Friday, January 28, 2011

A Tragedy For Certain

Even within the first three acts, it is abundantly clear that this play is destined to be a tragedy. With Iago plotting to destroy Othello, and Othello swearing to kill Cassio and Desdemona, there is no other explanation. So often in Shakespeare, destroying someone (as the oracle "destroyed" Oedipus in Oedipus Rex) means that they will eventually die, usually by suicide. "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:She has deceived her father, and may thee (Act 1, Scene 3)." This is a quote by Brabantio. Here, he is foretelling a dark end for Othello. Usually, when something like this is handed over in literature, it turns out to be true. "Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore,Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof;Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul,Thou hadst been better have been born a dog(Act 3, Scene 3)." Here, Othello is warning Iago that he will punish him severely if he cannot find proof of Desdemona's infidelities. This is likely foreshadowing, as well.

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