A common flaw in Oedipus and Othello: pride

Hemenway

The Tragedy of Pride: Othello and Oedipus

Tragedies most generally focus on a hero that has a tragic flaw or hamartia, which ultimately leads to his downfall. This flaw is something that is innate to the hero and can reflect his background. According to Aristotle, the tragic flaw is the most important part of the hero, and the events which lead up to the hero's downfall are a reflection of that flaw. With Shakespeare's Othello, and Sophocles Oedipus, the common flaw that both men share is their pride. Pride is linked with other powerful emotions, such as jealousy and selfishness, which only lead to a world of pain and loss when combined. Pride becomes the fertile ground in both Oedipus and Othello for the seeds of their destruction and ruin.

Even though these plays were written by men who were born 2000 years apart, the works are similar in that they describe the tragic downfalls of two distinguished men. Both were men of extraordinary accomplishments and each possessed the ability to be good leaders. The pride of each of these characters is to be a means to their downfall, but in different ways. Othello thought it necessary to kill his wife for not being loyal, and Oedipus for not letting the murderer of Laius go undiscovered.

In Shakespeare's Othello, Othello's pride prevents him from finding the truth, eventually leading to his demise. Initially, Othello and Desdemona are deeply in love, even though her father disapproves of their marriage. However, when Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago to Lieutenant, Iago has his revenge by convincing Othello that Desdemona cheats on him with Cassio. Two things happen as a result of Othello's flaw: one is the fact that Othello's pride is closely linked to his jealous nature and the second problem is the fact that Othello places his trust in Iago. Jealousy is a powerful emotion and the sad truth is that as powerful as love is, jealousy can still destroy it. For Othello, jealousy is linked to pride because Othello can never doubt himself on any level. Iago knows this and he knows he can break Othello by piquing his jealousy. Iago makes Othello think he is a good friend and, in doing so, he creates a false sense of security with Othello. He is no friend at all because he uses Othello's weaknesses against him at every chance. He claims Othello is a:

a:

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 th' nose

As asses are. (I.iii.393-6)

Iago knows Othello is basically good and decent and this makes him weak. Iago knows Othello is prideful and he knows love is attached to pride in many ways. He already has a plan of action before Othello knows what hit him.