Othello's Lack of Perception and his Tragic Stature

Othello's Lack of Perception and his Tragic Stature

Othello's lack of perception does to some extent diminish his tragic

stature in some parts. However it is reclaimed again, perhaps towards

the end when we see how Othello has been deceived. As quoted by

Aristotle "Othello is too trusting." It is his naivety that leads to

his downfall.

At the beginning of the play, Othello is described as a "bombastic",

lascivious man as Iago comments on this. However this is contradicted

when he makes his appearance in Act 1 Scene 2. We see a sincere

nobleman with cool-headedness, quite the contradiction to how we see

him later.

Othello's perception of Iago emphasizes his tragic stature at first in

the play. Some critics may see him as quite foolish for being so

trustworthy in Iago.

However, Iago appears to trigger off a jealousy that was already

embedded in Othello. As he fears if he "love her not chaos will come

again."

Iago can manipulate this, and it could be argued that Othello himself

brought on this tragedy again, for having no faith in Desdemona by his

quickness to judge when he talks of a "monstrous" thought that Iago

must have. He is quick to assume that something is very wrong about

his wife when Iago quotes "Ha! I like not that".

As we see Othello's jealousy going into overdrive, I think this is

when his stature begins to diminish. It's his perception of Iago being

"Honest Iago" that sends him into a jealous frenzy. He trusts Iago

with all his heart, he loved Desdemona with all his heart but yet he

trusts Iago over her despite her protests. However it is his love for

her also that is causing this chaos.

Shakespeare portrays a darker side to Othello as he talks about

killing Desdemona, in some ways he is talking and even thinking like

Iago. Although he does re-think his actions, one word from Iago

influences him again. At this point we don't particularly see him as a

tragic hero as his way of thinking seems far to corrupt.