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In this writing assignment, you are to analyze William Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, in terms of its heroic character and plot by applying dramatic criteria described by the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, in Poetics, considered the first book of literary criticism.

In Poetics, Aristotle contends that tragic heroes posses a flaw that causes their downfall. This flaw is called Hamartia. Please discuss what you regard as Othello's flaw.

Aristotle also describes four qualities most often found in the tragic hero. Please discuss the character of Othello in terms of this description. Explain, that is, what makes him: 1) a sympathetic character; 2) realistic enough to be relevant to audiences; 3) singular in purpose; and, 4) appropriate in behavior to his station in life.

Additionally, Aristotle describes aspects of the tragic plot: peripety, anagnorisis and catastrophe. Please first define what each term means and then discuss at what point and why/how each occurs in Othello. If you think that Othello does not experience anadnorisis, explain why.

define and explain Hamartia last.