Othello And Macbeth Analysis

In two of Shakespeare’s most famous plays – Othello and Macbeth, the readers meet two soldiers who are well-respected and honourable when they are first introduced. However, both characters possess a tragic flaw which ultimately leads to their deaths. Macbeth and Othello are similar in many ways: They both start out as noble people who are manipulated – Macbeth by the three witches and his wife, Othello by Iago. They are both very gullible and trusting, and they both possess a tragic flaw – Macbeth is ambitious and Othello is extremely jealous. Both characters start out as honorable and noble people, but are lead to their through other characters playing on their weaknesses.

In Macbeth, we are first introduced to Macbeth as brave and honorable solider, but we slowly see his character begin to change after he meets the three witches. In the second scene of the opening act, Macbeth is victorious on the battlefield, and is referred to as “Brave Macbeth” (1.2.17), “Worthy Gentleman” (1.2.26) and “Bellona’s Bridegroom” (1.2.62). In this scene, Macbeth has not yet been influenced by the witches, and he is portrayed to the audience as a loyal, courageous solider. In the next scene, Macbeth has his first encounter with the three witches, who tell him he “shalt be king” (1.3.53). Upon hearing this, Macbeth’s thoughts immediately go to murdering Duncan in order to become king: “If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/And make my seated heart knock at my ribs” (1.3.144-146). Already, the reader can see how much influence the three witches have on Macbeth. By simply telling him that he will become king, his thoughts wander to killing the current king to obtain the throne.

In Othello, the reader i...

... middle of paper ...

...ith the young and handsome Cassio. He then steals a handkerchief which Othello gave Desdemona as a token for his love and plants it in Casio’s room to prove what he is implying. Othello’s jealousy is driving him mad, and he demands that Iago show him "ocular proof" (3.3.360) of what he is implying. Iago responds by telling him that he overheard Cassio dreaming about Desdemona (which is not ocular proof). Othello is outraged when he hears this and declares "I'll tear her all to pieces" (3.3.422). Iago enrages Othello even more by telling him he saw Cassio holding the handkerchief he gave to Desdemona. In the final effort to infuriate Othello and drive him insane, Iago sets him up to hear a “conversation” between him and Cassio which leads him to believe that Desdemona is truly unfaithful (Iago was actually questioning Cassio about a prostitute named Bianca).