Othello: The Tragic Hero.

Nazir Savji Mrs. McLean ENG 4U July 16, 2003 Othello: The Tragic Hero In all tragic plays, there exists a tragic hero. Though he may die in the end, he is still known to the play as the "hero". In William Shakespeare's Othello, the central character, Othello, can be seen as the archetypal tragic hero. All classical, Shakespearean tragic heroes follow the same criteria. At the outset, since tragedy involves the "fall" of a tragic hero, the character must have a lofty position to fall from, or else there is no tragedy, just pathos. Subsequently, through a series of influences or actions, the tragic hero must undergo a change of fortune and fall from high to low estate. Finally, this fall from high to low standing must emerge on the account of his tragic flaw, also known as hamartia, Therefore, using these criteria, we can easily classify Othello, the Moor, as a tragic hero. First off, a tragic hero must be a person of noble stature from which they can fall from. In the beginning of the play, Shakespeare illustrates Othello as a benevolent military noble who shares an intellectual love with his young wife, Desdemona, which is of utmost purity and innocence. His importance to state of Venice is exemplified when Cassio arrives to tell Iago and him that the Duke is looking for Othello. Cassio states: ... And many of the consuls, raised and met, Are at the Duke's

  • Word count: 1182
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Othello's Jealousy

Othello's Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello we are introduced into a web of a world entangled with lies, jealousy, and ultimately tragedy. We observe as Iago single handedly destroys the matrimony shared between Othello and the beautiful Desdemona. He does so with a flurry of deceit and trickery, playing upon one of the strongest human emotions, that of jealousy. Iago offers a story of betrayal to his master Othello, which ensnares his soul in a jealous rage of infidelity and honesty. Iago convinces his master that his beloved wife, Desdemona, is false in her virtue and with his right hand man Cassio nonetheless. Iago offers many 'proofs' to his lord, most of which are deceitful, but alas some that only work to spark the flame of jealousy in Othello. We shall examine each one and unravel Iago's plan to dethrone his lord Othello, the Moor whom he despises so much. We first find Iago sparking the flame of jealousy in Othello's brain when he asks of the honesty of Cassio, as well as Desdemona. Iago sly as he may be begins Othello to suspect that Desdemona and Cassio may share a love for one another. He offers that he has seen them whispering to one another and laughing amongst themselves as if to inquire a flirtation amongst them. Othello doesn't seem to believe such things because he knows they are friendly and that he trusts the integrity and honesty of them both. This first

  • Word count: 756
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Iago's True Character.

Iago's True Character Of all the characters in Shakespeare's Othello, none is more complex and unknown to the audience than Iago. He is portrayed by every character as an honest and trustworthy person. Yet, as the audience is well informed by the end of the first act, he appears to be quite the opposite. He's a duplicitous character, honest and kind on the outside, but truly a pure, evil and malignant person on the inside. Throughout the entire play he turns all his friends, who trust him most, against each other. He does this by penetrating their deepest fears and concerns, using that to "make the net that shall emesh them all" into a jealous web of hatred [II. iii. 356]. There are many examples throughout the play that show clearly Iago's villainy, but the motives for his villainy become increasingly unclear to the audience as the play progresses. Iago gives several different possible motives to the audience throughout the play in his different soliloquies and while talking to Roderigo, but he never backs up these motives and for the most part never refers to them again in the play. In this essay, I will prove through evidence in the text that Iago was in fact an honest and caring person who suddenly turned villainous because he was deeply unhappy about the way his life was turning out. Things were not going his way: he did not gain lieutenancy, his rank in society was

  • Word count: 2414
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Act I Scene 3 Lines 331-398 How does Iago's dialogue with Roderigo and The soliloquy develop your response to His character?

Act I Scene 3 Lines 331-398 How does Iago's dialogue with Roderigo and The soliloquy develop your response to His character? In these lines, Iago and Roderigo are left alone and Roderigo is depressed at the loss of Desdemona. Iago still needs him for his own means and tries to bring him out of his depression. It is so deep that he says, "I will incontinently drown myself." Roderigo is in fact further away from Desdemona, but Iago gives him hope. Having not known love himself, Iago is surprised and reviled at Roderigo's state and through his intelligence and powers of persuasion he brings Roderigo back to some sort of normality. He still needs Roderigo's financial assistance. He tells Roderigo that Desdemona will soon tire of "the Moor" and will seek a younger lover. Roderigo is persuaded to travel to Cyprus due to the suggestion from Iago that events may turn in both their flavour. Fate seems to be on Iago's side, as he has not had to work hard to make events suit his purpose, and he has received help from unexpected quarters. Roderigo exits, leaving Iago to make a soliloquy, which shows this evil man thinking aloud. There are several telling lines in his speech. Concerning Roderigo he says, "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse;" So far as Othello is concerned, he says, "But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor." He advises the audience that he will bring

  • Word count: 1315
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

To what extent do you agree that in Othello, Shakespeare presents ' Women as victims of men '?

To what extent do you agree that in Othello, Shakespeare presents ' Women as victims of men '? Shakespeare leaves us with no doubt that there are women victims in Othello. The men throughout the play use the women, whether it is because of the power of love or just jealousy. From the beginning of the play we see how Iago and Roderigo use Desdemona's predicament to cause trouble for Othello. ' I am one, sir, that comes to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.' As they tell Brabantio about Othello and Desdemona's marriage you become aware of how Desdemona is developing into a victim due to the rift between her and her father. ' How didst thou know 'twas she? - O, she deceives me past thought!' If Desdemona had told her father and consulted him about marrying Othello then Iago may not have been able to take this chance, although I'm sure he would have found another opportunity. Iago plays the part of a Machiavellian in the play trying to break up Othello and Desdemona by manipulating the truth all around them. Iago obtains Othello and Desdemona's handkerchief because he had told Emilia that if she saw it she should give it to him. Emilia doesn't really know why and especially doesn't know that she is being used by Iago, ' She let it drop by negligence...I, being here, took't up...what will you do with't, that you have been so earnest to

  • Word count: 744
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

This essay will explore and explain the different views the audiences have on Othello at the end of act 1 scene 3. I will do this by analyzing what each character met says and does, and how it would affect the perceptions of Othello

Explore and explain the different views of Othello that the audience has at the end of 1sc3 This essay will explore and explain the different views the audiences have on Othello at the end of act 1 scene 3. I will do this by analyzing what each character met says and does, and how it would affect the perceptions of Othello. The information used will be related to both a contemporary and modern audience. The majority of an Elizabethan audience would have disliked Othello instantly when they found out he was black. This would have been because people in the Elizabethan era were considered as strong racists. This was too such an extent that Queen Elizabeth tried and succeeded in passing a law sending all black people back to their country of origin. Also because of their hatred of black people they began calling them "black". This term was used due it its extremely bad connotations such as death and dirt. This was just another way of demeaning them. However this would not have been the view of all Elizabethans due to everybody being unique and individual. Even though large amounts of people were racist, few weren't. This meant that finding out Othello was black would not have affected their view of him. The majority of an Elizabethan audience would have been racist, but they all displayed their feelings in different ways. This was partially due to their personal feelings,

  • Word count: 2040
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Othello - The motivation of Iago within the play is a matter that has divided critics ever since it was first performed.

Nick Sutherland 13.06 English Lit - Mock Exam - Paper 1 OTHELLO: . The motivation of Iago within the play is a matter that has divided critics ever since it was first performed. There can be no doubt that there is at least a degree of evil in the actions of Iago. However, the view of S.T Coleridge is one that may be a little too extreme. In 1813, Coleridge stated that he perceived Iago to be "artful" in his manipulation of Othello and that Iago was a man whose intentions were "close to those of the devil". This view however conflicts with those of the majority, including those of F.R Leavis and W.H Auden. The thesis of Auden is one that is particularly worthy of further analysis. He appears to suggest that Iago is motivated to carry out his devious plots by his enjoyment of the consequences that they have on others. Following this line of argument, it could well be that Iago is somewhat akin to a child who pulls the wings of a fly. A child would carry out such an act, not because they necessarily wish to harm the creature, but due to the feeling of power that they feel they have over their victims. William Empson expanded on this point during his 1951 essay "Honesty in Othello". Empson asserted that Iago is motivated by events that take place during the play. For example, when Iago is passed over for his desired military role, to the benefit of Cassio, Iago realises

  • Word count: 981
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

The theme of appearance versus reality in "Othello".

William Shakespeare focuses a lot of his play, Othello, on the theme of appearance versus reality. Othello, along with other characters in the play, depend on only their eyes and with that they jump to major conclusions. There are many instances in the book where there is hidden confusion, meaning the character believes on only what his or her eyes tell him, hence, Looks can be very deceiving. One of the first instances where the theme appearance versus reality appears, is when Othello sees Cassio walking away very quickly after conversing with Desdemona, Othello's wife. The basis around which he is suspicious comes from Iago, a very jealous man. Iago has presented to Othello, in a sneaky way, that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Iago whispers to Othello, "...I cannot think it, that he would steal away so guilty like." (lll,iii,42) Othello then replies, "...I do believe 'twas he." (lll,iii,44) But, when in reality, Cassio and Desdemona are talking about how to get Cassio's job back. Desdemona says to Cassio, I know't. I thank you. You do love my lord; You have known him long; and be you well assured He shall in strangeness stand no farther off Than in politic distance. (lll,iii,11) Othello believes only what his eyes tell him. Now, Othello questions how Cassio and Desdemona are talking, but does not have a good enough motive to get angry at Desdemona nor

  • Word count: 886
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Compare the presentation of Othello and Iago in the first two acts of the play

Compare the presentation of Othello and Iago in the first two acts of the play In Act 1 scene 1 we are introduced to the character of Iago who is bitter at being passed up as Othello's lieutenant for Michael Cassio whom, according to Iago, has no experience in battle and is just a man of strategy. Here we see how bitter the character of Iago is and the real reason why he is follows Othello "I follow him to serve my turn upon him"; he wants to get revenge on Othello. This shows that Iago is two-faced to Othello and although he looks to Othello like he is being loyal he isn't and just wants to get his revenge on Othello for not promoting him. This is further shown when Iago tells Rodrigo "I am not what I am". The audience would be able to see this from Iago and would be able to see that he is two-faced and calculating. In comparison when Othello is first on stage he is calm and dignified when hearing that Brabantio had found out that he has married Desdemona. Unlike Iago, Othello refuses to run away and hide "'tis better as it is" and tells Iago that he must be found. Othello is shown to be a brave and noble soldier whereas Iago, in contrast, is presented as two-faced, cowardly and deceiving towards his commanding officer lying to him about how Brabantio found out about their marriage and telling Othello to run and hide from Brabantio which is clearly what he'd do if he was in

  • Word count: 1161
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

How does Shakespeare use language and sentence structure to convey Othello's state of mind?

Othello Coursework essay plan Alison Miles Question: How does Shakespeare use language and sentence structure to convey Othello's state of mind? Iago's manipulative ways has Othello convinced that Desdemona has deceived him. "Villain be sure thou prove my love a whore." Here Othello speaks violently, using derogatory language to criticize his wife's actions. This shows his erratic state of mind. This quote also contains irony as for a brief moment, Othello suspects Iago to be a villain. This is ironic because Othello has always said Iago is trustworthy, but for a moment, he reveals his true nature without realizing it. Throughout the act Othello becomes very confused by his wife's actions and starts to loose trust in her. "I think my wife be honest and think she is not." Here Othello is showing confusion. Shakespeare shows this by using syntax. Because the sentence in unnatural it portrays the image that Othello's mind is also unnatural. By using the word 'think' he is showing that he is not sure what to believe. This sentence emphasizes his confused state of mind by using a paradox. He uses words relating to hell. "Death and damnation. Oh!" Syntax has been used to make it sound more dramatic. His reference to death, and damnation, shows the violence that is overtaking his mind. It is also reference to hell, which shows the unnaturalness of his thoughts. He

  • Word count: 1137
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay