The Tragedy of Love, Revenge, Duty, etc.

"I will so. What's the matter?"
"That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee. Thou gavest to Cassio."
No, by my life and soul! Send for the man and ask him."
"Sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury, thou art on thy deathbed."  V.ii.47-51

  One of the first and most appropriate questions to understanding the entirety of "Othello" is the format of drama the play takes. Interestingly, "Othello" incorporates elements of both tragedy and melodrama. For one who is familiar with the elements of drama such as tragedy or melodrama, the format of this play serves to varietize the expected norms of such categories of drama. The play follows the outline of tragedy in its portrayal of the protagonist, Othello, and the main motives for action throughout the play. Although concealed and purposefully hidden during the first few acts, Othello posesses a rashness that leads to the progression of Iago's scheme and the eventual death of the majority of the play's characters. He responds to the possibility of Cassio sleeping with his wife with unbridled anxiety and overreaction. Such is Othello's tragic flaw. The play also follows the outline of a tragedy in that the motivation for action throughout the play, Iago's manipulation of nearly every character, is a function of revenge, based on the rumor that Othello slept with his wife. The play also follows the elements of a melodrama in that Othello is tormented by the thought of Desdemona sleeping with Cassio for a majority of the dialogue. Iago ends up dying for his actions when Othello realizes he fabricated the entire plot.