Othello's Tragic Flaws

A detailed Summary of Othello's Tragic Flaws


In Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, jealousy sparks the tragic downfall for the hero, Othello. In this play, Othello, a moor who serves as a general in the army of Venice, experiences a great downfall caused by love, prejudice, and jealousy. All tragedies have a hero with a tragic flaw. In this tragedy, the hero loves too well, lets prejudice issues take their toll on him, and allows jealousy to rage in his heart. These characteristics are not necessarily bad, but when shown in extreme levels can cause the downfall of a great leader.

In the beginning of this story, Othello falls in love with Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian senator. Othello and Desdemona initially keep their love and marriage a secret for fear of her father not approving. Iago, Othello's captain in his army, tells Brabantio, Desdemona's father, of their deception and he goes to confront Othello. Brabantio accuses Othello of using trickery to make Desdemona fall in love with him. Othello explains


Iago seeking revenge on Othello planted the idea into his general's head about Desdemona being an unfaithful wife. Othello's love for Desdemona is true but it is hard for him to believe that she could love an outsider, a moor. He fights among Venetian men who consider him a peer and friend, yet still his black skin separates him. Many times during the play he is reffered to as 'the moor' instead of by name like the other characters. Othello is very aware of the racial prejudice in the Venetian society but does not realize how much it has affected him. He allows this to make himself feel unworthy of Desdemona, which leads him to doubt her love for him. When Iago begins to infer the notion of Desdemona being in love with Cassio, a Venetian man, Othello does not find this hard to believe.

The most impacted character flaw of Othello is jealousy. His love for Desdemona and his prejudice notions make jealous feelings even more intense. Othello allows jealousy to overrule his thinking and judgem

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Approximate Word count = 677
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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