Othello: A Tragic Hero

A tragic hero is a person who initially is well-respected and holds a high esteem within society. They are of high moral worth and are highly ambitious in what they set out to achieve. A single mistake or character flaw can, however, bring them to ruin, with a loss of everything that they possess. 

In the discussion of whether Othello fits the role of a tragic hero, the following concepts need to be considered. Firstly, as befitting a tragic hero, Othello holds an important role. He is well-respected and admired by all. Othello is a noble hero; he is held in high regard by Venetian society. 

Secondly, through a character flaw and the added complication of external forces working against him, he suffers a dramatic fall from grace. He loses all that he held dear- his wife, his status, his position, and the respect held by others of him.

Othello's Jelousy

Othello is a tragedy written by the famous playwright, William Shakespeare. Othello is an African general of Venice, he promotes Michael Cassio to the position of lieutenant and Iago is extremely jealous. Iago begins an evil scheme against Othello and manipulates him into thinking Desdemona is cheating on him. Othello returns to the castle and kills his innocent wife. A tragedy is a literary work in which the main character meets a sad or devastating ending. In Elizabethan dramas, the basis of tragedy is usually a lethal imperfection in the hero’s personality. Othello’s character flaw is his irrational jealousy because it leads him to believe Iago’s lies without actual proof and he goes as far as killing his innocent wife.