Tragedy is defined as a play dealing with tragic event and having an unhappy ending, especially

one concerning the downfall of a main character. A Shakespearean tragedy is a type of play
written by William Shakespeare that ends on a sad note. The common features that are noticeable
in a Shakespearean tragedy include; a dichotomy of good and evil, a tragic hero, issues of fate
and fortune, the tragic flaw and among others. Othello is one of the most popular tragedies that
was written by Shakespeare in the year 1603. The play talks about how the villainous Iago plans
and executes revenge on Othello for some reasons, and of which Othello falls victim to leading
to his downfall. Just how a typical Shakespearean drama is, the play is divided into five acts with
seven scenes. This write-up seeks to summarize Act 2 of the play, specifically focusing on the
importance of Shakespearean Act 2, the setting of the Act, themes that are espoused in the Act
and the techniques that were employed by Shakespeare in Act 2 of Othello.
A Shakespearean tragedy traditionally follows the Freytag’s Pyramid of Dramatic structure
which consists of five parts. That is Act 1 which is known as the exposition, Act 2, the rising
action, Act 3 which forms the climax of the play, Act 4 makes up the falling action and finally
Act 5 which is the denouement; where all conflicts are resolved. Act 2 of Othello forms the
rising action of the plot of the play. At the beginning of the rising action, the conflict is
introduced and an incident occurs that sets the rising action in motion.. Throughout the rising
action, series of events occur leading to the climax of the play. It is at this point in the play that
the tragic hero suffers from the flaw in character and makes errors of judgements.
Since there is no rising action without an exposition, certain issues in Act 1 informs the rising
action in Act 2. For instance, in the latter part of Act 1 thus (act 1,scene 3), Iago using aside,
makes known his intentions about Roderigo, Cassio, Othello and Desdemona. He says, “Thus do
I ever make my fool my purse; For I mine own gain’d knowledge should profane…..But for my
sport and profit (to Roderigo), I hate the Moor, He has done my office…. He holds me well; The
better shall my purpose work on him (Othello). Cassio a proper man: let me see now; To get his
place, and plume up my will in double knavery. After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear that he is
too familiar with his wife: He hath a person to and a smooth dispose to be suspected; fram’d to
make women false.” Some of these intentions are realized in Act 2. Act 2 , which is the rising
action starts with the striking of a terrible storm in Cyprus which symbolizes unrest and discord
that is to come in the act and the subsequent acts as well. Although the storm defeats the Turkish
fleets, it also signals that Iago’s mischief is about to begin. It comes with the arrival of Cassio,
Desdemona, Iago and Emilia. At the shore, Iago observes Cassio and Desdemona and plots how
to make a fictional affair between them look convincing. Iago says, “[Aside] ‘He takes her by the
palm; ay, well said, whisper: with as little a web as this is will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.
Ay, smile upon her, do; I will give thee in thine own courtship…’
Iago also tries to coax Cassio’s feelings about Desdemona and make her seem tempting to
him. In Act 2 scene 3(21-32), Iago says to Cassio that Desdemona is “full of game, has eyes
parley to provocation and when she speaks, it is an alarum of love”. However Cassio’s intentions
are innocent and friendly and this clearly seen in his responses, thus, “She is a most exquisite
lady, her eyes methinks right modesty and she is indeed perfection”. Iago plots with Roderigo to
get Cassio drunk and Roderigo to start a fight with him. This is to get Cassio violent and this can
cause him to lose his position and reputation (Act 2, scene 2,250-290). So after talking to Cassio
about Desdemona that evening, Iago gets Cassio drunk and sets him up to fight Roderigo which
leads to chaos and destruction and eventually Othello stripping Cassio off his position (Act
2,scene 3,140-170). After Cassio is stripped of his position, Iago takes advantage of that, thus,
tries to convince Cassio that a reputation means little; and if he can talk to Desdemona to talk to
Othello on his behalf, Othello will restore him back to his position (Act 2, scene 3,303-322).
Moreover Iago succeeds in spending Roderigo’s money and when he is questioned by Roderigo,
he tells him that, with time, he would get Desdemona for himself (act2, scene 3, 359-370).
Finally, the Act ends with a soliloquy of Iago about his next steps to take. That is, while he draws
the moor apart, he will ignite jealousy in Othello, when he finds Cassio with Desdemona. The
importance of act two (2) as the rising action is that, it builds and develops the conflicts in the
play which leads to the climax of the play.
The setting
Themes present in Act2 include the notions about women, appearance verses reality and hatred
and revenge.
Shakespeare brings to fore the misogynistic opinions of women that prevailed in early
seventeenth century England. It could be argued that Iago’s opinions of women reflects the
patriarchal view of the Elizabethan period. Though Iago is married, he does not have a favorable
impression of women. In act two scene one (110-114), Iago states that women are “pictures out
of doors, bells in parlors, wildcats in kitchens, saints in injuries, devils being offended, players in
housewifery and house wives in bed.” Iago disregards all women, including his wife, and refers
to them as deceptive, lust and lazy in all matters except sex, thus, “you rise to play and go to bed
to work”. Desdemona plays along as Iago belittles women, whether beautiful or ugly, fair or
black, intelligent or stupid, as equally despicable.
The theme, “Appearance verses Reality” is especially relevant to the issue of Iago’s character.
This theme reflects how Iago is portrayed by other characters like Cassio, Desdemona, Othello
and others as “honest Iago” but in actual fact, he acts in devious and deceitful ways. The
difference between reality and its face is elaborately espoused through Iago. His statement “I am
not what I am” foreshadows his deceitful nature throughout the play. For instance in a clever
way, he deceives Cassio, pretending to be someone who cares about him, when in reality, he is
the one plotted Cassio’s fall in public and also suggested his failure to Othello.
Another theme espoused in act two of Othello is revenge and hatred. The unjustified hatred of
Iago leads to unfounded projection of emotions and unnecessary conflict instigation. Iago, who
feels deserving of the lieutenant position feels wronged by Othello when he appoints Michael
Cassio instead of him ( Iago). His distaste for Cassio and Othello drives him to cause
misunderstanding between Cassio and Othello leading to Cassio losing his position. His hatred
for Othello even makes him to suggest that Othello had had an affair with his wife, Emilia and
this is seen in the quote " But partly led to diet my revenge, for that I do suspect the lusty Moor
hath leaped into my seat"
Some literary techniques explored by Shakespeare include dramatic irony, aside, simile and
metaphors.
Dramatic irony is a literary device by which the audience understanding of events surpasses that
of its characters, thus, the audience know something that the characters do not know or they are
oblivious to. “Honest” emerges as a keyword in this scene, a constant reminder of dramatic irony
in Iago’s dealings. None of the characters in the play have any idea of Iago’s plans and evil
intentions. Othello and Cassio are especially unaware of this knowledge. Yet the audience know
what exactly Iago is up to and is able to see his deceptions for what they are. For instance, in act
2, scene 3, after Iago tells Othello that Cassio started the chaos in a subtle manner, Othello tells
Iago “I know Iago, thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, making it light to Cassio. Cassio
I love thee, but never more be officer of mine.” Unknown to Othello but very known to the
audience it that, the real culprit is Iago. Again, (after Cassio is stripped from his position), Iago
goes to Cassio and advices him that, he should talk to Desdemona to plead to Othello on his
behalf. Because Cassio has no idea of what Iago is up to ( but the audience is much aware), he
appreciates the advice saying “You advice me well…Goodnight Honest Iago”. The use of verbal
irony is present here. This typically operates at the level of words and sentences understood by
the audience to carry a different meaning from the words themselves when it is literally
explained. For instance, I ago says to Cassio “As I am an honest man….” (act 2,scene 3,260-
271). With this the audience knows clearly that I ago is being sarcastic and he actually means the
opposite.
Aside is a mode of communication where a character addresses the audience with a short
comment. The other characters do not hear whatever the character says. Asides allow the
audience to see and know the character’s inner thoughts and feelings. They are used by all sorts
of characters but they are often used by villains to reveal their dark intentions and secret plans to
the audience. Shakespeare employs the use of asides in most of his dramas and this is seen in act
two of Othello. He uses a number of asides to give insight into Iago’s malicious, vengeful
thoughts and reveals how he manipulates other characters to achieve what he wants. For instance
Iago, in an aside, plots on how to make Cassio get drunk, “If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
With that which he hath drunk tonight already, He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence As my young
mistress’ dog”. Also, in an aside, he plots on how to make a fictional affair between Cassio and
Desdemona look convincing. He says “He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper. With as
little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do. I will give thee
in thine own courtship. You say true, ’tis so, indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of your
lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you
are most apt to play the sir in. Very good; well kissed, an excellent courtesy! ’Tis so, indeed. Yet
again your fingers to your lips? Would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!”
Moreover, Shakespeare employs similes and metaphors in this play. Simile is a literary device
that makes comparisms using as or like. For instance in act two, scene three, Iago compares the
thought of Emilia’s supposed infidelity with Othello to a poison that eats him from the inside. He
states “The thought where of doth, like a poison mineral, gnaw my inward. Metaphor allows
characters to make direct comparisms. For instance, when Iago expresses doubt over Othello’s
honor, suggesting that Othello may have slept with his wife , Emilia, he says, “For that I suspect
the lusty Moor hath leaped into my seat”.