vocros.blogg.se - Othello as a tragic hero

Once he becomes convinced that his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, his jealousy does indeed feed itself just as Iago ironically warns, “the green eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (Iago- Act 3 Scene 1), leading to the hero’s monstrous behaviour. Order custom essay Comparative Essay – Othello/Macbeth Tragic Heroes As the play progresses, Othello’s monumental Harmartia is gradually revealed his sense of inherent jealousy is implemented by Iago, the Machiavellian villain, and his gullibility makes him susceptible to it. However, Othello will be identified as a far greater tragic hero than Macbeth, illustrating how Shakespeare fully intended on creating a tragically heroic character such as Othello. It can be argued that Shakespeare fully abided by these rules in order to make a distinction between his characters’ prosperity and misfortune.įintan O’Toole (post modernist critic) argues that Othello “is not tragic, merely pathetic”. The outcome of this characteristic should result in a complex but sole instigation of both the hero’s Catharsis (a cleansing of emotion which is described by Aristotle as an effect of tragic drama on its audience) and Anagnoris when they reach their moment of realisation. Peripeteia, the point where the character’s fortune changes, must evoke a state of pity and fear amongst the audience, and give above all, a didactic message. ’ By Marina Georgallides A tragic hero, determined by Aristotle, must show a nobility and virtue of a certain magnitude however, their path to happiness should be ceased by their destructive vice (Harmartia- the flaw that eventually leads to their downfall). Explore the idea that Shakespeare intended to make Othello fit the criteria of his tragic hero with comparison to Macbeth. Define one quality of a tragic hero, and compare the two protagonists on that point.Unit 1: ‘Many critics have argued that Othello is not a true Shakespearean tragic hero. Othello’s suicide is both an admission of guilt and a refusal to suffer or take responsibility for his crimes.ĭo you find that the article Compare Oedipus with Othello as tragic heroes.

Because of this, he achieves a victory over fate. Oedipus achieves a kind of nobility in his tragedy: he chooses to blind himself instead of suicide.

Obviously, the endings are vastly different.

He also plays the role of Chorus, as he talks incessantly to others and the audience. He serves as the role of fate and the oracles. As such, Iago’s role drives the action of the play in Othello more than the tragic hero. Oedipus has no villains, and Othello clearly does. Othello has a villain that causes Othello’s reversal.

Both heroes suffer a reversal, but Oedipus’ is caused by himself.

However, the bed never appears on the Greek stage (that is sacrilege). In Oedipus Jocasta hangs herself on the bed, while Desdemona is strangled there. As such, beds are very important symbols. Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother, while Othello kills his wife.

Both heroes are involved in domestic tragedies: their tragedy comes from within their marriages.

Othello, on the other hand, is a former slave who achieves greatness through military and oratory means.

Obviously, Oedipus conforms more to the ideal tragic hero in that he is born into nobility: he is both prince and king of Corinth and Thebes.

While Othello may have been manipulated by Iago, I’d note that Othello still has more agency than Oedipus, whose tragedy is ordained by fate, and thus beyond his control. However, I think there is an additional contrast, if we factor in the theme of destiny.

In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is ultimately helpless against fate and the dictates of prophesy.Īs a previous contributor has already pointed out, this is one of the critical differences between the two texts: Othello has a villain, Iago, while Oedipus Rex does not. In Othello’s case, it is Iago, who manipulates Othello out of malice. Additionally, I’d note that in both Othello and Oedipus Rex, the protagonist is ultimately being influenced by outside forces.

When looking at tragic heroes, however, one of the critical cornerstones is the idea that said character has a tragic flaw which is critical in shaping their downfall. Yes, there’s certainly a lot of avenues through which one can study and analyze these two works to draw comparisons and contrasts between them. Start your subscription to unlock this answer and thousands more. When looking at tragic heroes, however, one of the critical cornerstones is the idea that said character has a tragic flaw which is critical in shaping…