Thursday, January 20, 2011

Othello - Question 4

How is dramatic suspense created?...
Throughout the play, the audience perceives much suspense. Iago continues to devise schemes to destroy Cassio, Othello, and Desdemona's relationships with one another in order to give himself the power he believes he deserves. In Act II, Iago gives specific instructions to Roderigo to "provoke [Cassio], that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio," (II.i.255-260). By plotting with different characters, he creates a web of interconnected lies that cause the characters to turn against each other without Iago having to be directly involved. He plays the innocent role throughout the play, making all characters perceive him as an honest man. The audience is only given information through Iago for the most part and receives very little from other characters. The play seems to center around his actions. This creates suspense by the notion that somehow Iago will have to be caught. This keeps the audience guessing how exactly he will be caught if things do not go as planned for Iago.

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