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Comparing Othello And Things Fall Apart

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Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe both tell about men of status that lose all power as a result of their actions. Othello and Okonkwo fall into the general category of tragic hero, with each having a tragic flaw and a downfall. Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero is that the hero must have a tragic flaw, a downfall resulting from the flaw, and recognition that their flaw is the cause of the fall. Othello has all traits of Aristotle’s tragic hero, while Okonkwo lacks recognition. Both Othello and Okonkwo exemplify characteristics of Aristotle’s tragic, conveying a common theme while expressing individual themes. Things Fall Apart and Othello, the Moor of Venice share the theme that …show more content…

Okonkwo has a tragic flaw, dark downfall, but does not recognize his flaw as the cause of his downfall. This conveys the theme that one’s insecurity will lead to their demise, regardless of their intent. First, Okonkwo’s flaw is his insecurity rooted in his need for masculinity. Okonkwo fears the idea that “he should be found to resemble his father” and was a “man of action, a man of war. Unlike his father he could stand the look of blood” (13, 10). Given how Okonkwo’s father was a man of no wealth or status, he was seen as feminine. Refusing to resemble his father, Okonkwo becomes a strong, masculine man. Additionally, Okonkwo’s downfall was the result of multiple events that threaten his masculinity. Okonkwo’s first major offense was killing Ikemefuna out of fear of weakness despite being told to “not bear a hand in his death” (57). Additionally, the crime that forced Okonkwo into exile is when his “gun had exploded and a piece of iron had pierced the boy’s heart” (124). Furthermore, Okonkwo’s need for power causes him to kill a messenger as his “machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body” (204). As a result of his need to appear masculine, Okonkwo makes one foolish decision after another that culminate to his downfall. His refusal to not kill Ikemefuna was done out of fear of seeming weak, his crime that sent him to exile was deemed …show more content…

As Othello trusts the words of his ancient Iago, he becomes vulnerable to manipulation and abuse. His ancient uses Othello’s trust to drive him mad with jealousy, resulting in Othello’s downfall. Othello, after losing all power he once had, recognizes that he is the one to blame for his downfall and commits suicide. Okonkwo, on the other hand, is driven by his masculinity into impulsive decisions. As his life begins to unravel at his hands, Okonkwo commits suicide without realizing that he is the cause of his downfall. Both Okonkwo and Othello display characteristics of Aristotle’s tragic hero, conveying the theme that insecurity will bring upon disaster, while having their own themes resulting from their differences. Okonkwo’s tragic flaw and downfall without any recognition conveys the theme that one’s insecurity will lead to their demise regardless of their intent. Othello’s characterization as a tragic hero conveys the theme one’s trust can be manipulated into jealousy that can destroy any

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