4. Othello

Once again, is the play a tragedy, comedy, melodrama or a farce?

I think it is fair to say through the ending of the play that Othello is definitely a tragedy. The killing begins when Iago tells Roderigo to kill Cassio. If he does this, Othello and Desdemona will have to stay in Cyprus longer, because they will have to find another governor to replace Cassio. (IV.ii.179-205) This is beneficial to Cassio so he will have time to "woo" Desdemona before she leaves for Venice. However, Iago, like everything else, was not going to keep his promise. When Roderigo goes to kill Cassio, Iago ends up trying to kill Cassio, and killing Roderigo. He sets it up as a frame story, to frame Roderigo. As all this occurring, Othello is attempting to kill Desdomona, and does. The main tragedy takes place in that after killing her, he learns the truth. He thinks he is an awful character, kisses her dead body, and dies with her. It was all the work of Iago. If only Othello would have believed his wife, and not the appearance around him, the tragedy would have never occurred.