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The Clown is an often forgotten character from Othello, and his two brief moments on stage seem to have very little impact on the action of the play. He does, however, manage to enhance some of the key themes and moods that permeate the tragedy. During the Clown’s first appearance in Act III, Scene 1, he chastises a group of musicians for playing their songs too loudly before agreeing to tell Emilia that Cassio wants to speak with her about Desdemona. These exchanges feature the types of jokes and wordplay that is typical of Shakespearean clowns, although Cassio shuts the Clown’s antics down rather quickly by paying him off. The Clown next appears in Act III, Scene 4 and again takes on the role of a messenger, this time seeking out Cassio on behalf of Desdemona. In this scene, the Clown puns on different meanings of “lie,” confusing Desdemona and foreshadowing Othello’s later concerns about his wife’s fidelity. Both of these short dialogues provide moments of comedic relief for the audience in an act where the drama truly begins to accelerate. The Clown’s frequent use of wordplay, as well as the confusion that the other characters experience as a result, also mimics the growing chaos and misunderstanding that characterize the main plot. As a result of Iago’s manipulation, Othello’s perception of Desdemona and Cassio becomes increasingly distorted. Finally, the Clown unintentionally supports Iago’s scheme when he serves as a messenger between Cassio and Desdemona, a move which calls even greater attention to their relationship. Given all of the ways in which the Clown’s actions seem to align with Iago’s sinister plans, some scholars speculate that the Clown may actually be Iago in disguise. They never appear on stage at the same time, so it would be possible for a single actor to play both roles. Even if this theory proves false, the extent to which the Clown enhances Iago’s scheme is noteworthy.
