Othello as a Tragedy Othello, by William Shakespeare, was an example of tragedy due to the characteristics and outcome of the main character, Othello. There are five qualities that a story needs to maintain to be classified as a tragedy. It must consist of a noble hero and a man of high degree and public importance leaving his downfall to be brought about by a specific defect in his character or a tragic flaw. The hero should face opposition from an outside force, and then, the plot will need to have a reversal of fortune until the conclusion, where the hero comes to understand their error. The