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Does the character of Othello change in the course of the play?
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Does the character of Othello change in the course of the play?
Othello can be seen as a classic tragic hero whose ultimate flaw emerges from his very virtues. Through the course of the play the audience sees the character of Othello weaken because of his overwhelming feeling of jealousy, and over trust in the antagonist, Iago.
'Othello' can be described as a classic tragedy, with the character of Othello, playing the typical tragic hero. The common standard of tragedy is that the protagonist (usually of a high noble status) faces an opposing force which ultimately leads to his or hers death
Most tragic heroes have a "harmartia" (tragic flaw). Othello's tragic flaw, like many tragic heroes, is not a fault in itself, but rather an excess of virtue, it is that he is too generous with trust. Othello realises this in himself albeit too late when he says in his speech before he kills him self "[I] loved not wisely, but too well" (Act V Scene ii 340). It is because of Othello's "harmartia" is not inherent of his character, it is more the centre of his virtue, that the audience feels
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