Othello: Truly the "noble Moor"

For obvious reasons, the nearly paradoxical coupling of Othello's deeply noble nature and the murder of his beloved wife have been a dynamic topic of scholar's and critic's conversation for many years. Some believe that it is not possible for a human being to commit murder and also have a truly noble character. Leavis believes that Othello is egotistical and self-involved, and in no way noble. Yet Bradley, the most distinguished of the critics of Othello, understands that Othello is quintessentially noble and is still able to maintain this nobility after Desdemona's death. In spite of…