Allusions and Assumptions

Throughout Othello, Shakespeare leaves out actions but alludes to them or hints to the fact that they may have happened. This occurrs fairly often in the first two acts, with the eloping of Desdomena and Othello, the attraction of both Roderigo and Iago, and the offstage drunkeness of Cassio. All of these events seem to be important to the overall plot of the story, yet are for the most part unannounced by Shakespeare. It appears that it is Shakespeare's intention to make the audience think, by picking up mentioned details and placing them into the complex plot that he is building. Therefore, with a complex plot and unspoken details holding weight, the reader and/or viewer is unable to sit idly by and mindlessly enjoy Shakespearian plays, rather they must actively concentrate to fully appreciate the beauty in these works.