Theo Georgiades

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Literature Homework – Theo Georgiades / 7

        Dramatic irony is a feature of many plays. It occurs when the development of the plot allows the audience to have more insight about what is happening than some of the characters themselves. Iago is the source of much of the dramatic irony in Othello, informing the audience of his intentions. Characters may also speak in a dramatically ironic way, saying something that points to events to come without understanding the significance of their words.

        The opening scene is laced with dramatic irony, all of which centres on Iago. Roderigo fails to see that a man who admits he is a self-serving conman – “I am not what I am” – might also be fooling him, and Brabantio is unaware of the aptness of his line “Thou art a villain”. Iago has exposed himself very early and we watch fascinated as he manipulates others.

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        In Act I, Scene III, we almost admire Othello’s “free and open nature”, as Shakespeare states, but we are worried that Othello is gullible enough to be taken for a ride. His choice to place his wife in Iago’s care is frightening, although it shows his high opinions of him. We are given two menacing hints about the future progress of Othello’s marriage when the senators leave; Brabantio warns Othello against trusting Desdemona, while the first senator tells Othello to “use Desdemona well”. These lines are examples of dramatic irony; hints to the audience about the way the plot will ...

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