1.2.3
Tragedy
Tragedy
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
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.
1Context
1.1Introduction
1.3Othello
2Act One: Summaries & Themes
2.1Act and Scene Summaries
2.2Scene One
2.3Scene Two
3Act Two: Summaries & Themes
3.1Scene One & Two
3.2Scene Three
4Act Three: Summaries & Themes
5Act Four
5.1Scene One
5.2Scene Two
5.3Scene Three
6Act Five
6.1Scene One
6.2Scene Two
7Character Profiles
7.1Major Characters
7.2Minor Characters
8Key Themes
8.1Love & Tragedy
8.2Other Key Themes
9Writing Techniques
9.1Writing Techniques
10Critical Debates
10.1Criticism & Performance
11Approaching AQA English Literature
11.1Specification A
11.2Specification B
12Issues of Assessment
12.1The Exams
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1Context
1.1Introduction
1.3Othello
2Act One: Summaries & Themes
2.1Act and Scene Summaries
2.2Scene One
2.3Scene Two
3Act Two: Summaries & Themes
3.1Scene One & Two
3.2Scene Three
4Act Three: Summaries & Themes
5Act Four
5.1Scene One
5.2Scene Two
5.3Scene Three
6Act Five
6.1Scene One
6.2Scene Two
7Character Profiles
7.1Major Characters
7.2Minor Characters
8Key Themes
8.1Love & Tragedy
8.2Other Key Themes
9Writing Techniques
9.1Writing Techniques
10Critical Debates
10.1Criticism & Performance
11Approaching AQA English Literature
11.1Specification A
11.2Specification B
12Issues of Assessment
12.1The Exams
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