Pace and structure

Finally, though we may see Othello’s final actions and belief in circumstantial and flimsy evidence as irrational, we must remember that Othello is placed in a remarkably hostile and fraught environment. This is amplified by the play’s timeframe, as you could easily be forgiven for assuming the events of the plot take place over many months, with suspicions and tensions being given time to flourish. In reality, we begin Act 1 on a Saturday morning, and end Act 5 on Sunday evening with Desdemona’s death. That only gives Othello around 36 hours to truly process what is happening and make his decisions.