More than these, I think Lear is motivated by his idea that he is a good man. One thing that supports is when Kent says “I’ll tell thee thou dost evil,” (Act I, Scene I, Line 175) and Shakespeare writes the king as reacting in a frenzy, going so far as to say “This moment is thy death,” (Act I, Scene I, Line 190). By portraying the king in this way, Shakespeare causes us to judge him as unstable and mental. While his actions thus far have been rash, him reacting in this way, and him banishing his daughter saying, “Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood,” (Act I, Scene I, Lines 117-118). From these thing, it is made clear that Lear is not only rash and insecure but also thoughtless and stupid.
As Othello’s love for Iago grew stronger, his love for Desdemona began to fade. In Othello’s case, he was blinded by love. In Act V, Scene ii of the play, Othello has believed all of Iago’s lies, placing full trust in him and ready to end Desdemona’s life. He says to her: “Then you must speak Of one who loved not wisely, but too well Of one not easily jealous but, being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme; of whose hand, Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away. Richer than all his tribe.” Othello believes that Desdemona too much and was blind to her “unfaithfulness”.
In William Shakespeare’s play, King Lear, Lear’s initial division of his empire between his two selfish daughters, and the banishment of his loyal daughter, cause a rupture in the Chain of Being. Even after abdicating his power, Lear still pretentiously commands others in an authoritarian and kingly way. As the plot progresses, the deterioration of his mind parallels the degeneration of his kingdom. However, Lear still finds wisdom in his madness because he is humbled and reduced to his natural state, unmodified by his superficial regality. After he abdicates his power, Lear still acts authoritarian and kingly, despite having no real power.
Iago, who is known as the Machiavellian villain perpetuates the tragedy by bringing forward a hamartia or a fatal flaw from Othello. As soon as the play begins, Shakespeare used dramatic irony to illustrate Othello’s view of Iago as an honest and trustworthy man through his repeated description of “honest Iago” and “a man of exceeding honesty” to the audience. Of course that is not the case, the audience views Iago to be “Janus-faced” and deceptive through his constant declaration of “I am not what I am” and how he “hates the moor”. This juxtaposition is created so that the audience can empathise with Othello. I know I can definitely empathise with him.
“To be or not to be, that is the question; whether’ tis nobler in the mind to suffer...” (Shakespeare Act 3, Scene 1). This quotation proves Hamlet becomes inferior to others and the environment through his madness, causing him to express himself explicitly towards others. Hamlet’s madness not only causes his loved ones lives but it allows his “end” to come because he accepts every challenge from his opponent. Hamlet’s madness not only affects him but Ophelia, who is mentally torn apart by Hamlet. Ophelia was once flawless, but since her encounter with Hamlet she has fallen into the same madness and wants to kill herself.
Desdemona is Othello’s wife who he is madly in love with and Iago preys upon Othello’s jealous personality and trusting nature to convince Othello of his wife’s infidelity resulting in the ultimate downfall of Othello – death. Othello’s downfall is caused by his own weakness due to his trusting nature and willingness to believe anything he is told. Early in the play, it becomes evident that Othello is blind to Iago’s evil when Iago says “I am not what I am” (I.i,65). This statement foreshadows Othello’s downfall as it is his trust in Iago, which causes it. Othello believes Iago’s lies and always listens to his advice throughout the play.
With this comparison comes the first accentuated fault. Although Lear and Gloucester are both deceived by lies, it is easier for the reader to comprehend why Gloucester is deceived. Lear's pompous attitude leaves him susceptible and perhaps deserving of such deception. He commands his daughters to profess their love for him. In the case of Regan and
To what Extent is King Lear a Tragic Hero? Aristotle said that tragedy is characterised by seriousness and dignity and involving a great person who experiences a reversal of fortune. Aristotle’s definition can include a change of fortune from bad to good, but he says that the change from good to bad is preferable because this affects pity and fear within the audience. Tragedy results in catharsis (emotional cleansing) or healing for the audience through their experience of these emotions in response to the suffering of the characters in the drama/play. According to Aristotle a tragic hero must be a noble person and also hold a “high” status in society.
The audience is caused to fear Othello's transformation into the ''green-eyed'' monster, then pity him when he claims his title in blood. The most significant flaw that Othello possesses is jealousy, however, he was not moved to it immediately. “She has deceived her father and may thee.” Iago says to him in Act 1, Scene 3. This was an attempt to convince Othello that Desdemona has or could commit adultery since she has already proved to be capable of going against her father's will with their marriage. However, Othello informs Iago that he is not a jealous man.
Cordelia takes on this role by unconditionally loving her father and furthermore forgiving Lear for banishing her, which is seen when she says “No cause, no cause.” (4.7). Edgar takes on a similar role by forgiving his father for going against him when he was tricked by Edmund and taking care of Gloucester in his blindness at the end of the play. The other characters, however, give into temptation and sin more frequently. Pride, for example, is a prominent sin that affects many characters, Lear being a prime example. Lear's pride keeps him from listening to the advice of Kent, the king's most loyal follower, after he banishes Cordelia and admitting he may have been wrong.