p. 1119 #2

Shakespeare's play Othello is a tragedy. A tragedy is a type of drama which depicts the causally related events that lead to the downfall and suffering of the protagonist, a person of unusual moral or intellectual stature or outstanding abilities. The character Othello is the protagonist of this play. Throughout the story, various characters and events move the plot along as it nears a tragic ending. Iago's evil plot slowly unfolds and creates even more drama as the other characters fall into his plan. "I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense, and he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, every way makes my gain" (V.i. 11-14). Othello is the victim of Iago's evil plan, and many of the other characters get in his way and also fall as victims. The ending of this play can be foreshadowed by the knowledge that it is a tragedy. Tragedies usually never have happy endings or happily-ever-afters. The endings usually involve the death or one or more characters; the protagonist often dies or is left unhappy in the end. It is only a matter of time before this play comes to a tragic ending.