Tragic Heroism in Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Othello In tragedy the reader often sympathizes and empathizes with the protagonist who achieves "wisdom through suffering" . Tess Durbeyfield, in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Othello, in William Shakespeare's Othello are protagonists who arouse the reader's sympathy as they suffer, act and triumph over their antagonists, who are embodied by Alec D'Urberville's characters , the rich defiler of Tess, and Iago, the amoral lieutenant of Othello. In both works the protagonists succumb to the pernicious influences of revenge, instigated by their antagonists and cause the death of the protagonists. Such tragedy in the protagonists' stories allows the reader to experience catharsis and realize the tragic heroism of Tess Durbeyfield and Othello. Tess Durbeyfield, an innocent milkmaid with an "innocent instinct towards self-pleasure", shows her character in her persistent devotion to Angel Clare. , her husband. Her suffering is evident in her contamination by Alec D'Urberville, a wealthy aristocrat, and in her separation from her husband. In the "First Phase" Tess is physically exploited by D'Urberville who recognizes her innocence and vulnerability. Later, in "Phase Three", she falls deeply in love with Angel Clare, a wealthy farmer. Tess soon drives Angel away by revealing her previous encounter with D'Urberville. Othello is an outsider and a soldier who "loved not wisely but too well." His noble character is evident in his overwhelming loyalty to his wife Desdemona: "My life depends on her faith", and the reader immediately realizes the strong relationship between Othello and his wife. However, he is manipulated by Iago, his amoral lieutenant, and Othello's reality regarding his wife is distorted by Iago, who skillfully uses rhetoric to persuade him that his wife is disloyal. Iago informs the reader of Othello's transformation: "This might do something. The Moor already changes with my poison." Ultimately, Othello is driven to kill his wife because of Iago's deception: "Give me poison, Iago, this night. I will not remonstrate with her, lest her body and beauty supply my mind again. This night, Iago! "At the conclusion of each work the protagonist comes to the realization of his actions and takes responsibility for the consequences. In the novel, Tess realizes how D'Urberville abuses her and the importance of Angel Clare, her husband, and so she kills D'Urberville and begs Clare to accept her back into her life: "I could no longer bear your loss - you don't know how much I couldn't bear your not loving me!" Tess accepts the consequences of her actions and accepts her execution: "it was as it should be.