Othello And His Tragic Flaw Essay Research

Othello And His Tragic Flaw Essay, Research Paper

Tragedies often focus on a tragic hero who has a flaw that ultimately leads

to his downfall. That flaw is commonly referred to as a tragic flaw that is

inborn to the person and can mirror his background. In Aristotle’s Poetics,

he discusses the theory of tragedy and what criteria is essential in an

ideal tragedy. According to Aristotle, the tragic flaw is the most

important part of the hero and the events that occur in the work is a

reflection of that flaw. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello is an

excellent example of an Aristotelian tragic hero. His gullibility and

jealousy are the main reason of his downfall. Othello deals with love lost

because of gullibility and jealousy. Aristotle’s theory of tragedy, found

in the Poetics, deals with the characteristics of plays that make them a

true tragedy, and characteristics are also essential in giving plays their

true definition of a tragedy. According to Aristotle, the life and soul of

tragedy is plot. Incidents in the plot have the best effect if they occur

unexpectedly, and in consequence of one another. A great tragedy grips the

audience with the plot. Aristotle also states that the sense of the

inevitable must be present in tragedy. The tragic hero is also another

important factor in an Aristotelian tragedy. The main character must be

noble, have a higher stature than most men, and have better qualities than

secondary characters. However, the main character must also exhibit his

flaws. The most important part of an Aristotelian tragic hero is the tragic

flaw. He must have that flaw throughout his life and it will play the

primary role in his downfall, while reflecting his background. Another

part of the main character is that he is destroyed by himself, not by

others, bad luck, or depravity. These are the criteria necessary to be

classified as a ideal tragedy and Othello meets that criteria. The main

character, Othello, is a classical example of a tragic hero, and he has the

basic elements that match him up to be a true hero defined by Aristotle.

Othello, being a soldier all his life, is seen as a very honorable

man.. His title alone, governor-general, presents an air of nobility,

confidence, and strength. The title defines someone who is held in

tremendously high esteem by the people of Venice. During Act 1, Scene 3,

the Duke and a few Senators are discussing issues around a table when

Othello enters the room. It’s clear that Othello is held in high esteem

when, as he enters, one of the senators states Here comes Brabantio and

the valiant Moor (47). Othello’s confidence in himself, another of his

positive attributes, is clearly portrayed as he defends himself and his

recent marriage to Desdemona, the daughter of the Venetian Senator

Barbantio. In his defense, he associates himself with one of the great

ones of the world. He also demonstrates confidence in himself and his

actions when Brabantio, Desdemona’s outraged father, accuses the Moor of

witchcraft. His stature, that of a tall, dark, African Moor, combined with

his personal magnetism, assist him in gaining the respect and allegiance of

the Venetian people and senators. The respect of the people is brought

forth in Act 1, Scene 2, when Montano, the Governor of Cyprus, is awaiting

the arrival of Othello’s ship, following a strong storm at sea, and remarks

he has “served him” and the man [Othello] commands/ Like a full soldier”

(35-36). He also refers to him as the “brave Othello” (38). Othello is also

held in respect by his men, the soldiers, and throughout the play is

referred to as a “captain,” a term

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carried over from Roman times which depicts a commander of a company of

men, or a so called “soldiers soldier”. He is a proven leader of men and

known for his military knowledge and skills. His soldierly ways are a

result of serving a military capacity since the early age of seven.

Dignity, courage, a strong belief in religion, self control and sound

judgment are a few of Othello’s other positive attributes portrayed in the

play. His confidence in himself and his courage are clearly evident when

Othello makes a stand before Brabantio, Roderigo and Iago, when following

the drawing of their swords, Othello, as opposed to withdrawing in the face

of danger taunts “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them”

(59-60). Shakespeare continues to portray Othello as a well- respected

nobleman throughout his play, from beginning to end. Shakespeare also shows

a soft side when he displays Othello’s love and confidence in his wife

Desdemona. In Act 1 Scene 3, Othello entrusts his wife to the care of

another gentleman and his wife as he must go off to war in Cyprus. The

entrusted man and his wife happen to be his good friend Iago and his wife

Emilia. Othello

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