Othello

In another play by Shakespeare a tragic hero described himself as More sinned against then sinning. In your opinion could this also be true of Othello? In the Course of your answer: - Explain clearly in what way Othello might seem to be a victim - Comment on what the play suggests about Shakespeare s view of tragedy. More sinned against than sinning is an interesting term that leads of the blame from oneself onto another person or circumstances one experiences, rather than accepting the consequences of ones deeds. This in my opinion is quite cowardy and therefore I think it is against Othello s nature, who s brave and a soldier, to ever say something like this. Yet maybe it is true in a way, because there are many factors that lead to his downfall that are not his fault and which work on him without him being able to influence him. Othello was a soldier since he was seven years old and he never knew anything else then battle and the company of man. This experiences are a fatal factor toward his downfall, because he instead of talking to Desdemona about the accuse that she s having an affair, trusts in Iago, a fellow soldier, who although more experienced with women never trusted them and doesn t speak well of them. They rise to play and go to bed to work, as he claims in Act 2 Scene 1 after their arrival on Cyprus. Othello who has only known the company of men gets nervous and doesn t know how to react when Iago gives him hints that Desdemona betrays him with his former Lieutenant. This poisonous jealousy with which Iago infects him through his lies and well organised stage coaching, when he for example manages to drive Othello crazy with rage and jealousy, when he talks with Cassio first about Desdemona and then changes the topic to Bianca, without Othello knowing. Othello is a noble man and he would never have committed a sin like this, but the forces that worked on him were just too strong. The true devil of the play in Iago, who drives Othello to a stage in which he can t believe anything but his poisonous lies and won t see any truth in other s words. He doesn t believe Desdemona in Act 4 Scene 2 when he confronts her with what she s supposed to have done and she insists on her innocent: O: Are you not a strumpet? D: No as I am a Christian! [] O: What, not a whore? D: No, as I shall be saved! O: Is it possible? D: O heaven, forgive us! He doesn t believe her and to some extend Desdemona too can be blamed for making him sin. She nagged him all the time to call for Cassio and talk to him. When he saw her talking with Cassio and she turns to him and asks him to call him back, he refuses at first. She could have left the matter at this point to ask him again later, but she insist on him telling her the exact time he s going to speak with his former Lieutenant. Why then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn; On Tuesday, noon or night; On Wednesday morn! I prithee name the name the time, but let it not Exceed three days ...