Othello Group

Question:

loops
loops
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What does Act, Scene, Tragedy, and Tragic Hero mean in Othello?

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Posted by loops on Monday June 15, 2009 at 4:17 AM and tagged with act, characters, othello, scene, tragedy, tragic hero.

Answers:

  1. ecofan74
    ecofan74 Teacher
    College - Freshman

    William Shakespeare's tragedy Othello, like most of his plays, is divided into five acts, with between two and four scenes per act.

    The nature of the tragedy in Othello derives from the jealousy and mistrust Iago instills in Othello.  Othello's jealousy leads him to kill Desdemona, bringing about much of the tragic action.  It is also tragic in the sense that Othello is brought to commit such an action, specifically through the words and actions of another.

    The definition of a tragic hero is a hero who possesses a tragic flaw, often bringing about his downfall.  Othello's jealousy certainly serves as his tragic flaw.  No matter how honorable his intentions, his jealousy will always win out, as Iago discovers and uses to his advantage.  Othello's jealousy brings him to kill Desdemona, and ultimately effect his downfall.  In this sense, Othello is a tragic hero.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/othello/criticism
    http://www.enotes.com/shakespearean-criticism/othello

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    Posted by ecofan74 on Tuesday June 16, 2009 at 9:03 PM