Is Othello presented as a tragic hero or as an 'erring barbarian' in the play Othello?

Sam Unsworth

Is Othello presented as a tragic hero or as an ‘erring barbarian’ in the play Othello?

“Othello dies belonging to the world of action in which his true part lay.” [F.R Leavis] This statement is one that I agree with and feel really epitomizes the character of Othello. I believe Othello to an extent is an ‘erring barbarian’ containing many barbaric traits; not only a man who is incessantly naive, but also a man who is savage at heart and who constantly savours violence. However, some people see him as a tragic hero - a virtuous character of noble stature and greatness – yet I question whether Othello can even be classed as a ‘hero’ in this dramatic Shakespearean tragedy.

Initially in the play, Shakespeare presents Othello in a positive light; perhaps encouraging his audience to challenge the prejudice of black people in 16th century Elizabethan society. The Duke says to Othello: “valiant Othello we must straight employ” Here, Shakespeare presents Othello positively as it shows that the Venetian government trusts Othello enough to put him in full political and martial control of Cyprus. This shows that although he is a cultural and racial outsider in Venice, Othello is portrayed as an integral part to society and being well respected by the Duke and Senate – something that was very unusual for a ‘moor’ in the 16th century. Therefore, this unconventional occurrence suggests that Othello could possess qualities that represent those of a hero, in that he has a huge amount of power and respect. However, although these qualities can be seen as strengths of Othello, it can be argued that Othello has power, but no status.

Moreover, Shakespeare uses hubris – the overweening sense of self pride – to portray Othello as a character who is over confident in his belief in his abilities and judgement. The words “My life upon her faith” show a lack of nobility in Othello, as he is tempting fate by swearing about a woman who in actual fact he doesn’t know as well as he might like to think. A.C Bradley quoted that “His trusts, where he trusts, is absolute” meaning that Othello’s absolute trust in Desdemona proves he is a noble character. Whereas, it can be questioned whether Othello really does trust Desdemona as his trust evaporated so quickly. In addition, Shakespeare uses the confrontation with Brabantio to further suggest that Othello possesses a great deal of arrogance, as he believes he can out-talk Brabantio – the second most important man in Venice. Also, Othello speaks mostly in black verse in this scene, with iambic pentameter giving a military like rhythm to his speech, and the notion that his speech is musical. This demonstrates his poetic ability and is something that can be argued he may be aware of, as he proclaims “Rude am I in my speech” – something that Othello knows he definitely isn’t, thus suggesting a sense of modesty and further arrogance about himself.

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In contrast, Shakespeare shifts the form to prose when Othello is seemed to be lower class. However, Shakespeare does not use just speech, he uses animalistic imagery and sexual desire to further suggest a barbaric nature about Othello. Iago claims to Brabantio that Othello and his daughter are “Making the beast with two backs”; this is used to signify sexual intercourse between the couple. The word ‘beast’ is used as barbaric imagery and shows Iago’s attempts at dehumanising Othello. Furthermore, Iago uses more animal imagery such as a “Barbary hose” and an “Old black ram”. Without the audience even seeing Othello, hearing Iago say these two insults the Elizabethan audience would of known that Iago’s metaphor was used to connote a savage ‘Moor’. When animal references are used with regard to Othello, as they frequently are, they reflect the racism both of characters in the play and of Shakespeare’s contemporary audience. This is significant because although Shakespeare presents Othello as a conscious and confident character he does allow Othello’s state of mind to suffer when he is put under increasing strain by Iago’s plots. This can be interpreted that Othello does not have the mindset of a noble character, as he is allowing Iago’s manipulative ways to affect his own language, ultimately contributing towards a character that is neither noble nor a hero.

In the play, there are frequent references that are made to the ‘unnatural’ combination of Othello and Desdemona; two people representing a juxtaposition of races whereby Othello is seen as a monstrous outsider, who causes the sexualised woman [Desdemona] to go against society’s rules. However, instead of a social or political divide, the first and foremost issue is that Othello is black, and Desdemona white – a biological factor. Othello himself says “And yet how nature erring from itself..” at the thought of himself in union with his wife. Shakespeare uses this rebellion against the Venetian race system to highlight the ugliness of this relationship to the Elizabethan audience. This transgresses to the audience portraying Othello in a negative light, taking away nobility that may have associated with him. Also, it can be seen that that if ‘the Moor’ is questioning his relationship with a high status Venetian woman, after she has forfeited her status in being with him, then he has no right to be claiming to be a ‘noble hero’ as it contradicts his behaviour towards her.

In addition, Shakespeare uses sentence structure and stage-managing so that it’s seen that Othello and Iago are talking alone together – a feature that is common throughout the play and is vital for Iago to be able to manipulate Othello. In addition, Shakespeare uses the theme of isolation to signify that Othello is not only visibly isolated due to his skin and stature, but also he is subconsciously isolated from other characters as the play progresses. By isolating him through distance from other characters, it makes it easier for Iago to make Othello fall victim to his own obsessions. Furthermore, Shakespeare’s manipulation of pace in the structure of the play provides evidence for F.R Leavis’ statement that he sees Othello solely as a “man of action”. This is used by Shakespeare to show Othello’s carelessness and demonstrates how he doesn’t display the qualities of a tragic hero; he shows indecisiveness and bestial instincts to make judgements – something associated with barbaric characters. The words “Killing myself, to die upon a kiss” show Othello’s bestial instincts, whereby he commits suicide rather than live and deal with his peripetia – his characters reversal from good to bad.

To add to this, the defining point of the play is undoubtedly the eventual killing of Desdemona by the hands of Othello. This is significant because it could be linked to the theory of hamartia - Othello’s naivity being his fatal flaw - which ultimately leads to Othello’s downfall. A key line in this event is: “She’s like a liar gone to burning hell: ‘Twas I that killed her” These words show Othello’s anger and almost suggest a hint of possible satisfaction that he has finally killed Desdemona. The words “She’s like a liar gone to burning hell” show Othello’s anger about what he thinks she has done. Also, it could be used by Shakespeare to signify dramatic irony; the fact that Othello killed what is seen by the audience as the woman who has sacrificed her own status and protection that offers, by marrying outside the categories her culture allows. Moreover, the words “Of one that loved not wisely but too well” are used to show Othello’s tragic circumstances and give a possible explanation as to why he was so easily ‘poisoned’ by Iago into thinking the worst. However, it is noticeable that Othello’s final speech shows a naivity that deserves no sympathy. He isn’t remorseful towards his dead wife – he cares more about his reputation. Shakespeare uses this to show how Othello has in his own eyes thinks he has re -enacted a last supreme moment of deliberate courage; however it can be seen that it is an act of cowardice and the polar opposite to what a hero would do. The combination of the anagnorsis (recognition of what he has done) and peripetia has proved too much for Othello to respond to. Therefore, Shakespeare shows him using his beastial instincts in a final act of suicide and of cowardice; leaving Othello to use his barbaric hands rather than eloquent language to get over his peripetia, and so ends his life.

However, does Othello’s fall into the grip of Iago’s games and killing of his own wife create an aurora of tragedy about him? I completely feel it doesn’t and Shakespeare has presented him in such a way that I end up feeling sorry for Desdemona because of her ‘erring barbarian’ of a husband. I feel she is in actual fact the one who loves Othello “too well” and I feel sympathetic towards her. The words of A.C. Bradley from Shakespearean Tragedy - “Convinced, he will act with the authority of a judge and the swiftness of a man in mortal pain” This is exactly what I feel sums up the main downfall of Othello, his hamartia; he acts instantaneously and naively without regarding possibilities for ulterior explanations, which overall cost him the love of his life. This tragedy doesn’t involve the hero’s learning through suffering, therefore I still see Othello from my original point of view; that he is a savage, naïve and barbaric character.