The acting in Otello fluctuates between the actors being very stiff, to them having very exaggerated motions. For the majority of the play, the acting is dull, with the performers standing, back straight and rigid, and walking as required. When the characters’ emotions are very intense, the acting in the scene has more energy to match that. For example, the opening scenes show the entire cast just standing and waiting for Othello to arrive, but when it is only Othello and Desdemona, their strong emotions are evidenced by how physically affectionate they are during their duet.

Affection between characters is conveyed more by acting than by the words sung. Othello and Desdemona, as mentioned, touch each other as a gesture of love, be it a hug, a hand on the other’s shoulder, or a kiss. Emilia and Desdemona behave similarly, as so to show the close bond between the two women despite their relationship never being verbally addressed. Iago mimics this affection via physical contact to entice people to trust him. When he is manipulating Roderigo, Othello and Cassio, Iago tries to keep a “comforting” hand on their back or shoulder.

Violence is also expressed through the acting more so than the words sung. Iago’s disregard for Emilia is shown very clearly when they speak to each other; their conversation ends with him striking her, and her spinning away from the force. The same later occurs with Othello and Desdemona, where he shoves her away and then holds her by the throat while he insults her; this repeats at the opera’s finale, where Othello smothers her to death, then kills himself.