Shakespeare’s Othello as a Tragic Hero
Aristotle was appreciative of the differences between the Homeric epic hero and the tragic hero. The tragic hero, according to Aristotle, was an individual who started in the prime of life. However, an error in judgment somewhere along the way, usually towards the end of the literary piece, conducts an error in judgment that leads to their downfall. Thus, the tragic hero’s description is fittingly good despite their slight infirmity in character. Some characteristics are attributed to the tragic hero, namely Hubris, Hamartia, Peripeteia, Anagnorisis, Nemesis, and Catharsis. This essay argues that Othello was a tragic hero through exploring four of these characteristics/ criteria- hamartia, catharsis, and anagnorisis, Peripetia that Othello meets and analyzing how each of them fits into his character and experiences.
According to Aristotle, Hamartia refers to the tragic flaw that leads to the hero’s downfall (Asuamah et al. 10). Sometimes, this tragic flaw may result from natural occurrences, while other times, it may be a result of the hero’s actions. Aristotle clarifies that the tragic hero must have been a person of high state and then face downfall from personal tragic flaws. Othello is of noble birth and holds the highest rank in the military, which is quite an important position. This shows that he is strong and confident and commands a lot of respect. The play indicates that Othello receives special treatment from the senators (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 3). Othello’s respectability, strength, and brevity are widely known, such that the Governor of Cypress makes time to await Othello’s ship’s return after the storm at sea. When Othello returns, the governor refers to him as ‘brave Othello’ (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 2 p.38). This is one character that qualifies Othello as a tragic hero.
While Othello exhibits all these positive behaviors, there are flaws in his character that cause his downfall and the lack of his success lasting long. Othello has the weakness of reacting with rage, jealousy, and the lack of self-control. Lago identifies Othello’s weakness as jealousy emanating from his free and open nature (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 3. 379). Therefore, Lago takes advantage of it by lying that Desdemona is unfaithful. Othello feels the intensity of this betrayal without even conducting an initial investigation. At the end of the play, Othello loses his self-control and commits murder irritating all the people who formerly held him in high regard. This flaw in character or hamartia leads to his fall from glory to becoming a murderer that people hate.
Catharsis refers to the feelings of pity and fear evoked in the audience after the protagonist’s downfall or the tragic hero. Aristotle noted that plays must have the capability of arousing the audience’s feelings of fear and pity then give a conclusion that satisfies the audience. Othello and Desdemona are a happy couple in a happy marriage. However, when Lago sets in and decides to destroy their marriage, this shifts, evoking feelings of pity for the struggling couple. There is still fear of what will happen to the formerly successful marriage after the conflict. The fear levels rise when Othello kills Desdemona from false accusations. Here, it is important to note that the audience may also feel a sense of anger towards Othello. However, this sense does not last long as the play throws the audience back to the feelings of pity for Othello after the realization that Desdemona was innocent, where he stabs himself. Lago’s punishment gives the play a dramatic closure, which is also characteristic of Catharsis in tragedies. Thus, it would be accurate to say that Othello’s weaknesses, failures, and despair have been dramatized, evoking fear and pity in the audience, which is a characteristic of a tragic hero according to Aristotle.
Aristotle also included anagnorisis as part of the characteristics of a tragic hero. The tragic hero must realize the facts adding up to his downfall, also known as the revelation. Most tragic heroes will shift from ignorance to knowledge, which will then create friendships or enmity. The dramatic irony comes to play here as the audience already knows some facts that the characters do not know until the drama is almost coming to its end. For instance, all along, the audience is aware that Lago is plotting the destruction of Othello, but he himself does not identify this until it’s too late, and he has murdered the wife (Gray 86). The moment of realization for Othello comes when Emilia cries in bitterness because of her awareness of Desdemona’s innocence (Shakespeare Act 5 Scene 2. 258). Othello then feels that his act is unforgivable, which leads to committing suicide.
The tragic hero must also experience a reversal of fate referred to as Peripetia. In tragedies, the hero always dies or is killed due to the tragic flaw, which serves as the reversal of fate. They start as strong individuals but end up at the weakest point. Othello was once the respected and noble Moor. He was also the man in a happy marriage. However, his anger, rage, and lack of self-control reverse this fate. Othello becomes a murderer and eventually commits suicide, characteristics of a tragic hero.
Othello is a tragic hero as he exhibits hamartia, catharsis, anagnorisis, peripetia, all characteristics of a tragic hero, according to Aristotle. These have all been explained by the outline of his rise and subsequent downfall. The rise of Othello comprises the first portion of the drama when most people hail him with praises. He is the epitome of brevity, confidence, and strength. The downfall starts when Othello trusts the words of an outsider over those of his wife. By the time he realizes the damage he has caused, it is too late, and he feels that the situation cannot be salvaged, leading to his untimely death. Jealousy, self-control, and above all, deceit leads to the tragic fall of Othello, who was formerly in a reputable position (Mukhtar et al. 1256). This drama provides important lessons for the audience always to think before they act. Difficult situations will always be present, but the reactions to such are the ultimate determinant of whether individuals will end up as tragic heroes or not. If Othello had sufficiently investigated his wife’s issue, then none of the tragedies would have occurred. Considering all these events, Othello qualifies to be a tragic hero.
Works Cited
Asuamah, A., Ahenkora, K., & Amankwah, A. “The Tragic Hero of the Classical Period.” English Language and Literature Studies. 2012
Gray, P. “Shakespeare versus Aristotle: Anagnorisis, Repentance, and Acknowledgment” Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. 2019
Mukhtar, S., Sarfraz, S., & Yasmin, F. “Role of Othello’s Jealousy in his Tragedy.” International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research. 2018
Shakespeare, W., 1564-1616. “Othello: 1622.” Oxford: Clarendon Press. 1975