Othello (3)

"As I am an honest man, I though you had received some bodily wound.  There is more sense in that than in reputation.  Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving." II.iii.244-247

I have found quite a bit of irony in this play.  This quote above is a perfect example of irony.  Iago is telling Cassio that is an honest man, which the audience knows is not true.  The irony of the situation is that Cassio believes that Iago is honest.  Multiple times thoughout the play, the other characters refer to Iago as an honest man.  Iago is the farthest thing from honest; he is a lying, scheming, and deceitful man.  Iago is only interested in himself and advancing his career.  I also found it ironic that Iago hated Othello because there was a rumor that Othello slept with his wife, but Iago did not even love or respect his wife.

Othello (2)

#4  How is dramatic suspense created?  Contrast the amount of information possessed by the audience as the play proceeds with the knowledge that various individual characters have:  what is the effect of such a contrast?

"Touch me not so near. / I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth / Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio. / Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth / Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, General." II.i.199-203

Shakespeare does a good job of creating dramatic suspense in Othello by plotting the characters against each other. Iago's actions create the most suspense because he manipulates everyone else. In the Act II, Iago manipulates Montano, Cassio, and Othello all at the same time.  Iago gets Cassio drunk so he will be easy to provoke.  Then,  Iago makes Montano believe that Cassio is a drunk and convinces Othello that he is loyal to both Cassio and Othello, even though he is not.  The audience knows Iago's plan, but the other characters each have different ideas about Iago. Each character thinks Iago is being truthful and honest to them, while he is in fact deceiving each one of them. The audience, on the other hand, knows the truth about Iago.

Othello (1)

# 3 Identify the protagonist(s) and antagonist(s).  Are there any foil characters?  What dramatic functions are served by the various minor characters? 

"The Moor is of a free and open nature / That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, / And will as tenderly be led by th' nose / As asses are. / I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light."  I.iii.379-384

 In Act I of Othello, it was clear that Iago is the antagonist and Othello is the protagonist.  The play begins with Iago making a plan for revenge.  Iago has the characteristics of an antagonist because he is deceiving and manipulative.  Othello is the protagonist because he is a respected general and he handles himself calmly.  When he was accused of tricking Desdemona into marring him, Othello remained calm and was very civil.  The except above illustrates Iago plotting against Othello.

There are also foil characters in Othello.  Iago and Cassio are foil characters, as are Desdemona and Emilia.  Iago and Cassio have very different views on how to treat women.  Iago does not respect women at all and thinks they should make a home and raise children.  Cassio, on the other hand, respects women and treats them kindly.  He greeted the women with a kiss and showed them respect.  Desdemona and Emilia are also foil characters, which is evident through their actions.  Desdemona is determined, defensive, and not afraid to stand up for herself.  In contrast, Emilia is soft-spoken and does not stand up for herself - she lets Iago put her down.  In addition to these characters, there are other minor characters that help shed light on the actions of Iago and Othello.