Othello as a Tragic Hero

What Moor Can I Say? He’s A Tragic Hero.

Othello functions as a tragic hero according to the rules described by Aristotle in the Shakespearean play of the same name because he is of high standing at the beginning and possesses flaws including: blindness, hubris and jealousy, which could easily be tragic and lead to his downfall. Without a full reading of the play, it is hard to determine conclusively which flaw will actually lead to his downfall.

Aristotle’s characteristics of a tragic hero include a noble birth- Othello, at the start of play is of high standing as the general of the Venetian army and just married Desdemona. Essentially, such a “noble birth” ensures that the tragic hero has somewhere to fall from and Othello has it all. The Duke “[required his] haste-post haste appearance/ Even on the instant” (7). Othello was personally called upon by the Duke of Venice for matters of the state, meaning he was very important in the government that even the Duke knew him by name. Even Brabantio, a senator of the Venetian state, held Othello in high regard, “oft [inviting him]” to his home to listen to Othello’s “battles, sieges [and] fortunes” (13). Clearly, Othello is well respected and liked, especially by well-off individuals in the Venetian government. He is considered to be a “valiant general” with wondrous stories of war and recently married, Desdemona, the fair daughter of Brabantio. Othello has a great reputation as a general and got the girl- so according to Aristotle, Othello is undoubtedly a tragic hero because of his noble birth.

Othello has multiple flaws-blindness, hubris and jealousy- which could potentially be tragic. Aristotle’s characteristics of a tragic hero also includes hamartia or a tragic flaw which leads to the demise of the character. It is difficult to conclusively determine which flaw will be the cause of Othello’s downfall at this point in the play, but it is clear that Othello has tragic flaws which will aid in his fall.

Othello is blind, which could be his tragic flaw. He is not literally blind, but he fails to see Iago’s true motives to destroy him and is instead very trusting. Othello refers to Iago as “honest Iago,” relying on him to expose the details of the scuffle between Cassio and Montano. Clearly Othello trusts Iago, but Iago, as the audience knows, is anything but trustworthy, as he plans to destroy Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant and for a rumor that he slept with his wife. This trust continues throughout the beginning of the play, even when Iago lies to Othello about an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. Othello trusts what Iago tells him because “thou’rt full of love and honesty” (44). Yet, Iago makes up stories of the affair and warns Othello to be weary of their relationship. Othello’s blindness towards Iago’s disloyalty could lead to Othello’s demise. Because he trusts Iago, he plays right into Iago’s egregious plot to destroy him. Othello grows angry and seeks revenge for a love affair that doesn’t exist which could lead to some hasty decisions which could get him into some trouble.

Hubris or pride is a common tragic flaw amongst tragic heroes and Othello is no exception. Othello cares about maintaining the reputation he worked to achieve. It is evident early on in the play that Othello is a little pompous as he believed that “[his] services, which [he had]