hen “the audience knows something that the characters in the drama do not”(Literary Terms, e-text). “The Tragedy of Othello” is packed with dramatic irony until the very end. From the very beginning of the play the audience knows of Iago’s hatred towards Othello and of his plan to ruin his life. Throughout the play all the characters believe that Iago is honest and true in his actions and advice, when really he is manipulating them to bring about the ruin of Othello. This passage in Act I Scene III proves Iago’s hatred for Othello and his evil plan; “I hate the Moor;…After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear that [Cassio] is too familiar with [Othello’s] wife….The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so; and will as tenderly be led by th’ nose as asses are”(1. 3. 376, 385-386, 389-392). Another example of dramatic irony is when Desdemona says to Emilia, “…but my noble Moor is true of mind, and made of no such baseness as jealous creatures are,…(3. 4. 22-24). This is ironic, because as Desdemona speaks; Othello is suspecting her of infidelity. Another case of dramatic irony is when in Act IV Scene I, Lodovico says, “God save you, worthy general”(4. 1. 207). At this point in the play Othello’s character has altered so much that he is not “worthy” and even God could not save him from the underhanded and distrustful person he has become. In Act V Scene II, there is yet another example of dramatic irony. Othello states, “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light”(5. 2. 6-7). This is so ironic, because Othello believes he must kill Desdemona so that she will not deceive and “betray more men” with her appearance of innocence and honesty. Ironically, Desdemona is innocent and pure. These are a few cases ...
