By definition, a tragedy is a story of exceptional calamity leading to the death of a man in high estate. Othello is a classic Shakespearean tragedy, fitting with the convention that the hero's downfall is a result of a fatal flaw. In this case, Othellos flaw is exposed by external circumstances. The emotional impact of the plot on the audience is created through use of dramatic techniques, and the creative use of such techniques makes Othello an effective tragedy.
At the beginning of the play, fitting in with the Shakespearean ideals, Othello is presented as a courageous war hero. The audience witnesses him assert with pride in Act One: 'I fetch my life and being / From men of royal siege, and my demerits / May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune / As this that I have reached'. These lines indicate that Othello's courageous military acts give him a social status comparable to royalty. It is also evidenced that others view Othello as a man of high esteem when a senator remarks in reference to Othello, "Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor"
It is also in the beginning of the play in which Iago, the villain character, is introduced. Iago shows in his first soliloquy that he understands Othello's weakness perfectly, "The Moor is of an open and free nature/ That thinks men honest but seem to be so." Crude, blunt language is used in the same soliloquy "As tenderly led by the nose/As asses are," illustrating the confidence Iago exudes in believing he will be able to manipulate Othello. Iago immediately demonstrates to the reader that he has uncovered Othello's fatal flaw, foreshadowing the inevitable catastrophe at the end of the play. This is accomplished also by the use of dramatic irony, where Othello says ""...my ancient; a man he is of honesty and trust. To this conveyance I assign my wife," This line allows the responder to realize Othello's tragic flaw through the irony of this line, which lies in the fact that Othello has placed his trust in a man who is plotting against him.
Dramatic irony is used all throughout the play, as it uncovers Iagos true intentions. The phrase "Honest Iago" was repeatedly used as a dramatic technique motif recurring all throughout the play. It is obvious that Othello trusts Iago extensively as he says during his first soliloquy "This fellow's of exceeding honesty / and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, / Of human dealings".
In addition, Othello has great pride and confidence with himself. He stated that "My parts, my title, and my perfect soul /Shall manifest me rightly" showing that he believes that his reputation, honor, and status will make him invincible to the criticisms of the noblemen. Othello thinks highly of himself, and he believes that other people will do the same. Due to his inability to read others accurately, Othello easily succumbs to the fellow of exceeding honesty who draws vivid images of Desdemona and Cassio.
It is especially disturbing to note that while Othello's mind of reason was fallible and subverted by Iago, his intuitive perceptions are always correct. From his unknown foreshadowing of the coming disaster "If it were now to die, 'twere now to be most happy," to him again unknown to himself, accidentally pointing out that Iago was lying "We say lie on her, when they belie her!". From these lines the audience understands that at any time, Othello can easily destroy the facade of lies that Iago is telling him by listening to his own intuition. The most striking line is when Othello says to Iago, at the end of the temptation scene, that "Now art thou my Lieutenant," unwittingly, he manages to fathom the hidden motive for Iago's trickery. Throughout the play, dramatic tension is preserved, irony displayed, and this makes Othello a brilliant piece of literature.
As the play progresses, Iagos hold on Othellos trusting nature only gets stronger. The readers see that Othello still preserves a piece of his nobility even as he degenerates declaring "She (Desdemona) must die, else she'll betray more men," displaying that the act of killing her was not purely because of jealousy, but on his morals as well. As a result, the audience is reminded that Othello is not simply a jealous husband, but a great general who has fallen.
In Act IV, Scene I, we see Othello fall into a trance after believing Iago's claim that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. "Lie on her? ...Zounds! ...Noses, ears, and lips? Is't possible? -Confess? -Handkerchief-O devil!" This is the point where Othello becomes irreversibly cast into his path unto the catastrophe. It is at this point that Shakespeare successfully fulfils the final obligation in the creation of tragedy: to captivate and impassion the audience in response to the actions of the tragic hero. Prior to Iago's manipulation we see Othello as a man worthy of respect. As the play unfolds and Othello becomes defenseless to his jealousy, the reader begins to detest Othello and his actions. The reader is especially affected by the contrast in his nature when he strikes his loving wife in public as a result of the passion of his misconceptions.
After the horrific murder of Desdemona, Othello comes to realize the horror of his doing and the audience is struck with feelings of pity and admiration for the antagonist. Othello, completely ripped apart by the discovery of Iago's plot, damns himself to hell out of guilt for his actions, "O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils, from the possession of the heavenly sight! Blow me about the winds! roast me in sulphur! ...O Desdemona, Desdemona Dead! O! O! O!" From the imagery of hell in Othello's speech, it is clear that the hero has reached his ultimate doom and the effects of his fatal flaw have taken their ultimate toll.
"Speak of one that loved not wisely, but too well, of one not easily jealous but, being wrought, perplexed in an extreme...." It is in this that Othello comes to the realization of the tragic flaw of his naivety and lack of wisdom that has led to the dreadful situation. As a characteristic of tragedy, the hero has reached this realization too late, creating an emotional impact on the reader.
Shakespeare's Othello is an effective tragedy, as it implements the conventions of a noble man dying because of his fatal flaw. The dramatic techniques are also well implemented, giving responders much emotional impact throughout the play, making it an effective tragedy.
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