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Othello, By William Shakespeare. Specifically, It Will Term Paper

¶ … Othello, by William Shakespeare. Specifically, it will contain a major and minor character analysis. Othello and Desdemona are intertwined in the play, and the tragic fall of Othello could not occur without Desdemona's ultimate betrayal. Othello

The major character of Othello in the play "Othello" is a tragic hero who allows himself to be manipulated by those around him, especially Iago and Desdemona. Othello is an interesting character, in that he is a "moor," or a black man in a largely white world, who indeed marries a white woman. He is a strong leader, who is given command over Cyprus, and is generally accepted by those around him, as this passage shows, "And, noble signior, If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black" (Shakespeare Act I, scene iii).

Unfortunately, Othello trusts his "friends" too much, and they plan and plot against him, ultimately leading to his death. Othello...

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He allows Iago and Roderigo to lead him, and listens to their advice more than he listens to his own heart. He is convinced Desdemona is unfaithful to him, even though she is not, and he allows his own pride to get in the way of common sense, which is another deadly character flaw. Othello is the perfect tragic hero, because although he is highly successful, he allows his character flaws to get in the way, and they ultimately lead to tragedy, despair, and death.
In the beginning of the play, Othello is a strong and vital man in command of an army, and in command of his life. By the end of the play, he is dead because of his descent into jealousy, betrayal, and the poor advice of others. Early in the play, his pride in himself is abundantly clear when he says, "My services which I have done the signiory / Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know, -- / Which, when I know that boasting is an honor, / I shall promulgate, -- I fetch my life and being / From men of royal siege; and my demerits / May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune" (Shakespeare Act I, Scene ii). Unfortunately, by the end of the play,…

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Bibliography

Bloom, Harold. William Shakespeare's Othello. New York: Chelsea House, 1987.

Shakespeare, William. Cohen, Walter, Howard, Jean E., and Greenblatt, Stephen (Editors). "Othello." The Norton Shakespeare. New York: W.W. Norton Company. March 1997.
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