Othello Tragism Essay, Research Paper

William Shakespeare’s "Othello" presents all of the elements of a

great tragedy, according to Aristotle’s definition: "A tragedy is the

imitation in dramatic form of an action that is serious and complete, with

incidents arousing pity and fear wherewith it effects a catharsis of such

emotions" (Poetics 14) He also adds, "The language used is pleasurable

and throughout, appropriate to the situation in which it is used." The

central features of the Aristotelian archetype are manifested in General

Othello’s character. Although Othello is great, he is not perfect. He has a

tragic flaw, hubris (excessive pride and passion), and hamartia (some error),

which lead to his downfall. However, Othello’s misfortune is not wholly

deserved. His punishment exceeds the crime, keeping him admirable in the

theatergoer’s eyes. Before Othello’s tragic flaw results in his unfortunate

death, he has increased awareness and gained self-knowledge or, as Aristotle

describes it "has experienced a discovery." (Poetics 15) All of this

produces a catharsis or emotional release at the end of the play. A tragedy,

when well performed, does not leave an audience in a state of depression but

creates a shared, common experience. What causes Othello’s downfall? Some

critics claim that Othello’s tragic flaw is his jealousy while others insist

that jealousy is not part of his character, that the emotion takes over only

when Iago pushes him to the brink of insanity. Evidence in the play supports the

notion of insanity. Othello doesn’t show himself to be jealous early in the

play. It is not until Othello is manipulated by Iago’s skillful lies that he is

forced to confront his jealousy and mistrust. His love and trust of Iago serve

to prove his gullibility, Jealousy and self-doubt poison his sensibilities and

innocence, and the realization of his blind trust leads to his sorrowful end. As

with most of Shakespeare’s tragic heroes, Othello possesses all the virtues

prescribed for the character type. He is of noble birth; he is self-controlled;

he is religious; he has the respect of his men; and he demonstrates excellent

leadership. His magnetism is what draws Venetian senators and soldiers alike and

what captivates Desdemona. All of this supports the idea that he is not (at the

play’s opening) a jealous, enraged, or mad man. He has convincing self-esteem

which he later loses to the deception of Iago’s evil ploy. It can be noted that

Othello’s character flaw is his blind trust and naivet?. These character traits

contribute to his misled downfall. It would be neglectful, if not irresponsible,

to overlook Iago’s role in the play. His hate for Othello and Cassio drives his

evil motive through a string of lies affecting the entire cast. From the first

act, the antagonist is troubled: I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.

But he (as loving his own pride and purposes) Evades them with a bumbast

circumstance Horribly stuff’d epithites of war, [And in conclusion,] Nonsuits my

mediators; for, "Certes," says he, "I have already chose my

officer." And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael

Cassio, a Florentine (A fellow almost damn’d in a fair wife), That never set a

squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows (Othello. I.i.11-23)

Iago never reveals his dissatisfaction with the military arrangement to Othello.

Instead, he makes use of Othello’s innocence and trust to satisfy his wicked

end. He constantly boasts of his love for Othello and patronizes him regularly

throughout the play. At Iago’s first attempt to instill jealousy in the trusting

Othello, he is successful. Othello’s concern at Iago’s implications entices him

to learn more. Iago plays a verbal game with Othello to arouse suspicion. This

piques Othello’s interest and starts his mind to wonder. Iago is successful at

the point he proclaims, O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-ey’d

monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss Who,

certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But O, what damned minutes tells he

o’er Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet [strongly] loves! (Othello.

III.iii.163-168) One of the major qualities that comes to mind when assessing

Othello is his trustfulness. He claims that Iago is a man of honesty and trust;

"To his conveyance I assign my wife" (I.iii.286). Othello has no

reason to distrust Iago at this point. Time after time, Othello fails to see

through Iago’s deceptions. Iago is a military man; Othello is familiar dealing

with soldiers and men he trusts and, moreover, Iago has a widespread reputation

for honesty. Othello needs to trust people; it is his nature; this is why he

suffers anguish when he must choose between the alleged honesty of Iago and the

honesty of his wife. Othello needs to trust his wife. In desperation, he cries:

If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself! I’ll not believe ‘t (Othello.

III.iii.278-79) Othello also seems certain of Iago’s friendship when he clings

to the one thing certain to him: O brave Iago, honest and just, Thou hast such

noble sense (Othello. V.i.31-32) The innocence of Othello can be observed early

in the play. It is best evidenced (Othello. I.iii.) when Othello, defending

himself against Brabantio’s ravings, says quietly and simply that he is

"rude" (meaning "unpolished," "simple," or

"unsophisticated") in his speech, and that he is not "bless’d

with the soft phrase of peace" (82); clearly, he does not try to assume a

pose that may seem weighty or overly impressive. It would be unnatural and

fraudulent for a man like Othello. But Othello’s innocence is shattered, as is

his self-esteem, by Iago. This is evident (Othello. III.iii.) when he says that

he thinks that Desdemona is honest and yet, he thinks she is not. He does not

know what to believe anymore. This becomes painful for him. Once a master of

self-knowledge, Othello is reduced, by Iago, to a trembling, helpless tool.

Othello’s mind and soul are torn with irrational images of Desdemona’s

infidelity and his own unworthiness. Othello sees himself as an old man, an old

cuckold, one who has treasured Desdemona blindly, beyond reason. His pride in

himself and in Desdemona’s love for him is destroyed. Othello is torn apart by

self-loathing, reduced to the caparison of himself to a dungeoned toad. He feels

he is cursed somehow. All of this self-doubt leads to the corruption of his near

perfect character. Othello, convinced his wife is unfaithful, kills her out of

what he claims duty rather than revenge. The truth is brought to life when

Montano, Gratiano, Emilia, and Iago enter. Othello insists that Iago knows the

truth and for further proof, speaks of the handkerchief. When Emilia attempts to

speak out at the mention of this, she is killed by Iago, her own husband. Iago

calls her a villainous whore and a liar. Knowing he has been deceived, Othello

rushes toward Iago in an attempt to kill him but is disarmed by Montano.

Lodovico vows to punish Iago and wants Othello to return with him to Venice.

Othello believes death is too good for Iago but at the same time belittles

himself. Riddled with guilt and his fall to Iago’s deceptiveness, he takes his

life and on his final breath clinging to Desdemona, he asks for the curtains to

be drawn, for Gratiano to administer the Moor’s estate, and for Iago to be

severely punished. His awareness, come late, is his enemy in life and he dies.

The transformation of Othello is intriguing. How a man of wisdom and self-esteem

can be reduced to taking his life is worthy of analysis. Being innocent and na?ve,

Othello values the friendship of Iago too dearly and trusts blindly all of his

deception. As Othello is slowly poisoned by the lies of Iago, the perception of

his self-worth is tainted and he doubts his effectiveness as a leader and lover.

Having gained awareness of his gullibility to the deceit of Iago, he shamefully

ridden with guilt, takes his own life contributing to the tragic ending. There

are many ideas and interpretations of Othello’s character. It would be bold to

state that any one interpretation is completely accurate in light of not knowing

Shakespeare’s original intentions. There is a wide range of essays and research

available on the character flaw of Othello. Regardless of the opinions of his

character, it is important to look at the underlying message of Shakespeare’s

Othello. Man cannot live by assumption. His reality must be grounded in truth

and evidence.

42b

Evans, Tobin, eds. 2nd edition. The Riverside Shakespeare. Boston. New York.

Houghton Mifflin Company. 1997. Poetics By Aristotle. Translated by S. H.

Butcher. Online. Internet. http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/Aristotle/Poetics-Body.html