Orson Welles in Othello and Citizen Kane

Welles's Definition of the Tragic Hero

As the audience stares at a film screen, it is almost always evident who is the tragic hero. Although obvious, the definition of the tragic hero has no fit stereotype. The Greeks insisted upon a rich, tragic hero with noble birth, while more recent playwrights argue that nobility and wealth does not matter. The only set definition of a tragic hero is in the eyes of creator. Orson Welles created a tragic hero in several of his films, including Othello and Citizen Kane. Although his description varies from others, it is evident that his remains the same throughout his films. Orson Welles defines the tragic hero as a man who has always had a difficult life yet, is a well-known, important figure in their setting who, although is tall and handsome, is two-sided, desperate for love and loses everything by his death. Welles' Othello and Kane are no exception.

Othello and Charles Foster Kane were both important and famous men in their day. Othello was a commander in the Venetian Army, an important role for a Moor. Othello was famous due to his military standing, and because he was able to obtain such a high ranking considering his ethnicity, he must be an outstanding official. He was also well known for his forbidden marriage to his beautiful wife. Kane was also infamous because of his vast wealth and his reputation as a newspaper tycoon. He owned several businesses such as grocery stores, apartments and coal mines, but he was most well known for the Enquirer, a newspaper that was often questioned for its credibility. Kane was constantly chased by the media and his life was always in the headlines. Yet Kane and Othello had to do a lot to become the important people they were.

Othello and Charles Foster Kane overcame various obstacles just as children. As a Moor, Othello had to grow up with racism around him, considering he had to deal with it throughout the play when he was criticized for marrying white Desdemona. Although Othello had less of a chance of succeeding, he was able to become a commander for the Venetian army and was able to marry fair white Desdemona. He had it all, like Charles Foster Kane. Kane grew up as a poor boy, until his mother found gold on her land. His strange parents wanted the best for him, so they sent Charles away to be raised by Thatcher, Kane's mother's banker. He had never had a positive relationship with Thatcher and never saw his parents again. Yet, he was able to grow from a poor boy, to a rich and thriving newspaper tycoon. Although he did not earn the money his parents gave him, he did more than live off of it, he invested the money and was constantly working on his newspaper and various other businesses. Both heroes thrived in their early lives until deceit ruined them.

Othello and Kane may have been able to live happier lives if a villain had not demolished their dreams. Othello was a powerful commander with a lovely wife, until the blasphemous Iago maneuvered his way into Othello's mind. Iago planted the seed of doubt into Othello, ruining Othello's perfect marriage with Desdemona. Not only did he lose his trust of everyone, he lost Desdemona. Othello killed her with his own hands, thinking she was a whore. Upon the realization of Desdemona's innocence, Othello lost faith in himself and he lost his own life moments later, when he killed himself. Kane did not kill himself or lose faith in himself, he, instead, lost the faith of millions of people. Charles had everything going for him. His newspaper business was successful, he was married the President's niece and was ridiculously rich. He ran for state governor and was almost guaranteed to win in the polls, until his opponent in running exposes his relationship with "singer," Susan Alexander. Kane loses the election, beginning the downward spiral of the rest of his life.

Both heroes appear to have at least two sides to them in Welles' films. Othello, at first, seems to be a nice, noble, young man. He is young and good-natured, with a bright future ahead of him. Othello is always kind to his wife and seems to be happy most of the time. He is handsome, tall, and merry throughout the beginning of the film. When Iago tells Othello of Desdemona's supposed love affair, Othello's appearance takes a turn for the worse. He is irritable and seems almost crazy. Othello even lies on the ground at one point, doing nothing, staring up at seagulls at a skewed angle. The camera also aims down on Welles, instead of up, making him look smaller and not as important. The last scene Othello is alive in, he is looked down upon from a great distance, making him look shriveled with little life to him. Throughout the film, Othello's face seems darker and darker and his good looks seem to fade. By the end of the film, Othello's face can hardly be seen against the billowing darkness when he kills himself, with his arms wrapped around his innocent Desdemona. Kane's image takes the same turn. Kane is a handsome young man in the beginning of the film. He has inherited millions and has nothing to lose. He is jolly and is almost always seen with a smile on his face or a witty remark sputtering from his mouth. When Kane returns from Europe, he is happy in appearance and has a mustache. The mustache may have been the first sign of his fall. His mustache makes him look older and more responsible. As Kane grows older, his skin becomes paler against his dark mustache and his appearance is flawless. His hair is always slicked back and Kane always wears a suit. In his old age, Kane never looks happy. He looks tired and sad, like he has nothing left to live for. When Susan leaves him, Kane hunched over