"Cassio did top her, ask thy husband else. Oh, I were damned beneath all depth in Hell But that I did proceed upon just grounds To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all." V. ii. 135-138
Addressed here is the question about whether the play is a tragedy, comedy, melodrama, or farce. I would say that this play is a mixture of tragedy and melodrama, maybe with a sick sense of humor thrown in. First, I think it's safe to say the play is a tragedy because, like most things Shakespeare wrote, half the cast dies. It also shows the unraveling of the arguable protagonists Othello and Iago. Othello's flaw, his gullable and quick-to-anger nature, or Iago's not-so-fool-proof plotting.
Next, the play could be characterized as a melodrama because of the dramatized actions of the characters. Shown in the quote, Othello's thought process was essentially solid. He thought he was doing what was just, and simply believed the word of a friend, but he definitely overreacted-killing Desdemona-to show the manipulation of his character. Although the drama makes for an unrealistic scenario, the actions effectively show how quickly characters can change in a plotline.
Finally, one could argue that this play includes a comedic flavor because of the irony. For me personally, Iago's cunning and suck-up-ity (yes, I just made that up) created a perfect, honest image of himself when in reality he's a sick jerkface who manipulates people just because he can.
Addressed here is the question about whether the play is a tragedy, comedy, melodrama, or farce. I would say that this play is a mixture of tragedy and melodrama, maybe with a sick sense of humor thrown in. First, I think it's safe to say the play is a tragedy because, like most things Shakespeare wrote, half the cast dies. It also shows the unraveling of the arguable protagonists Othello and Iago. Othello's flaw, his gullable and quick-to-anger nature, or Iago's not-so-fool-proof plotting.
Next, the play could be characterized as a melodrama because of the dramatized actions of the characters. Shown in the quote, Othello's thought process was essentially solid. He thought he was doing what was just, and simply believed the word of a friend, but he definitely overreacted-killing Desdemona-to show the manipulation of his character. Although the drama makes for an unrealistic scenario, the actions effectively show how quickly characters can change in a plotline.
Finally, one could argue that this play includes a comedic flavor because of the irony. For me personally, Iago's cunning and suck-up-ity (yes, I just made that up) created a perfect, honest image of himself when in reality he's a sick jerkface who manipulates people just because he can.
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