Skip to main content

What is Othello's fatal flaw?

Othello' tragic flaw has been the subject of much debate. Some scholars argue it is jealousy, and other scholars believe it is Othello's lack of self-esteem. I would argue that Othello's tragic flaw is his jealousy because Iago's deceitful mechanisms trigger perilous jealousy which consumes Othello, causing him to experience feelings of insecurity, doubt and rage.


Iago, who is manipulative and willing to destroy Othello because Othello promoted Cassio instead of him, devises a plan...

Othello' tragic flaw has been the subject of much debate. Some scholars argue it is jealousy, and other scholars believe it is Othello's lack of self-esteem. I would argue that Othello's tragic flaw is his jealousy because Iago's deceitful mechanisms trigger perilous jealousy which consumes Othello, causing him to experience feelings of insecurity, doubt and rage.


Iago, who is manipulative and willing to destroy Othello because Othello promoted Cassio instead of him, devises a plan by which he will manage to cause Othello's downfall. His main victims are Cassio and Othello's wife, Desdemona. Iago wants Othello to believe that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, and he plants seeds of doubt in Othello's mind. For example, when Othello sees Cassio and Desdemona together, Iago says:



Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,
That he would steal away so guilty-like,
Seeing you coming.



Although Iago does his best to make Othello descend into irrationality, Othello is to blame because of his gullibility and jealousy. He allows himself to be manipulated by Iago and does not rely on reason. He allows himself to be deceived by cunning Iago and stops trusting his wife, who loves him unconditionally.


His jealousy unleashed an uncontrollable amount of rage in him, which led to the death of Desdemona and his death as well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

Follow the relationship between Pi and Richard Parker. They endure over two hundred days of hardship together, but in the end Richard Parker leaves...

When Pi and Richard Parker are at the beginning of their journey, after Pi's family is killed in the shipwreck, Pi fears Richard Parker, but he is forced to find a way to co-exist with him in order to survive.  Over time the two develop a somewhat co-dependent relationship.  Richard Parker depends on Pi to feed him by catching fish, while Pi's will to live is bolstered by Richard Parker's presence.  Richard Parker recognizes that... When Pi and Richard Parker are at the beginning of their journey, after Pi's family is killed in the shipwreck, Pi fears Richard Parker, but he is forced to find a way to co-exist with him in order to survive.  Over time the two develop a somewhat co-dependent relationship.  Richard Parker depends on Pi to feed him by catching fish, while Pi's will to live is bolstered by Richard Parker's presence.  Richard Parker recognizes that he also needs Pi to survive.  At one point in the book, Pi's starvation and thirst reduce him to a st...
Post a Comment
Read more