Comparing Othello and The Great Gatsby

All tragedies eventually end in chaos; however, Othello and The Great Gatsby both begin with innocent characters thinking little about the possibility of disarray. During the climax of both works it becomes evident that the idea of order is doomed, inevitably leading to a bounding spiral of problems. The Great Gatsby and Othello both end in chaos because the protagonists, Othello and Gatsby are outsiders entering an ordered society. The actions of many characters cause confusion in the storyline, and the chaos in both works gradually impact the downfall of every character.

Both protagonists, Othello and Gatsby are outsiders entering an ordered society. Othello, “the Moor”, has a very important role as a military and public servant for the Venetian Army. Othello is prone to many problems because of his race and is often criticized by others in his community. Jay Gatsby is a man of wealth and an outsider in New York society. Everyone has heard of Gatsby because of his large and extravagant parties but nobody knows who he really is. As outsiders, both characters have problems. Gatsby is a stranger trying to reunite with Daisy and Othello is a target for racism because of his complexion. Iago dislikes Othello because of his decision to make the young and handsome Cassio, lieutenant for the army. This makes Othello a target for Iago’s trickery. Othello is sent to the Duke after Iago tells Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, that “an old black ram is tupping your [his] white ewe” (Shakespeare 1.1.98) when in reality Desdemona and Othello are happily married because she truly loves him. Gatsby re-enters society in search for his lost love, Daisy, but finds that she has a new life with Tom Buchanan. Gatsby and Daisy fall in love all over agai...

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...ems end up affecting everyone.

During the first few chapters, the reader begins to examine the plot, absorb the characters lives and take in the setting. One would never guess what terrible tragic events would occur as each page is turned and more information is gathered. As the reader continues, each page dramatically changes the plot. Othello and Gatsby both commence as outsiders, unaware of their surroundings. Disorder initiates when other characters begin to take action, influencing madness, eventually leading to the climax, where everything turns into turmoil. In the end, consequence leads to every character’s boundless downfall.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner’s Sons: New York, 1925. Print.

Shakespeare, William. Othello. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2009. Print