Bradley describes this by saying that "Othello's nature is all of one piece... Love, if he loves, must be to him the heaven where either he must leave or bear no life. If such a passion as jealousy seizes him, it will swell into a well-night incontrollable flood" (Bradley 188). This shows how Othello goes to the extremes, especially relating to his emotions. Bradley also says that "He is quite free from introspection, and is not given to reflection. Emotion excites his imagination, but it confuses and dulls his intellect" (Bradley 188). This shows that like Hamlet, Othello is not able to consider the source of his emotions. This occurs as a natural part of Othello's character, while for Hamlet it is specifically linked to the particular situation and the particular emotion. However, the end result is the same with both characters unable to consider their emotions and rationalize them. The end result for both characters is that they become driven by their emotions. This occurs for Othello as he becomes easily convinced that Desdemona is unfaithful. It is important to note that this belief is based on very little real evidence. It is also important to note that even though Othello asks for evidence before he believes it completely, there is a part of him that believes it immediately. Otherwise, it would have been likely that he just would have ignored Iago initially or asked Desdemona. Instead, Othello goes along with Iago and allows himself to be convinced. Then, with only a small amount of evidence, Othello accepts that Desdemona is unfaithful. The extreme nature of his reaction is seen where he says to Desdemona, "I took you for...
You, mistress, that have the office opposite to Saint Peter, and keep the gate of hell!" (IV, ii). This shows he is has become completely consumed by his jealousy, with this emotion ruling him completely. The jealousy has also made Othello incapable of rational thought, since is he considered the evidence rationally he would see that there is no real proof that Desdemona has been unfaithful. Like Hamlet though, Othello is not able to think rationally or consider his emotions, instead allowing them to define him completely. It is this that leads to his tragic downfall.
This analysis of both Hamlet and Othello shows that their tragic flaws are quite similar. Both are flawed because of an inability to consider their emotions and thinking rationally about them, with this leading to a building of emotion that causes them both to lose control. For Othello, this happens as he is driven by his jealousy. For Hamlet, this happens as he is driven by a confusion and rage he cannot understand. The major difference between the two characters is that Othello's flaw is based on his own character, while Hamlet's is based on the circumstances he has been placed in.
Works Cited
Bradley, A.C. Shakespearean Tragedy. New York: Penguin, 1991.
Eliot, T.S. "Hamlet and his Problems." The Sacred Wood: Essays on Poetry and Criticism. 1922. Bartelby.com. Retrieved October 29, 2005. URL: http://www.bartleby.com/200/sw9.html
Shakespeare, W. Hamlet. New York: Penguin, 1987.
Shakespeare, W. Othello. New York: Penguin, 1984.
