Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Dramatic Irony

The primary literary element in Othello is dramatic irony. This tool makes the audience cringe at characters unwillingly listening to Iago who easily deceives them. An example of dramatic irony is present in Act III with Cassio’s interaction with Desdemona. The audience knows that Cassio and Desdemona are friends. Cassio is only asking for her help in gaining back his position through Othello’s forgiveness. Othello sees this interaction as harmless. However, Iago, the driving force of the dramatic irony in this play, deceives Othello to suspect a relationship between Cassio and Desdemona. The audience, along with Iago, knows that Cassio was only asking for help in getting forgiveness and that Othello should suspect nothing. The dramatic irony of this situation is revealed through Iago’s soliloquies. For example, “Myself the while to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife. Aye, that’s the way. Dull not device by coldness and delay, (II, iii, 348-351).