1.2.3

Tragedy

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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.

Tragedies

Tragedies

  • 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.
Status

Status

  • 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.
Tragic flaw

Tragic flaw

  • 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.
Spiral of tragedy

Spiral of tragedy

  • 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.

Tragedy

In most tragedies, chaos results because the main character makes a set of poor decisions.

Chaos

Chaos

  • 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.
Remorse

Remorse

  • 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.
Society

Society

  • 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.
Iago

Iago

  • 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.
Jump to other topics
1

Context

1.1

Introduction

1.1.1Specifications
1.2

Background

1.2.1Shakespeare1.2.2Love1.2.3Tragedy1.2.4Historical Context
1.3

Othello

1.3.1Setting1.3.2Social Issues
2

Act One: Summaries & Themes

2.1

Act and Scene Summaries

2.1.1Structure2.1.2The Exam
2.2

Scene One

2.2.1Key Events2.2.2Key Themes2.2.3Key Ideas
2.3

Scene Two

2.3.1Key Events2.3.2Key Themes2.3.3Key Ideas
2.4

Scene Three

2.4.1Key Events2.4.2Key Events 22.4.3Key Themes2.4.4Key Ideas
3

Act Two: Summaries & Themes

3.1

Scene One & Two

3.1.1Scene One: Events3.1.2Key Events 23.1.3Key Ideas: Love & Tragedy3.1.4Scene Two: Events
3.2

Scene Three

3.2.1Key Events3.2.2Key Ideas
4

Act Three: Summaries & Themes

4.1

Key Events

4.1.1Scene One & Two4.1.2Scene Three4.1.3Scene Three: Key Ideas4.1.4Scene Four
5

Act Four

5.1

Scene One

5.1.1Key Events5.1.2Key Ideas
5.2

Scene Two

5.2.1Key Events5.2.2Key Ideas
5.3

Scene Three

5.3.1Key Events5.3.2Key Ideas
6

Act Five

6.1

Scene One

6.1.1Key Events6.1.2Key Ideas
6.2

Scene Two

6.2.1Key Events6.2.2Key Ideas
7

Character Profiles

7.1

Major Characters

7.1.1Othello7.1.2Iago7.1.3Desdemona7.1.4Emilia7.1.5Cassio
7.2

Minor Characters

7.2.1Roderigo & Brabantio7.2.2Other Characters
8

Key Themes

8.1

Love & Tragedy

8.1.1Love8.1.2Love 28.1.3Tragedy8.1.4Tragedy 2
8.2

Other Key Themes

8.2.1Public versus Private8.2.2Appearance & Reality
9

Writing Techniques

9.1

Writing Techniques

9.1.1Structure9.1.2Genre9.1.3Form & Language9.1.4Language & Imagery
10

Critical Debates

10.1

Criticism & Performance

10.1.1Shakespeare's Legacy10.1.2Traditional10.1.3Modern & Contemporary
10.2

Approaches

10.2.1Feminist Approach10.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach10.2.3Marxist Approach
11

Approaching AQA English Literature

11.1

Specification A

11.1.1Specification A11.1.2Love Through the Ages
11.2

Specification B

11.2.1Specification B11.2.2Aspects of Tragedy
12

Issues of Assessment

12.1

The Exams

12.1.1AOs12.1.2Mark Scheme

Practice questions on Tragedy

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  1. 1
    What is Othello's rank within the Venetian military?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What event causes the chaos to reach its climax in _Othello_?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    The Unfolding of Chaos in Tragic PlaysPut in order
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Love

Historical Context