DRAMATIC STRUCTURE – OTHELLO

INTRODUCTION

Othello is a tragic play by William Shakespeare, written around 1603. Set against the
backdrop of Venice and Cyprus, the play explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, racism, and
manipulation. The story revolves around Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army,
who is manipulated by his deceitful ensign, Iago, into believing that his wife, Desdemona, is
unfaithful. Consumed by jealousy and insecurity, Othello’s trust in Iago leads him down a
path of tragedy, highlighting the destructive power of unchecked emotions and the
vulnerabilities of trust and love.

Biography of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is widely regarded as one of the greatest

dramatists of all time and the most famous writer in English literature.

Over 20 years, Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays, including comedies such as

The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth
Night, and All’s Well That Ends Well; tragedies such as Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar,
Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear; romances such as The Winter’s Tale and The
Tempest; and histories such as The Tragedy of King Richard the Second.

DRAMATIC STRUCTURE:

Exposition:

The action began in a street in Venice, in Shakspeare's time the great commercial
republic of the western world. These opening lines really brought across vividly not only the
situation at the beginning of the story but also the different personalities of speakers, the
relationship between them, and the atmosphere of mystery and intrigue surrounding their
conversation.

In these lines, Iago was speaking to Roderigo about his frustration: "I know my price,
I am worth no worse a place." expressed Iago after he found out that Othello had promoted
Cassio to be his lieutenant. Here, Iago revealed his anger at being passed over for
promotion. He felt that his talents had not been recognized, and the sense of unrewarded
merit in Iago was one of the most important keys to the attitude that he turned further on. It
was here when Iago's personality was shown: bitter, and resentful. His jealousy and
wounded pride were the seeds of the tragedy to come.

This speech introduced the audience to Iago's motivations and identified him as the
antagonist of the play. Hadn't it been for the disappointment he felt to have been passed
over, he wouldn't have revealed his true personality to manipulate the other characters,
notably Othello, who awarded Michael Cassio with the rank that he coveted.

Discovery:

In this moment, Iago was speaking openly to Roderigo about his true feelings for
Othello: "I am not what I am” expressed Iago, showing us an inkling of his duplicity. While in
appearance, it would seem that he was serving Othello, in actuality, he did so only to betray
him later. Basically, it was saying that his outward appearance is like a mask, a disguise to
mislead those around him. This declaration turned him as a character who intentionally
rejected truth and morality and showed himself as the antagonist of the play.

The audience found out that Iago was actually thoroughly disloyal to Othello and that
his actions toward revenge were fully premeditated. The serving of Iago to Othello was just
a pretension, he was actually manipulating and taking advantage of him at the right
opportunity.

Here it is shown how deceit will be a major theme throughout the play. It is very
important because Iago's true intentions set up Iago as the manipulator who will be leading
not only Othello but nearly everyone in the play into deception.

Point of attack:

In Othello Act 1, Scene 1, lines 14–30, that moment established the themes of
betrayal and jealousy, which were central to the play. The point of attack centered on Iago's
manipulation and deceit to Roderigo. Iago revealed his resentment toward Othello and
expressed his intention to undermine him. Iago's dialogue highlighted his duplicity and set
the stage for the conflict. Iago began to plot against Othello and Desdemona. Morally
speaking, lago was selfish. He described Cassio as a great arithmetician and called him
"One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, fellow almost damned in a fair wife". He suggested that
Cassio was an inexperienced man, unfit for the responsibilities of a soldier. That event must
have been central to introduced the audience to Iago's character and his motivations and it
also created tension and foreshadowed the chaos to come.
Foreshadowing:

Throughout the play many events have happened but In act 1, Scene III, lines 290 to
292, an unexpected event occurred. Brabantio, Desdemona's father was mortified. He had
been betrayed by her daughter, who got married to Othello in secret. The idea to be
deceived by her daughter made him feel disappointed, so much so, he warned Othello that
if Desdemona could trick him, she could also trick Othello. This foreshadowed future
events. Later, in Act 3, Scene III, lines 90 to 92 Othello asked Desdemona and Emilia left
alone with Iago and they did it. Then, Othello told Iago that Desdemona was both his love
and his downfall. Iago seized that opportunity to plant doubts in Othello's mind. He
suggested that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio. That manipulation led Othello
to feel rage and jealousy. Brabantio’s earlier warning became crucial here, as it set the
stage for Othello’s growing mistrust. Iago used Brabantio’s words to convince Othello that
Desdemona was unfaithful, twisting the truth and playing on Othello’s insecurities. That
moment highlighted how trust could easily turn into suspicion and how deception could lead
to tragic consequences.

Complication:

In Act 2, Scene 1 (Arrival in Cyprus), the characters arrived in Cyprus, having

successfully escaped the storm that destroyed the Turkish fleet. The joyous reunion
between Othello and Desdemona was marked by the celebration of both their victory and
their marriage. However, amidst this moment of happiness, Iago began to weave his
intricate web of manipulation, observing Cassio’s courteous behavior toward Desdemona.
In a private conversation with Roderigo (Iago’s Manipulation Begins), Iago deceitfully
claimed that Desdemona was in love with Cassio, convincing Roderigo that provoking
Cassio would help him win Desdemona’s affections. This manipulation set the stage for
chaos, as Iago’s plan began to take shape.

Meanwhile, in Scene 2 (Othello’s Celebration), Othello made a brief proclamation,

announcing that Cyprus would celebrate both the military victory over the Turks and his
recent marriage. Although the atmosphere was charged with excitement, underlying
tensions simmered beneath the surface.

Later, in Scene 3 (Cassio’s Drunken Fight), Iago’s scheming reached its first major
climax. He encouraged Cassio to drink excessively, fully aware of Cassio’s low tolerance
for alcohol. This reckless indulgence led to a drunken brawl with Montano, provoked by
both Iago and Roderigo, resulting in a public disturbance that enraged Othello. In a fit of
rage, Othello stripped Cassio of his rank as lieutenant. Iago, pretending to comfort Cassio
after the fight (Iago’s “Help” to Cassio), cleverly advised him to seek Desdemona’s help in
regaining his position. This advice subtly planted the idea that Cassio’s interaction with
Desdemona could be misinterpreted as affection.

Climax:

Moving on to Act 3, Scene 1 (Cassio Seeks Desdemona’s Help), Cassio, unaware of

Iago’s hidden motives, sought Desdemona’s aid. He sent musicians to gain Othello’s favor
and asked Emilia to arrange a meeting with Desdemona. In Scene 3 (Desdemona Pleads
for Cassio), Desdemona earnestly pleaded with Othello to forgive Cassio. Although Othello
seemed receptive, Iago seized the opportunity to sow seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind.
After Desdemona left, Iago insinuated that her close relationship with Cassio was
suspicious, fueling Othello’s curiosity and jealousy (Iago’s Seeds of Doubt).

This insidious manipulation continued in Scene 4 when Desdemona accidentally

dropped the handkerchief that Othello had given her as a token of love (The Handkerchief
Incident). Emilia unknowingly found it, and Iago seized the moment, planning to use the
handkerchief as false evidence of an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. Iago
subsequently intensified Othello’s growing jealousy by falsely claiming to have seen Cassio
with the handkerchief, providing supposed evidence that drove Othello into a frenzy of
suspicion (Othello’s Jealousy Grows). Despite Othello’s demand for further proof, Iago’s
manipulation had already consumed Othello’s mind, setting in motion the tragic chain of
events that would lead to devastating consequences and his tragic flaw.

Character Reversal:

The events between the complication and the climax marked a profound change in
Othello's character, from a noble and self-confident leader to a man consumed by jealousy.
At the beginning of the play, Othello was presented as deeply in love with Desdemona and
secure in his sense of honor and duty. His character radiated heroic qualities such as
stability, authority, and affection for his wife, which made him appear heroic in both the
personal and public spheres. However, as Iago's manipulative plan progressed, Othello
began to unravel.
 At first, Othello trusted Desdemona and Cassio, but when Iago suggested a romance
between them, Othello's trust eroded and his jealousy took over. The turning point came
with the handkerchief, where the previously rational and serene Othello, now demanded
proof of Desdemona's infidelity. This marked the emergence of Othello's tragic flaw: his
excessive jealousy and quickness to doubt. This change from loving husband to distrustful,
insecure, and irrational man marked his tragic downfall, driven by Iago's deception.

By the time Othello demanded the handkerchief as proof, he had already undergone
a complete change of character. This tragic transformation set the stage for the play's final
catastrophe, as Othello's trusted in Iago rather than his wife led to his downfall. His heroic
figure crumbled under the weight of his tragic flaw, cementing his place as a tragic hero
consumed by internal conflict.

Denouement: The most important events of act 4 up to act 5.

Othello and Iago entered into conversation, during which Iago continued provoking
jealousy in Othello by claiming that Cassio possessed Desdemona’s handkerchief.
Because Othello firmly believed Iago’s words, Iago instructed him to hide and listen to
Cassio speaking about Desdemona.

As soon as Cassio entered, Iago asked him to retell his adventure with his mistress,
Bianca, and Cassio started laughing loudly, referring to her in a derogatory way. Not
satisfied with what he heard, Othello became mistakenly convinced that Cassio and
Desdemona were lovers.

Meanwhile, Bianca appeared, so disgusted that she threw the handkerchief in

Cassio’s face. There was nothing left to say; Othello recognized it and believed it to be
proof of Desdemona’s adultery. When Iago and Othello were alone, Othello decided that
Desdemona would die by poison; however, Iago suggested that he should strangle her
instead.

Then, Desdemona arrived with Ludovico, who had come from Venice with a
message from the Duke. Ludovico announced that Cassio had been appointed as the new
governor of Cyprus. Upon hearing the news, Desdemona expressed her happiness.
Nevertheless, Othello could not control his anger and treated her harshly, even slapping her
in front of Ludovico and others.
 Later, Roderigo complained about his unsuccessful attempts to win Desdemona’s
love and decided to give up. However, Iago cleverly influenced him to attempt killing
Cassio, and Roderigo agreed immediately. That night, Roderigo waited for Cassio as he
approached. Unfortunately for Roderigo, he failed to kill Cassio; instead, Cassio wounded
Roderigo, and Iago, seizing the moment, stabbed Cassio in the leg before fleeing.

Before taking a bath, Desdemona warned Emilia to leave her alone when Othello
arrived. Although Emilia did not understand the warning, she obeyed. During her bath,
Desdemona felt miserable about Othello’s treatment and began singing a song called
"Willow," which reminded her of a tale of lost love. She and Emilia discussed women who
deceived their husbands. After this conversation, Desdemona went to bed, and Emilia left
her.

Catastrophe:

After Desdemona’s demise, Othello returned home ready to murder Desdemona.

Before committing the act, he contemplated her beauty; however, at the same time, he
hated her for having been dishonest with him. He looked at her and kissed her three times.
Suddenly, Desdemona woke up, and Othello accused her of being a prostitute and of
cheating on him with Cassio, who possessed the handkerchief that Othello had given her
as a present. Without wasting time, Othello suffocated her, and finally, she was nearly
lifeless.

Crisis:

While Othello was poised to commit the horrific act against his wife, he was
unexpectedly interrupted by Emilia’s arrival. Her entrance shattered the silence, leaving
Othello momentarily frozen. Without any warning, she explained that Roderigo was dead
and Cassio was wounded. Yet, Emilia seemed not to notice that Othello had harmed his
mistress. Suddenly, Emilia heard Desdemona’s voice and desperately rushed toward her,
unaware of the horrors that had just unfolded.

Othello, consumed by jealousy, revealed that he had harmed Desdemona because

Iago had claimed that she and Cassio were lovers. At that moment, Iago stepped forward,
his expression tense, attempting to silence Emilia with a cold glare. But Emilia, driven by a
desperate need to speak the truth, stood her ground. She began to defend Desdemona's
innocence, pointing her finger at Iago and accusing him of being responsible for the entire
horrific situation. As the tension escalated, Othello tried to confront Iago, but before he
could act, Iago caught Emilia and, in a swift motion, killed her to keep her from revealing his
treachery. Consumed by despair and guilt, Othello took his own life, leaving a trail of
devastation behind him.

Falling action:

Iago had successfully manipulated Othello into believing that Desdemona had been
unfaithful. This deception was reinforced when Othello saw Bianca throwing the
handkerchief at Cassio. Later, Lodovico arrived with news from Venice, announcing that
Cassio would be the new governor of Cyprus; Desdemona expressed joy at the news, and
Othello, overcome with rage, struck her in front of Lodovico.

Meanwhile, Iago convinced Roderigo to assassinate Cassio. During the

confrontation, Roderigo was murdered by Iago, and Cassio was wounded. That night, a
heartbroken Desdemona, shared her sorrow with Emilia before going to bed. In their
conversation about infidelity, Desdemona insisted that she could never betray Othello, while
Emilia argued that some women did cheat, often influenced by their husbands’ faults. Emilia
questioned whether women did not share the same desires and vulnerabilities as men,
suggesting that mistreatment could lead to resentment.

The falling action of Othello unfolded with profound tragedy, in Desdemona’s

chamber, she lay peacefully asleep when Othello entered with a light. Filled with rage,
Othello accused her of infidelity, calling her a whore and claiming she had given Cassio the
handkerchief he had gifted her. Shocked, Desdemona defended herself, insisting she had
never betrayed him. She begged for mercy, pleading for her life and asking to be exiled
instead of being executed. She also requested to say a prayer, but Othello coldly
responded that it was too late. Ignoring her desperate appeals, he began to smother her
with a pillow.

Moments later, Emilia entered the room and found Desdemona's lifeless body on the
bed, this moment is charged with intense tension and suspense. At this point the audience
was uncertain about how Emilia would react, creating a critical point in the play. Emilia’s
response had the potential to alter the course of events entirely. Hadn't she been so loyal to
Desdemona, she would have become an accomplice in the smothering.
 Overwhelmed with grief, Emilia cried out that Othello had killed Desdemona, drawing
the attention of Montano, Gratiano, and Iago who entered the room. A heated exchange
followed between Emilia and Iago, during which she implored him to reveal the truth: that
Desdemona had never been unfaithful. However, Iago remained steadfast in his deceit,
continuing to manipulate Othello, who was convinced of Desdemona's guilt.

As the tension escalated, Othello was still under Iago´s influence. Convinced that
Desdemona had betrayed him because he had seen the handkerchief in Cassio´s
possession, Othello took Iago´s side in the discussion with Emilia. However, Emilia stood
her ground against the lies, revealing the truth about the handkerchief in a moment of
clarity, exposing Lago´s plot.

When the truth about Iago´s manipulation was revealed, it was too late to save
Desdemona. Therefore, Othello realized his tragic mistake and overwhelmed with guilt he
tried to kill Iago but was disarmed by Montano. During the commotion, Iago stabbed his
wife and attempted to escape, but he was caught by Gratiano and set to be judged. Othello,
in a final act of anger and sorrow, wounded Iago and asked for Cassio´s forgiveness.
Lodovico then explained to Othello that his power and command had been taken away and
given to Cassio. Upon hearing this news, Othello, consumed by despair, took a dagger and
fatally stabbed himself, ending his life in a final act of self-punishment.

As a result, the outcome felt tragic, with no real sense of justice, given the
irreversible consequences. The suspense throughout this segment of the play served to
heighten the emotional impact of the unfolding tragedy. Dramatic irony kept the audience in
a state of tension, as they were aware of Desdemona’s innocence and Iago’s machinations
while Othello remained blind to the truth. The hope that someone would expose the deceit
before Desdemona’s death sustained the suspense until the moment it became clear that
all was lost. This careful manipulation of tension emphasized the inevitability of the tragic
outcome, reinforcing the play's themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the destructiveness of
unchecked ambition.

Regarding justice, Iago was ultimately exposed and apprehended, yet the sense of
closure remained incomplete. Hadn't he acted for his ambition; the tragic events might have
been avoided. His relentless pursuit of power contributed to the devastation; yet his motives
for causing such pain were never fully revealed, leaving a lingering sense of unfulfilled
retribution.
 In contrast, Roderigo’s death could be seen as a fair punishment for being willing to
commit a crime for his own benefit. Nevertheless, it was also tragic because Roderigo
acted primarily under Iago’s influence, without fully grasping the magnitude of his actions.
As a result, his death, rather than being simple retribution, could be viewed as the inevitable
consequence of a series of poor choices, leading him to become a victim of both his own
weakness and Iago’s cunning.

Similarly, although Emilia died after revealing Iago’s lies and helping uncover the
truth, her death feels unjust. Furthermore, Othello paid the ultimate price by taking his own
life after realizing his terrible error, losing both his wife and his honor, marking a tragic
resolution for the hero. Desdemona’s death, too, was deeply unjust, as she was an
innocent victim.

While Iago was caught and Othello died in remorse, the play ended with a sense that
justice was only partially served, as many characters suffered unfairly from Iago’s actions.
Consequently, the audience could have left with a feeling of sadness and frustration
because, while the truth finally came out, it did not fix the harm that had been done. Even
though Iago had been captured, his lack of remorse left the audience unsatisfied with his
punishment. Unlike Othello, who experienced profound guilt and took his own life as a
consequence of his actions, Iago remained indifferent, continuing to manipulate those
around him. Therefore, justice felt insufficient because Iago did not suffer the emotional
consequences that typically accompany such malevolent and evil behavior.

We believe that the audience could have felt empathy towards the innocent
characters, such as Emilia and Desdemona, who suffered greatly for their virtues and
kindness. In contrast, Iago's indifference and lack of remorse would have made the
audience feel angry and disappointed because his punishment seemed insufficient
compared to the suffering he caused.