Are You For Real?

(Othello, Shakespeare)

Unrealistic conventions for Acts I-III

Two instants of this section involving the Desdemona's handkerchief are simply unrealistic and overly dramatic. The first occurs during Act II when Emilia comes across the handkerchief; of course its the possession that Iago has desired to use in his revenge plots against Othello and Cassio. Also, its unrealistic that Emilia would simply steal it for her husband even though she knows how important it is to Desdemona. People simply don't do that.

The Second instance of drama occurs when Othello describes the history of the handkerchief. Of course the napkin holds a history of "charm" that could cause a lover to " hunt after new fancies" (Act III, scene IIII). This is the icing on the cake for Othello, as he grows in rage against his accused wife.

Both of these scenes increase the drama of the play; in theater unrealistic pieces are needed to increase drama so that the audience is entertained as well as informed of growing plots and themes. Without the handkerchief, the accused affair would hold less merit and less explication.