How is Shakespeare's Othello a play of intrigues? |

Typically the term intrigues is used in the context of the phrase "a comedy of intrigues," but Othello is not a comedy. A comedy of intrigues is defined as:

"a comic form in which complicated conspiracies and stratagems dominate the plot" (Brittanica).

This description certainly does apply to Othello. Iago masterminds several complicated plots and conspiracies that involve and rely on several people. His ultimate goal is the downfall of Othello, which he accomplishes. His...

Typically the term intrigues is used in the context of the phrase "a comedy of intrigues," but Othello is not a comedy. A comedy of intrigues is defined as:

"a comic form in which complicated conspiracies and stratagems dominate the plot" (Brittanica).

This description certainly does apply to Othello. Iago masterminds several complicated plots and conspiracies that involve and rely on several people. His ultimate goal is the downfall of Othello, which he accomplishes. His conspiracies certainly dominate the plot.

Although a comedy of intrigues includes a lot of farce and physical humor, it is also "often based on ridiculous and contrived situations" (Brittanica). While the scenes in Othello do not contain humor, many of the circumstances do seem ridiculous and contrived (Handkerchief scandal, anyone?). If it were not for the seriousness of the play, many of the elements in Othello match very closely with the definition of a comedy of intrigues, so it could be described as a play of intrigues.