Othello has been called 'the least heroic of tragic heroes'. How far do you agree with this view?
In your answer you should:
* Make detailed reference to Shakespeare's handling of character, narrative development, setting and language.
* Give your own response to the view expressed and consider the possibility of other views.
* Show an understanding of Elizabethan attitudes to honour and an awareness of Shakespearian tragedy.
Between 1599 and 1608 Shakespeare wrote a series of plays containing protagonists that were undeniably both 'heroic' and 'tragic'. In Othello, like his three other renowned tragedies - Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear -Shakespeare, whether intentionally or not, casts Othello's good side almost solely in the first half of the play and goes on to portray his bad side in the second. Othello's status as a tragic hero must be measured taking into account the events surrounding his eventual demise inclusive of Iago's betrayal and his consequential actions. Many critics have praised either Hamlet or King Lear as his greatest tragedy while simultaneously recognising Othello as a better plot, with better characters and making for a more exciting play. As will emerge, there are reasons for this reluctance to recognize Othello as Shakespeare's supreme masterpiece in tragedy, and also reasons on the other side.
. Primarily the terms 'heroic' and 'tragic', and hence 'tragic hero', can hold a number of definitions. A hero is defined by the 'Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terminology' as the central male character, displaying courage or noble qualities, with whom the audience sympathises. Indeed, whether or not we feel sympathy towards Othello is a crucial factor in determining his rank within the tragic heroes. This involves weighing up whether the sympathy felt towards Othello due to the 'honest Iago's' evil scheming overrides the hatred towards him when his unreasonable actions have fatal consequences on his supposedly 'loved and blessed' Desdemona. Aristotle saw the iconic 'tragic hero' as having a 'fatal flaw' which would act as an error in their character resulting in their downfall. Othello certainly falls into this category and it cannot be argued that his actions in the latter stages of the play would have been mimicked had Iago not had his 'wicked way'. One of Othello's most famous traits is an air of mystery that makes it difficult to feel sure about his personality and motives. Is he confident, or secretly insecure? Does he love Desdemona's soul, or merely wish to possess her sexually? Is he a devout Christian, or is his Christianity only skin-deep?
In your answer you should:
* Make detailed reference to Shakespeare's handling of character, narrative development, setting and language.
* Give your own response to the view expressed and consider the possibility of other views.
* Show an understanding of Elizabethan attitudes to honour and an awareness of Shakespearian tragedy.
Between 1599 and 1608 Shakespeare wrote a series of plays containing protagonists that were undeniably both 'heroic' and 'tragic'. In Othello, like his three other renowned tragedies - Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear -Shakespeare, whether intentionally or not, casts Othello's good side almost solely in the first half of the play and goes on to portray his bad side in the second. Othello's status as a tragic hero must be measured taking into account the events surrounding his eventual demise inclusive of Iago's betrayal and his consequential actions. Many critics have praised either Hamlet or King Lear as his greatest tragedy while simultaneously recognising Othello as a better plot, with better characters and making for a more exciting play. As will emerge, there are reasons for this reluctance to recognize Othello as Shakespeare's supreme masterpiece in tragedy, and also reasons on the other side.
. Primarily the terms 'heroic' and 'tragic', and hence 'tragic hero', can hold a number of definitions. A hero is defined by the 'Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terminology' as the central male character, displaying courage or noble qualities, with whom the audience sympathises. Indeed, whether or not we feel sympathy towards Othello is a crucial factor in determining his rank within the tragic heroes. This involves weighing up whether the sympathy felt towards Othello due to the 'honest Iago's' evil scheming overrides the hatred towards him when his unreasonable actions have fatal consequences on his supposedly 'loved and blessed' Desdemona. Aristotle saw the iconic 'tragic hero' as having a 'fatal flaw' which would act as an error in their character resulting in their downfall. Othello certainly falls into this category and it cannot be argued that his actions in the latter stages of the play would have been mimicked had Iago not had his 'wicked way'. One of Othello's most famous traits is an air of mystery that makes it difficult to feel sure about his personality and motives. Is he confident, or secretly insecure? Does he love Desdemona's soul, or merely wish to possess her sexually? Is he a devout Christian, or is his Christianity only skin-deep?
