Predictable ending

I found the final act of Othello to be quite predictable even with my relatively small knowledge of Shakespeare's tragedies. Upon figuring out that the play was a tragedy I assumed that the main protagonist and his lover would end up dead. I did enjoy how Shakespeare used confusion and deception to bring about their deaths through Iago though. The fact that Othello was the one to kill Desdemona was something I did not anticipate. I assumed that Othello would die while fighting Cassio, but instead Iago volunteered himself for the job with Rodrigo already in mind. I liked the asides that Iago kept having, showing his true intentions in his interactions with the other characters. It also made clear the tightrope he was walking along to achieve the high position in the army. On page 626 line 129 he says, "this is the night that either makes me or fordoes me quite." He was in a difficult position manipulating everyone around him. He had no real allies except for his wife. She remained an oblivious and dutiful wife, foolishly following Iago's commands. She steals the handkerchief from Desdemona and misses numerous opportunities to clear up the confusion. Throughout the story I was frustrated with her failure to take action and confront Iago or go to Othello with the truth. I was relieved when she finally took a stand against Iago on page 634, showing that somehow she subconsciously recognized the immorality of her silence. Sadly she ends up being killed by Iago, but she managed to redeem herself.