Show Me A Hero Aristotle Essay

Show Me a Hero: Aristotle’s Harmatia in Shakespearean Tragedies

The genre of tragedy has captivated audiences for centuries. Despite rather macabre subject matter, tragedies are amongst the most revered and elevated pieces of art. Greek philosopher Aristotle proposed the idea of hamartia, a phrase that captures the ideal element of a tragedy. Aristotle believed that a flaw or error could be found in the hero’s actions that set into place the tragic events to befall the hero. Aristotle’s concept is useful in trying to understand Hamlet and Othello, two Shakespearean tragedies. While the heroes of the plays face great conflict from their enemies, it is ultimately their own selves that causes them to take drastic actions that creates the course

Othello’s nature as a noble and honest man works against him, as he assumes that other men are like him. To near comedic effect, almost every single time Othello refers to Iago, he lauds him as honest and true. “Honest Iago…” (1.3.293). states Othello, unaware of Iago’s true nature, and without the character to even consider otherwise. Iago’s ruse is meticulously crafted, as it fools not only Othello, but Cassio as well. Cassio declares “I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest./“ (3.1.38). To have tricked plenty, Iago seems to be singularly responsible for Othello’s fall, but he ominously notes “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without/ merit and lost without deserving…” (2.3.251-252). Othello never questions Iago’s motives, putting up only the smallest of doubts which are quickly addressed by Iago. Othello places his trust in Iago, because he believes that Iago is noble and honest just like him. Iago states “The Moor–howbe’t that I endure him not–/ Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,/“ (2.1.275-276). The contrast between Iago and Othello is high, for Othello is a man who has earned his reputation as honest and noble, while Iago has created his with empty words and subterfuge. Othello’s trust in Iago is taken to a dramatic end, when he states “Why did I marry? This honest creatures doubtless/ Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds./“ (3.3.248-249). Othello disregards his own marriage, and holds Iago’s opinions above that of his own concerning the matter. It inspires Othello to murder Desdemona, who is entirely innocent of any wrong doings. Othello also endorses the attempted murder of Cassio, who he deems guilty of cuckolding him. “…O brave Iago, honest and just,/ Thou hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrongs–/“ (5.1.32-33). Even after Othello murder Desdemona, and hears the attack on