6. OTHELLO

Date Written Date Range First Published

Shakespeare’s plays

(conjectures of the best editors) (composition / performance)

All's Well That Ends Well 1603 1598 - ? 1623

Measure For Measure 1604 1598 - 1604 1623

Othello 1604 1598 - 1604 1622

King Lear 1605 1598 - 1606 1608

Macbeth 1606 1603 - 1611 1623

Rhodes

CYPRUS

Venice

Turkey

Duke of Venice, or the "Doge"Roderigo, a dissolute Venetian, in love with DesdemonaOthello, the Moor: A general in the Venetian militaryCassio, Othello's lieutenant ↔ Bianca, Cassio's lover

Desdemona, Othello's wife and daughter of BrabantioBrabantio, a Venetian senator, Gratiano's brother, and Desdemona's fatherGratiano, Brabantio's brotherLodovico, Brabantio's kinsman and Desdemona's cousin

Iago, Othello's ensign and Emilia's husbandEmilia, Iago's wife and Desdemona's maidservant

Montano, Othello's Venetian predecessor in the government of Cyprus

Clown, a servantOfficers Gentlemen Messenger Herald Sailor Attendants Musicians, etc.

Othello (2.1,193-199; M351) Amen to that, sweet powers!I cannot speak enough of this content;It stops me here; it is too much of joy:And this, and this, the greatest discords be

Kissing herThat e'er our hearts shall make!

Iago[Aside] O, you are well tuned now!But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,As honest as I am.

Iago (2.3,358-360; M383)I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,That she repeals him for her body's lust;And by how much she strives to do him good,She shall undo her credit with the Moor.

Iago (2.1,175-178; M349)Very good; well kissed! an excellentcourtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingersto your lips? would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!

Trumpet withinThe Moor! I know his trumpet.

ACT III (M387-388)SCENE I. Before the castle.

Enter CASSIO and some Musicians CASSIO Masters, play here; I will content your pains;Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.'MusicClown Marry. sir, by many a wind-instrument that I know. But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it.

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Iago (2.3,68-72; M362) [Sings]And let me the canakin clink, clink;And let me the canakin clinkA soldier's a man;A life's but a span;Why, then, let a soldier drink.

[… con quel che segue]Iago (2.3,88-95; M364) [Sings]King Stephen was a worthy peer,His breeches cost him but a crown;He held them sixpence all too dear,With that he call'd the tailor lown.He was a wight of high renown,And thou art but of low degree:'Tis pride that pulls the country down;Then take thine auld cloak about thee.

[… con quel che segue]Desdemona (4.3,26segg.; M497…)My mother had a maid call'd Barbara:She was in love, and he she loved proved madAnd did forsake her: she had a song of 'willow;'An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune,And she died singing it: that song to-nightWill not go from my mind; I have much to do,But to go hang my head all at one side,And sing it like poor Barbara. Prithee, dispatch.

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Ci vediamo giovedì 17 maggio con il settimo incontro del ciclo:

MACBETH

Buona Pasqua!