Othello: Aristotle's Paradigm of a Tragic Hero

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According to Aristotle’s six ideas about tragedy, Othello is an example of a tragic hero. It is uncanny how Othello fits into Aristotle’s basic ideas regarding the tragic hero. The first idea of Aristotle is how the character is of noble stature and also has greatness. For example, when Iago talks to Othello about Brabantio’s accusations of Othello and how Othello just wants money, Othello states that he also comes from a royal and noble family (1.2.20-22) Othello’s title, the general of the Venetian army, fits well as Othello trained and worked hard for it. His characteristics of humbleness appear when he says that he dislikes bragging about his noble ancestry. Aristotle’s second idea also describes Othello. Othello’s military expertise is …show more content…

He is shown with flaws like the everyday man. Aristotle’s third idea is the downfall of the hero and how it is he/she is at fault. It is the result of free choice and not an overriding of fate. The tragedy is triggered by lack of judgment or the character flaw in Aristotle’s second idea. For instance, when Othello confesses his thoughts regarding Desdemona and Cassio to Desdemona before killing her (5.2.60-64), it is clear that this judgment is clouded. His error of judgment and his jealousy motivate him to kill Desdemona. His stubbornness of only taking Iago’s word and not taking into consideration that Desdemona and Cassio were not sleeping together, is a lack of judgment and his perfection. Aristotle’s fourth idea was how the tragic hero did not deserve his/her malignant fate. For example, Othello, in act 1, 2, and 3, is shown as brave, courageous, and kind. After Iago uses his image as trustworthy and as an honest man to poison Othello’s mind with ideas of Cassio and Desdemona sleeping together, Othello changes his personality and becomes engulfed in jealousy and feelings of

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