OTHELLO: A TRAGIC HERO. The great fourth-century Greek philosopher Aristotle described a tragedy as “an imitation of an action of high importance, complete and of some amplitude: in language enhanced by distinct and varying beauties…by means of pity and fear affecting its purgation of these emotions”. He may very well have been describing the Shakespearean drama, Othello. William Shakespeare’s famous play concerning the downfall of a Moorish general interweaves jealousy, suspense, intrigue, murder, and suicide to create a magnificent tragedy of the highest Aristotelian order. Othello fulfills all of Aristotle’s requirements for a tragic hero, as Othello is a character of noble status who falls from that position of power to one of shame because of his hamartia. Moreover the plot of Othello contains a powerful katharsis through its climax and conclusion, and an anagnorisis when Othello realizes that Iago and Desdemona are not who they seemed to be

OTHELLO: A TRAGIC HERO. The great fourth-century Greek philosopher Aristotle described a tragedy as “an imitation of an action of high importance, complete and of some amplitude: in language enhanced by distinct and varying beauties…by means of pity and fear affecting its purgation of these emotions”. He may very well have been describing the Shakespearean drama, Othello. William Shakespeare’s famous play concerning the downfall of a Moorish general interweaves jealousy, suspense, intrigue, murder, and suicide to create a magnificent tragedy of the highest Aristotelian order. Othello fulfills all of Aristotle’s requirements for a tragic hero, as Othello is a character of noble status who falls from that position of power to one of shame because of his hamartia. Moreover the plot of Othello contains a powerful katharsis through its climax and conclusion, and an anagnorisis when Othello realizes that Iago and Desdemona are not who they seemed to be

VENICE- Othello mentions that his duty to the states is exceptional. He has contributed to the state therefore he is respected.

ORIGIN

STRENGTH

WEAKNESS

STATUS/ RANK

TRAITS

RELATIONSHIPS

APPEARANCE

[REPUTATION]

WHO IS A TRAGIC HERO?

HAMARTIA

PERIPETEIA

ANAGNORISIS

HUBRIS

FATE- must be greater than deserved

A flaw or error in judgment

A reversal of fortune brought about because of the hero's error in judgment.

The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero's own actions

Excessive pride

JEALOUS

GULLIBLE

Example: When he kills Desdemona just because of the suspicions of her being with another man

Example: He believes Iago without any physical proof

reversal of fortune

Othello kills his innocent wife

brought by his own actions

Othello realises what he has done twice, the first time was immediately after killing Desdemona when he wonders why the world hasn't ended.

The second time is when he realises that she was innocent and he is so upset that he kills himself

His pride causes him to be jealous because he doesn't want people to know his wife cheated on him and that he's just going to allow her to do that.

HE was tricked into thinking his wife cheated on him.
HE killed his innocent wife.
HE was stripped of his honour.
HE killed himself

DESDEMONA- It is highlighted that the relationship presents control. Othello holds control over Desdemona. Othello trusts Iago more than Desdemona, which shows an unstable relationship. When Othello physically abused Desdemona, she did not retaliate, which shows dominance and overpower in the relationship.

Openly trusted people, he trusts Iago which led to his downfall. Therefore Iago is Othello's nemesis.

RANK

VENICE- Othello mentions that his duty to the states is exceptional. He has contributed to the state therefore he is respected.

Noble moor, not one to be mocked at. He adjusted to the Venetian culture and christianity.

He earned the trust of The Duke of venice.

INSTANT ACTS- example: he decides to leave his wife and go to the mission. Othello is impulsive, for example he impulsively kills desdemona.

FEARS

fear of rejection

Romantic- in the beginning of the play, he shares about his relationship of Othello.

Command over language- strange grandeur and music in Othello's voice. Extraordinary rhetorics. Rhythemical language

In spite of being a moor he is able to charm and win beautiful Desdemona.

Shakespeare's style

contrast

IMPULSIVE

NOT OBSERVANT

JEALOUS

NAIVE/ GUILLABLE

INSECURITIES

EXPOSES HIS WEAKNESSES

COMPLICATED AND CONFUSED

DEPENDENT

STUBBORN

CLOSED MINDED

On the one hand, the trust is increasing with Iago and weakening with his beloved, Desdemona.

A WARRIOR

Othello was a warrior, suggesting he failed in love but prospered on battle field

Hungry for power. Even after numerous sins he finds some "honourable" explanation for it

STATUS

CYPRUS is the end of the civilised world. More of a barbaric way, racist behaviours less disciplined that Venice.

Othello and Desdemona's relationship was shown more in Cyprus

VENICE acknowledges merit, that is why Othello could rise to power. It was an unusual thing, but Othello managed to do so. It was famous for sophistication and cultural mixing, people felt secure.

calm

intense love

noble

famous

good reputation

mysterious background

fear of betrayal

fear of loosing status

Act 1 - Setting of Venice, shows him as an honorable soldier and no nonsense military general of repute
When in Cyprus , his reputation gradually strains
He is easily duped by Othello's honest reputation
he is insecure about his reputation getting damaged/ tarnished and hence did not talk to Desdemona to clarify all doubts.

Italian prose tale of Un Capitano Moro(1565) by Cinthio

Moorish background who served well in the Venetian government

Refer to Sparknotes .com - document under Context

A Christian moor , physically strong,everybody around him respected his valour

LANGUAGE OTHELLO USES