Tragedy

• In the past (particularly in the Greek and Roman Classical period, and in the Age of Shakespeare), tragedies often present the fall of high-status characters.
• In the past (particularly in the Greek and Roman Classical period, and in the Age of Shakespeare), tragedies often present the fall of high-status characters: for example, Kings, Emperors, Princes or Generals
• This precisely matches what happens in Othello (Othello is a renowned general), so the play might be seen as a continuation of that tradition.
• The idea was that with a high-status character, they have so much further to fall than a lower status character.
• In effect, they have more to lose, whether it is their reputation, a love, respect, command or power.
• The general idea is that one or more of the characters have a tragic flaw (something in their make up or character) that is problematical.
• Usually, another character (often a tragic villain) tries to find weakness or the main character’s flaw, and aims to exploit that.
• Once that tragic flaw has been identified, then very often the main character steps into a spiral of tragedy which they find it difficult to escape from.
• They tend to blame everyone else but themselves.
• This is precisely the case with Othello.
• In most tragedies, chaos results because the main character makes a set of poor decisions.
• Chaos results because the main character makes a set of poor decisions.
• These decisions not only impact upon them, but also wider society and other characters around them.
• The chaos reaches its climax when something happens which is impossible to change.
• Here, it is the killing of Desdemona.
• Only then does the main character reflect on what they have done, and they gain insight into their experiences.
• They are usually filled with remorse and either are killed by a heroic figure or kill themselves because they can no longer face what they have become.
• Once this character has been dispatched or removes themselves from events, only then can the wider society rebuild itself.
• Very often, the tragic hero will find themselves at odds with the society around them, so that they do not quite fit.
• Sometimes a character (like Iago) tries to rise too quickly in a society and pays the price for their ambition.
• Iago is a kind of ‘new’ man who appears to be unhappy with the conventional order of society and wishes rise through it as fast as possible.