Internet Assignment for Mrs Mori and Ms Sims

Name_______________________________

 

OKONKWO and OTHELLO as Tragic Heroes

Definition of a tragic hero:

"A man of some social standing and personal reputation, but sufficiently like ourselves in terms of weaknesses that we feel fear and pity when a tragic flaw, rather than a vice, causes his downfall."

or

In a classic tragedy, we see a noble and a heroic protagonist whose destruction is caused by a flaw in his character. This flaw can cause him to become involved in circumstances which overpower him or make him unable to deal with a destructive situation caused by another character or by circumstances and which illicit pity and fear in the audience. Although the play ends with the tragic hero’s death, he does experience an insight or awareness which makes him &emdash; and the audience &emdash; more perceptive and aware.

  •  
    •
    1. Go to: http://www.shakespeare.com/qandr/lazy/3.15.97/messages/681.html and find the e-mail BRUSH UP ON YOUR ARISTOTLE.
    2. The first writer thinks that OTHELLO cannot be a tragic hero because his downfall comes from Iago, an outside influence, and not from a flaw in his character. Why does the second writer believe that OTHELLO does fit the definition of a classic tragic hero in paragraph two?

       

    3. After reading these two opinions, do you think Othello qualifies as a tragic hero? Explain.

     

     

     

     

    1. Go to: http://landow.stg.brown.edu/post/nigeria/women.html and find June Chun’s article entitled:The Role of Women in Things Fall Apart.
    2. According to June Chun, Okonkwo is a tragic hero. What does she say is his tragic flaw?

       

    3. What happened to Okonkwo as a child to contribute to his tragic flaw?

       

    4. What dissatisfaction does Okonkwo have about his son, Nwoye, and how does this also relate to his tragic flaw?

       

    5. Do you think Okonkwo qualifies as a tragic hero? Explain.

     

    Back to L. Mori's Links

    Back to English

    Back to Home

    Designed by Computer Strategies, LLC for Albany High School - October, 1999 for their Digital High School grant (CTAP-California Technology Assistance Project)