What kind of story is othello

We've got a handy list of the features and conventions that are so common in this genre, so let's take a look, shall we?

Dramatic work: Check. And by "Check," we mean that, yes, Othello is a "play. Othello 's a study of the consequences of jealousy and racism, so check. Hero's got a major flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force: Check. You've probably picked up on the fact that Othello's a guy with a serious flaw insane jealousy.

Not only that, but Othello's also gullible—it doesn't take much for Iago to convince Othello that Desdemona's cheating on him even though she's not. Check out our theme discussions on " Race " and " Gender " for more on this.

Hero is destined for destruction and downfall: Check—sort of. Othello is a tragedy because it tells the story of a noble, principled hero who makes a tragic error of judgment, leading to a devastating climax in which most of the characters end up either dead or seriously wounded. In assuming Iago operates according to the same rules of honor as he does, Othello cannot conceive that Iago might be lying to him about Desdemona.

For example, King Lear opens with Lear in charge of his kingdom and enjoying all the privileges of his position. Macbeth starts with Macbeth as a promising general in line for promotion.

Othello, on the other hand, begins the play alienated from his community. Unlike Iago and Desdemona, he is neither a Venetian nor a noble nor a civilian. Ace your assignments with our guide to Othello! SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. To continue using this website please confirm that you accept our use of Cookies. Contact Us Register Sign In. Toggle navigation.

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