Cody Menard
Mrs. Hodges
English IV
25 February 2013
Tragic Warfare
William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Othello” utilizes historical criticism, emotional appeal, and symbolism in order to portray Othello as a tragic hero. It’s a common belief that Othello is one of the most prime examples of a tragic hero, and rightfully so. He is a strong, well liked, leader who is full of passion for his people and his lady, Desdemona. Othello is fed false information by a close friend, Iago, who is jealous of Othello’s happiness and power. Iago plants seeds in Othello’s mind, slowly plaguing him into believing the ultimate misconception that his wife is having an affair. These lies drive Othello absolutely mad; they’re all he can think about. Eventually these lies lead the play down a road of tragedy and death, leaving many readers in fear of Iago and his evil, as well as with feelings of pity for Othello and all of his misfortune. History tells us that a tragic hero is when a great man suffers a change in fortune from happiness to misery because of a mistaken act, one that is led to by his “tragic flaw.” Othello’s tragic flaw was letting his deep burning love for Desdemona cloud his judgment. Iago knew this so he did his very best to execute his plan based on the fact that if he twisted things to be as believable as he could, that no matter how much Othello wanted to deny it, he could not. ` Othello’s personality attracts people, including Desdemona. Not only does he possess great character and courage, but also he has dignity. Another characteristic of Othello is his trustfulness. He is the honest, trustworthy person, so he believes that he can do the same with others. While trusting others very well can be a good characteristic, it is also part of Othello’s tragic flaw that is self-inflicted. It is because he trusts people so easily, something I think most people can relate to at least a little bit, that he had such a horrific downfall. Othello does not see the evilness in Iago and his malicious acts. All of these reasons and more are why this tragedy brings so much emotional appeal.
Othello commits his first act of violence against Desdemona by hitting her. He is told by Iago that she has given a handkerchief (previously given to her by Othello) to Michael Casio, her suspected forbidden lover. This handkerchief symbolizes Othello’s deep love and trust in Desdemona,
AP Literature and Composition Lanier Langdale Essay IV: Othello Tuesday, March 10, 2015 Othello is a tragic hero who falls through free moral choice when he is honestly deceived by Iago, a man who is outwardly good and inwardly bad. Othello is convinced to see marriage and women from Iago point of view, and Othello’s background and true love for Desdemona work against him, bringing his downfall. Othello is first introduced in the novel using specific diction. He is called “the moor” and “the thick-lips”…
Othello Essay Q: Does Desdemona bear any of the responsibility for the tragedy? Why or why not? Desdemona bears some of the responsibility for the tragedy in Shakespeare’s Othello. To understand and give the analysis of this topic, let’s try to back up to the end of the play and consider of understanding the tragedy at the deepest level. As we know, Desdemona is dead in the bed at the end of play, and the most shocking thing is that Desdemona got killed by Othello as a result of her remaining silent…
Othello Essay “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on;” This line from Othello, a play written by William Shakespeare, helps to explain one of the major themes of the novel—jealousy. According to dictionary.com, jealousy is defined as, “mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims”. Jealousy is used within the play as the driving force behind various characters’ actions. It is also one…
Professor Kremers Othello essay 1) a) Othello and Desdemona are defensive about their eloping because they felt Brabantio, Desdemona’s father would not approve of their marriage. Othello was considered an outsider, a moor. They felt Brabantio would not accept Othello since he was not of the same ethnicity. Although Brabanto wouldn’t have been accepting of it at first he would have eventually given his blessing. Othello and Desdemona really messed up by eloping. b) Othello justifies the elopement…
Othello Essay Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello (circa 1601) reflects the turbulent and contradictory world in which Shakespeare lived I Tudor England. Each character in the play experiences their own struggles to comply with the expectations of strict social and cultural values. Each character experiences their own personal and public battles with the unpredictable power of human emotions. For over 400 years, audiences have been mesmerised by the play’s profound depiction of the fine line between reality…
Othello Essay If someone possessed zero character flaws they would live forever. Othello written by William Shakespeare is the general of the Venetian army. Iago is a friend of Othello he is also in the army. Othello promotes Michael Cassio to first Lieutenant, Iago becomes extremely jealous feeling he is more deserving of the position. Iago begins an evil and malicious plan towards Othello. Iago convinces Othello that his wife Desdemona is cheating on him with Michael Cassio. Othello becomes…
Othello Essay 2 Throughout all time, it is clear that texts reflect the values of the society that produces them. These texts reflect the issues, struggles and circumstances facing the society of which the authors they are living in. This is seen through Andrew Davies 2001 film version of Othello due to his adaption of values, which are relevant in today’s society, which appeal to a contemporary audience such as racism, jealousy and love. These appeal to the audience due to because they require…
Othello: My beautiful warrior. Desdemona: My dear Othello! Othello: I’m amazed you got here before me. But I’m overjoyed my love, if the calm after the storm could always be this wonderful, I’d want the wind to blow until it woke the dead and whipped up waves as tall as mountains! If I died right now I’d be completely happy, since Ill probably never be as happy as this again in my life. Desdemona: I pray to God our love and our happiness will increase as we get older. Othello: Amen to that!…
the weakness of the brave Othello is famous art of work that focuses on the dangers of jealousy. The play is a study of how jealousy can be fueled by mere circumstantial evidence and can destroy lives and change people’s integrity. In Othello, the hero succumbs to jealousy when Iago convinces him that Desdemona has been an unfaithful wife and in the end Othello murders his wife and then kills himself. It is interesting that Iago uses jealousy against Othello, yet jealousy is likely the source…
Othello is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare around the time 1603. The story tells about powerful general in the Venetian Army. Othello is a black man from North Africa, who travels the world, been sold into slavery, escaped, and ended up as the military commander of the Venetian military a powerful Italian city-state. This play has many major themes to it. The three main themes in my opinion are race, jealousy, and hate. Race was a huge theme in this poem, Othello is considered one of…
