Greek Tragedy in Othello

Elements of Plot:

Exposition is everything the audience needs to know to understand the play.

Conflict is the clash of opposing forces.

Climax is the point at which events must turn in one direction or another (not necessarily the "high point").

Resolusion is whatever comes after the climax.

Greek tragedy in Othello

Peripeteia

When the plot seems to be going in one direction, and then it suddenly reverses to another direction.

In Act III Iago attempts to persuade Othello of Desdemona’s dishonesty. When Othello starts to become convinced it when peripeteia occurs. The course of the play is changed after this point when Othello’s rage, fueled by Iago’s deceptions, becomes the driving force in the events to follow.

Tragedy Dramas

Aspects of Tragedy

History of tragedy

In the tragedy, the tone is serious, the effect is to involve and strongly move the audience; and the outcome is disastrous for the protagonist and, often, also for those associated with him.

Tragedies generally consist in a tragic hero who either has a tragic flaw, hubris, or mishap of fate. Tragic heroes are generally characters of high reputation and they suffer a catastrophe that leads them to fall from their glory.

Tragic flaw and hubris are very similar terms and are flaws or limitations of the character that leads to their downfall.

Tragedy Dramas have become very important for people since its beginning in Ancient Greece.

They have influenced writers around the world some well known English tragedy writers are C. Marlowe who wrote "The Jew of Malta" W. Shakespeare author of "Othello", "Hamlet" and "Macbeth"; some well known tragedies that are used in many English classes today, John Webster author of "Titus Andronicus," Henrick Ibsen author of "A Doll’s House," and Arthur Miller author of "Death of a Salesman."

• Tragedy originally began in Ancient Greece.
• The first Greek tragedies were staged as a part of a festival known as the City Dionysia in the spring.
• The festival was in honor of Dionysus (Greek God of wine, fertility, and crops).
• Only Greek men at the time were allowed to attend to watch the plays, women were not allowed.

Othello

Definition

Tragedy shows the downfall of a noble hero or heroine, one who is tempted to do a deed. After the hero's fortunes eventually suffer a decline, it ends with their death or a change in fortune.

When he realizes that he has been wronged and that he killed his innocent wife, the audience may feel more pity for than hatred of him.

Catharsis:

the process of releasing strong emotions through a particular activity or experience, such as writing or theatre, in a way that helps to understand emotions.

Othello has multiple hamarthias: his jealousy, trust of Iago, pride, and love for Desdemona all lead to his downfall.

Hamartia:

Translated as “error”. Recognized now as a tragic flaw in the tragic hero of the work .

This hamartia usually involves the downfall of a hero that is entirely dependent on the flaw of the hero

After Othello has killed Desdemona, he discovers that he has been deceived by Iago, and that his wife truly was faithful.

Anagnorisis

It comes from the root "knowing back".

This is a change from ignorance toward an awareness-It can either be an awareness of love or hatred, but it is always a strong emotion.