Does Othello fall as the result of a tragic flaw? Why or why not?
In literary work a tragic flaw is considered a hero who possesses a certain flaw or attitude adjustment that becomes the lead in their downfall. Othello is a man of great distinction and heroism. He is a man that proves his honor and recognition, but when Othello believes that nothing wrong can happen to him his flaws end up in a deadly mistake. The author uses characterization to enhance the overall meaning of the play.
Othello’s misjudgment towards trusting the characters who betray him, and mistrusting the loyal and faithful characters who obey him, played the major role in his downfall. Throughout the play Shakespeare portrayed Iago as being a deceiving liar, but to Othello, Iago was nothing short of an honest, man. In Act 3 Scene 3, Othello says to himself: “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, and knows of all quantities….human dealings.” Othello’s naïve mind led him to believe that Iago is an honest man, which resulted in a deathly mistake. Othello - put all his trust in Iago.
Othello placed his marriage with Desdemona in great despair. In Act 5 Scene 2 Othello say to Desdemona: “That handkerchief. The one I so loved and gave to thee...Cassio.” Othello accuses Desdemona of giving the handkerchief to Cassio. Desdemona replies to Othello saying: “No, by my life and soul! Send for the man and ask him.” As Desdemona is lying on her deathbed, she pleads to Othello her innocence, and swearing that she has not told a lie, Othello refuses to believe anything she is confessing to him and continues to prosecute her for what he believes.
Othello not only misjudges Desdemona’s trust, but also mistrusts Cassio, causing him to lose a trustworthy friend as well as a good lieutenant. Othello tells Iago in Act 3 Scene 3: “Oh, that the slave had forty thousand lives! One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.” Othello has now grown nothing but hatred and revenge for Cassio, the friend that he once loved. Cassio is nothing but an honest, and good man to Othello, and he is treated inferiorly by the hands of Iago’s jealousy.
Othello is a naïve man, who not only is blind to the truth but very gullible, because Othello is so gullible he let lies and betrayal ruin his life.
Othello’s gullibility gave Iago the perfect stand to convince Othello that Desdemona was being unfaithful, and that Cassio was deceiving.
In Act 3 Scene 3- throughout the story, Iago was manipulating and controlling Othello’s mind. Othello allowed Iago to brainwash him into thinking that everyone around him was deceiving but yet, he told Othello that nothing was really happening.
Othello believed Iago in Act 3 Scene 3 when he said to himself: Why did I ever get married?” Othello is questioning his marriage with Desdemona because of all the lies that Iago has been telling him. Now Othello is beginning to feel suspicion of his innocent wife.
Jealousy is the root of all evil, and as Iago said “beware of the green-eyed monster…it laughs at its victims” The jealousy Othello had grown into a monster has laughed at him and ended him tragically.
The love that Othello held for Desdemona was blinded because of the jealousy Othello had raging in his heart. He was blind to the unconditional love that Desdemona possessed for him.
In Act 3 - Desdemona says to Emilia: “This would be enough for my….he wasn’t so free of jealousy.” Desdemona believes that she would have a dilemma with Othello for losing the handkerchief; if only he was a jealous man. Desdemona claims to Emilia that Othello is far from jealousy.
Iago has been directing Othello into the path of jealousy, just so Othello can overshadow his love for Desdemona into hate. In Act 3 Scene 3 while in the room talking, Othello says to Iago: “Look here, Iago, All my fond love…Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell” Othello began to feed into the lies and perjury that Iago was advising him. Othello forgot about the all the love and passion that held for Desdemona. Othello continues say to himself when kneeling down: “In due reverence of a sacred vow I here engage my words. ”There is nothing but raging hatred in Othello’s heart; at this point he no longer feels love for anyone. Othello only dwells on revenge and murder from here on out.
Othello falls as a tragic flaw because he lets his attitude control his actions. Othello’s tragic flaws were his gullibility and jealousy, because of these flaws Othello fell victim to the lies, betrayal, murder and hatred. As with Oedipus, sight and blindness contributed to the tragic ending of both heroes. Othello was blind to those who were loyal and trustworthy to him, and only saw the revenge and deceit that surrounded him. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout the story by adding Iago’s character, this dramatic irony played the pieces of the puzzle in Othello’s tragic ending. Othello was victim to jealousy, betrayal, and sight & blindness.
