'Othello is too stupid to be considered a tragic hero' - Leavis. Why are we studying this play then?

Leavis is quoted describing the character of Othello as ‘stupid’ and this is often used by students to disregard Othello as being a valid text to study. However, the theme of ‘stupidity’ in the play is relatively prominent, mainly brought to the fore most directly through Othello’s own condemnation of himself. ‘Rude am I in my speech’ demonstrates Othello’s own view that he believes himself to be less able in eloquence of speech than others. However, when describing the matters of peace he denies he has the capacity to do, he is in fact incredibly eloquent in his speech in describing why Desdemona loves him as demonstrated through Shakespeare's poetic format. This makes the audience wonder why it is that he condemned himself this way in such a public forum. It could be that because of the difference in skin colour and un-aristocratic background, he is led to believe that as he is the ‘other’ and has a different set of norms and conventions, he is ‘stupid’. Therefore, Shakespeare is using the audience’s perception of intelligence to make a point about the nature of the Tragic Hero to be self aware and thus Shakespeare makes a potentially political point and subvert the reader’s perception.