Othello - "Mere prattle without practise is mere soldiership"
Othello - "Mere prattle without practise is mere soldiership"
About two days after starting 'Measure for Measure' rehearsals, Shakespeare probably gave actors the first scenes of his masterpiece 'Othello'. Burbage would have been both excited and cautious when the leaf pages of Act One were put in his hand. There is a story that goes around that after the success of playing Hamlet, that Burbage bet Shakespeare that he Burbage could play any part that Shakespeare or anyone else could write. The bet probably involved money and shouting a round or two at the local tavern. The rumour says that Shakespeare took the bet and went away and wrote a black noble Moor character who kills the wife he loves and called the character Othello. Shakespeare probably gave Burbage a possible way out of the bet by creating such a strong other main character in Iago, but we know that Burbage was the first to play Othello.
The play opens with an argument on the streets of Venice where Roderigo who has sort Iago's help to win Desdemona hears that Othello (a general of Moorish descent) has just eloped with her. Iago assures Roderigo that he hates Othello mainly because Othello has overlooked him for a promotion. He explains to Roderigo that although he seems to following Othello that he is doing it only as means to an end:In following him I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love or duty.
But seeming so for my peculiar end."
After this Iago encourages Roderigo to awaken Desdemona's father (Brabantio) to tell him of Desdemona's marriage to Othello. Angry at the news, Brabantion looks for Othello and eventually finds him and accuses him of using evil powers to bewitch Desdemona. Othello defends himself in front of the Duke of Venice and Brabantio saying:
"She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
And I loved her that she did pity them." (Act 1 Sc 3)
The Prince and the Senate is moved by Othello's words and accepts the marriage and love as legitimate. Brabantio storms out stating that Desdemona will leave Othello eventually:
"Look to her. Moor, if though has eyes to see:
She has deceived her father, and may thee."
The Prince moves onto the pressing matters of the recent news of the impending attack of Cyprus by the Turks. Othello is put in charge of the troops which will defend Cyprus and he takes with him Desdemona, Cassio (his new lieutenant), Iago and Iago's wife Emilia (as an attendant for Desdemona).
As Act One of Othello ends, Iago reveals the depth of his deception and treachery to the audience:
"Thus do I ever make my fool my purse,
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit... let me see now:
To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery - How, how? Let's see -
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear
That he (Cassio) is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected, framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are.
I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to world's light."
Othello Act Two - "Reputation, reputation, reputation! O I have lost my reputation..."
The team arrive in Cyprus. Cassio plays up to the ladies. Iago starts to build his plan to use Cassio to bring Othello down. The audience meets Emelia (Iago's wife) for the first time. When Iago pours insults on his wife, Desdemona comes to her defence. Then Othello arrives back to tell everyone that he has defeated the Turkish fleet. He and Desdemona are back together and their love and passion is obvious. Iago takes Roderigo aside and convinces him that Desdemona is in love with Cassio and Roderigo agrees to start a fight with Cassio when Cassio is on his night watch duty. Iago reveals to the audience that he admires but hates Othello, is in love with Desdemona and that he thinks his own wife has slept with Othello.
"The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
Is of a constant, loving noble nature,
And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,
Not out of absolute lust...
But partly to diet my revenge,
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
Hath leaped into my seat. The thought whereof
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,
And nothing can or shall content my soul
Till I am evened with him, wife for wife..."
Later, after Iago has made Cassio drink too much, Cassio waxes lyrically about Desdemona. Iago then tells the governor of Cyprus Montano that he is concerned with Cassio's ever growing drinking problem. When Roderigo starts a fight with Cassio, Montano steps in and accuses Cassio of being a drunkard and Cassio attacks Montano and Montano is injured. Othello enters and intervenes and stops the fight. Iago is asked what started the fight and after initially standing up for Cassio, he reveals what happened. Cassio is removed from his duties. When everyone else has left, Iago convinces Cassio to make a plea to Desdemona since she is the only one that Othello will listen to. But Iago has more to his plan which he reveals to the audience:
"When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now: for whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour the pestilence into his ear,
That she repeals him for her body lust;
And by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
And out of her own goodness make a net
That shall enmesh them all."
When Roderigo returns feeling that he has been used, Iago encourages him to stay in Cyprus stating that he believes that eventually Desdemona will be his. Iago changes his plan to include his own wife.
"Two things are to be done:
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
I'll set her on;
Myself the while to draw the Moor apart.
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way
Dull not device by coldness and delay."
The team arrive in Cyprus. Cassio plays up to the ladies. Iago starts to build his plan to use Cassio to bring Othello down. The audience meets Emelia (Iago's wife) for the first time. When Iago pours insults on his wife, Desdemona comes to her defence. Then Othello arrives back to tell everyone that he has defeated the Turkish fleet. He and Desdemona are back together and their love and passion is obvious. Iago takes Roderigo aside and convinces him that Desdemona is in love with Cassio and Roderigo agrees to start a fight with Cassio when Cassio is on his night watch duty. Iago reveals to the audience that he admires but hates Othello, is in love with Desdemona and that he thinks his own wife has slept with Othello.
"The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
Is of a constant, loving noble nature,
And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,
Not out of absolute lust...
But partly to diet my revenge,
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
Hath leaped into my seat. The thought whereof
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,
And nothing can or shall content my soul
Till I am evened with him, wife for wife..."
Later, after Iago has made Cassio drink too much, Cassio waxes lyrically about Desdemona. Iago then tells the governor of Cyprus Montano that he is concerned with Cassio's ever growing drinking problem. When Roderigo starts a fight with Cassio, Montano steps in and accuses Cassio of being a drunkard and Cassio attacks Montano and Montano is injured. Othello enters and intervenes and stops the fight. Iago is asked what started the fight and after initially standing up for Cassio, he reveals what happened. Cassio is removed from his duties. When everyone else has left, Iago convinces Cassio to make a plea to Desdemona since she is the only one that Othello will listen to. But Iago has more to his plan which he reveals to the audience:
"When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now: for whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour the pestilence into his ear,
That she repeals him for her body lust;
And by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
And out of her own goodness make a net
That shall enmesh them all."
When Roderigo returns feeling that he has been used, Iago encourages him to stay in Cyprus stating that he believes that eventually Desdemona will be his. Iago changes his plan to include his own wife.
"Two things are to be done:
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
I'll set her on;
Myself the while to draw the Moor apart.
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way
Dull not device by coldness and delay."
"Perdition, catch my soul" - Othello Act 3
A servant is sent by Cassio to find out off Emilia the state of play, while Iago assures Cassio that Othello will be kept out of Cassio's way. After Emilia assures Cassio that Desdemona is about to plead his case to Othello, Cassio insists on talking to Desdemona himself so Emilia takes Cassio to Desdemona. Meanwhile, Othello sends Iago off and arranges to meet later to check fortifications.
Just when Cassio is leaving Desdemona after she has assured him she will plead his case to Othello, Othello (who is with Iago) sees Cassio leaving Desdemona's side. Iago fuels the fire of jealousy by making a sly comment about Cassio stealing away "so guilty-like". Othello's suspicions are further fueled when Desdemona boldly pleads for the case of Cassio's reinstatement. When Desdemona leaves, Iago cleverly convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. He then seems to warn Othello about not letting jealousy overtake him.
" O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is a green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on..."
Iago also suggests that Venetian women are known for their promiscuous behaviour and suggests that she probably will return to her 'white' suitors reminding Othello also that Desdemona did deceive her own father when she eloped with Othello. Iago leaves and Othello reveals how jealousy is starting to take a hold of him and how he is starting to hate Desdemona who he once loved.
"She's gone. I am abused; and my relief
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours
And not their appetites!"
When Desdemona returns she continues to petition for Cassio and this fuels Othello's jealousy further. When Othello says he has a headache, Dedemona gives him a handkerchief with strawberries on it which he pushes aside and it drops to the floor. The handkerchief is then taken by Emilia who gives it to Iago who has been asking for this handkerchief for some time. The major object to be used later in the play is in Iago's hand.
Othello is furious and tells Iago that he wishes that he had never known of Desdemona's true nature and he even threatens Iago.
"Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content...
Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore..."
He then asks Iago to tell him everything. Iago says that he has spied Cassio with Desdemona's handkerchief with the strawberries on it.
When Othello questions Desdemona about the handkerchief, she cannot find it and Othello tells a made up story about the handkerchief being a magic heirloom. After he leaves, Emilia tells Desdemona that she thinks that jealousy has overtaken Othello and Desdemona says that she hopes that heaven will "... keep that monster from Othello's mind." Cassio enters and thanks Desdemona for helping him. Cassio is then left with Bianca who is his love interest. He gives Bianca a handkerchief with strawberries on it that he has found in his chamber.
A servant is sent by Cassio to find out off Emilia the state of play, while Iago assures Cassio that Othello will be kept out of Cassio's way. After Emilia assures Cassio that Desdemona is about to plead his case to Othello, Cassio insists on talking to Desdemona himself so Emilia takes Cassio to Desdemona. Meanwhile, Othello sends Iago off and arranges to meet later to check fortifications.
Just when Cassio is leaving Desdemona after she has assured him she will plead his case to Othello, Othello (who is with Iago) sees Cassio leaving Desdemona's side. Iago fuels the fire of jealousy by making a sly comment about Cassio stealing away "so guilty-like". Othello's suspicions are further fueled when Desdemona boldly pleads for the case of Cassio's reinstatement. When Desdemona leaves, Iago cleverly convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. He then seems to warn Othello about not letting jealousy overtake him.
" O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is a green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on..."
Iago also suggests that Venetian women are known for their promiscuous behaviour and suggests that she probably will return to her 'white' suitors reminding Othello also that Desdemona did deceive her own father when she eloped with Othello. Iago leaves and Othello reveals how jealousy is starting to take a hold of him and how he is starting to hate Desdemona who he once loved.
"She's gone. I am abused; and my relief
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours
And not their appetites!"
When Desdemona returns she continues to petition for Cassio and this fuels Othello's jealousy further. When Othello says he has a headache, Dedemona gives him a handkerchief with strawberries on it which he pushes aside and it drops to the floor. The handkerchief is then taken by Emilia who gives it to Iago who has been asking for this handkerchief for some time. The major object to be used later in the play is in Iago's hand.
Othello is furious and tells Iago that he wishes that he had never known of Desdemona's true nature and he even threatens Iago.
"Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content...
Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore..."
He then asks Iago to tell him everything. Iago says that he has spied Cassio with Desdemona's handkerchief with the strawberries on it.
When Othello questions Desdemona about the handkerchief, she cannot find it and Othello tells a made up story about the handkerchief being a magic heirloom. After he leaves, Emilia tells Desdemona that she thinks that jealousy has overtaken Othello and Desdemona says that she hopes that heaven will "... keep that monster from Othello's mind." Cassio enters and thanks Desdemona for helping him. Cassio is then left with Bianca who is his love interest. He gives Bianca a handkerchief with strawberries on it that he has found in his chamber.
Othello - Act Four - Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing
passion without some instruction."
Iago continues to poison Othello's ear with words that feed his growing jealousy and Othello grows frenetic in thought and utterance:
"Lie with her! lie on her! We say lie on her,
when they belie her. Lie with her! that's fulsome...
Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing
passion without some instruction."
Then Iago advices Othello to hide and overhear a conversation which Iago will have with Cassio. Whe Cassio enters, Iago talks quietly to him about Bianca but Othello thinks they are talking about Desdemona. Bianca enters and throws the handkerchief stolen from Desdemona at Cassio because she believe it proof of him sleeping with another woman. Bianca and Cassio leave. Othello is convinced of the affair between Desdemona and Bianca. He plots to kill both Cassio and Desdemona:
"Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night..."
Othello then attempts to get Emilia to admit that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. Desdemona enters and Othello abuses her, calling her a whore. She is upset but Emilia is outraged at Othello's accusations and believes that someone is poisoning Othello's mind with lies.
Soon after these events, Roderigo talks to Iago about how his efforts to win Desdemona have been in vain and Roderigo suggests that he will stop pursuing Desdemona. Iago convinces Roderigo that he will be able to bed Desdemona within two nights if he were to kill Cassio.
"But jealous souls will not be answer'd so;
They are not ever jealous for a cause,
But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster
Begot upon itself, born of itself."
Othello - Act 5 - "...death's unnatural that kills for love."
Roderigo, encouraged by Iago, attacks Cassio but rather than killing Cassio, he wounds him. Iago then comes from behind and stabs Cassio's leg and then escapes. Othello, thinking that Cassio is dead, leaves to kill Desdemona. Iago returns and when Roderigo calls out for help, Iago stabs and kills him. When Bianca arrives, Iago tries to defer all blame onto her. Emilia discovers that Cassio is wounded and that Roderigo is dead and Iago tells her to go and take this news to Desdemona and Othello.
Desdemona is asleep when Othello comes to her. Before he kills her, he laments the loss of love and tries to validate his murderous action in terms of what he sees as Desdemona's betrayal and her cunning nature as the audience sees that he has finally totally given in to his jealousy and pride.
"It is the cause, it is the cause my soul, -
Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!
It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood;
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men..."
Othello bends down to kill Desdemona and then he goes to smother her. She awakes, is frightened but musters up the courage to ask her husband why he wants to kill her. Othello tells her that she has been unfaithful to him with cassio and that the handkerchief with strawberries on it is the proof. Desdemona denies her lack of faithfulness. Othello does not believe her and tells her that Iago has already killed cassio and that Cassio confessed before he died. Desdemona weeps on hearing of Cassio's death and Othello takes this of further proof of their affair and he lashes out in a rage and smothers Desdemona to death. Emilia calls from outside the door and Othello thinks that his wife is still alive and calling to him so he smothers her again.
Othello lets Emilia in and she yells 'Murder' and Othello even threatens to kill her. Emilia states that she will not be silenced and she tells Othello of Desdemona's innocence, faithfulness and purity of heart. She then realises that she has played a part in the events leading to Desdemona's death. She tells Othello that she gave the handkerchief to Iago. She realises that she has been manipulated by her husband Iago:
"O mistress, villany hath made mocks of love,
My husband say that she was false...
If he say so, may his pernicious soul
Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart:
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain...
I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known.
Though I lost twenty lives - Help! help, ho! help!
The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murder! Murder!"
When Iago and others enter, Othello tries to kill Iago. Iago pulls Emilia in front of him and she is stabbed and Iago runs away. Emilia lies beside the dead Desdemona and sings and tells of Desdemona's innocence before she dies:
" (sings) Willow, willow, willow, -
Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee cruel Moor;
So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;
So speaking as I think, I die, I die."
Othello is now filled with guilt and confusion. Iago is brought back. Lodovico questions Othello and reveals he will be sent to Venice for trial. Othello confronts Iago to find out why he orchestrated these events. Iago offers not reasons or defence:
"Demand me nothing; what you know, you know:
From this time forth I never will speak word."
Cassio, whom is still alive and has not died from his injuries, reveals more of how he came by the handkerchief. Othello speaks of how he wants all these events to be remembered before he stabs himself to death:
"Soft you; a word or two before you go.
I have done the state some service, and they know't.
No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate.
Speak of me as am; nothing exenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well..."
After he stabs himself, Othello kisses Desdemona and dies. Lodovico raps up the play with promising that Iago will be truly punished.
Roderigo, encouraged by Iago, attacks Cassio but rather than killing Cassio, he wounds him. Iago then comes from behind and stabs Cassio's leg and then escapes. Othello, thinking that Cassio is dead, leaves to kill Desdemona. Iago returns and when Roderigo calls out for help, Iago stabs and kills him. When Bianca arrives, Iago tries to defer all blame onto her. Emilia discovers that Cassio is wounded and that Roderigo is dead and Iago tells her to go and take this news to Desdemona and Othello.
Desdemona is asleep when Othello comes to her. Before he kills her, he laments the loss of love and tries to validate his murderous action in terms of what he sees as Desdemona's betrayal and her cunning nature as the audience sees that he has finally totally given in to his jealousy and pride.
"It is the cause, it is the cause my soul, -
Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!
It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood;
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men..."
Othello bends down to kill Desdemona and then he goes to smother her. She awakes, is frightened but musters up the courage to ask her husband why he wants to kill her. Othello tells her that she has been unfaithful to him with cassio and that the handkerchief with strawberries on it is the proof. Desdemona denies her lack of faithfulness. Othello does not believe her and tells her that Iago has already killed cassio and that Cassio confessed before he died. Desdemona weeps on hearing of Cassio's death and Othello takes this of further proof of their affair and he lashes out in a rage and smothers Desdemona to death. Emilia calls from outside the door and Othello thinks that his wife is still alive and calling to him so he smothers her again.
Othello lets Emilia in and she yells 'Murder' and Othello even threatens to kill her. Emilia states that she will not be silenced and she tells Othello of Desdemona's innocence, faithfulness and purity of heart. She then realises that she has played a part in the events leading to Desdemona's death. She tells Othello that she gave the handkerchief to Iago. She realises that she has been manipulated by her husband Iago:
"O mistress, villany hath made mocks of love,
My husband say that she was false...
If he say so, may his pernicious soul
Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart:
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain...
I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known.
Though I lost twenty lives - Help! help, ho! help!
The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murder! Murder!"
When Iago and others enter, Othello tries to kill Iago. Iago pulls Emilia in front of him and she is stabbed and Iago runs away. Emilia lies beside the dead Desdemona and sings and tells of Desdemona's innocence before she dies:
" (sings) Willow, willow, willow, -
Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee cruel Moor;
So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;
So speaking as I think, I die, I die."
Othello is now filled with guilt and confusion. Iago is brought back. Lodovico questions Othello and reveals he will be sent to Venice for trial. Othello confronts Iago to find out why he orchestrated these events. Iago offers not reasons or defence:
"Demand me nothing; what you know, you know:
From this time forth I never will speak word."
Cassio, whom is still alive and has not died from his injuries, reveals more of how he came by the handkerchief. Othello speaks of how he wants all these events to be remembered before he stabs himself to death:
"Soft you; a word or two before you go.
I have done the state some service, and they know't.
No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate.
Speak of me as am; nothing exenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well..."
After he stabs himself, Othello kisses Desdemona and dies. Lodovico raps up the play with promising that Iago will be truly punished.
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