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¶ … Othello, by William Shakespeare. Specifically, it will contain a major and minor character analysis. Othello and Desdemona are intertwined in the play, and the tragic fall of Othello could not occur without Desdemona's ultimate betrayal.
Othello
The major character of Othello in the play "Othello" is a tragic hero who allows himself to be manipulated by those around him, especially Iago and Desdemona. Othello is an interesting character, in that he is a "moor," or a black man in a largely white world, who indeed marries a white woman. He is a strong leader, who is given command over Cyprus, and is generally accepted by those around him, as this passage shows, "And, noble signior, If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black" (Shakespeare Act I, scene iii).
Unfortunately, Othello trusts his "friends" too much, and they plan and plot against him, ultimately leading to his death. Othello...
He allows Iago and Roderigo to lead him, and listens to their advice more than he listens to his own heart. He is convinced Desdemona is unfaithful to him, even though she is not, and he allows his own pride to get in the way of common sense, which is another deadly character flaw. Othello is the perfect tragic hero, because although he is highly successful, he allows his character flaws to get in the way, and they ultimately lead to tragedy, despair, and death.
In the beginning of the play, Othello is a strong and vital man in command of an army, and in command of his life. By the end of the play, he is dead because of his descent into jealousy, betrayal, and the poor advice of others. Early in the play, his pride in himself is abundantly clear when he says, "My services which I have done the signiory / Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know, -- / Which, when I know that boasting is an honor, / I shall promulgate, -- I fetch my life and being / From men of royal siege; and my demerits / May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune" (Shakespeare Act I, Scene ii). Unfortunately, by the end of the play,…
Bibliography
Bloom, Harold. William Shakespeare's Othello. New York: Chelsea House, 1987.
Shakespeare, William. Cohen, Walter, Howard, Jean E., and Greenblatt, Stephen (Editors). "Othello." The Norton Shakespeare. New York: W.W. Norton Company. March 1997.
There is a continuing debate within scholarly circle about the "motiveless malignity" of Iago. (Kolin 214) In other words, a close reading of the play raises the question as to whether evil is spurred by ulterior motives and feelings such as jealously or whether evil is a purely senseless act that is its own motive. The poet Coleridge was of the view that Iago represents senseless evil in human nature
Othello as Tragic Hero While Othello is not Greek and Shakespeare is not a Greek playwright, Othello embodies many characteristics of a tragic hero as outlined by Aristotle. What is a tragic hero? Person who is neither perfect in virtue and justice, nor someone who falls into misfortune through vice and depravity, but rather, one who succumbs through some miscalculation. Othello is manipulated by Iago to murder Desdemona Iago uses Othello's trusting nature against him Hero
Shakespeare Iago's Character in Othello This paper analyzes Iago's speech to Roderigo in "Othello," by William Shakespeare. Specifically, it discusses what the speech reveals about Iago's character. Does the play ultimately seem to suggest that Iago is right? Iago is a tortured character who displays many different and unhealthy psychological traits. He ruins the lives of those around him, and the play clearly shows he is a jealous, unhappy, and scheming man who
Othello Shakespeare's Skepticism: Unconditional Love in Othello Unconditional love is said by some to be the unobtainable but righteous goal of all living humans. When and if we are capable of generating unconditional love towards our fellow man but in particular those who are closest to us many believe we are capable of ascension to a better place, be it the Christian heaven which stresses unconditional love for one's fellow man and
Shakespeare's Othello: Is it a tragedy according to Aristotle? Aristotle and tragedy Aristotle defines tragedy as imitation of an action that is serious and has a certain dramatic and complete magnitude. Tragedy to Aristotle is something that is: "A form of drama exciting the emotions of pity and fear. Its action should be single and complete, presenting a reversal of fortune, involving persons renowned and of superior attainments, and it should be written
He complains to Roderigo that he has been denied promotion because of Cassio's youth, breeding, and better name. "Preferment goes by letter and affection, / Not by the old gradation" (1.1.37-38). Then he vaguely alleges that the Moor may have had a tryst with Emilia, which Emilia later denies, and which seems impossible, given that Emilia and Othello have the most openly adversarial relationship in the play. Iago may