Othello by Shakespeare - Coursework Example

Othello by ShakespeareOthello is one of the plays by Shakespeare. This play has been analyzed by several critics with some arguing that the play presents Othello as one of the noblest of Shakespeare’s heroes. However, others have argued that Othello is weak and narcissistic. It is, however, important to take note that Othello is a tragic play. Historians and linguists have classified all Shakespeare’s plays as comedies, histories, and tragedies. It was under this classification, therefore, that Othello was classified as a tragedy.

Aristotle defined tragedy as the simulation of an act that has a scale whole in itself. Aristotle goes further to differentiate tragedy from other genres in that tragedy reveals a pleasure of fear and pity. It is arguable that Othello is the noblest of Shakespeare’s heroes. Othello is the main character in the play Othello. He is a tragedy of dignified hero whose downfall is a fatal fault of jealousy. The play is a domestic tragedy with themes such as hate, intrigue, love, jealousy, trust, revenge, suspicion, racism, self-interest, and judgment among others.

As a tragedy, Othello reveals scenes of terror and pity. The hero suffers greatly resulting to the exposure of the naked bones of his character. In this play, humanity is revealed in its stunning diversity. As a result of the experience of tragedy human being’s strengths, weaknesses, and nobilities are exposed. Venetian families did not accept the idea of a family controlling the navy or the army since they believed it could result to power being grabbed. This is the reason they believed in appointing outsiders to important military positions.

Othello as an outsider was, therefore, the general of the Venetian military. He attained this position on merit and not patronage or family connections. He excels on his job and was, therefore, accepted in Venice. This is because Venice was initially being threatened by the Ottoman Turks. As an immigrant, he feels insecure about his position. This explains why he is sensitive about his name since his prosperity depends on his good name. This is the insecurity that Iago manipulates.As an immigrant, Othello is very sensitive of his status as an outsider.

Despite the fact that he married an offspring of the Venetian senator, he is pretty aware that he is a black man living in a place not prominent for its acceptance of ethnic differences. He is aware that Africans are believed to be a little better than animals by the Venetian. He, therefore, struggles to become more of a Venetian by accepting their way of life and etiquette of speech. He is insecure of his status and position as an outsider, and this is a second insecurity that Iago exploits towards his downfall.

He at one instance admits that he is a man of simple speech. He confesses that he is not experienced in diplomatic language. Iago watches and listens to this waiting for a time to pounce. Throughout the play, Othello remains distanced from much of the actions that affects and concerns him. At the end of the tragic pay, readers experience a sense of uplift. The tragic hero experiences his downfall. His struggle to defy the negative emotions over his action reaffirms our trust in human personality.