How Tragedy works in ‘Othello’
When you think of revenge, you might picture epic showdowns, twisted plots, and poetic justice. That’s basically the essence of Jacobean revenge tragedy, a dramatic genre that flourished in the early 17th century during the reign of James I. These plays weren’t just bloodbaths for their own sake—they were loaded with social critique, moral ambiguity, and a fascination with the darker corners of human desire. And while Shakespeare’s Othello isn’t a revenge tragedy in the strictest sense (it’s often also called a ‘tragedy of love’, it borrows heavily from its tropes and themes, making it a fascinating outlier.
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Iago: The Secret Revenger
Typically in a Jacobean Revenge tragedy, the tragic hero becomes a revenger - and we could argue that this happens with Othello, as he is consumed by a jealous rage and driven to murder. However, Iago also embodies the classic revenger role:
He believes he’s been wronged (passed over for promotion, possibly suspects infidelity).
He devises an intricate, manipulative plan, corrupting others and orchestrating downfall.
He plays the role of the Machiavellian schemer, hiding his true intentions behind layers of deception and revelling in manipulation and trickery.
He operates outside the bounds of law or morality, taking justice into his own hands.
His revenge causes widespread destruction, including his own wife’s death and Othello’s suicide.
Unlike many revenge plays, where the audience sympathises with the revenger's motives, Iago is intentionally opaque. We’re never quite sure what drives him, and that ambiguity makes him more terrifying. His revenge feels gratuitous, almost existential—a rebellion against order itself.
The Theme of Jealousy in Othello
Key Tropes in Othello That Echo Revenge Tragedy:
Deception and Disguise: Iago’s manipulation mirrors the plots and disguises in traditional revenge plays.
Corruption of the Innocent: Desdemona’s death is especially tragic because she’s entirely blameless—typical of revenge tragedies, where collateral damage is high.
Madness and Emotional Breakdown: Othello descends into a jealous frenzy, similar to other tragic revengers consumed by their obsessions.
Death as Moral Reckoning: The ending delivers a sense of bleak poetic justice, but not satisfaction—just like most Jacobean tragedies.
Why Othello is a Jacobean Revenge Tragedy
Revenge tragedies hold a mirror up to society’s darkest impulses—and Othello, with its blend of intimate betrayal and grand moral collapse, taps into the same cultural veins. Even without the ghosts and gore, it captures the essence of Jacobean anxiety: the idea that personal justice comes at a price, and that human passion—unbridled, unchecked—can be more terrifying than any supernatural force.
You might be interested: Othello and Tragedy (Genre Breakdown)
This 8-page digital + printable + PPT + worksheet revision resource covers everything you need to know about the Tragic genre of Othello! As a tragedy, the play follows strict rules and conventions - students who understand these conventions are able to analyse the text on a deeper level. Suitable for GCSE, iGCSE, and A Level students!
This digital + printable pdf document contains:
An Overview of Tragedy in Othello
How Othello fits within the Tragic Genre
Key Terms + How they relate to the play
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A breakdown of the story
Themes, context, critical ideas
Key quotations + analysis
Form, structure + language analysis
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