Genre and Structure
Othello stands apart from other tragedies because it's essentially a domestic drama about a marriage gone wrong, not about kingdoms falling. Shakespeare draws from Greek tragedy conventions, particularly the hero's fatal errors in judgement that lead to his downfall.
The play's structure is built on clever repetition and mirroring. Iago repeatedly poisons Othello's mind through long, manipulative conversations, whilst Bianca's jealousy over Cassio mirrors Othello's jealousy over Desdemona. This creates a web of parallel relationships that intensifies the drama.
Venice frames the entire action - the play opens and closes with Venetian authority defining Othello's place in society. Meanwhile, Iago appears to be stage managing events throughout, with his soliloquies revealing exactly how he orchestrates the tragedy.
Key Point: Unlike traditional revenge tragedies, the villain Iago survives at the end, making this an unsettling twist on genre expectations.