Essay Comparing Macbeth And Othello

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In The Tragedy of Macbeth and Othello: The Moor of Venice, William Shakespeare highlights the tragic hero through comparison and contrast of a tragic flaw, evoking pity in the hero’s reversal of fortune, and death, a punishment greater than deserved. Macbeth and Othello’s mistakes force their downfall. Macbeth’s flaw of ambition forces him to attack those around him to get to the top. Lady Macbeth, his wife influences Macbeth because she threatens his manliness. In addition, the witches tell Macbeth predictions of the future that appeal to his ambitious personality. Macbeth relates to Othello because he has a tragic flaw, but they contrast because the flaws differ. Othello’s tragic flaw is the mistrust he put in Iago. Iago manipulates Macbeth and …show more content…

These downfalls display the reversal of fortune that each character experiences. Othello and Desdemona are newlyweds, however they never celebrate truly because of their reversal of fortune. Othello, unable to trust Desdemona, decides she is dishonest and betrays him. In comparison, Macbeth experiences the success of battle and gains a new title. King Duncan give Macbeth approval. Even after the murder, Macbeth gains the throne and more success. However, because of the choices the tragic heroes make, they experience misfortunes and downfalls, and end in death. Othello and Macbeth deserve to live, yet they succumb to death. Audiences and readers pity Macbeth and Othello. This, in turn, makes the reader feel as though their punishment is greater than deserved. Death overcomes both tragic heroes, which is greater than what the audience thinks they deserve, because the audience relates to the characters. Iago influences Othello so greatly that he changes the trust he puts in wife. The witches and Lady Macbeth influence Macbeth to act upon his flaw. Macbeth and Othello’s personal traits subject them to succumb to other’s influence, which causes their

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