Topic: Tragic Flaws and Manipulation in Othello

Course: Special Subject in Literature

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Matarneh
Student: Abu-Siam Aseel
Due date: 25/05/2024
 "Othello" created by Shakespeare, a great play of tragic nature, is based not
only in Venice but also in Cyprus. It is centered on the characters Othello, a true
and faithful general; Desdemona, his beloved wife; Iago, his trusted Scribe and
major enemy; and Cassio, one of the famous generals. Main themes in the play are
tragic flaws and manipulation. Morival is destroyed by those terrible traits and
delicate strings of manipulation.

Identification of Tragic Flaws:

Othello's tragic flaw is his easy to be jealous and his insecure feelings. In a
predominantly white society, Othello getting edged out as a Moor makes him an
outsider and thus sets the stage for his possible victimization by Iago when he
diligently weaves a web of lies about Desdemona being unfaithful. Othello's strong
sense of honor and commitment impels him to be gullible with Iago, who is able to
manipulate him very cunningly as well. The lack of Othello's self-possession in the
face of his jealousy is the key factor making Iago manipulate his innermost
feelings and to believe him in the end, resulting in a disappointing outcome that
has both Othello and Desdemona dead.

Iago, on a contrast, is motivated by jealously, revenge and appetite for power,

whereas, Othello harbours pride and discontented feelings towards his wife. Thing
that stands for his tricky demeanour is that he can be able to consider the weakness
of others and he can take advantage of it. This extends to Othello, Cassio and
Desdemona too. His further ability to succeed in matters is to sow seeds of doubt
and manipulate the views and opinions of the people around the circle. This
eventually a chains of sad events that leads to the destruction of all. His skillful
manoeuvring and deceit through which these malicious entities carry immense
destructive power become a tool of shaping unavoidably tragic tales.

Impact on Characters and Tragic Trajectory:

 Othelloand Iago's utter destructionis really devastingeffect on all play's other
characters. The lady Desdemona is cordoned off as innocent and unmixed; she
becomes exposed to the uncontrolled foolishness of Othello's jealousy and the
manipulation of Iago leading ultimately to her early death in the play. The real
character of Othello is masked by Iago's plot and he suffers consequences that
threaten his reputation and career. With tragic opacity, Iago's plot works to bring
harm to Cassio and Othello, showing the volatile consequences of manipulation
and inner conflicts on the lives of those around them.

The underlying motives of deception, envy, and manipulations are carefully

woven by characters into a intricate web that traverse the play to its sad end. While
further down Othello's abyss of jealousy and suspicion, caused by Iago's indecent
falsehoods, the tragic situations are approaching catastrophic event for all. By
depicting the inevitable tragic ending in the story as a warning, the play presents
the disturbing impact of unexamined emotions and the dangers of yielding to
subterfuge.

"Othello" is this play which is the masterpiece of showing the tragedy flaws
and how the characters are manipulated so dramatically through the tragic fusion
of their destiny. Othello's readiness is to understand the bitter truth about the
feelings and Iago who decide to damage by keeping the situation in progress with
the help of false statements. "Othello’s" investigation of the character depiction of
the fatal flaws and the scheming adds here the profound direct implication to
individuals who can easily be possessed by strongest emotions and bogged down
with the malicious forces, what makes the play is mnemonic one that is going
beyond the boundaries of time.