Essay on The Flaws of Othello, Murderer of Desdemona

In Shakespeare’s play Othello, the main character Othello is typically victimized and portrayed as a mere scapegoat of the villainous Iago’s devious plans. However, Othello is not completely void of responsibility for the death of his wife. Othello, the tragic hero, is just as responsible as Iago for his premeditated murder of Desdemona due to his own internal flaws. Specifically, flaws such as his vivid imagination and his self over-idealization are brought to the surface by Iago, which consequently allows Iago to easily manipulate Othello. Othello, a tragic hero full of hidden flaws, attempts to appear as a man of only logic and bravery, and not subjected to human emotions. His spectacle begins with his storytelling at Brabantio’s†¦show more content†¦Rogers speaks of Othello’s imagination becoming his bane; due to his incredibly imaginative mind, Othello is able to envision the supposed affair between Cassio and Desdemona regardless of the lack of concrete evidence. Once his mind has been set upon the authenticity of the affair, he overlooks logic and there is nothing to convince him otherwise, not even evidence against the allegations. Othello, similar to many tragic heroes, possesses the flaw of hubris or, excessive self-confidence. However, Othello goes even further than just being over-confident, he over-idealizes himself. In the same scene that Othello is speaking to the Duke, prior to his storytelling, he states: Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not To please the palate of my appetite, Nor to comply with heat (the young affects) In [me] defunct). (I.iii.259-262) Othello boldly declares that even heaven with all its divinity can avow for him when he proclaims he is not subjected to human passion and desires. Othello perceives himself as being â€Å"above human passions†; he is immune to emotions that would weaken ordinary humans (Kirschbaum, 291). Throughout the play and even until the end, Othello holds himself up on a pedestal. As the play comes to an end, before Othello ultimately suicides, he says: When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. Then mustShow MoreRelatedRacial Discrimination In Othello1076 Words   |  5 Pagesmainstream society. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the protagonist, Othello is isolated from the rest of Venetian society because of racism. Racial discrimination is common throughout the dialogue of the play, as almost all characters have directed racial slurs towards Othello. Iago, the antagonist, is able to take advantage of Othell o’s insecurities and vulnerabilities about his race and convince him of Desdemona’s infidelity. Other’s verbal comments on Othello and his own sense of reputation speedRead MoreMirror of Good and Evil in Shakespeares Othello696 Words   |  3 PagesShakespeare’s Othello, the tragic hero, Othello, and the antagonist, Iago, are portrayed in very differing ways. 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