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 main character, Othello, through his actions and the outcome of the play portrays all of thes