Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Othello Critical Perspectives: Bradley VS Leavis - Coggle Diagram
Othello Critical Perspectives: Bradley VS Leavis
Catastrophe
Bradley believes that Othello is a "faultless hero". Therefore, he never achieves a complete downfall as he always retains some form of nobility and honour. Even in act 4 his "grandeur is undiminshed"
Leavis believes that Othello is "overly aware of his nobility" to become a tragic hero. His constant self-dramatising ("Like in the pontic sea...") means he never experiences the complete downfall necessary to acheive heroic status
Tragic flaw
Bradley argues that Othello is an entirely virtous figure, whose positive qualities are used against him by Iago. His only flaw is his complete trust in Iago, who is a uniquely deceitful and evil individual
Leavis argues that Othello's trust is not absolute citing his inconsitent treatment of cassio, desdemona and iago. He regards othello as being full of flaws especially "egotistical with habits of self-approving dramatising"
Realisation
Bradley believes that although Othello murders Desdemona, he has good intentions. he "sacrefices desdemona to save her from herself" as "else she'll betray more men" which demonstrates honour and nobility on Othello's part. However, Bradley also believes that all the blame should be placed on the "precious villian", Iago, so Othello can't achieve a complete realisation
Leavis argues that all Othello's attempts to show grief are too full of self-dramatisation to contain real remorse. His "noble lack of self-knowledge of distastrous", as he fails to acknowledge his stupidity. He deludes himself into believing that his actions are honourable: "naught did I in hate but all in honour".
Catharsis
Bradley argues that Othello's "suffering's are heart-rending...sir a passion of love and pity" so that a complete catharsis is achieved
Leavis believes that Othello is "clouded by his manifestations of perfect nobility" preventing a catharsis from taking place. In his final speech, he speaks in the third person, keeping the audience at a distance, "preoccupied with his own emotions rather than desdemona's"
Key Points of Bradley interpretation
Othello is a noble hero- he sees him as an admirable and great figure, deeply in love with Desdemona and possessing a strong sense of honor. his downfall is not due to his personal faults but rather his inability to resist overwhelming jealously once Iago plants the seed of doubt
Iago role is as the architect of tragedy- he emphasises Iago's cunning and malice as the primary cause of Othello's destruction. Othello's trust in Othello is a reflection of his open and honest nature, making him suspectable to manipulation
Othello's Jealousy as his tragic flaw- he acknowledges jealousy as othello's fatal weakness, he argues that it is a non inherent trait but one that is artificially induced by Iago. Othello is not naturally suspicious or insecure but is driven to jealousy by extenuating circumstances
Othello's final speech is a tragic recognition- In his final moments, Othello recognises his mistake, and bradley views this as a moment of tragic dignity. His suicide is seen as an act of honour, a way to restore his tarnished legacy.
his reading fits within the romatic tradition of shakespearen tragedy, where the hero is a fundementally good man undone by fate and external forces. he protrays othello as a victim of circumstance rather than character, making his fall deeply tragic and sympathetic. his view is more idealised
Key points of Leavis' Interpretation
Othello's character is the cause of his downfall- unlike Bradley, he argues that Othello is not a passive victim of Iago's manipulation but an active participant of his own destruction. His downfall is not due to external factors but his own self-deception and lack of self awareness
Othello's egotism and self-dramatization- he sees Othello as self centred, focused more on his own honour and reputation than his love for desdemona, he argues Othello's jealousy is not something planted by Iago but an expression of his own egotistical nature
Iago's role downplayed- while he emphasises Iago as a diabolical manipulator, Leavis argues that Othello falls too easily for Iago's lies because of his own character flaws. he suggests that Othello's readiness to believe the worst about desdemona reflects his own weaknesses rather than Othello's genius
Othello's final speech is self-justification- he criticizes Othello's final speech, seeing it not as noble self awareness like bradley but as self-dramatization and an attempt to control his own narrative. instead of true remorse, Othello is still preoccupied with his own image, making him less of a tragic hero and more of a flawed, self-deceiving figure
His reading is anti- romatic and is critical of Bradley's sympathetic view. he sees othello as a man driven by pride, self- importance, and emotional votality, making him largely responsible for his own downfall. Leavis offers a more cynical, modern perspective