The building blocks of a tragic hero

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Imperfection, manipulation and ignorance are the perfect ingredients for creating a tragic hero. A great example of a person displaying these traits would be no other than Othello, from William Shakespeare’s play “Othello”. Throughout the play, Othello is manipulated and as a result he becomes extremely jealous and angry with the ones he loves. Othello is easily manipulated by the conversations between Iago and himself. Othello’s tragedy is caused because of personal flaws, and misguided trust in others, which is evident as his dialect, and behaviours change throughout the play.

Othello’s own flaws and insecurities; jealousy, rage, insecurities and misguided trust in others contribute to his tragic downfall. Othello begins to doubt his love for Desdemona because of Iago’s influence. “O curse of marriage, /That we can call these delicate creatures ours/And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad/And live upon the vapour of a dungeon/ Than keep a corner in the thing I love for other’s uses.” (III.iii.270- 75) Othello declares that he would rather be a loathsome creature than love his wife Desdemona who he believes is not faithful anymore. Othello is uncertain about his love for Desdemona and her love for him yet he does not confront her about the situation. Othello’s suspicions and jealousy leads him to misinterpret situations “It is not words that shake me thus. Pish!/ Noses, ears and lips. Is’t possible?--Confess? / Handkerchief? O devil” (IV.i.41-43). Othello becomes angry with Desdemona because she has misplaced the handkerchief that he has given her as a gift. As a result, Othello now believes that she loves someone else. Instead of finding out where the handkerchief actually is, or listening to what Desdemona has to say,...

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...gh reflection, Othello can see the changes in himself that were initiated by the influence by others and regrets ever-doubting Desdemona. The influences and events that occur in “Othello” cause Othello to change drastically, which is evident in his dialect as he becomes agitated and angry towards the ones he loves.

Overall, Othello’s tragedy is caused because of his own flaws, and misguided trust in others which is evident as his dialect, and behaviour changing throughout the play. William Shakespeare’s play, “Othello” proves that Othello is a tragic hero. Othello admits to his mistakes and as a result he kills himself out of remorse for his beloved Desdemona. Imperfection, manipulation and ignorance are the perfect ingredients for creating a tragic hero. In the end, Othello’s anger, jealousy and mistrust, fuelled by Iago’s lies, leads to Othello’s tragic demise.

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