C'mon already!

Act II of the play has scenes that contain dramatic suspense. For example, when Iago, Desdemona, and Montanoa, Cassio and a few others are waiting for the return of Othello, the play is not quick to bring Othello back into the scene. Instead, people keep hearing a horn that might signify Othello's return, but for a while, we are not certain whether the horn does indeed signify this. So the audience is kept in suspense of whether or not Othello is OK. During this suspense, all the characters in the play have the same amount of knowledge concerning Othello's whereabouts as the audience does. This creates even more suspense for the audience. If one of the characters knew of his whereabouts, this would be hinted at to the audience and some of the suspense would be taken away. The audience knowing that the characters also have no idea of whether or not Othello will return greatly affects the suspense the audience will feel.