6. OTHELLO
Shakespeare’s plays
Date Written
Date Range
(conjectures of the best editors)
(composition / performance)
First Published
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
Venice
Turkey
Rhodes
CYPRUS
Duke of Venice, or the "Doge"
Roderigo, a dissolute Venetian, in love with Desdemona
Othello, the Moor: A general in the Venetian military
Cassio, Othello's lieutenant ↔
Bianca, Cassio's lover
Desdemona, Othello's wife and daughter of Brabantio
Brabantio, a Venetian senator, Gratiano's brother, and Desdemona's father
Gratiano, Brabantio's brother
Lodovico, Brabantio's kinsman and Desdemona's cousin
Iago, Othello's ensign and Emilia's husband
Emilia, Iago's wife and Desdemona's maidservant
Montano, Othello's Venetian predecessor
in the government of Cyprus
Clown, a servant
Officers
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 her
That 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 excellent
courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers
to your lips? would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!
Trumpet within
The 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.'
Music
Clown 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.
[… con quel che segue]
Iago (2.3,68-72; M362) [Sings]
And let me the canakin clink, clink;
And let me the canakin clink
A soldier's a man;
A life's but a span;
Why, then, let a soldier drink.
[… 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 mad
And 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-night
Will 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.
[… 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]
Ci vediamo giovedì 17 maggio
con il settimo incontro del ciclo:
MACBETH
Buona Pasqua!