The Role of Comedy in Othello

Comedy in Othello

Shakespeare's "Othello" is often thought to be a tragedy; however, Shakespeare's use of comedy is frequently overlooked. Typically, in a comedic play, there are expectations of a story of love with a misleading plot twist. There are expectations that, with a bit of good fortune and clever thinking, eventually everything will work out to a happy ending. Although "Othello" ends in tragedy, throughout most of the story it is not clear whether or not this story is a comedy or a tragedy. However, it is clear that Shakespeare uses conventional comedic elements and characters. In "Othello" Shakespeare uses conventional Elizabethan comedic elements as a way to add comic relief, add effect to tragedy and manipulate the expectations of the audience.

One of the most evident examples of Shakespeare's clear intention to add comic relief to "Othello" is his addition of a clown character. This clown, however, does not have a painted face and oversized red shoes. Rather, he is portrayed as a foolish, unsophisticated person. Although the clown plays a small role, his role is still evidence that Shakespeare intended to add comic relief to the play. The clown is first introduced in Act III Scene i. As soon as the clown enters the scene, he starts joking about the similarity between flatulence and wind instruments. He then heckles the musicians by saying, "Why, masters, have your instruments been in Naples that they speak I' th' nose thus?" (Act III. i. 3-4). In the previous scene, Cassio and Roderigo got into an argument. The clown was strategically placed in the following scene to lighten the mood after their argument. Also, during this scene, the clown tells the musicians that if they can play any music that cannot be heard, that they should play it. He then directs them to leave. After the musicians leave, Cassio and the clown are alone. Cassio then asks; "Dost thou hear me, mine honest friend?"(Act III. i. 21). The clown replies with a pun, "No. I hear not your honest friend. I hear you"(III. i. 22). Iago has tricked Othello into believing that Cassio slept with Desdemona. In Othello's eyes, Cassio is dishonest. The clown was making a subtle humorous reference to the fact that Othello believes Cassio to be dishonest.

Another example of Shakespeare using conventional comedic elements is in Act II, Scene i of "Othello". In this scene, the reunion of Desdemona and Othello takes place. Their reunion becomes very frustrating to Roderigo. Roderigo is paying Iago to convince Desdemona that she should love Roderigo. Since Roderigo could not convince Desdemona himself, he appears to be foolish. In addition to Roderigo's inability to convince Desdemona to love him, Iago is doing nothing to convince her. Subsequently, Roderigo is paying Iago to do nothing. It is amusing that Roderigo is so foolish. It is even more amusing that Iago has the ability to play him in the way that he does.

Desdemona and Othello's marriage presents another set of comedic elements. Since there is a vast difference in race, age and cultural background between them, their marriage is considered a mismatch. These mismatches were common objectives of Elizabethan comedy. Although Othello's mismatch marriage alone is humorous, the reaction of Desdemona's father, Brabantio, adds to the hilarity. When Roderigo and Iago go to Desdemona's house to tell Brabantio of her marriage with Othello, Brabantio becomes hysterical. When he learns of his daughter's elopement with Othello, it is night time. That, however, does not stop him from hysterically ranting through the streets in his pajamas. Brabantio is so upset that during an emergency meeting of the Senate he asks for Othello to be punished. At this point in time, the Senate is deciding what to do about a possible invasion by the Turks. Hoping to defeat the Turks, the Senate decides to back Othello and not punish him.

After the Senate chooses to support Othello, the play appears to be heading in the direction of a happy ending. This seems even truer when a storm comes and destroys the Turks' ships while both Desdemona's and Othello's ships are left unharmed. They are then able to reunite. Their reuniting combined with the humor of Brabantio's hysterical reaction makes a tragic event seem like a distant thought at this point. However, Brabantio's reaction is not over. After giving up his daughter, he could not live with