Othello essay: The extent to which Aristotle's definition of a tragedy can be applied to the play.
Aristotle's definition of 'tragedy' requires the audience to be profoundly moved by the course of events. Discuss your response to the play by the end of the final scene. Explain the extent to which you fit Aristotle's definition. (Timed essay)
Aristotle's definition of a tragedy which requires the audience to be profoundly moved by the course of events can be applied to Othello, a play that closely follows the tragic plot as outlined by Aristotle. According to Aristotle, the tragic character in a tragedy is a good person, not all good or bad, who begins in a rank of high degree and importance and then experiences a downfall due to a tragic flaw, something of which the protagonist Othello displays. The downfall of the central character (in this case Othello) is a reason which causes the reader to feel great pity thus making it a tragedy.
At the beginning of the play Othello is presented as a courageous military war hero with the noble rank of a general. The audience witness him assert with pride in Act One: 'I fetch my life and being / From men of royal siege, and my demerits / May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune / As this that I have reached' (I.ii.24-27). These lines indicate that Othello's courageous military acts give him a social status comparable to royalty. It is also evidenced that others view Othello as a man of high esteem when a senator remarks in reference to Othello, "Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor" (I.iii.55). The audience, despite Iago and Rodrigo's derogatory comments regarding Othello feel there is something honourable and honest about his character. The audience feel Othello is a benevolent military noble whose love with his young wife, Desdemona is moving.
Although Othello is presented as men of high degree, he is not perfect; possessing traits that lessen his character. He may be valiant and courageous, yet he is also proud and jealous. In addition, Shakespeare describes him as a Moor, or black man, a trait not associated
Aristotle's definition of a tragedy which requires the audience to be profoundly moved by the course of events can be applied to Othello, a play that closely follows the tragic plot as outlined by Aristotle. According to Aristotle, the tragic character in a tragedy is a good person, not all good or bad, who begins in a rank of high degree and importance and then experiences a downfall due to a tragic flaw, something of which the protagonist Othello displays. The downfall of the central character (in this case Othello) is a reason which causes the reader to feel great pity thus making it a tragedy.
At the beginning of the play Othello is presented as a courageous military war hero with the noble rank of a general. The audience witness him assert with pride in Act One: 'I fetch my life and being / From men of royal siege, and my demerits / May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune / As this that I have reached' (I.ii.24-27). These lines indicate that Othello's courageous military acts give him a social status comparable to royalty. It is also evidenced that others view Othello as a man of high esteem when a senator remarks in reference to Othello, "Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor" (I.iii.55). The audience, despite Iago and Rodrigo's derogatory comments regarding Othello feel there is something honourable and honest about his character. The audience feel Othello is a benevolent military noble whose love with his young wife, Desdemona is moving.
Although Othello is presented as men of high degree, he is not perfect; possessing traits that lessen his character. He may be valiant and courageous, yet he is also proud and jealous. In addition, Shakespeare describes him as a Moor, or black man, a trait not associated