In Shakespeare’s time audiences were interested in powerful men and
playwrights assumed that in tragedies the heroes would be kings, generals, etc.
men whose lives influence others. There were certain other expectations of a
tragic hero.
DEFINITION
He should be basically GOOD but have some weakness or fatal flaw or make a
fatal mistake (HAMARTIA) which circumstances will emphasise.
This will lead to his DOWNFALL and usually death.
FATE may play a part in his downfall.
Throughout the play we should feel some SYMPATHY with him. This should
mean that we could see ourselves doing the same things, making the same
mistakes given the same circumstances.
We should feel PITY because he should represent all men and we should be
able to say “There but for the grace of God go I.”
Othello is clearly an example of a tragic hero.
Othello - The play’s protagonist and hero. A Christian
Moor and general of the armies of Venice, Othello is an
eloquent and physically powerful figure, respected by all
those around him. In spite of his elevated status, he is
nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his
age, his life as a soldier, and his race. He possesses a
“free and open nature,” which his ensign Iago uses to twist
his love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and
destructive jealousy (I.iii.381).
Desdemona - The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio. Desdemona and
Othello are secretly married before the play begins. While in many ways
stereotypically pure and meek, Desdemona is also determined and selfpossessed. She is equally capable of defending her marriage, jesting bawdily
with Iago, and responding with dignity to Othello’s incomprehensible jealousy.
Iago - Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the
villain of the play. Iago is twenty-eight years old. While his ostensible reason for
desiring Othello’s demise is that he has been passed over for promotion to
lieutenant, Iago’s motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to originate
in an obsessive, almost aesthetic delight in manipulation and destruction.
Emilia - Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. A cynical, worldly woman, she is
deeply attached to her mistress and distrustful of her husband.
Michael Cassio - Othello’s lieutenant. Cassio is a young and inexperienced
soldier, whose high position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello,
Cassio is extremely ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus
and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and
friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s
fidelity.
Write an essay, divided into three obvious sections, about your initial understanding of
and opinions about Iago, Othello and Desdemona. Support your opinions with
quotations.
Write a character sketch of Cassio, and another of Emilia. Again, use quotations to
explain your comments.
By close analysis of Act III Sc iii, explain Iago’s deception of Othello and comment on the
characters of both men, e.g. what do we learn about each man? What is your opinion
of their thoughts and actions?
By looking at Act IV, comment on any changes in Othello’s character. Point out each
change and illustrate it with a quotation.
“Othello is a gullible fool, too good for his own safety?” – Discuss.