Othello: One of Shakespeare's Tragic Heroes

Othello: One of Shakespeare's Tragic Heroes

Othello is one of Shakespeare's tragic heroes. Othello is a

well-respected character in this play. Othello is portrayed as a man

with much greatness. Othello is tragic hero because he has a fault in

his character that brings his death to others. Unquestionably,

Othello's downfall is brought about during the course of this

Shakespearean drama. Othello is a general and others such as Iago and

Roderigo who are envious of the power and the respect shown to him

despite his colour. The introduction of Othello to the audience

reflects Shakespeare's use of the art of subtlety. Othello is not

introduced to us directly but through the impressions of others,

namely: Iago and Roderigo. Iago hated Othello for various reasons, one

being Othello promoted a close friend of his, Cassio. Iago feels he

should been given the promotion and by failing to gain the promotion

he feels jealous. Iago argues that Othello is unfair.

"I know my price, I am worth no place a place" (Act 1, scene 1,line 11)

Iago argues Othello is unfair because he didn't get the promotion, but

instead it was given to Michael Cassio.

Our attention is firstly held by the conversation between Iago and

Roderigo. Shakespeare doesn't include the main character 'Othello' in

scene one of the play. Iago speaks about Othello in detail, giving the

audience an idea of Othello before he is on stage. This allows the

audience to judge for themselves whether what Iago and Roderigo say

about Othello is true or false. The audience waits in anticipation to

see Othello and judge him for themselves. Shakespeare wants the

audience to also see the cha...

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...akespeare creates

a classic irony typical of his works. Once again, Othello demonstrates

a major fault in his character: that of being far too trusting and

utterly ignorant. The manipulative Iago is fully aware of this

weakness, and in his soliloquy at the close of Act 1, he recounts,

Whilst the famous dramatist leaves his audience totally concerned

about the character of Othello, the clear conclusion they can draw

from Act 1 is that Othello is an honourable man but possibly one who

is far too trusting for others, especially far too trusting of Iago,

which makes it very odd that he cannot trust Desdemona. When Iago

suggest that she is having an affair with someone else. By the end of

Act one, the audience can suspect the flaw in Othello's character. The

audience can also see that he as many admirable characteristics.