Othello-1119 #1

"Othello" employs realistic conventions throughout the entire play. It seems like a bit of a stretch to me, but I can see this actually happening. Iago is unusually crafty and cunning, but it's not out of the ordinary for someone in trouble to say "I told him what I thought, and told him no more" (V.ii.175). It's believable that Othello would doubt his wife's faithfulness after hearing what Iago has to say, and that would make any man more susceptible to lies. Othello's behavior is totally understandable and realistic. Desdemona and Emilia also have realistic characters. Anyone wrongly accused of something as serious as cheating on a spouse would deny it vehemently and be confused. And any woman oppressed by her husband would eventually snap. Every character reacts as any normal person would.