Essay Comparing Macbeth And Othello

Although Shakespeare’s plays Othello and Macbeth are both tragedies, their respective tragic heroes are considerably different. Othello exemplifies the traits of a tragic hero far more greatly than Macbeth does. He is more admirable and relatable than Macbeth and is less deserving of his suffering. Othello is more human- driven by love and jealousy- and his flaws seem real, while Macbeth is a megalomaniac- driven by a lust for power. Othello, although of African descent and frequently referred to as a ‘moor’, is a well-respected character in the play of which he is the titular character. He is initially an honorable general, called “the valiant Moor” (Shakespeare 33), by the Duke and the First Senator of Venice. The only people who dislike him or have negative feelings regarding him are Iago- who is jealous of him for his power and believes that he has slept with his wife- and Brabantio, Desdemona’s father. Brabantio was once friends with Othello and dislikes him solely because he married his daughter under the

He is the Thane of Cawdor and Glamis. He is introduced as a warrior who fought well for his king. However, after a meeting with several witches who tell him that he will become king, he becomes power hungry and less relatable. Only a brief glimpse of his goodness is shown, which leads to him being viewed as a narrow character motivated by evil deeds. He believes- after a discussion with Lady Macbeth- that if he kills those who oppose his rise to power, then he shall have no difficulties and will be successful. Macbeth kills Duncan- a man that he once fought for- so that he can appease his lust for power. He clearly states this in a soliloquy, “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other” (Shakespeare 41). Ambition is Macbeth’s major character flaw, and since he is presented as good for a short time, he is often seen as only