Othello is one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. Othello is a fascinating play filled all
the elements we can imagine of a good television show today. There is a clear scandal,
someone trying to protect his empire, we see insight into a criminal mind and someone
even figures out how to get away with murder. The play littered with evidence of hubris
and hamartia which proves this to be a tragedy.
The idea of freewill or hubris is introduced at the very beginning, when Roderigo asked
Iago if he would follow Othello Iago responded with “O, sir, content you; I follow him to
serve my turn upon him: We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly
follow’d. You shall mark Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, That, doting on his
own obsequious bondage, Wears out his time, much like his master’s ass, For nought but
provender, and when he’s old, cashier’d: Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are
Who, trimm’d in forms and visages of duty, Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,
And, throwing but shows of service on their lords, Do well thrive by them and when they
have lined their coats Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; And such a
one do I profess myself. For, sir, It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Were I the Moor, I
would not be Iago: In following him, I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for
love and duty, But seeming so, for my peculiar end: For when my outward action doth
demonstrate The native act and figure of my heart In compliment extern, ’tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.” (scene
I act I lines 41 – 65) Through this statement we see the elements of hubris are ever present
in the character of Iago. He believed he was wrongfully overlooked in the decision-making
process to pick a lieutenant. Iago will not accept his destiny to be Othello’s ancient instead
he’s biding his time until he can create the prefect opportunity for him to exact his revenge
on the valiant general.
Iago’s first attempt to bring forth the downfall of Othello is alerting Brabantio of Othello
and Desdemona’s own act of hubris. “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is
tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise! Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the
