Othello

The stage directions at the beginning of the extract indicate the

entrance of Othello and Iago while Desdemona is still on stage
together with Cassio. The entrance of the two ch aracters establishes
an atmosphere of tension amongst the members of the audience,
who are al ready aware of Iagos plan to convince Othello of a love
aff air and make him observe Cassio pleading to Desdemon a. None of
the characters besides Iago are aw are of this plan so dramatic irony
is being established as well, since only the audience and Iago
himself are aware of the signifi cance of this setting, as it will
facilitate the prog ression of Iagos plan. It is clear that Iago realizes
the importance of this moment and begins to capitalize on it when,
after Cassio quickly exits out of shame and guilt, Iago remarks, Ha!
I like not that, in order to make Othello comment on the situation.
The audience thus marvels at Iag os guile and presence of mind
while at the same time begins to feel sorry for Othello as he is once
more ensnared in Iagos scheme. Furthermore, a strong sense of
anticipation is created within the audience as they now expect that
Othello will indubitably fall p rey to Iagos cunning. This feeling is
further accentuated when Othello asks Iago is the person who just
left Desdemona was Cassio, to which Iago replies, Cassio, my lord?
No, sure, I cannot think it, / That he would sneak away so guilty-like,
/ Seeing you coming. The audience he re cannot help but marvel at
Iagos masterful deception and the highly subtle manner in which he
seems to insinuate Cassios guilt, making his exit seem suspicious to
Othello, thus establishing the foundation upon which his plan shall
be constructed. The dramatic irony is rife in during this lines and
th roughout the extract as everything will seem to be playing out in
accordance with Iagos plan, and no one save Iago and the audience
will be aware of this fact.
Desdemon a then app roaches Othello and says that she has been
talking with a suitor, A man that languishes in your displeasure.
Firstly, what strikes the audience most is the use of the word suitor.
While it is often used to refer to an individual who pleads, it is
generally used to refer to a man seeking the attention and approval
of a woman. Thus the audience will be surprised at the usage of this
word which makes it seem almost as if Iago himself has written
Desdemon as lines. Upon being questioned by Othello, Desdemona
reveals that she is talking about Cassio, whom she believes should
be forgiven as he truly loves Othello, For if he be not one that truly
loves you, That errs in ignoran ce, and not in cunning, I have no
judgement in an honest face. Desdemonas innocence is highlighted
here which makes the audience marvel at her virtue while at the
same time feeling slightly app rehensive and sorry for her since it
almost seems unfair that her untainted natu re should be subject to
the baseless evil of Iag o. This is further accentuated when she says
that, [H]e left part of his grief with me/ To suff er with him. This line
also highlights the purity of and sympathy that Desdemona harbours
which further inclines the audience to like and sympathize with her.

Othello responds to Desdemonas requests by saying, Not now,

sweet Desdemon, some other time. This then makes the audience
wonder about the natu re of the relationship between the two and as
well as the extent to which Desdemona has power in the
relationship. What follows is an exchange between Desdemona and
Othello which serves to demonstrate just that. Desdemona asks
Othello when he will call Cassio to which Othello responds by
providing inconclusive answers, thus making the audience feel tense
as he seems to purposefully avoid answering Desdemona directly,
thus creating tension. Desdemona then launches into a long speech
highlighting why it is important that Othello forgives Cassio, which
again makes the audience feel towards her sympathetic as she is
doing almost exactly what Iagos plan demands of her while without
her knowing it. Furthermore, the audience begins to realize that
Desdemon a is a rather strong character as she is clearly unsatisfi ed
by Othellos attitude towards Cassio, thus showing that she does
indeed have a mind of her own and is not enti rely subservient to
Othello.
In order to convince him, she says, I wonder in my soul/ What you
would ask me that I should deny,/ Or stand so mammering on. This
line is particularly important as it reve als to the audience the deep
love that she harbours for Othello, a love that will make it impossible
for her to deny him any requests. This line makes the audience once
more feel very enamoured tow ards Desdemona while at the same
time makes the members of the audience think slightly negatively of
Othello and his love of Desdemona, since he is not very willing to
entertain her request. Desdemona then reminds Othello of how
Cassio helped Othello in his wooing of her. This information is news
to the audience and it paints the courtship between Othello and
Desdemon a in an entirely new light as it shows that Othello was
helped in his eff orts to win Desdemona. This makes him seem more
human to the audience while at the same time making members of
the audience slightly averse tow ards him as, according to
Desdemon a, he exacted an unnecessarily hard punishment on a very
close companion. This feeling is further accentuated when Othello
interrupts Desdemona in the middle of her speech by saying,
Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will; I will deny thee
nothing. This is a rather unsatisfactory and curt response to
Desdemon as long speech which was rife with emotion which further
makes the audience wonder as to what extent Othello considers
Desdemon as opinion in such matter important and benefi cial. It also
makes the audience re alize that it is Othello who holds much of the
power in the relationship.
To this Desdemona responds by saying that she is simply advising
Othello for his own good, further adding that, Wherein I mean to
tou ch your love indeed,/ It shall be full of poise and diffi cult weight,/
And fearful to be granted. This makes the audience realize that
Desdemon as strong support for Cassio stems from her desi re to
ensure Othellos wellbeing. It further highlights to the audience how
she, despite not having the power in the relationship, does have a

very strong character and is not at all very submissive. Othello

re sponds to this by saying, I will deny thee nothing./ Whereon, I do
beseech thee, grant me this,/ To leave me but a little to myself.
Once again the audience begins to feel that Othello is rather
dismissive of Desdemona and does not give her insights due
consideration. Desdemona responds to this request in a manner that
reveals to the audience her intelligence and wit. She says, Shall I
deny you? No. thus subtly implying that since she shall not deny
any request Othello makes of her, Othello should do the same.
All through this extract Iago is present on the stage and therefore
his presence acts as a constant reminder of the fact that the manner
in which is the scene is unfolding is setting the stage for Iago to
launch his plan. Thus his presence throughout the extract cre ates a
signifi cant amount of dramatic irony.