Othello character analysis(phrases and description of him)- Othello

What is Othello in the play?

He is the protagonist and tragic hero of the play.

How do you describe Othello?

eponymous central protagonist “Othello”. He is a complex and flawed individual. 

needs to be abouy moor,vallient ect

What is it about?

tragedy is about the journey of the central character. Over the course of the journey the hero will undergo a metamorphosis.

What is Othellos weakness/downfall

Othello possesses a fatal flaw. His hamartia is his excessive pride and his inability to control his jealousy. Ultimately, this is the catalyst for his demise. He convinces himself that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. This drives him in to a jealous rage that has epic consequences. He becomes blinded by this jealousy and this brings about his downfall. 

Othello’s traits

Another one of Othello’s trait is Othello’s pride. He reveals his delight that Desdemona has chosen him to be her husband, which leads to declarations such as he would not trade her “for the seas worth” and that if there is a dissolution of their marriage “bond slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be”. At this point in the play his pride is a positive aspect in his character.

How did people describe him and who?

Importantly, a myriad of characters testify to his great qualities. Desdemona states: “my noble moor is true of mind”. Cassio states: “He was great of heart”. Even the Machiavellian villain Iago states: “The Moor…is of a constant, loving, noble nature”. 

How was his weakness was exploited?

He possesses a trusting nature. This is a positive trait in most people. However, when surrounded by a malevolent schemer like Iago it becomes a weakness, one that leaves him open to manipulation and exploitation. Unfortunately, Othello believes that every man should be like him: “Certain, men should be what they seem”. 

How does Othello lose our sympathy.

A radical shift in his character takes place over the course of the second half of the play. Othello is now under the influence of Iago, a ruthless opportunist of breath-taking criminality. Through innuendo and insinuations Othello becomes the very antithesis of his earlier portrait. From the moment he asks Iago to have Emilia spy on Desdemona, we see the poisonous effects of Iago’s machinations. By the end of the temptation scene Othello seeks revenge- not justice. “Arise black vengeance from the hollow hell”. 

What does the symbol of the Handkercheif mean to Othello?

The handkerchief is a critical aspect of the play. Literally and symbolically it lies at the epicentre of Othello’s fall from grace. The handkerchief is a physical symbol of their love. It also represents the descent of love throughout the place. It began in a revered position, associated with strong and steadfast association (Othello and Desdemona’s marriage), was then associated with unfaithfulness and betrayal (the supposed betrayal of Desdemona) and finally is representative of decay and breakdown of love (it is associated with prostitution). 

What happened to him when changed occured

Othello is now revealed as a sadistic, atavistic, barbaric savage. He confirms the suspicions of white Venetian society. In line with his transformation and disintegration, we see a coarsening of his language. He starts to speak like Iago. He makes reference to animal and diabolical imagery. “Goats and monkeys” and “O devil”. Earlier in the play he addressed Desdemona as his “soul’s joy”, now he calls her a “subtle whore”. To add insult to injury he strikes her in public.

Othello’s transformation.

He has embarked on a journey from whence there is no return. His transformation is now complete. He is a cruel and vicious monster. He is now the very opposite of his earlier portrait. The transformation is complete when he murders Desdemona. He believes he I acting out of justice, what he is really dong is gaining revenge. “Yet she must die else she’ll betray more men”. His killing of her is mistaken and unjustified: “Strumpet, I come…Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted”. His insecurity of his wife’s supposed unfaithfulness led to physical and emotional abuse and her eventual murder. Desdemona does not die because she needs to be punished for committing a crime, she dies because Othello is hell-bent on gaining revenge for her supposed betrayal of him. “O blood, blood, blood!” 

How does Othello regain our sympthay

His closing assessment of himself can be read two ways. He assesses his service to the state: “I have done the state some service and they know it”. He also assesses his own weaknesses and flaws. Through suffering he grows and gains self-knowledge. He sees himself as “one that loved not wisely, but too well…one not easily jealous, but being wrought, perplexed in the extreme”. He gains redemption by taking his own life at the end. No longer blinded by jealousy, he regains his earlier composure and dignity. We tend to concur with Cassio’s assessment of his character: “For he was great of heart”. 

How else does Othello gain our sympathy

It can be argued and proved that Othello realises his mistakes and achieves redemption. When Iago is revealed as a liar Othello’s demeanour changes. He realises that he has done wrong and appears to be mourning. It can thus be argued that his suicide can be taken in a biblical context as he takes a life in return for a life he has taken previously. This biblical link suggests redemption, a religiously associated concept. Some critics suggest that by the end of the play he has not achieved redemption. When he says he is not a jealous individual and that he loved not wisely but too well we are not convinced. With this in mind his suicide can be read as cowardly; as opposed to Desdemona who continuously puts up with his abusive behaviour throughout the play. When things immediately go wrong and he must endure an unfavourable experience Othello chooses the easy way out. 

Main pointer about his death

However, in line with the Aristotelian definition of tragedy, the tragic hero must die with our sympathy. He must redeem himself in some way.