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Throughout time, the world’s population has been cursed with tragic flaws. For instance, in 2001: A Space Odyssey, programmers give the “gift” of truth to the supercomputer, HAL 9000, which causes the computer’s self-destruction when it cannot reveal certain aspects of his mission to Dave Bowman, forcing the computer to lie and destroy its logic circuits. Even seemingly well-to-do people have flaws. For example, Oedipus of Oedipus Rex denies his fate and as a result is cursed by the gods for his selfish pride. The idea of character flaws is so universal that many playwrights and authors have used them to gain mass appeal for their works. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, the title character’s flaws of naiveté, improper social status, and pride complicate his life and guide him to his downfall.

To begin with, Othello’s extreme gullibility allows others to manipulate him easily, ultimately leading him to his tragic downfall. First, Othello’s trusting mind leads him to believe in anything without question. For example, when Iago invents a story about Cassio and Desdemona’s adultery, Othello instantly believes him. His trust in the wicked man is so great that he cannot see past the obviously false information Iago’s story holds. As a further example, Dominic states that Othello is “one who will shoot first and ask questions later” (338). Dominic refers to the fact that Othello thinks little before he acts, instead relying solely on the thoughts and information of others to guide him. He is a very naive man. Next, because of his exploitable nature, others easily manipulate the Moor. For instance, according to Grace, Othello is too gullible to realize that Iago is manipulating him (83). Iago has an easy time convincing the Moor to follow his wishes. In another example, Iago notes that when Cassio laughs, Othello will go insane. Othello is so naive that he does not use his mind to think through the situation and realize that Cassio does not speak of Desdemona. Because Othello is so gullible, he allows Iago to manipulate his mind. Finally, Othello falls because Iago is able to deceive him so easily. For example, when Othello realizes, in his mind, that Desdemona has deceived him, he breaks out in madness and insanity (Matthews 568). The Moor falls because his flaws allow him to be caught in Iago’s trap. In the final example of Othello’s naiveté, the Moor murders his wife and, when he realizes that he has falsely accused her, commits suicide. This blood bath is a direct result of his naiveté; Iago’s ease of manipulating Othello causes the great war﷓hero’s downfall.

In addition to his other flaws, Othello’s non-aristocratic social status creates controversy among the Venetians and leads to the downfall of many. First, Othello’s status as a Moor causes others to believe that he will never be a true high﷓class man. In one analysis, Parrot explains that Othello is very unfamiliar with Desdemona’s culture and society (246). He is not on equal terms with his wife, a necessity for a successful marriage. In Grace’s interpretation, he tells his audience that “Iago scores a decisive point by insinuating that Othello really knows very little about Venice and Venetian women” (82). Othello admits, if only to himself, that he is not, nor will ever be, a high-class man. Secondly, Othello’s marriage to Desdemona causes other characters to become angry and grief-stricken at the idea of a Moor within their society. A prime example is Barbantio’s acceptance of Othello as a military genius but not as a Venetian nobleman (Dominic 339). As a general, a man not involved with civilian life, Othello is an acceptable deviation from the norm; however, when he enters the Venetian’s lives more deeply, the citizens back away in disgust. In a second analysis, Matthews claims that Barbantio treats Desdemona as if she were not his daughter after her marriage to Othello (565). Barbantio cannot allow the black poison that is Othello into his life, so he shuns everything that embodies the Moor, including Desdemona. Consequently, Othello’s attempt to merge with domestic society cause the downfall of many people. Matthews explains, speaking of Othello’s “mixed” marriage, that “Barbantio never does reconcile himself to the match, the grief of which kills him” (565). Barbantio refuses to accept a Moor into his household; overcome by pain and grief, he chooses to leave this cruel world. Dominic holds a different view, one that states, “Othello’s motives run deeper, that Othello killed Desdemona because she violated the mores of Venetian society by marrying a Moor” (339). Dominic believes that it is Desdemona, not Othello, who causes her own death; Othello kills his wife for her wrongdoing.

Along with his naiveté and non-aristocratic status, Othello’s excessive pride causes jealousy and prompts him to conceal it, leading to his downfall. First, Othello’s most severe character flaw proves to be his ever-flowing pride. After misinterpreting Cassio’s actions with the handkerchief, Othello cries out to Iago, “How shall I murder him, Iago?” (4.1.162) Othello’s pride boils up inside him, and the only way to chill it is revenge. Also, Othello presents his pride when Iago warns him of jealousy, asking why Iago would “Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy . . . No, to be once in doubt . . .” (3.3.178-182). The Moor calmly tells Iago not to doubt him; he will not lead a life of jealousy and envy. However, Othello cannot hide the obvious fact that he only says these words to conceal his jealous pride. Next, Othello’s pride causes him to become jealous of others’ actions and drives him to conceal it. In one example, Elliot argues that Othello’s pride is the root of his jealous actions and prompts him to hide it (524). The Moor’s pride insists that no one must conquer him; he must triumph over all others. Othello realizes that his jealousy is a flaw, and that others will severely criticize him for it, so he hides it deep in his black soul. Elliot also argues that Othello’s pride taints his love, blackening it like the color of his skin (524). Because of this, Othello can never truly love his wife with all his heart, for he cannot stop loving himself. Finally, Othello’s excessive pride destroys itself, allowing him and his wife to be equal, through the cruel, misguided murder of the doomed Desdemona. In one analysis, the author explains that Othello’s marriage is “mixed”; however, through the death of his pride, husband and wife are re-united as equals (Elliot 524). When Othello murders Desdemona, he murders his own pride, allowing him to love her with his whole heart, as an equal. In further analysis, Elliot concludes that the justice of love destroys Othello’s pride:

His wrong pride—not his right self-esteem—is as entirely destroyed as the murderer, i.e. himself, whom the justice of love, far more than earthly justice (though this too is a motive) requires him to execute. (524)

Thus, Othello’s unforgiving flaws ruin him. Naiveté, pride, and improper social status complicate his tragic life and, eventually, cause his shameful death. Clearly, if mankind cannot recognize its personal flaws and repair them, then it is doomed to repeat this terrible tragedy for all eternity.

Elliot, G.R. “Othello.” Shakespearean Criticism. 1987 ed.

Grace, William J. Shakespeare’s Othello. New York: Monarch Press, 1964.

Matthews, G.M. “Othello.” Shakespearean Criticism. 1987 ed.

Parrot, Thomas Marc. “Othello.” Collier’s Encyclopedia. 1989 ed.

Shakespeare, William. Othello. Ed. Jane Coles. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998.