#4

     In every tragedy there is a hero.  What makes a tragedy a tragedy is the downfall of the hero.  The hero's downfall is not completely unforeseen, it is brought by a tragic flaw, haramatia, which the character and audience must learn from.  Othello is no exception to this rule.  Othello is a true hero, an honorable and confident man he is an ideal leader.  Othello, however is too trusting, this is flaw.  Othello constantly puts his confidence and trust in others.  This is seen clearly in Othello's relationship with Iago.  When Iago begins to plant doubts as to Desdemona and Cassio's relationship in Othello's mind, Othello responds with,
         "Othello: I think thou dost; And for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty And weigh'st thy words before
           thou giv'st them breath" (Shakespeare 125).
Here Othello immediately gives weight to the words Iago, a conniving and malicious man, speaks.  Othello makes the mistake of trusting a man who does not have his best interest at heart.  Again Othello's character flaw is seen in action with regard to the fidelity of his wife:
           "Othello: I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove" (Shakespeare 131).
Othello trusts his wife would never be unfaithful to him.  He does not believe that his wife would go behind his back and be dishonest.  Yet it is not impossible for Desdemona, Othello's wife, to do so.  In the past Desdemona betrayed her own father by going behind his back to marry Othello.  Since she is capable of this, she is also capable of  being adulterous.
         Othello's trust in others will definitely lead to his demise.  His trust will allow him to be manipulated by machinating men like Iago.  As he believes the best in all, and does not have the foresight to see the truth behind people he will be deceived and in the end pay a great price for it.