Othello--Question One

The main idea behind "Othello" seems pretty realistic to me: manipulative man plots to attain a better status and get revenge for another man supposedly having an affair with his wife. There definitely are people as manipulative and emotionless as Iago; men consumed by jealously like Othello; minions who do as their manipulator says like Rodergio; and innocent people such as Emilia, Desdemona, and Cassio that become pawns in the game. The themes also aid in the realistic portrayal of the story; the jealousy Othello displays when he first truly begins to believe Desdemona is cheating on him is much like that of any jealous husband (III.iii.452-460). However, even though much of this play is realistic, it does get slightly over the top at times. For instance, Cassio getting so drunk off of two glasses of wine that he cannot even remember things is a little ridiculous (II.iii.25-28). Moments like this occur throughout "Othello" in order to speed up the play and create the drama necessary for the action to happen, as well as cause the audience to become intrigued. I don't really think there are breaks from conventions established as the norm in the play.