Othello
Tragic protagonist
In classical tragedy, the tragic protagonist is usually a male, public figure who brings suffering or change to his society
following his death.
Othello is clearly typical of a tragic protagonist. Despite not being royalty like Shakespeare’s other tragic protagonists (such
as Macbeth or Hamlet), nobility is repeatedly emphasised: the valiant Moor / valiant Othello (A1S3). This is also shown
through his powerful speech - Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter in Othello’s speech shows order and control. His
language is also polite – most potent, grave and reverend signiors (A1S3)
However, the fact that he is black is less conventional, as Africans were a minority in 17 th century London – Othello would
have been an unusual tragic hero in Shakespeare’s theatre.
Definition Quotes What this tells us
Megalopsychi The ‘greatness of Sold to slavery, of my redemption From the first act, we see that Othello
a spirit’ or hence (A1S3) brought himself up from nothing to a
importance of position of power.
Valiant Othello / the valiant Moor
the protagonist.
(A1S3) Other characters’ references to his
bravery show that he commands the
Put up your bright swords for the
respect of others, and he demonstrates
dew will rust them (A1S3)
this himself by calmly preventing the duel
– power and pacifism.
For naught I did in hate, but all in At the end of the play, we’re reminded
honour (A5S2) that he is a good man despite his
wrongdoings – he believed he was doing
the right thing.
Hamartia The tragic or fatal Beware my lord, of jealousy; it is According to the critic Leavis, Othello’s
flaw, a character the green-eyed monster (A3S3) hamartia is his jealously – but Iago
defect that leads introduces it to him.
to peripeteia.
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty It seems as if Othello’s hamartia is more
(A3S3) specifically his trust in Iago. Without this
trust, Iago’s plot wouldn’t work and the
Honest Iago (A3S3)
tragedy wouldn’t happen.
O brave Iago, honest and just
(A5S1)
Hubris Excessive pride of My parts, my title and my perfect His high opinion of himself reflects
the tragic soul shall manifest me rightly excessive self-confidence and hubristic
protagonist that (A1S2) pride, typical of the tragic protagonist.
foreshadows the
‘Tis the plague of great ones (A3 Almost a metafictional awareness of his
tragedy to come.
S3) role as tragic protagonist.
Anagnorisis The moment of My wife, my wife! What wife? O Slight moment of anagnorisis as Othello
realisation/ insupportable! (A5S2) begins to regret his deed.
epiphany for the
Precious villain! (A5S2) He sees Iago’s true nature and breaks
tragic
away from Iago’s control.
protagonist.
One whose hand… threw a pearl Clear moment of anagnorisis and regret.
away richer than all his tribe (A5S2) Desdemona is compared to a pearl,
showing purity/ beauty, but also links to
the concept of women as possessions.
Peripeteia A change in My blood begins my safer guides to The first indication of Othello’s downfall –
fortune that rule… zounds (A2S3) his peaceful nature has changed, and he is
leads to the now angrier due to Iago’s influence.
downfall of the
Farewell the tranquil mind! The anaphora of ‘farewell’ emphasises his
protagonist from
Farewell content!... Farewell! loss of identity and purpose in life.
good to bad
Othello’s occupation’s gone!
Tragic protagonist
In classical tragedy, the tragic protagonist is usually a male, public figure who brings suffering or change to his society
following his death.
Othello is clearly typical of a tragic protagonist. Despite not being royalty like Shakespeare’s other tragic protagonists (such
as Macbeth or Hamlet), nobility is repeatedly emphasised: the valiant Moor / valiant Othello (A1S3). This is also shown
through his powerful speech - Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter in Othello’s speech shows order and control. His
language is also polite – most potent, grave and reverend signiors (A1S3)
However, the fact that he is black is less conventional, as Africans were a minority in 17 th century London – Othello would
have been an unusual tragic hero in Shakespeare’s theatre.
Definition Quotes What this tells us
Megalopsychi The ‘greatness of Sold to slavery, of my redemption From the first act, we see that Othello
a spirit’ or hence (A1S3) brought himself up from nothing to a
importance of position of power.
Valiant Othello / the valiant Moor
the protagonist.
(A1S3) Other characters’ references to his
bravery show that he commands the
Put up your bright swords for the
respect of others, and he demonstrates
dew will rust them (A1S3)
this himself by calmly preventing the duel
– power and pacifism.
For naught I did in hate, but all in At the end of the play, we’re reminded
honour (A5S2) that he is a good man despite his
wrongdoings – he believed he was doing
the right thing.
Hamartia The tragic or fatal Beware my lord, of jealousy; it is According to the critic Leavis, Othello’s
flaw, a character the green-eyed monster (A3S3) hamartia is his jealously – but Iago
defect that leads introduces it to him.
to peripeteia.
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty It seems as if Othello’s hamartia is more
(A3S3) specifically his trust in Iago. Without this
trust, Iago’s plot wouldn’t work and the
Honest Iago (A3S3)
tragedy wouldn’t happen.
O brave Iago, honest and just
(A5S1)
Hubris Excessive pride of My parts, my title and my perfect His high opinion of himself reflects
the tragic soul shall manifest me rightly excessive self-confidence and hubristic
protagonist that (A1S2) pride, typical of the tragic protagonist.
foreshadows the
‘Tis the plague of great ones (A3 Almost a metafictional awareness of his
tragedy to come.
S3) role as tragic protagonist.
Anagnorisis The moment of My wife, my wife! What wife? O Slight moment of anagnorisis as Othello
realisation/ insupportable! (A5S2) begins to regret his deed.
epiphany for the
Precious villain! (A5S2) He sees Iago’s true nature and breaks
tragic
away from Iago’s control.
protagonist.
One whose hand… threw a pearl Clear moment of anagnorisis and regret.
away richer than all his tribe (A5S2) Desdemona is compared to a pearl,
showing purity/ beauty, but also links to
the concept of women as possessions.
Peripeteia A change in My blood begins my safer guides to The first indication of Othello’s downfall –
fortune that rule… zounds (A2S3) his peaceful nature has changed, and he is
leads to the now angrier due to Iago’s influence.
downfall of the
Farewell the tranquil mind! The anaphora of ‘farewell’ emphasises his
protagonist from
Farewell content!... Farewell! loss of identity and purpose in life.
good to bad
Othello’s occupation’s gone!
