From Othello's responses, it is clear that he is becoming annoyed. However, Desdemona remains unaware of this and persists. This is a sign of how naive she is because it shows that she is not aware of Othello's feelings. She is not capable of observing that he is not interested and it is not the time to convince him. Instead, she just continues to repeat herself as she tries to get Othello to listen to her and agree with what she wants. This also shows that she is naive because she is more intent on what she promised Cassio than the promise she made to Othello when she married him. This shows that she is driven by her own goodness and by her own interest in helping others. In this section of the play, it is not suggested that she has any romantic interest in Cassio. However, it is understandable that Othello gets this impression. It seems that Desdemona is too naive to see how her actions could look to Othello. Desdemona's flaws are then highlighted when Othello verbally abuses her after he has become convinced that she is having an affair. At one point, Othello says to Desdemona "I took you for that cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello / You, mistress, / That have the office opposite to Saint Peter, / and keep the gate of hell!" (IV, ii). This comes after a series of questions where Othello asks Desdemona is she is a strumpet and a whore. These are obvious insults but Desdemona does not respond to them. When asked...
When asked if she is a whore, she simply says no. The problem in Desdemona's response is that she does not stand up for herself or ask what is happening. While it seems obvious that Othello thinks she is unfaithful, she does not seem to be aware of this. It seems that her goodness and faith in Othello prevents her from questioning him. She does not demand to know why he thinks that and even ask why he is acting so strangely. In fact, she responds to all his questions calmly and with little emotion. This is Desdemona's greatest flaw and the one that leads to the tragic outcome. If Desdemona had of stood up for herself at this point and confronted her husband, they may have been able to realize that it was an error and realized the manipulation that was taking place. As it is, Othello continues to be convinced that Desdemona is guilty and the situation is not resolved.
Othello, The Moor of Venice There are a number of very specific literary conventions that a dramatic work must have to adhere to Aristotle's multi-faceted definition of a tragedy. One of the principle components of this definition is that a tragedy chronicles the downfall of a tragic hero. Tragic heroes are well-renowned individual with a wonderful set of virtues descended from decidedly noble lineages who are plagued by one (and only
Othello as Tragic Hero While Othello is not Greek and Shakespeare is not a Greek playwright, Othello embodies many characteristics of a tragic hero as outlined by Aristotle. What is a tragic hero? Person who is neither perfect in virtue and justice, nor someone who falls into misfortune through vice and depravity, but rather, one who succumbs through some miscalculation. Othello is manipulated by Iago to murder Desdemona Iago uses Othello's trusting nature against him Hero
Othello as Tragic Hero Othello, the Moor of Venice is a Shakespearean tragedy that focuses on the great war hero Othello and the lengths to which Iago goes to in order to strip Othello of his power. Iago's thirst for power commences when he is passed up for promotion and Michael Cassio is instead award the position of lieutenant. Although it would appear to be more logical that Iago target Cassio,
Othello as a "Moor" One term that is often disguised in the play but the reader finds out early is that Othello is a "Moor" or a black man in love with a white woman. This is scandalous for the time Shakespeare wrote the play, and it still shocking today, and yet Shakespeare does not make the love affair between Othello and Desdemona shocking, he just makes it tragic. The interpretation
Othello has used military service to prove he is not a savage to white leaders, but his reliance upon the counsel of military officers and his over-valuing of military decision-making and life makes him descend into savagery. This is true even before Iago has begun to try to manipulate his mind. After marrying Desdemona, Othello's first thoughts are of war: "The tyrant custom, most grave senators,/Hath made the flinty
Othello Iago is introduced in the first scene of the play, setting its tone and offering foreshadowing of the impending tragedies about to befall Othello. His opening statements to Roderigo garner some initial sympathy among audience members or readers. Iago is irate because Othello chose Michael Cassio, "a Florentine," to be the head lieutenant. According to Iago, Cassio is "mere prattle without practice," a man completely undeserving of the political post
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