Othello as Tragic Hero

While Othello is not Greek and Shakespeare is not a Greek playwright, Othello embodies many characteristics of a tragic hero as outlined by Aristotle.

What is a tragic hero?

Person who is neither perfect in virtue and justice, nor someone who falls into misfortune through vice and depravity, but rather, one who succumbs through some miscalculation.

Othello is manipulated by Iago to murder Desdemona

Iago uses Othello's trusting nature against him

Hero falls because of tragic flaw/hamartia

Tragic choices are made through free will

No one forces Othello to act as he did, Iago simply pushes him iii. Tragic flaws include jealousy, stubbornness, and misplaced trust

Misplaced trust

Othello surrounds himself by people who want to destroy him -- Iago.

Iago sees Othello's trusting nature as a weapon

Iago attacks Othello because he was passed up for promotion iii. Iago attacks Othello because he hates him...
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