Shakespeare’s use of a tragic hero and a wicked antagonist adds to the effectiveness of the play. He characterizes in great depth by using soliloquies and conversation between the characters. Othello, a Moor, is the protagonist or main character. He is obviously an upstanding person of Venice. His virtues are admired by all, and he is respected and known for being a well-liked military leader. Othello follows all the guidelines for being a tragic hero. He is a noble, having royal blood and of being not an ordinary man but one of outstanding quality (Ch. 3, p. 1016). He has self-control. To show his courageousness, Shakespeare uses a Senator’s remark: “Here comes Brabantino and the valiant Moor.” (1.3.47)

Othello is not intended to be just a story about a good guy and a bad guy. The idea that such evil in humanity can lead to such destruction and chaos is in every person. This is an age-old theme that has stood the test of time. It provokes thoughts and ideas of how to make the world a better place and how to recover from such disastrous events. This repeated theme is clearly revealed in Shakespeare’s writing and leaves the reader in a state of awareness of how powerful evil and revenge can play a part in an ordinary person’s life - not just the noble.

This play takes place in the city-state of Venice followed by the island of Cyprus. Shakespeare used Venice for the fact that Venice was a flourishing city. It had all the aspects of a tragedy. Venice had the good and religious people, and it also contained the road to evil and chaos. This is essential to the effectiveness of the play. Othello could not have taken place in England or someplace of that nature. It has to be a city of great cultures and intelligent people.

This tragedy begins with Iago, a soldier in the Venetian army, and Roderigo, a former suitor of Brabantio’s daughter Desdemona arguing in the streets of Venice over Desdemona’s marriage with the Moor, Othello. Iago loathes Othello, because Othello passed him up for a promotion. The promotion went to a soldier, Cassio, who learned from books and had no field experience. And so the conflict begins and Iago starts a plan for revenge. The two awaken Brabantio to tell him of his daughter’s elopement. Iago takes pleasure in telling the Senator of Desdemona’s marriage, but leaves in a hurry when the Senator comes down. He leaves to protect his appearance of loyalty to the leader of the Venetian army. Roderigo takes Brabantio to Othello. In Scene 2 of Act I, Iago tells Othello Desdemona’s father knows of their secret marriage. Cassio enters and informs Othello he is needed by the Duke of Venice. Othello’s new father-in-law shows up and they agree to appear before the Duke. The Duke needs Othello to sail to Cyprus immediately with his army to fight off threatening Turks. The Duke hears both sides from the two men and sends them on their way. Othello wants Desdemona to follow hi

Some topics in this essay:
Act Scene, Othello Iago, Roderigo Emilia, Othello England, Desdemona Othello, Othello Moor, Cassio Desdemona’s, Giambattista Cinthio, Othello Othello, Cassio Desdemona, othello iago, tragic hero, iago tells, venetian army roderigo, army roderigo, venetian army, begins iago, wife emilia, cassio othello, iago lies, plan revenge,