OTHELLO,
THE MOOR OF VENICE
BY
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
ABOUT SHAKESPEARE
"Shakespeare's Sonnet: A Biography of the Bard"
The Enigmatic Birth
In the bustling market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, on a crisp April morning in 1564, a literary legend was born. The exact date is shrouded in mystery, but the christening record of April 26th marks the beginning of William Shakespeare's extraordinary life. Little did anyone know that this child would go on to become one of the most celebrated playwrights and poets in the history of the English language.
The Boy with a Quill
Young William, born to John Shakespeare, a glover and leatherworker, and Mary Arden, the daughter of a wealthy landowner, spent his early years in the rustic charm of Stratford. Though his family's financial struggles were evident, young Will's fascination with the world around him and his natural talent for words quickly became apparent. He would often escape into the nearby woods to observe nature's wonders and scribble poems on scraps of parchment.
The Journey to London's Stage
At the age of 18, William Shakespeare left his hometown behind and embarked on a journey to London, leaving his mark as an actor and playwright. His early career was filled with struggle and anonymity, but he eventually found success as an actor with the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. His remarkable ability to blend tragedy, comedy, and historical themes in his plays began to capture the hearts of audiences.
The Globe Theatre
The iconic Globe Theatre became the stage for Shakespeare's most famous works. It was here that timeless classics like "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," and "Macbeth" first graced the boards. The theater was not just a place for entertainment but a cultural hub of Elizabethan England, where the Bard's words resonated with the masses.
Love, Loss, and Sonnets
While Shakespeare's plays enjoyed immense popularity, his personal life was marked by love and loss. His marriage to Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his senior, led to the birth of three children. The loss of his son Hamnet at a young age was a heart-wrenching experience that would later find its way into the depths of his writing. The collection of 154 sonnets, a testament to his inner turmoil and affection, remains a timeless exploration of love, passion, and human emotion.
The Elusive Personal Life
Shakespeare's personal life remains an enigma. His mysterious "lost years" between leaving Stratford and establishing himself in London have fueled speculation and intrigue for centuries. Was he a soldier, a teacher, or a wandering poet? The absence of concrete details adds to the allure of his biography.
Legacy Beyond the Ages
William Shakespeare's legacy transcends time and borders. His works have been translated into every major language, performed on countless stages, and adapted into various mediums. His words continue to inspire writers, artists, and thinkers, reflecting the timeless themes of the human experience.
The Final Act
On April 23, 1616, William Shakespeare breathed his last breath in his beloved hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. He may have departed this world, but his words and the magic of his storytelling continue to captivate generations, ensuring that the Bard's name and legacy will endure for eternity.
"Shakespeare's Sonnet" is a tribute to the man whose pen wove dreams into reality, whose quill sparked revolutions of thought, and whose words continue to enchant and inspire us to this day.
SUMMARY
"Othello: William Shakespeare's "The Moor of Venice" is a classic story about love, treachery, jealously, and the deadly force of insecurity. Taken in the midst of human tragedy, this gripping story is set against the backdrops of Venice and Cyprus.
At its core, "Othello" explores the tragic consequences of Iago's malicious manipulation as he cunningly poisons the mind of Othello, a noble Moor and celebrated military general, against his loyal wife, Desdemona. Jealousy and suspicion grow like a malignant weed, ultimately leading to a harrowing and heart-wrenching climax.
Shakespeare masterfully delves into the depths of human emotion, unraveling the complexities of love, trust, and prejudice. As you navigate the intricate web of deceit, you'll witness the power of words to both build and destroy, and the tragic consequences of blind rage.
"Othello" is a riveting tale that challenges our understanding of human nature, leaving you spellbound by its intricate characters, poetic language, and profound insights into the human soul. Prepare to be enthralled by this classic tragedy that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, a testament to Shakespeare's enduring genius.
CHARACTERS LIST
Othello: The Moor of Venice and the play's tragic hero. Othello is a highly respected and accomplished military general in the Venetian army. He falls in love with and marries Desdemona but is manipulated into believing false accusations of her infidelity, which leads to his tragic downfall.
Desdemona: Othello's wife and the daughter of a Venetian nobleman, Brabantio. Desdemona is a virtuous and innocent woman deeply in love with Othello. She becomes the target of Iago's malicious schemes.
Iago: The play's main antagonist, Iago is Othello's ensign and trusted friend. He is a master manipulator who orchestrates a web of deception and jealousy, ultimately leading to the tragic events of the play.
Cassio: Michael Cassio is Othello's loyal and honorable lieutenant. He becomes a pawn in Iago's scheme when Iago falsely implicates him in a supposed affair with Desdemona.
Emilia: Emilia is Iago's wife and Desdemona's maid. She plays a crucial role in Iago's plot, unwittingly assisting him in his schemes until she uncovers the truth near the play's conclusion.
Roderigo: Roderigo is a wealthy Venetian who is infatuated with Desdemona. Iago manipulates him into serving his nefarious purposes by promising to help him win Desdemona's love.
Brabantio: Desdemona's father, Brabantio, is a Venetian senator who is initially angered by his daughter's marriage to Othello due to his racial prejudice against the Moor.
Duke of Venice: The Duke is a high-ranking Venetian official who presides over Othello's trial and judgment. He represents the authority of the Venetian state.
Montano: Montano is the governor of Cyprus, where much of the action of the play takes place. He is involved in a brawl provoked by Cassio and Roderigo, instigated by Iago.
These are the principal characters in "Othello: The Moor of Venice," each playing a vital role in the unfolding of the tragedy, with their actions and relationships driving the plot to its devastating conclusion.
Contents
Characters of the Play
ACT 1
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
ACT 2
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
ACT 3
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
ACT 4
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
ACT 5
Scene 1
Scene 2
Characters of the Play
Othello, the Moor, general of the Venetian forces.Desdemona, his wife.Iago, ensign to Othello.Emilia, his wife, lady-in-waiting to Desdemona.Cassio, lieutenant to Othello.The Duke Of Venice.Brabantio, Venetian Senator, father of Desdemona.Gratiano, nobleman of Venice, brother of Brabantio.Lodovico, nobleman of Venice, kinsman of Brabantio.Roderigo, rejected suitor of Desdemona.Bianca, mistress of Cassio.Montano, a Cypriot official.A Clown in service to Othello.Senators, Sailors, Messengers, Officers, Gentlemen, Musicians, and Attendants.
Scene: Venice and Cyprus.
ACT 1
Scene 1
Venice. A street.
Enter RODERIGO and IAGO
RODERIGO
Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindlyThat thou, Iago, who hast had my purseAs if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.
IAGO
'Sblood, but you will not hear me:If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me.
RODERIGO
Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.
IAGO
Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man,I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:But he; as loving his own pride and purposes,Evades them, with a bombast circumstanceHorribly stuff'd with epithets of war;And, in conclusion,Nonsuits my mediators; for, 'Certes,' says he,'I have already chose my officer.'And what was he?Forsooth, a great arithmetician,One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;That never set a squadron in the field,Nor the division of a battle knowsMore than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric,Wherein the toged consuls can proposeAs masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise,Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proofAt Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other groundsChristian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'dBy debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,And I--God bless the mark!--his Moorship's ancient.
RODERIGO
By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.
IAGO
Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service,Preferment goes by letter and affection,And not by old gradation, where each secondStood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself,Whether I in any just term am affinedTo love the Moor.
RODERIGO
I would not follow him then.
IAGO
O, sir, content you;I follow him to serve my turn upon him:We cannot all be masters, nor all mastersCannot be truly follow'd. You shall markMany a duteous and knee-crooking knave,That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,For nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd:Whip me such honest knaves. Others there areWho, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty,Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,And, throwing but shows of service on their lords,Do well thrive by them and when they have linedtheir coatsDo themselves homage: these fellows have some soul;And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir,It is as sure as you are Roderigo,Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago:In following him, I follow but myself;Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,But seeming so, for my peculiar end:For when my outward action doth demonstrateThe native act and figure of my heartIn compliment extern, 'tis not long afterBut I will wear my heart upon my sleeveFor daws to peck at: I am not what I am.
RODERIGO
What a full fortune does the thicklips oweIf he can carry't thus!
IAGO
Call up her father,Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight,Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen,And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy,Yet throw such changes of vexation on't,As it may lose some colour.
RODERIGO
Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud.
IAGO
Do, with like timorous accent and dire yellAs when, by night and negligence, the fireIs spied in populous cities.
RODERIGO
What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!
IAGO
Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves!Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!Thieves! thieves!
BRABANTIO appears above, at a window
BRABANTIO
What is the reason of this terrible summons?What is the matter there?
RODERIGO
Signior, is all your family within?
IAGO
Are your doors lock'd?
BRABANTIO
Why, wherefore ask you this?
IAGO
'Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put onyour gown;Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;Even now, now, very now, an old black ramIs topping your white ewe. Arise, arise;Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:Arise, I say.
BRABANTIO
What, have you lost your wits?
RODERIGO
Most reverend signior, do you know my voice?
BRABANTIO
Not I what are you?
RODERIGO
My name is Roderigo.
BRABANTIO
The worser welcome:I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors:In honest plainness thou hast heard me sayMy daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness,Being full of supper and distempering draughts,Upon malicious bravery, dost thou comeTo start my quiet.
RODERIGO
Sir, sir, sir,--
BRABANTIO
But thou must needs be sureMy spirit and my place have in them powerTo make this bitter to thee.
RODERIGO
Patience, good sir.
BRABANTIO
What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice;My house is not a grange.
RODERIGO
Most grave Brabantio,In simple and pure soul I come to you.
IAGO
'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will notserve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come todo you service and you think we are ruffians, you'llhave your daughter covered with a Barbary horse;you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll havecoursers for cousins and gennets for germans.
BRABANTIO
What profane wretch art thou?
IAGO
I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughterand the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.
BRABANTIO
Thou art a villain.
IAGO
You are--a senator.
BRABANTIO
This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Roderigo.
RODERIGO
Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech you,If't be your pleasure and most wise consent,As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter,At this odd-even and dull watch o' the night,Transported, with no worse nor better guardBut with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor--If this be known to you and your allowance,We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs;But if you know not this, my manners tell meWe have your wrong rebuke. Do not believeThat, from the sense of all civility,I thus would play and trifle with your reverence:Your daughter, if you have not given her leave,I say again, hath made a gross revolt;Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunesIn an extravagant and wheeling strangerOf here and every where. Straight satisfy yourself:If she be in her chamber or your house,Let loose on me the justice of the stateFor thus deluding you.
BRABANTIO
Strike on the tinder, ho!Give me a taper! call up all my people!This accident is not unlike my dream:Belief of it oppresses me already.Light, I say! light!
Exit above
IAGO
Farewell; for I must leave you:It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,To be produced--as, if I stay, I shall--Against the Moor: for, I do know, the state,However this may gall him with some cheque,Cannot with safety cast him, for he's embark'dWith such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,Which even now stand in act, that, for their souls,Another of his fathom they have none,To lead their business: in which regard,Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains.Yet, for necessity of present life,I must show out a flag and sign of love,Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,Lead to the Sagittary the raised search;And there will I be with him. So, farewell.
Exit
Enter, below, BRABANTIO, and Servants with torches
BRABANTIO
It is too true an evil: gone she is;And what's to come of my despised timeIs nought but bitterness. Now, Roderigo,Where didst thou see her? O unhappy girl!With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father!How didst thou know 'twas she? O she deceives mePast thought! What said she to you? Get more tapers:Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you?
RODERIGO
Truly, I think they are.
BRABANTIO
O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' mindsBy what you see them act. Is there not charmsBy which the property of youth and maidhoodMay be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,Of some such thing?
RODERIGO
Yes, sir, I have indeed.
BRABANTIO
Call up my brother. O, would you had had her!Some one way, some another. Do you knowWhere we may apprehend her and the Moor?
RODERIGO
I think I can discover him, if you please,To get good guard and go along with me.
BRABANTIO
Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call;I may command at most. Get weapons, ho!And raise some special officers of night.On, good Roderigo: I'll deserve your pains.
Exeunt