The modern understanding of tragedy is different from the past's understanding of tragedy, and it will be different from the future's interpretation of tragedy. Tragedy is developed as contemporary culture and its ideals are developed. Tragedy was originally defined by Aristotle's Poetics, the quintessence of which is maintained in tragedies today. Othello fits into the modern understanding of tragedy because: Othello is the result of Othello trying to evaluate himself rightfully; Othello is a character that the audience can relate to and who is destroyed by his dignity; Othello exploits the fear of being separated from our own chosen image in society; by paying tribute to the drive for freedom and for revolution; and for the balance of impossibilities and possibilities which is created. However, Othello sustains the idea of Aristotle that the `tragic flaw' is a weakness in the character; and the tragedy of Othello is to...