In Shakespeare’s time audiences were interested in powerful men and playwrights assumed that in tragedies the heroes would be kings, generals, etc. men whose lives influence others. There were certain other expectations of a tragic hero. DEFINITION weakness or fatal flaw HAMARTIA He should be basically GOOD but have some weakness or fatal flaw or make a fatal mistake (HAMARTIA) which circumstances will emphasise. DOWNFALL This will lead to his DOWNFALL and usually death. FATE FATE may play a part in his downfall. SYMPATHY with him Throughout the play we should feel some SYMPATHY with him. This should mean that we could see ourselves doing the same things, making the same mistakes given the same circumstances. PITY because he should represent all men We should feel PITY because he should represent all men and we should be able to say “There but for the grace of God go I.” Othello is clearly an example of a tragic hero.

protagonistChristian prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race Othello - The play’s protagonist and hero. A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice, Othello is an eloquent and physically powerful figure, respected by all those around him. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race. He possesses a “free and open nature,” which his ensign Iago uses to twist his love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and destructive jealousy (I.iii.381).

determined and self- possessed. Desdemona - The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio. Desdemona and Othello are secretly married before the play begins. While in many ways stereotypically pure and meek, Desdemona is also determined and self- possessed. She is equally capable of defending her marriage, jesting bawdily with Iago, and responding with dignity to Othello’s incomprehensible jealousy.

obsessive, almost aesthetic delight in manipulation and destruction Iago - Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the villain of the play. Iago is twenty-eight years old. While his ostensible reason for desiring Othello’s demise is that he has been passed over for promotion to lieutenant, Iago’s motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to originate in an obsessive, almost aesthetic delight in manipulation and destruction. cynical, worldly woman Emilia - Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. A cynical, worldly woman, she is deeply attached to her mistress and distrustful of her husband.

young and inexperienced soldier, whose high position is much resented Michael Cassio - Othello’s lieutenant. Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier, whose high position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello, Cassio is extremely ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelity.

Write an essay, divided into three obvious sections, about your initial understanding of and opinions about Iago, Othello and Desdemona. Support your opinions with quotations. Write a character sketch of Cassio, and another of Emilia. Again, use quotations to explain your comments. By close analysis of Act III Sc iii, explain Iago’s deception of Othello and comment on the characters of both men, e.g. what do we learn about each man? What is your opinion of their thoughts and actions? By looking at Act IV, comment on any changes in Othello’s character. Point out each change and illustrate it with a quotation. “Othello is a gullible fool, too good for his own safety?” – Discuss.