Othello Tragic Flaw Analysis

Titile: Othello’s tragic flaw Jealousy is a neurotic flaw in the everyday lives of a human being. This tragic flaw can turn people from foes to enemies in a mater of seconds by either manipulation, or even just saying the right thing at the right time, that is able to break through someones emotional barricade. This unfortunate trait is always followed with anger no matter what the circumstance. For example, in the bible jealousy over comes Cain, Adam and Eve’s first born son, when him and his brother Able give offerings to Lord. “In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor

So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast” (Genesis 4: 3-5). To Cain the Lords unfair comparison of his brother drives him mad leading him to lose control of his emotions causing him to murder his brother out of jealousy. “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him” (Genesis 4:8). In the Lords eyes Cain’s jealousy was a flaw that drove him away from his loyalty and caused him to kill his beloved brother. No matter who you are jealousy is always a substantial flaw that can blind you from seeing the truth and can always lead to a horrific ending once the anger takes over. In the Shakespearian tragedy “Othello” jealousy overcomes many of the characters which affects Othello and causes him to kill Desdamona, it drives Iago to manipulate Othello by telling him lies about his peers, and it also blinds Othello when people

Iago says, “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock The meat it feeds on” (3.3.167-169). This quotation fits the tragic theme of jealousy by describing jealousy as a monster that that plays with its prey. This perfect comparison to jealousy is very accurate, the reason for this is jealousy came into Othello’s head slowly throughout the play. Every time you notice this horrific trait of Othello it got worse and grew inside him like the green-eyed monster mentioned by Iago. The moment that drew Othello to the breaking point was when he saw Cassio with the Handkerchief. This visual conformation takes Othello’s Jealousy to a whole new level. His anger overcomes all and looses his composer when he says, “How shall I murder him, Iago” (4.1.165). At this point Othello realizes the false truths created by Iago. His emotions start running wild and he changes into a new person of hate and anger, this is because he saw some type of proof to reassure his already questionable thoughts. These new profane thoughts of murder are seen when Othello says, “Ay, let her rot and parish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live! No, my heart is turned to stone” (4.1.176-177). This is the point when we see the soon to come fate of Desdemona. The Jealousy boils over in the mind of the Moore as Iago