Othello: The Repercussions Of Pride And Lack Of

Oedipus and Othello: The Repercussions of Pride and Lack of Foresight Pride, one of the seven deadly sins, has yet again consumed two major protagonists in American Literature. It can often run undetected by the individual until faced with the repercussions of the flaw. Sophocles and Shakespeare both approach the issue in each of their plays. The characters are both distinguished and honorable men, yet their tragic flaw of pride will destroy them both. Oedipus and Othello and their true character as tragic heroes is then unmasked when they confront the disastrous repercussions of pride. Both tragic heroes are noble: Oedipus by accomplishments and feat and Othello by his adventures and triumph in his career. Oedipus was actually born into his nobility right but was unaware of it until later in his lifetime. He earned his nobility title and became King of Thebes because he solved the riddle of the Sphinx that terrorized the city and got rid of the monster. In the eyes of the city of Thebes he was a great hero who had saved them all. His pride generated during this time because of all the additional recognition that he received due to his wisdom.
Othello believe that if he can’t have her no one can and that her death is for the better. The repercussions for his actions are that he loses what he treasured the most. He later admits that, “(he) threw away a pearl richer that all this tribe” (5.2.343-344). He loses all of his honor and dignity as he is replaced by the man he thought his wife loved over him and called a murderer. What he feared most has now gotten the best of his character. He was afraid about how people would see him the whole time that is why he was so anxious about Desdemona cheating because he didn’t want to look like a fool who was unloved. In actuality he brought on his fear upon