A.C Bradley presented an analysis of Othello as 'the most romantic figure among Shakespeare's heroes...(he) does not belong to our world'. To what extent do you agree with this view? Comment on Shakespeare's dramatic methods.

Introduction - Establish an opinion on the quotes/ Establish the two key sides of the argument. In this case the presentation of Othello as a figure who conforms to the classical Aristotle form of tragedy (the fall from grace of a man "not eminently good or just") AND the romanticisation of Othello (how his destiny is manipulated by the fates and he is a good man who has fallen victim to tragic circumstances). Paragraph 1 - Othello is romanticised. Supporting this is the heavy presence of the fates and predestination as is common in classical tragedy. This is clear in scenes such as the vow made by the stars, Othello's beliefs regarding the handkerchief also support this and the foreshadowing such as Emilia's song to Desdemona. One of the dramatic methods Shakespeare employs to make Othello feel like a helpless victim is dramatic irony as it removes a sense of agency from the audience and the characters. Paragraph 2 - Othello is just a man. The presence of his jealousy throughout "the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on" (Close analysis of the word 'meat' in this quote is also relevant.)is the most obvious supporting factor here. Othello's supposed inability to survive in the 'sophisticated' environment of Venice also makes him feel more human, he is not someone that does not belong in our world but simply someone who does not belong in Venice. Shakespeare uses recurring imagery of Othello as an animal ("black ram", "beast with two backs").Paragraph 3 - Othello's status as a classical tragic hero by the standard of Aristotle. Hubris is an inherently human fatal flaw and its presence here supports that Othello's flaws were the leading cause of his downfall. Another classical tragic element is the present of the moment of realisation or 'anagnorisis'. This is commonly the realisation of the hero's own nature and Othello is no exception. Conclusion - Othello is not an entirely romantic figure and there are many elements that firmly ground him as a man who belongs in our world. His downfall may not be the contemporary tragedy of the 'everyday man' but it is a tragedy entirely provoked by human vices.