"Villain, thou diest!"
~ Roderigo, Othello, V.i.22
This is going to be more of an observational blog.
Has anyone noticed how blunt the characters are in this play? It's probably the same in Shakespeare's other plays, for I'm assuming that it just stylistic. The only other reason I could think of is because there is no narration, so he is making up for that through dialogue. But seriously, I don't think it's necessary for the characters to announce what they are about to do, and they think it is crucial. Especially in Act 5! It's like whenever some action takes place, there has to be a commentary accompanying it. Or is it in dialogue because it isn't in stage direction? You would think good actors would just automatically do the actions and make them realistic, and the other actors would react well to it without saying it aloud. Bianca announces, "Alas, he faints!" We just saw him. Roderigo tells Cassio, "Villian, thou diest!" And then he misses. (Throw up your awkward hands.) Maybe he wouldn't have moved and you would have killed him if you wouldn't have told him. Also, Sherlock screams, "Oh, I am slain!" right after Cassio stabs him. Then Othello tells an absent Desdemona, "Strumpet, I come!" She can't hear you....
Enough with the extraneous declarations! We can see you. That's really enough. I promise.
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