Dramatic Irony In Othello Analysis

Renowned for complicated plot twists, Shakespeare is able to hook audiences through his use of dramatic irony. By definition, dramatic irony is When the audience knows more than the characters. For example, when we know where Emilia got the handkerchief, but Othello doesn’t. The frequent use of dramatic irony in “Othello” is evident through the use of misplaced trust, symbolism, as well as jealousy and love. Shakespeare’s use of the dramatic irony convention helps to create a complicated but interesting plot for both audiences and readers, oftentimes causing audiences to feel anger, disbelieve, or sympathy towards the characters.

Throughout the play almost all of the characters made a very crucial mistake, they trusted Iago. Iago’s capability

An example of love and jealousy laced with dramatic irony is noticeable in Desdemona and Othello’s relationship. In the first act it is quite evident that they were happy and in love with each other, unknown to them is that Iago is plotting to destroy their marriage, along with Othello’s life. Once Iago plants the seed of doubt in Othello’s head about Desdemona’s fidelity, at first he wasn’t sure, but his opinion quickly flipped like a coin when Iago presents him with the handkerchief he gave Desdemona that was in Cassio’s room. “O that the slave had forty thousand lives! One is too poor, too weak for my revenge. Now do I see ‘tis true. Look here, Iago, all my fond love thus do I blow to heaven: ‘Tis gone! Arise, black vengeance, from hollow hell, yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, for ‘tis of aspics’ tongues!” (3.3.445-453) This shows Othello’s emotions transition from heartbroken to furious once he heard that the handkerchief was in Cassio’s possession. Othello immediately jumped to the conclusion that Desdemona was cheating on him without confronting her about it. While the truth was that Desdemona was being faithful to Othello and loved him implicitly. When Othello started calling her a “Strumpet” and later hit her in front of Emilia and her cousin Lodovico she started to fear Othello but still loved him. This created a much stronger sense of dread within the crowd who is bearing witness to the play. By forcing them to witness Othello’s dramatic change in character due to jealousy, viewers were able to create an emotional connection towards Desdemona. When Othello killed Desdemona, it forced audience members emotions to change from the initial shocked to become unnerved. After Othello killed Desdemona, once he was told the truth, he immediately regretted ever believing Iago and hurting