Othello: An Aristotelian Tragedy

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is achieved when the audience feels pity for the protagonist, in this case Othello, and also when the audience experiences fear that they themselves might be put in a situation like the one in the drama. The five characteristics of an Aristotelian tragedy are thoroughly met in the Shakespearian drama, Othello.
First, the main character, or Othello has to be in a high position of some kind to achieve the "tragic fall". Generally, it is a king or prince, however, in Othello; the moor is a general which is not typical of an Aristotelian tragedy. In Othello, the moor is open about his torturous past where he was on his own at an early age. In fact, Desdemona makes it clear that his past and scars are part of the reason that she fell in love with the moor. His past makes his position much more significant than a general would usually be. However, with his position of a general it makes it possible for him to "fall" from his position, and therefore meets characteristic of ...

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