Othello as Tragic Hero
Othello, the Moor of Venice is a Shakespearean tragedy that focuses on the great war hero Othello and the lengths to which Iago goes to in order to strip Othello of his power. Iago’s thirst for power commences when he is passed up for promotion and Michael Cassio is instead award the position of lieutenant. Although it would appear to be more logical that Iago target Cassio, he instead targets his superior, Othello, not only because he hates him, but also because he knows that he can easily manipulate Othello and lead him to self-destruct. Othello is categorized as a tragedy among Shakespeare’s works and may further be classified as an Aristotelian tragedy as Othello appears to embody several characteristics that are attributed with being a tragic hero.
Greek philosopher Aristotle defines a tragic hero as “a [virtuous or noble] person who is neither perfect in virtue and justice, nor one who falls into misfortune through vice and depravity, but rather, one who succumbs through some miscalculation” (Brown). Additionally, the tragic hero’s fall is “a result of free choice, not of accident or villainy or some overriding, malignant fate” (“Aristotle”). In some cases, a tragic hero’s fall is due to a tragic flaw, hamartia, whereas in other cases, divine interference is a factor in the tragic hero’s fall. “An Aristotelian tragedy has as its essential aim a significant illumination of the pitiable and fearful dimensions of human existence” (Golden 144). In the play, Othello’s hamartia includes his blinding trust and his inability to logically analyze a situation, rather relying on his emotions and passions to guide him. Furthermore, a tragic hero’s fall is not wholly deserved and the punishment often exceeds the crime that is committed. The tragic hero’s fall is not without a purpose and it serves to enlighten the tragic hero of his or her flaw. The last key element of a tragic hero’s fall and its purpose is to incite catharsis to ensure that the audience is not left depressed at the end of the play (“Aristotle”).
Othello, although a foreigner to Venice, has grown to become a highly respected citizen through his military exploits and triumphs. As such, he has earned the post of lieutenant within the army and is often relied upon for his military expertise, especially against the Turks and Ottomites. As defined by Aristotle, Othello’s downfall is not attributed through a personal vice or depravity, but rather due to his hamartia. In Othello’s case, his downfall can be attributed to hamartia and the interference of Iago, who although is not a divine force, is able to manipulate Othello in an attempt to satisfy his ego. John Arthos argues “the faults of honor are, of course, the faults of pride in part,” that is to say that Othello cannot look upon his comrades dishonorably because of his pride (p. 98).
Othello falls victim to Iago’s manipulations because he is unwilling to see or even consider that the men that he surrounds himself with could ever be untruthful. Iago notes, “The Moor is of a free and open nature,/That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,/And will as tenderly be led by the nose/As asses are” (Shakespeare 1.3.756-59). It is this virtuous weakness that Iago exploits once his initial plan of having Brabantio confront Othello of bewitching his daughter, Desdemona, backfires. Seeing how committed Desdemona and Othello are to each other, Iago sees their love as a tool of manipulation.
Othello’s hamartia is his inability to distinguish between those that are honest and those that are dishonest, in this case, Desdemona and Iago, respectively. At the beginning of the play, Othello has no reason to distrust either of the two people closest to him. Othello considers Iago to be a close ally, especially since the two have constantly had to fight side by side in combat against the Turkish enemy. On the other hand, Desdemona has proven to Othello that she truly cares about him and loved him “for the dangers [he] had pass’d,/And [he] loved her that she did pity them” (1.3.512-12). However, Othello also proves to be possessive of his wife and does not appear to be content when she is out of his sight, constantly parading her as though she were a highly prized object and even puts her life and well-being at risk by taking her to the battlefield with him.
As Iago is able to manipulate Othello due to his extreme love for his wife, Othello’s possessiveness can also be considered to be a tragic flaw, albeit it is not an intellectual flaw, but rather an emotional one. Iago is able to persuade Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him and has been having an adulterous affair with Cassio, who Iago is also determined to destroy. Othello’s perception of Desdemona is obviously altered after Iago talks to him. For instance, Othello brushes off his wife’s attempts to help ameliorate his headache by telling her, “Your napkin is too little: Let it alone,” which causes her to drop her napkin out of shock only to have him turn around and demand that she show him the same napkin (3.3.1952; 3.3.1954). Additionally, he attempts to manipulate his wife, something that he had not done before, by telling her that the napkin is imbued with magic powers of faithfulness and that it is proof that she has not deceived him.
It can be argued that Othello’s abuse of his wife could have been circumvented if Othello had not been as focused on his civic duty and if he had not been as dependent on the “loyalty” of Iago, who, granted he had known longer and had been through more hardships with. Othello made a choice to trust Iago over his wife. Had Othello relied on himself — and realized that he was the only person that he could trust wholeheartedly — he could have approached the concerns he had regarding Desdemona’s alleged adultery in a different manner. Through open and honest communication, Desdemona would have and could have been afforded the opportunity to explain and defend herself and could have avoided her own death. Othello’s downfall is ultimately the result of a series of bad choices that he made willingly despite external influences. While Iago planted the seed of discord in Othello’s mind, he did not force his target’s hand.
As a result of these decisions, the relationship between Desdemona and Othello continues to deteriorate, in addition to the deterioration of communication, which ultimately leads to both of their demises. It is Desdemona’s reluctance to speak up against her husband that further attributes to his downfall. Despite Othello’s abusive comportment towards his wife, Desdemona does not stand up to him, attempt to correct him, or defend herself against his accusations. This can be seen during an instance in which Othello slaps his wife without provocation and she responds by only saying “I have not deserved this” and doing nothing more (4.1.2682). Othello does not give Desdemona an opportunity to defend herself, but rather relies on the one person that is intentionally trying to destroy him, Iago. Because Othello is more willing to side with Iago and believe whatever he says, Desdemona is left without any moral, emotional, or marital support and contributes to her own death, confessing with her final breath that it was “I myself” that should be blamed for her death (5.2.3453).
In Othello, as in other Shakespearean tragedies, Othello and his companions “bring about their own destruction, though aided and abetted by external circumstances — if a wife and friend can be called external” (Boas 17). In this case, external circumstances include Iago’s manipulation, which results in Desdemona’s death and that attainment of Iago’s goal. When Othello is apprehended after murdering his beloved wife, he admits his guilt, but also wants to set the record straight by asserting that he was “one that loved not wisely, but too well;/Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought/Perplex’d in the extreme” (5.2.3711-13). Like many Aristotelian tragic heroes, Othello recognizes his flaw far too late and only after the damage has been done.
Like other Greek tragedies, Othello provides the audience with an opportunity for catharsis. Despite the tragic ending in which the hero and his wife fall victim to hamartia and the ensuing consequences, justice prevails in the end as Iago is also stripped of everything that he held dear, including his life. Just like Desdemona died at the hands of her own husband, so does Emilia, Iago’s wife, after being fatally stabbed by her own husband (4.2). As a result of Emilia’s death, his attack on Cassio, and Roderigo’s murder, Iago is sentenced to death, thereby preventing him from ever attaining the position of power he long yearned. By not allowing Iago to get away with everything that he did, the audience is given a sense of relief in knowing that justice was served. Furthermore, Othello’s suicide allows the audience to see that he repented everything that he did and that he could not live with himself.
Othello is rife with oppositions that the titular character must deal with every day. While Othello attempts to overcome obstacles of racial discrimination, he remains a target due to his Moorish background. Additionally, despite his many heroic feats, it is unlikely that Othello will ever be considered to be equal to others that have achieved the same triumph feats. There are many things working against Othello throughout the play that it is difficult to see how he could ever pull ahead, especially with Iago poisoning his mind. As such, the tragic traits of the play infiltrate every aspect of it and are not limited to the characters, but also to society and social constructs.
Works Cited
“Aristotle.” Virginia Community College System. Web. 4 July 2012.
Arthos, John. “The Fall of Othello.” Shakespeare Quarterly. Vol. 9, No. 2 (Spring, 1958), pp.
93-104. JSTOR. Web. 4 July 2012.
Boas, George. “The Evolution of the Tragic Hero.” The Carleton Drama Review, Vol. 1, No. 1,
Greek Tragedy (1955-1956), pp. 5-21. JSTOR. Web. 4 July 2012.
Brown, Larry A. “Aristotle on Greek Tragedy.” Lipscomb University. January 2005. Web. 4
July 2012.
Golden, Leon. “Othello, Hamlet, and Aristotelian Tragedy.” Shakespeare Quarterly. Vol. 35,
No. 2 (Summer, 1984), pp. 142-156. JSTOR. Web. 4 July 2012.
Shakespeare, William. Othello, the Moor of Venice. Open Source Shakespeare. Web. 4 July
Get Professional Assignment Help Cheaply
Are you busy and do not have time to handle your assignment? Are you scared that your paper will not make the grade? Do you have responsibilities that may hinder you from turning in your assignment on time? Are you tired and can barely handle your assignment? Are your grades inconsistent?
Whichever your reason is, it is valid! You can get professional academic help from our service at affordable rates. We have a team of professional academic writers who can handle all your assignments.
Why Choose Our Academic Writing Service?
- Plagiarism free papers
- Timely delivery
- Any deadline
- Skilled, Experienced Native English Writers
- Subject-relevant academic writer
- Adherence to paper instructions
- Ability to tackle bulk assignments
- Reasonable prices
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Get superb grades consistently
Online Academic Help With Different Subjects
Literature
Students barely have time to read. We got you! Have your literature essay or book review written without having the hassle of reading the book. You can get your literature paper custom-written for you by our literature specialists.
Finance
Do you struggle with finance? No need to torture yourself if finance is not your cup of tea. You can order your finance paper from our academic writing service and get 100% original work from competent finance experts.
Computer science
Computer science is a tough subject. Fortunately, our computer science experts are up to the match. No need to stress and have sleepless nights. Our academic writers will tackle all your computer science assignments and deliver them on time. Let us handle all your python, java, ruby, JavaScript, php , C+ assignments!
Psychology
While psychology may be an interesting subject, you may lack sufficient time to handle your assignments. Don’t despair; by using our academic writing service, you can be assured of perfect grades. Moreover, your grades will be consistent.
Engineering
Engineering is quite a demanding subject. Students face a lot of pressure and barely have enough time to do what they love to do. Our academic writing service got you covered! Our engineering specialists follow the paper instructions and ensure timely delivery of the paper.
Nursing
In the nursing course, you may have difficulties with literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, critical essays, and other assignments. Our nursing assignment writers will offer you professional nursing paper help at low prices.
Sociology
Truth be told, sociology papers can be quite exhausting. Our academic writing service relieves you of fatigue, pressure, and stress. You can relax and have peace of mind as our academic writers handle your sociology assignment.
Business
We take pride in having some of the best business writers in the industry. Our business writers have a lot of experience in the field. They are reliable, and you can be assured of a high-grade paper. They are able to handle business papers of any subject, length, deadline, and difficulty!
Statistics
We boast of having some of the most experienced statistics experts in the industry. Our statistics experts have diverse skills, expertise, and knowledge to handle any kind of assignment. They have access to all kinds of software to get your assignment done.
Law
Writing a law essay may prove to be an insurmountable obstacle, especially when you need to know the peculiarities of the legislative framework. Take advantage of our top-notch law specialists and get superb grades and 100% satisfaction.
What discipline/subjects do you deal in?
We have highlighted some of the most popular subjects we handle above. Those are just a tip of the iceberg. We deal in all academic disciplines since our writers are as diverse. They have been drawn from across all disciplines, and orders are assigned to those writers believed to be the best in the field. In a nutshell, there is no task we cannot handle; all you need to do is place your order with us. As long as your instructions are clear, just trust we shall deliver irrespective of the discipline.
Are your writers competent enough to handle my paper?
Our essay writers are graduates with bachelor's, masters, Ph.D., and doctorate degrees in various subjects. The minimum requirement to be an essay writer with our essay writing service is to have a college degree. All our academic writers have a minimum of two years of academic writing. We have a stringent recruitment process to ensure that we get only the most competent essay writers in the industry. We also ensure that the writers are handsomely compensated for their value. The majority of our writers are native English speakers. As such, the fluency of language and grammar is impeccable.
What if I don’t like the paper?
There is a very low likelihood that you won’t like the paper.
Reasons being:
- When assigning your order, we match the paper’s discipline with the writer’s field/specialization. Since all our writers are graduates, we match the paper’s subject with the field the writer studied. For instance, if it’s a nursing paper, only a nursing graduate and writer will handle it. Furthermore, all our writers have academic writing experience and top-notch research skills.
- We have a quality assurance that reviews the paper before it gets to you. As such, we ensure that you get a paper that meets the required standard and will most definitely make the grade.
In the event that you don’t like your paper:
- The writer will revise the paper up to your pleasing. You have unlimited revisions. You simply need to highlight what specifically you don’t like about the paper, and the writer will make the amendments. The paper will be revised until you are satisfied. Revisions are free of charge
- We will have a different writer write the paper from scratch.
- Last resort, if the above does not work, we will refund your money.
Will the professor find out I didn’t write the paper myself?
Not at all. All papers are written from scratch. There is no way your tutor or instructor will realize that you did not write the paper yourself. In fact, we recommend using our assignment help services for consistent results.
What if the paper is plagiarized?
We check all papers for plagiarism before we submit them. We use powerful plagiarism checking software such as SafeAssign, LopesWrite, and Turnitin. We also upload the plagiarism report so that you can review it. We understand that plagiarism is academic suicide. We would not take the risk of submitting plagiarized work and jeopardize your academic journey. Furthermore, we do not sell or use prewritten papers, and each paper is written from scratch.
When will I get my paper?
You determine when you get the paper by setting the deadline when placing the order. All papers are delivered within the deadline. We are well aware that we operate in a time-sensitive industry. As such, we have laid out strategies to ensure that the client receives the paper on time and they never miss the deadline. We understand that papers that are submitted late have some points deducted. We do not want you to miss any points due to late submission. We work on beating deadlines by huge margins in order to ensure that you have ample time to review the paper before you submit it.
Will anyone find out that I used your services?
We have a privacy and confidentiality policy that guides our work. We NEVER share any customer information with third parties. Noone will ever know that you used our assignment help services. It’s only between you and us. We are bound by our policies to protect the customer’s identity and information. All your information, such as your names, phone number, email, order information, and so on, are protected. We have robust security systems that ensure that your data is protected. Hacking our systems is close to impossible, and it has never happened.
How our Assignment Help Service Works
1. Place an order
You fill all the paper instructions in the order form. Make sure you include all the helpful materials so that our academic writers can deliver the perfect paper. It will also help to eliminate unnecessary revisions.
2. Pay for the order
Proceed to pay for the paper so that it can be assigned to one of our expert academic writers. The paper subject is matched with the writer’s area of specialization.
3. Track the progress
You communicate with the writer and know about the progress of the paper. The client can ask the writer for drafts of the paper. The client can upload extra material and include additional instructions from the lecturer. Receive a paper.
4. Download the paper
The paper is sent to your email and uploaded to your personal account. You also get a plagiarism report attached to your paper.
PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY!!!
