Compare and Contrast Willy Loman and Othello
If there was a completely perfect, virtuous hero with no flaws, there would be no sense of enjoyment at watching horrible events afflicts this perfect person? Conversely, if the individual had too many flaws, vices, and moral depravity, it would not be a tragedy; it would simply have been seen as his getting what was coming to him, karma, if you will. Although Othello and Willie Loman can be said to fall within the definition of a tragic hero, each represents a very different interpretation of the concept. Othello, the tragic hero of Shakespeare’s play by that name, is an even more sympathetic character. Othello’s tragedy is orchestrated entirely by the scheming, malevolent Iago. Iago, having very little motive, creates a web of deceit by convincing Othello that his new bride, Desdemona, is unfaithful. “Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof. Look at your wife; observe her well with Cassio, Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure” (Act III, Scene III, Lines 196-198, Othello). Othello’s jealously eventually causes him to murder Desdemona by smothering her. One could argue that Othello isn’t truly a tragic hero. After all, what fatal flaw does Othello have? Aren’t all of his actions simply the result of the malicious intent of another? This cannot be true, for, if so, Othello would not be the classic it is today. An audience does not want to watch a totally innocent person randomly punished. Rather, an audience can be comforted even as they are struck with sympathy for Othello, consoling themselves by thinking that if they were in his place, they would most certainly act differently. Perhaps, for example, they would not have let their rage and jealousy, two fatal flaws which can easily be attributed to Othello, prevent them from allowing Desdemona to plead her case and prove her honesty. An