Othello
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Briefly comment on what a tragic flaw is.
Aristotle divided all drama into tragedy and comedy. A tragedy is a sad story which begins in prosperity and ends in adversity. It donates the fall of a tragic hero. Generally, a tragic hero must be royal and aristocratic rather than common. According to Aristotle, tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of a certain magnitude, embroidered with artistic language and in a form of drama. The seriousness of a tragedy is indicated by the characteristics of the protagonist. All of the characters in the play must reflect their importance and qualities of various human natures. A tragic drama must be able to stimulate fear and pity in the audience and lead them to a catharsis of these emotions. There is a tragic flaw in a tragedy. According to Aristotle, tragic flaw or hamartia is a quality within the hero that leads to his downfall (Answers.com. 2007). He adds that the misfortunes of a tragic hero are brought about by some error and frailty and not by vice. In Shakespeares play, Othellos tragic flaw is his jealousy. Othello is described as a noble and respected general. However, his action of mistakenly murdering the innocent Desdemona is unacceptable, both by the audience and Othello himself. Thus, in redeeming his guilt, Othello took his own life by stabbing himself as an act of salvation.
How does Iago, Shakespeares most hateful villain seek revenge on Shakespeares most poignant tragic hero, Othello?
Iago, Othellos ensign, has a strong motive against his general, Othello. Iago is upset for being passed over for a promotion by Othello. His hatred builds when Cassio, an arithmetician is promoted to be the lieutenant. In Act I Scene i, Iago voices his dissatisfaction, “Preferment goes by letter and affection, and not by old gradation”. He believes that Othello chose Cassio before him because of theoretical knowledge and favouritism. In seeking his revenge towards Othello, Iago plans to be a pretender and intend to be close to Othello. He believes that keeping his enemy close will ensure the success of his revenge. He said, “I am not what I am”. Iago manipulates poor Roderigo by telling him that Othello has elope with Desdemona, the one he obsessed with. Iago urges Roderigo to rouse Desdemonas father, Brabantio and tell him of his daughters conduct. Driven by the defamation of Othello and Desdemona, Roderigo did as Iago wishes. Iago took this opportunity to mock Othello and create chaos between Brabantio and Othello.
In Scene ii, acting like he is a loyal ensign, Iago warns Othello about Brabantios search party. This makes Iago an honest person on the eye of Othello. In Scene iii, Iago realizes that he needs Roderigo as a tool to destroy Othello. Thus, he convinces Roderigo to go to Cyprus by giving false hope that Desdemona will eventually get bored of Othello and then, be with Roderigo. Towards the end of Act I Scene iii, Iago speak to himself about his plan of taking revenge on Othello:
“Cassios a proper man. let me see now:
To get his place, and to plume up my will
In double knavery. How? How? Lets see.
After some time, to abuse Othellos ears
That he is too familiar with his wife.”
In his speech, Iago intends to take Cassios rank and destroys Othello at the same time. He plans to deceive Othello into thinking that Cassio is too friendly with Desdemona.
In Act II Scene i, Iago sees an opportunity to create a scandal between Cassio and Desdemona when he witnessed Cassios deep respect and affection towards Desdemona during their first greeting at Cyprus. In utilizing this opportunity, Iago told Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio. He urges Roderigo to fight Cassio. Towards the end of Scene i, Iago once again reveals his plan to destroy Othello via jealousy:
Or failing so, yet I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgment cannot cure.
Ð.. Ill have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb
Iago plans to plant the seeds of jealousy and doubt into Othellos mind by accusing Cassio of having an affair with Desdemona. He plans to do this skillfully, without Othello noticing his false. He said; “make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me for making him egregiously an ass”.
In Act II Scene iii, Iago persuades Cassio, a poor drinker, to drink because he wants Cassio to be sub-conscious. He intends to initiate a quarrel between Cassio and Roderigo. Roderigo is urged to provoke the drunken Cassio. Thus, Cassio sub-consciously stabs Montano who was trying to calm the situation down. The chaotic condition awakes Othello. When Othello asked who started the chaos, Iago blames Cassio for causing much noise, therefore, Cassio is relieved from his post as a lieutenant. Cunningly, Iago shows his sympathy towards Cassio. He deceitfully advises Cassio to ask for Desdemonas help. His advice serves as a platform to accuse Desdemona for wanting Cassio for sexual purposes. This can be a solid reason for Iago can influence Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him. Iago uses his wife, Emilia to arrange a meeting between Cassio and Desdemona.
Iago starts to plant the seeds of suspicious in Othello in Act III. In Scene iii, Iago manages to utilize Cassios departure from Desdemona when he and Othello saw