A tragic hero is a person who initially is well-respected and holds a high esteem within society. They are of high moral worth and are highly ambitious in what they set out to achieve. A single mistake or character flaw can, however, bring them to ruin, with a loss of everything that they possess.In the discussion of whether Othello fits the role of a tragic hero, the following concepts need to be considered. Firstly, as befitting a tragic hero, Othello holds an important role. He is well-respected and admired by all. Secondly, through a character flaw and the added complication of external forces working against him, he suffers a dramatic fall from grace. He loses all that he held dear- his wife, his status, his postion, and the respect held by others of him. Finally, despite his actions, there is a lesson to be learnt and the audience are compelled to maintain some feeling of sympathy towards him.
The senators value him and hear what he says when he speaks. This is shown here by one of the senators. "Here comes Barbantio and the valiant Moor", (Act I scene 3, 47) . This is an example of
the many comments which shows Othello's character and personality as a person
and an officer. They say he is one of the great leaders.
Othello is the husband of Desdemona whom he murders because he has been misled by the villainous Iago. Othello comes to see love through Iago's eyes and not through Desdemona's--these two characters represent internalized features of Othello's character. He rejects his loving and generous self (Desdemona)--that aspect of humanity which makes society possible--in favor of the dark passions of his self-centered ego (Iago).
In the end, the forces of love and trust regain their strength as Othello finally recognizes the goodness of Desdemona. Iago is finally condemned as the villain he is, but in the meantime the action of the play has demonstrated the power of evil.
Othello is a "tragic hero" due to his self-centered nature...