STYLE
Imagery
In Othello, Shakespeare uses imagery to express emotions without directly describing them. One common type of imagery in the play is animal imagery, which helps the audience understand the characters’ feelings and actions. For example, in Act 1, Iago calls Othello a “black ram,” suggesting that Othello is different from the other characters, like a “black sheep.” Iago also uses this image to make Othello’s relationship with Desdemona seem like a simple, animal-like act, saying, “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe,” reducing their love to something physical and without emotion.
Later in Act 1, Iago uses more animal imagery to insult Othello, referring to him as a “Barbary horse” and implying that Othello’s children with Desdemona would be like animals. This kind of imagery is meant to stir up fear and disgust, especially in Desdemona’s father, Brabantio. Shakespeare uses these strong images to provoke emotional reactions from the characters and the audience, showing how Iago manipulates others through his words.
Lack of Subplot
One unique thing about Othello is that it doesn’t have a subplot. In most of Shakespeare’s plays, there is usually a side story that runs alongside the main plot, adding complexity or humor. However, in Othello, Shakespeare focuses only on the main story, which is the emotional struggle between Othello, Desdemona, and Iago. This lack of a subplot makes the play more intense, as the audience is completely focused on Othello’s jealousy and Iago’s manipulation without any distractions.
Asides
Asides are a way for characters to speak their thoughts directly to the audience without other characters hearing. Shakespeare uses asides in many of his plays, and Iago frequently uses them in Othello. Through these asides, Iago reveals his true intentions to the audience, even though the other characters are unaware of his plans. For example, in Act 1, Scene 3, after Roderigo leaves, Iago calls him a fool in an aside, saying, “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.” This shows the audience that Iago is only using Roderigo for his own benefit. These asides let the audience feel like they are in on Iago’s schemes, making them more engaged in the plot.
Symbolism: The Handkerchief
The handkerchief in Othello is a key symbol with different meanings for different characters. To Othello, it represents his love for Desdemona, much like a wedding ring. However, when Desdemona loses it, Iago uses it to convince Othello that she is unfaithful. For Othello, seeing the handkerchief in Cassio’s possession becomes “proof” that Desdemona has betrayed him. The handkerchief, in this way, becomes a symbol of Desdemona’s fate. When Othello sees Cassio with it, it seals Desdemona’s doom, and when Emilia reveals the truth about the handkerchief, it exposes Iago’s lies. This small object carries a lot of weight in the play, affecting the characters’ decisions and leading to the tragic ending.
Conflict
Conflict is what drives the story in Othello. Conflict can be external, such as a fight between characters, or internal, like a character struggling with their emotions. In Othello, while there are some external conflicts, like street fights and battles, the main conflict is internal—Othello’s battle with his jealousy. The plot revolves around how Iago creates this internal conflict and how Othello deals with it. Othello’s struggle with his jealousy and love for Desdemona is the central focus of the play.
There is also interpersonal conflict, such as Othello’s confrontation with Desdemona when he accuses her of cheating. Early in the play, Othello faces conflict with Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, who disapproves of their marriage. While Othello handles this early conflict with calm and grace, his later conflict with Desdemona reveals his weaknesses. By the end of the play, Othello is in conflict with himself, realizing that he killed the woman he loved based on lies. He loses this final conflict, leading to his tragic death.
Prose vs. Poetry
Shakespeare’s plays are written in both prose (regular language) and poetry (structured, rhythmic language). He uses these forms to show the characters’ emotions. For example, when Othello defends his marriage to Desdemona in front of the Venetian council, he speaks in beautiful poetry, showing his control and nobility. However, as his jealousy grows, Othello begins speaking in prose, which suggests that he is losing control of his emotions. In Act 4, Scene 1, Othello speaks in broken, non-poetic language just before he falls into a jealous fit. This shift from poetry to prose reflects Othello’s mental state, showing how jealousy has overtaken his reason.
Shakespeare also uses prose when characters like Cassio and Roderigo speak, often to show a lack of elegance or intelligence compared to Othello, who speaks in verse. Desdemona, almost always speaking in poetry, emphasizes her purity and innocence throughout the play.
Conclusion
In Othello, Shakespeare masterfully uses imagery, symbolism, asides, and a mix of prose and poetry to enhance the emotional intensity of the play. The powerful animal imagery, the symbolic handkerchief, and the focused conflict between the characters keep the audience engaged and invested in the tragic story. These literary techniques help explore deep themes of jealousy, love, manipulation, and betrayal, making Othello one of Shakespeare’s most gripping tragedies.
