Othello’s Heroism :: Othello essays

Othellos Heroism Shakespeares tragedy Othello treats the audience to considerable millism, not only from the hero and heroine but also from unexpected pillow slips. Kenneth Muir, in the Introduction to William Shakespeare Othello, explains how the consensus of the characters in the drama testify to the heroism of the general The testimony of all the main characters in the count is decisive. Brabantio loved him Lodovico speaks of him as the noble Moor once so good Cassio, who has good cause to hate him, addresses him as Dear General and speaks his epitaph he was corking of heart. The Duke declares that he is more fair than black. Montano is delighted to hear of Othellos appointment as Governor. But the most significant testimony to Othellos character comes from the one man who hates him. Iago confesses that the state Cannot with safety cast him because Another of his fathom they have none. (29) A characters attitude toward the most fearsome foe death itself is unquestiona bly a criterion for judging a heroic type from a non-heroic type. Helen Gardner in Othello A Tragedy of Beauty and heap considers Iagos wife Emilia to be a true hero of the play because of her fearless outlook on death itself Emilias keep mum while her mistress lived is fully explicable in terms of her character. She shares with her husband the generalizing trick and is well used to domestic scenes. The wishful, she knows, are not ever jealous for the cause But jealous for they are jealous. If it was not the handkerchief it would be some subject else. Why disobey her husband and risk his fury? It would not do every good. This is what men are like. But Desdemona dead sweeps away all such generalities and all caution. At this sight, Emilia though the world is a huge thing finds that in that respect is a thing she will not do for it. By her heroic disregard for death she gives the only proof there can be of Desdemonas innocence the testimony of faith. (145) At the outset of t he play Iago persuades the rejected suitor of Desdemona, Roderigo, to accompany him to the home of Brabantio, Desdemonas father, in the middle of the night. Once there the two awaken the senator with loud shouts about his daughters elopement with Othello.