Discuss Othello as a tragic character. Or, sketch the character of Othello.

Answer

Discuss Othello as a tragic character.

Or, sketch the character of Othello.

Othello (1622) is a masterpiece of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). The tragic hero in Shakespeare’s play “Othello” embodies the classic elements of the tragic character. Othello is out and out a tragic fellow from the classical viewpoint. Let’s delve into key aspects of Othello’s character in the context of Hamartia, Hubris, Peripeteia, Anagnorisis, Catharsis, and Nemesis.

Hamartia (Tragic Flaw): Othello’s tragic flaw lies in jealousy and insecurity. Despite being a respected general, he is insecure about his race and feels inferior compared to the Venetian aristocrats. The deceitful Iago easily manipulates him due to Othello’s insecurities about his race and the faithfulness of his wife, Desdemona. Othello’s hamartia is his exposure to jealousy, which leads him to commit irrational acts. This flaw is evident when Othello confesses, 

“Haply, for I am black

And have not those soft parts of conversation

That chamberers have.”

Othello is not  proud to be black, and he wants to be white because he thinks that  his servants are not showing him respect because of his skin colour.

Hubris (Excessive Pride): Othello’s hubris is evident in his belief in his own judgment and his overconfidence in his ability to control his fate. He believes himself to be a rational and honourable man. He believes himself incapable of being deceived. This pride blinds him to the manipulations of Iago. It causes him to dismiss Desdemona’s innocence without proper evidence. His hubris is displayed when he proclaims, 

“I know, Iago,

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter.” 

The quote reveals Othello’s blind spot. On the other hand, Iago sets the stage for how Othello’s belief in Iago’s honesty will lead to disaster.

Peripeteia (Reversal of Fate): The turning point in Othello’s fortunes occurs when he wrongly believes Desdemona to be unfaithful and wills to kill her. This marks the moment of peripeteia, as Othello’s life takes a tragic turn from honour and love to betrayal and despair. His once-happy marriage is shattered, and he becomes consumed by anger and revenge.

Anagnorisis (Moment of Realization): Othello’s moment of realization comes too late after he has already murdered Desdemona. He finally understands the impact of his foolishness and recognizes Iago’s manipulation. His poignant line captures this realisation: 

“This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven, 

And fiends will snatch at it”

Here, Othello acknowledges the uncorrectable damage to his reputation and his soul. He acknowledges his decline into barbarism.

Catharsis (Purification or Purgation of Emotions): Othello’s downfall arouses feelings of pity and fear in the audience. It leads to a cathartic experience. As they witness Othello’s tragic unravelling, the audience is compelled to reflect on the destructive power of jealousy and the consequences of unchecked emotions. Othello’s tragic end serves as a warning. It encourages the audience to examine their own flaws and vulnerabilities.

Nemesis (Punishment or Retribution): Othello’s nemesis is the inevitable consequence of his actions. In his last words, Othello speaks to his murdered wife. Because he kissed her before he smothered her. He kisses her once more before he takes his own life. Othello is speaking poetically about his relationship with Desdemona. His love and eventual jealousy killed Desdemona. If he had never loved her, she never would have died. So, Othello kisses her again and kills himself as his personal repentance. In the end, Othello recognizes the justice of his punishment, declaring, 

“I kissed thee ere I killed thee: no way but this, 

Killing myself, to die upon a kiss” 

His death is both a fulfillment of fate and a form of atonement for his sins.

In conclusion, Othello’s character embodies the tragic archetype, characterized by a fatal flaw, hubris, a reversal of fortune, a moment of realization, catharsis for the audience, and the eventual punishment for his actions. Through Othello’s tragic journey, Shakespeare explores timeless themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the fragility of human nature. Othello leaves a lasting impact on audiences across generations.