by Michelle Mclean

Created on: March 08, 2009

The main difference between comedy and tragedy seems to be that comedies end happily, whereas tragedies do not.

In real life, these shifts and moments of good luck are often the difference between episodes that we will laugh at later, and those that remain painful. "Othello" could have easily been a comedy, had Othello discovered Iago's treachery in time. Instead, a terrible tragedy occurs. But the touch of comedy present in the play does serve to lighten the mood a bit, to give the audience some "relief."

It could also have been included to keep the audience guessing. If I had not known the ending of the tale, I would have been sure that Othello would have discovered everything in time, and would have been shocked and saddened by the tragic ending. This makes a much better tragedy, in my opinion, than one such as "Titus" that begins tragic and never lets up. There is something so exhausting and depressing about watching such a play. It is difficult to take away a deeper meaning and understanding of the play when one is bombarded by death, horror, and grief for an extended period.

It is also more difficult to really identify with the characters, to really care about them, when there is such a degree of tragedy occurring. The audience may not want to become close to any characters knowing they are next on the blood list.

But in a play such as "Othello" the characters are easy to relate to, and to become involved with, because the tragedy is not constantly hanging about. As this play was written much later than "Titus" it may be that Shakespeare had grown in his talents, both by practice and by observing the affect of his work on his audience's. A touching, more relatable play turns into a much greater tragedy (but not one so drastic that it is impossible to escape from), and is one that audiences may appreciate more. For me personally, "Titus" is not a play that I would ever care to read or watch again. It is too heavy, too depressing, and too disturbing. "Othello," on the other hand, is one I would watch over and over again, even though I know the tragic ending, because it was so touching and had moments of comedy.

I have often thought how easily this play could have been a comedy. The character of Iago is often comic. He is the good natured, clownish friend that everyone can talk to, someone who can make any situation seem alright, especially in his conversations with Roderigo. Act I scene iii is a good example of this.

Iago: What say'st thou, noble heart?

Rod:

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