Othello Acts 4 5

Personal- One of the themes of Othello is jealousy. I think that this play was written to show how jealousy plays out when acted upon. It is classified as a tragedy because of the many deaths which occur at the end. While in real life, jealousy can end your life, most of the time it just ends friendships and relationships. When we allow jealousy to consume us, like it did Iago, we suffer the consequences as well as those people we seek revenge against. He is alienated from his wife, he takes advantage of his friend, and lies to his boss. But, finally his plan backfires on him. He incurs a punishment, although it is too light for how many deaths he caused.

Othello Acts 4 5

Question #4- Dramatic suspense is created through dramatic irony. The audience obviously knows Iago's plan and how he is deceiving everyone, but the characters do not. Someone posed the question of "How haven't the other characters figured out his plan yet?" I think the main reason for this is because of their lack of knowledge between the audience and the characters creates the effect that the characters' must be blind to Iago's tru nature. However, he has never given them reason to doubt before. If anything, he has made himself seem more reliable by telling Othello the "truth" about Cassio and Desdemona. And this ignorance is what makes the play a tragedy.

Othello Acts 4 5

Question #2- The play "Othello" is a Shakespearean tragedy. It also has romantic undertones, especially in regard to Othello's love for Desdemona. The classification of the play is very important to understanding it. "Othello" is different from most Shakesperean tragedies because all of the characters are still alive in Act 4. Because the audience knows that it is going to end in tragedy, suspense is created. What characters will die and who will prevail are questions which come to mind. Also, the audience knows that the title character, Othello, will die, but the numerous other deaths are not as expected. Not many of the characters who lived even wound up with a happy outcome.

Othello Acts 1 2 3

Personal- Iago reveals his own characterization through his thoughts and actions. As with most Shakespeare, my favorite character is the one who brings about all the trouble. He is unbelievably smart and canniving. What makes this play interesting are the ploys he comes up with and his ability to deceive everyone. As an audience, we like to think that we would not fall for such obvious betrayal, but it has happened to everyone. His chameleon personality allows him to blend in with the intelligent and dumb alike. Such a unique characters adds importance to the story. One lesson is teaches is to watch your back. The person you may think is going to be there for you may actually be the one troubling you. Through this play, Shakespeare inspires serious themes through interesting characters and story lines.

Othello Acts 1 2 3

#4- Dramatic suspense is created through the drawing out of the action. We are usually told a vague summary of Iago's plans, but we do not know how it will play out. Also, as each issue arises, more tension grows between the characters. Contrasting the audience's knowledge against the characters', there is a great difference. We know that Iago is fooling everyone and only out for himself. Roderigo thinks his main goal is to help him win Desdemona's love. Othello and Cassio think he is a great asset to their war efforts. The audience's knowledge of Iago's true plans creates an even more suspenseful effect because we know the dangerous web that the characters are being caught in.

Othello Acts 1 2 3

#3- Othello is the protagonist and Iago is the antagonist. Brabantio and Othello are foiil characters because they have differing views of Desdemona. Brabantio feels his daughter has betrayed him and Othello feels that he loves her because of her mind. These differing views help to enhance certain qualities of both characters. The minor characters such as the attendants serve to provide information. They reveal where the main characters are, why they are there, and where they are going. They do not really shed light onthe main characters' motives because they do that themselves. They do advance the plot however, because they inform the other characters. This happens when the first Senator announces the arrival of Brabantio and Othello to the counsil in Act 1, Scene 3. They, being the minor characters, hold the ideals of whoever they are with, such as Brabantio or Othello.