In the case of Othello all the rules listed above are followed in the play and consequently it brings the story to a famously tragic ending. The first ingredient links to Othello in Act One Scene One, Iago and Roderigo are below the Duke’s balcony when Iago says;
‘For, I do know the state, however this may gall him with some check, cannot with safety cast him, for he is embarked with such loud reason to the Cyprus wars’
In other words Iago is saying that the Duke cannot afford to fire Othello because he is too important to the current war in Cyprus. He is too much of an asset to his country and as there is nobody to replace him he is quite simply indispensable. The tragic hero Othello is both conspicuous because of his colour and he is exceptional on the account of his skill as a general. This is supported by the quote once again from Iago that suggests there is no other man that could take Othello’s position. Othello clearly has no serious rivals for the leading role he plays in the war against Cyprus;
‘Another of his fathom they have none to lead their business’ (Iago Act 1 scene 1)
In Act one Scene one Roderigo is replying to Iago and referring to Othello when he says;
‘In an extravagant and wheeling stranger’
Here he is commenting on how Othello is perceived by strangers and this illustrates Othello’s conspicuous manner. Upon first encountering Othello you can immediately see he is an extravagant and notable person.
In Act One Scene Two Othello is speaking and more evidence of his exceptional personality is apparent when he says,
‘May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune’
Here he is suggesting that he comes from a Royal background or at least claims to have strong connections to one. This would strongly support the fact that he has an exceptionally distinguished character.
In act one scene three even the Duke shows extravagant respect and reliance on Othello. I quote ‘Valiant Othello’. Despite Brabantio entering the room first the Duke’s attention is immediately drawn to Othello.
In Act One Scene Two Othello’s men raise their swords as the Duke’s men approach however Othello remains calm and relaxed;
‘Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust’em’
He remains calm in the situation illustrating his notable leadership qualities.
I now move on to the second rule of tragedy. In the case of Othello this rule is represented strongly. Firstly, Othello is at a stage in his life when he is perfectly happy, this is before Iago starts medalling with his emotions. Othello has a wife with whom he is deeply in love and this love is reciprocated. He is at the height of his career after his triumph in Cyprus, and commands a great deal of respect from all who know him. He is at a stage in his life when he is both happy and glorious when he tragically dies. Various quotes give evidence of this such as in Act Two Scene One when Othello and Desdemona are having a conversation and Othello says;
‘ It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me! 0 my soul’s joy’
This is a prime example of how much Othello loves Desdemona; it clearly represents the happiness he is feeling before his death takes place consequently making it such a great tragedy. It adds to the emotion you feel at the end of the play because you feel the victim is so unfortunate to have gone so quickly from sublime happiness and glory to a premature death.
The next quote is also by Othello commenting on his own happiness, later in that same scene. ‘If it were now to die my soul hath her content so absolute…’ Because Othello is commenting on his own happiness and really appreciating his present good fortune makes it a greater tragedy.
In other words at this time he is fulfilled in all aspects of his life and therefore perfectly happy. His words illustrate the glory he had experienced and the emotions he felt before he died.
The contrast between his happiness and previous glory compared to his astonishing downfall before his death is represented in Act Three Scene Two when Othello says;
‘these letters give, Iago, to the pilot, and by him o my duties to the Senate; that done, I will be walking on the works’
This shows the amazing power and position he was in before being ruined. This also displays his status prior to his dramatic loss in power and fortune just before his death. There is a whole scene Act Three Scene Three where Iago ‘twists’ Othello’s mind and due to his medalling causes Othello to destroy all that he had.
The third rule is present in Othello however there are very few quotes which demonstrate this rule. Many people do suffer in the play but what makes it so poignant is that Othello and his true love Desdemona both die due to Othello‘s actions. The death of Desdemona’s maid is an upsetting addition to the plot which exaggerates how the tragic events effect a number of people. Iago’s death is not an issue either, in fact it could possibly work against the play as a tragedy because you are pleased the villain has got what he deserves. In Othello’s final scene he say’s ‘look what you have done’ to Iago. This is further evidence of how the fact that many people have died or been affected is a significant ingredient in tragedy.
The forth rule is substantial in Othello. The hero’s ‘fatal weakness’ is his vulnerability. Firstly he is too honest and trustworthy;
‘I know thou’rt full of love and honesty’
This is quoted from Act Three Scene Three when Othello is referring to Iago. It is strong evidence that this is one of his weaknesses because we know it was a definite mistake for him to ever trust Iago. The fact that his personality is so black and white, he would never compromise, also contributes to his downfall.
‘is once Othello be resolved… no Iago, I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove, and on the proof there is no more but this’
This is Othello talking to Iago explaining how he could either love her with all his heart or he would have to be determined to kill her for being unfaithful, he is unable to compromise. His innocent mind allowed him to be tricked by Iago because he was never thinking for himself. He failed to be suspicious of Iago and only accepted what he said. Originally he wouldn’t have accused Desdemona of being unfaithful but Iago implanted these suspicions into his mind and consequently the story is such a tragedy.
The fifth rule of tragedy (tragic hero is elevated by his or her own experience) is displayed by a long speech from Othello, given shortly before his death. He is elevated by his own experience and to put it simply has learnt a lesson the hard way. His final speech is given in a sort of poetic form as if he is on stage. He uses elegant language and delivers the speech as if he is performing;
‘then you must speak’
This shows a sign of natural storytelling;
‘of one that loved not wisely, but too well’ (also a good example for the second ingredient of tragedy)
He uses elegant language and allows the words to flow out of his mouth as if it is a prepared speech, despite the fact he is being spontaneous.
It also appears as if he is writing fabulous poetry just before his death;
‘Richer then all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes’
He presents his final speech with a tremendous sense of theatre;
‘and say besides that in Aleppo once, where a malignant and a turbaned Turk beat a Venetian and traduced the state, I took by th’ throat the circumcised dog and smote him – thus!’
He gives a dramatic ending to his final speech that displays the fact that he has been elevated by his experience and ensures a sympathetic response because he is such a worthy man to have experienced such misfortune.
The sixth ingredient is essential for a tragic ending. Bad timing, fortune, accident and the element of fate all contribute to this particular rule. There are many examples of this throughout the play. The unfortunate timing of Desdemona’s maid coming shortly after Othello had begun strangling Desdemona is a key part of the play. It caused Othello to be caught immediately but even more tragically if she had only come a few seconds earlier she could have prevented Othello committing the dreadful dead and explained to him about the handkerchief causing only the villain Iago to be killed. Bad fortune is present because Othello was to determined to kill Desdemona and not allow her to give her side of the story and prove her innocence. Further bad fortune is present as the Turks ship is sunk in the storm and consequently Othello is present when he wouldn’t have otherwise been and so can be tricked by Iago. These factors along with the element of chance that occurs when Othello is hiding in the cell and misinterprets a conversation causing him to believe strongly in Desdemona’s affair then only to be assured of this when he sees Desdemona giving Cassio the same handkerchief he had previously given to her make this a great tragedy.