ipl-logo

Examples Of Tragic Flaws In Othello

675 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Analyze the role of jealousy in Othello

Othello: A Tragic Hero’s Downfall due to Character Flaws Many people think power comes with protection. While shields and swords provide physical armor, the mind remains unprotected. Having power leaves a vulnerability like no other and creates a harbinger of tragedy. Othello is a Shakespearean tragedy written by William Shakespere that showcases the power of jealousy and tragedy and how those flaws destroy everything in their path. Othello’s tragic downfall is a result of his overly trusting character, vulnerability to jealousy, and his inability to foresee the consequences of his own actions. Othello’s biggest characteristic flaw is trusting people around him by assuming they respect his position and power. Othello trusts Iago as both his friend and Standard-bearer. However, Iago has proved to be selfish as he only follows Othello to benefit himself. “I follow him to serve my turn.” (Oth.1.1.42). Iago maintains this perspective throughout the entirety …show more content…

Whether good or bad one must ruminate on the outcome. However, when emotions are manipulated, consequences are not taken into account. As Othello plans to kill Desdemona he states, “Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted; Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted.” (5.1.35-36). With Othello so blinded by pure rage and jealousy, he is finding comfort in the fact that her guilty blood will soon be displayed on the sheets when he kills her. Othello is not thinking about the aftermath of his planned murder. His actions showcase his trust in Iago as Othello takes his word over Desdemona’s. The tragic hero is so caught up in his emotions he does not stop to ponder what killing Desdemona would do to not only himself, but the people of Cyprus. His overly trusting character listened to the first piece of advice from Iago without thinking about his future. As a result, he tragically takes his own life out of horror and

Show More
Related
350 Words | 2 Pages

Prior to the crime, Othello "reassured" himself that his intention to murder his "wayward" wife were somehow just. Nevertheless, he simply could not shake the guilt that coincided with the act of killing a loved one. Therefore, Othello decided to keep his revenge hidden and "put out the light" before "putting out" the "light". Othello "put out the light" by killing Desdemona at

Read More
1649 Words | 7 Pages

Othello finds out only to realize Desdemona’s love for Othello was pure, when learning of this Othello commits suicide from the shame and guilt that rested upon his

Read More
460 Words | 2 Pages

Perhaps Othello's two greatest flaws were jealousy and mistrust. In the beginning, Othello was completely trusting of his wife Desdemona. He staunchly loved and supported her. In Act Later on, however, he began to let Iago's deceitful comments creep in. In Act III, Scene III, Iago says, “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster,

Read More
433 Words | 2 Pages

That I do groan withal. Thou art to die. ”(5.2). Desdemona only finds about the plot of her death when Othello speaks of it before her time, Othello wants Desdemona to tell of the sin she commited, and Othello decides to commit murder regardless of what Desdemona has said. The innocent pays for the personal justice of others.

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

The tragedy of Othello written by William Shakespeare presents the main character Othello as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man. However, because of his insecurities and good nature he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his alleged friends. Shakespeare is known for his exceptional ability to compose plays full of deceit, revenge, and jealousy. Jealousy is an underlying theme throughout the tragedy and has been represented by many of the main characters, such as Iago, Roderigo, and Othello. The topic of jealousy will ultimately lead to the demise of many characters throughout the tragedy.

Read More
1477 Words | 6 Pages

Othello is so blind from jealousy that Iago ends up brainwashing and manipulating Othello into killing his wife. Othello chooses to kill himself after coming to his senses and realizing what he did, he states, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, killing myself, to die upon a kiss.” He now becomes aware that he made the wrong judgements towards the one person who showed him true love and commitment. It is a little too late when Othello eventually realizes that Iago has betrayed him.

Read More
1344 Words | 6 Pages

Unfortunately, he trusted the wrong person due to his growing lack of self-esteem. Iago, a hypocrite who hid his evil thoughts by appearing as a man of extreme honesty, saw that he could erode Othello’s self-esteem because of who he was, a moor living in European society. He realized he could manipulate Othello for his own evil ends. He slyly used pathos to gain his trust, saying, “My Lord, you know I love you” (III.iii.118) to convince him of his honesty and reliability. Then he suggested the unpredictable nature of Desdemona by saying, “Ay, there’s the point: as, to be bold with you, not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion, and degree, whereto we see in all things nature tends - Foh!”

Read More
750 Words | 3 Pages

In the play Othello, William Shakespeare creates an elaborate tragedy with various in depth characters, enhancing the story with powerful characterization. Iago, the main antagonist of Othello, exemplifies Shakespeare’s use of characterization to create in depth and complex characters. Using his manipulative nature, intellectual mind, egotistical attitude, and dishonesty, Iago controls the other characters in order to achieve his goal, leading Othello to succumb to an overwhelming jealousy causing his downfall. In order for Iago to gain control of the characters in the play, he manipulates Othello, Roderigo, Cassio, and more to believe false information and turn on one another.

Read More
856 Words | 4 Pages

Shakespeare 's Othello centers around the power of jealousy and how it can end up causing the death of a couple and some of those around them. Othello seems to grow incredibly jealous of his wife, Desdemona, and his lieutenant, Cassio’s fake affair that Iago, the villain, has convinced Othello of. As an act of jealousy, Othello decides to kill Desdemona to prevent her from hurting more men and then after realizing everything was part of Iago’s plan he kills himself due to the guilt he feels after having killed his wife. Shakespeare’s use of figurative language and symbolism in act 5 scene 2 reveals how even though Othello truly loves Desdemona, his jealousy for what he believes she has done has completely clouded his judgment and taken over

Read More
1060 Words | 5 Pages

Iago plans to plant the seeds of jealousy in

Read More
517 Words | 3 Pages

He is manipulative and tells Othello to “observe her [Desdemona] well with Cassio” (Shakespeare, 3.3:197). Iago feeds Othello with countless lies and makes him miserable with something that is not factual. He is determined to get revenge and he does not realize Iago stands insincere. Furthermore, Iago is selfish when he tells Othello, “I am yours for ever” (3.3:479). He betrays Othello yet still let’s him depend on him for his own

Read More
665 Words | 3 Pages

Jealousy does not merely destroy the bonds of love, but also alters the lives of the people involved. In The Tragedy of Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello’s entire life is ripped apart by the detrimental lies fed to him by Iago involving his wife Desdemona. William Shakespeare uses imagery, as well as personification to paint a vivid image in the reader’s mind of how jealousy can completely shatter someone’s life In The Tragedy of Othello.

Read More
1545 Words | 7 Pages

The play Othello by William Shakespeare paints a picture of a noble character by the name of Othello. Othello’s nature was “noble, innocent, modest, and free” and yet he still possessed several tragic flaws that ultimately led to his downfall (Martin 47). Othello suffered from many flaws but the largest were jealousy, quick judgment, and blind trust in Iago. While Othello’s tragic flaws were clearly present these flaws would never have led to Othello’s downfall had it not have been for Othello’s greatest flaw, blind trust in Iago. Othello’s blind trust in Iago led to other flaws such as jealousy and quick judgment playing a major role in Othello’s life in the play Othello by William Shakespeare.

Read More
457 Words | 2 Pages

Another prominent action of weakness Othello does is striking Desdemona in the face. After being hit, Desdemona cries and Lodovico says that Othello should not have done that. Othello, now seeing Desdemona as a liar, says, “Oh, devil, devil! / If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears,

Read More
440 Words | 2 Pages

Iago convinces Othello of false information, convincing him to kill Desdemona. Easily manipulated by Iago, Othello’s inherent character flaw, irrational jealousy, directly interferes with his common sense, driving him into a murderous rage. The result, the unjust murder of Desdemona, also leads to Othello’s own suicide. In the case of Othello, the audience watches as his tragic flaw destroys Othello’s life and brings about his fall from grace.

Read More

More about Examples Of Tragic Flaws In Othello

Related Topics

Open Document