (his father) was telling stories about his son as he said, “he knew he had a big future in front of him. And ever since he made a success he was very generous with me” (Fitzgerald, 138). He set himself out to be a wealthy man who worked hard to be where he is, however he was a bootlegger who made his money from selling and purchasing alcohol illegally. This is extremely ironic due to the fact that Mr. Gatz still believes his son was dedicated to a time consuming career to be where he was; yet he became rich through an underground business. Furthermore, Gatsby’s sudden collapse exemplifies how, progressing to carry out immoral acts (in this case lying to his father) will typically lead to a negative outcome. In the same light, this is established in Shakespeare’s play, as Othello loses all his morals when he kills Desdemona through his irrational thoughts. While speaking to Desdemona, Othello decides that there is no better way for him to let his love go, then …show more content…
Tom and Gatsby showcase the underlying theme of love and jealousy, as they are envious of each other because of where both their relationships stand with Daisy. Moreover, during the novel when Gatsby finally begins to interact with Daisy again, “he wants nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved you’” (Fitzgerald, 91). Gatsby does not view Daisy as the woman whom he loves dearly but as his dream that must be reached in order for his life to be complete. Furthermore, Gatsby remains intolerant and shows resentment towards Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband, because he is married to the girl of his dreams. Although Daisy ends up falling in love with Tom’s materialistic lifestyle, Gatsby has continuously loved her since the day they met and yearns to relive the past hoping to win Daisy’s heart again through his new flashy life style. Similarly, in Shakespeare’s play, jealousy is shown through the strained marriage between Othello and Desdemona. After being told of Desdemona’s unfaithful behavior, Othello remarks: “Damn her, lewd minx! […] Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw To furnish me with some swift means of death For the fair devil” (III.iii 482-485). Othello’s growing jealousy angers him past the point of no return, so much so that he has convinced himself to believe that
Through The Great Gatsby, many characters experienced degeneration of their morals due to the corruption of the American Dream and the hopes for the future, particularly Gatsby himself. Gatsby, who was affected by a society of morals, was placed in the perfect position to make himself a tragic hero. After Gatsby had been murdered, Mr. Gatz (his father) was telling stories about his son as he said, “he knew he had a big future in front of him. And ever since he made a success he was very generous with me” (Fitzgerald, 138). He set himself out to be a wealthy man who worked hard to be where he is, however he was a bootlegger who made his money from selling and purchasing alcohol illegally. This is extremely ironic due to the fact that Mr. Gatz still believes his son was dedicated to a time consuming career to be where he was; yet he became rich through an underground business. Furthermore, Gatsby’s sudden collapse exemplifies how, progressing to carry out immoral acts (in this case lying to his father) will typically lead to a negative outcome. In the same light, this is established in Shakespeare’s play, as Othello loses all his morals when he kills Desdemona through his irrational thoughts. While speaking to Desdemona, Othello decides that there is no better way for him to let his love go, then …show more content…
Tom and Gatsby showcase the underlying theme of love and jealousy, as they are envious of each other because of where both their relationships stand with Daisy. Moreover, during the novel when Gatsby finally begins to interact with Daisy again, “he wants nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved you’” (Fitzgerald, 91). Gatsby does not view Daisy as the woman whom he loves dearly but as his dream that must be reached in order for his life to be complete. Furthermore, Gatsby remains intolerant and shows resentment towards Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband, because he is married to the girl of his dreams. Although Daisy ends up falling in love with Tom’s materialistic lifestyle, Gatsby has continuously loved her since the day they met and yearns to relive the past hoping to win Daisy’s heart again through his new flashy life style. Similarly, in Shakespeare’s play, jealousy is shown through the strained marriage between Othello and Desdemona. After being told of Desdemona’s unfaithful behavior, Othello remarks: “Damn her, lewd minx! […] Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw To furnish me with some swift means of death For the fair devil” (III.iii 482-485). Othello’s growing jealousy angers him past the point of no return, so much so that he has convinced himself to believe that