Othello as the Quintessencial Tragic Hero

To often is the tragic hero looked upon as a stereotype. The bulging, brawny, gutsy action star has been glamorized by the media for decades. The role is often tainted with an onslaught of women, sex, drugs and violence. However, the tragic hero in its quintessence was formulated from layers of emotional duress and heroic traits.

Othello carries all the traits that have come to be identified with the aforementioned tragic hero. He has despicable rivals, respect from those around him, an important position, a romantic interest, strength and courage, and most importantly a tragic flaw. These traits are not only resounding themes throughout the play, but they also have set a precedent in literature for many years to come.

In order for the heroism a tragic hero embodies to be expressed, he must have an adversarial situatio

One of his pathetic enemies is Rodrigo. Rodrigo embodies many opposite traits of Othello’s. Instead of being courageous, he is cowardly. Instead of taking care of his own business, he gets someone else to do it for him. This man is Iago. He is definitely cast in a contrasting light to our hero, Othello (Douthat n. pag.).

The next most important character who helps round out Othello’s character as a respected man is Cassio. Cassio is a respected officer of the military. Othello gave him an important promotion, turning down Iago. By doing so, he infuriates Iago while gaining the respect of Cassio. Cassio’s trust helps show that Othello is not only respected by his superiors, but also his inferiors (Douthat n. pag.).

Then must you speak / Of one that loved not wisely but too well, / Of one not easily jealous but, being wrought, / Perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand, / Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away / Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes, / Albeit unused to the melting mood, / Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees / Their medicinable gum. Set you down this, / And say besides that in Aleppo once, / Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk / Beat a Venetian and traduced the state, / I took by th' throat the circumcised dog / And smote him thus. (V.ii.352–365)

This predicament has even more problems associated with it. Othello’s love life is often prejudiced also as an inter-racial relationship. He is often viewed as carnal, perverted, sub-human and with an uncontrollable appetite. This often transcends into other areas, such as his self-respect and dignity. It is yet another testament of the evils of racism in the world. Overall, however, Othello’s character is not as tainted as one might think, some proof of his determination and courageousness (Douthat n. pag.).

Aside from how it ties into other heroic traits, Othello’s courage and assertiveness is a force to be reckoned with in its own right. As an important military figure, Othello’s courage is of the highest importance in keeping his reputation and position intact. Therefore, Othello’s character not only allows him to achieve the respect and adversity that tragic heroes usually encounter, but it is also the very essence of what gives him the opportunity to become so well-respected in the first place (Othello as a Tragic Hero n. pag.).

Now, the most important part of a tragic hero comes into play -- the tragic flaw. Without a tragic flaw, there would be no tragic hero or tragedies in general. It is the very essence of what drama is composed of. Of course, Othello’s final and foremost attribute that lends itself to a tragic hero is the all-powerful tragic flaw (Othello as a Tragic Hero n. pag.).

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