OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. 'The Plot is taken from the Hecatommithi, or 'Hundred Tales' of Giraldo Cinthio, an Italian novelist and dramatist of the second class, in the sixteenth century." But although Shakspeare was indebted for the general plan of his plot to the Italian novelist, vet many of the characters are entirely of his own creation, and all of them owe to him hat individuality which Shakspeare, of all dramatic poets, seems to possess the power of ransfusing into all the personages he introduces into his Dramas. Bishop Lowth says of this Play, that "the passion of jealousy, its causes, progress, incidents, and effects, have been more truly, more acutely, more copiously, and more impressively delineated, than has been done by all the disquisitions of all the philosophers who have treated on this dark argument." But it may well be added, that the beauties of this immortal Drama are so conspicuous as to need no aid of critical illustration. PERSONS REPRESENTED. DUKE OF VENICE. BRABANTIO, a Senator. Two other Senators. GRATIANO, brother to Brabantio. LODOVICO, kinsman to Brabantio. OTHELLO, the Moor : CASSIO, his lieutenant; IAGO, his ancient. RODERIGO, a Venetian Gentleman. MONTANO, Othello's predecessor in the government of Cyprus. DESDEMONA, daughter to Brabantio, and wife to Othello. Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicians, Sailors, Attendants, &c. SCENE, for the First Act, in VENICE; during the rest of the play, at Othello, a noble Moor, in the service of the States of Venice, has won the affections of Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio. The lady leaves her father's house, clandes tinely, and is married to the Moor: Iago, a seeming friend of Othello, but in reality his "direst foe,"-acquaints Brabantio of Desdemona's flight, and sets the enraged father in pursuit of his daughter and her husband: hethen joins the Moor, to avoid susnicion of his double dealing. a Sea-Port in CYPRUS. ACT I. SCENE II.-A Street in Venice. Enter OTHELLO, Iago, and Attendants. Iago. Though in the trade of war I have slain men, Oth. "Tis better as it is. Iago. Nay, but he pratea, And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms That, with the little godliness I have, I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir, Oth. For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yonder? Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Officers, with torches. Oth. Not I: I must be found; Oth. The servants of the duke and my lieutenant. The goodness of the night upon you, friends! What is the news? Cas. The duke does greet you, general; And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Oth. What is the matter, think you ? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine; It is a business of some heat: the gallies Have sent a dozen sequent messengers This very night, at one another's heels; And many of the consuls, rais'd, and met, Are at the duke's already: You have been hotly call'd for; When, being not at your lodging to be found, The senate hath sent about three several quests, To search you out. Oth. "Tis well I am found by you. [Exit. Cas. Ancient, what makes he here? Iago. He's married. Cas. To whom? Re-enter OTHELLO. Iago. Marry, to Come, captain, will you go? Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you. Have with you. Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers of night, with torohes ana weapons. Iago. It is Brabantio :-general, be advis'd; He comes to bad intent. Oth. Hola! stand there! Down with him, thief! Rod. Signior, it is the Moor. Bra. [They draw on both sides. Iago. You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you. Oth. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Good signior, you shall more command with years, Than with your weapons. Bra. O thou fo 1 thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter ? For I'll refer me to ll things of sense, Thou hast practis'd on her with foul charms. Oth. Hold your hands, Both you of my inclining, and the rest: Without a prompter. - Where will you that I go To answer this your charge? Bra. To prison: till fit tim. Of law, and course of direct session, Call thee to answer. How may the duke be therewith satisfied; Upon some present business of the state, To bring me to him. Off. 'Tis true, most worthy signior The duke's in council; and your noble self, I am sure, is sent for. Bra. How, the duke in council ! In this time of the night!-Bring him away : Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself, Or any of my brothers of the state Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own: Bond-slaves, and pagans, shall our statesmen be. SCENE III. - The Same. A Council Chamber. [Exeunt. The DUKE, and Senators, sitting at a table; Officers attending. Duke. There is no composition in these news, That gives them credit. 1st Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say, a hundred and seven gallies. Duke. And mine a hundred and forty. 2nd Sen. And mine, two hundred: But though they jump not on a just account, (As in these cases, where the aim reports, 'Tis oft with difference,) yet do they all confirm A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus. Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to judgment. Enter a Messenger. Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, Steering with due course toward the isle of of Rhodes, R Have there injointed them with an after fleet. 1st Sen. Ay, so I thought :--How many, as you guess ? Mess. Of thirty sail: and now do they re-stem Your trusty and most valiant servitor, With his free duty recommends you thus, And prays you to believe him. Duke. "Tis certain then for Cyprus. 1st Sen. Here comes Brabantio, and the valiant Moor. Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Officers. Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you Against the general enemy Ottoman. [TO BRABANTIO. Bra. So did I yours: Good your grace, pardon me; And it is still itself. Bra. My daughter! O, my daughter! Duke. Why, what's the matter? Dead? Aye, to me: Sen. Bra. She is abus'd, stol'n from me, and corrupted By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks: For nature so preposterously to err, Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, Sans witchcraft could not Duke. Whoe'er he be, that, in this foul proceeding Hath thus beguil'd your daughter of herself, And you of her, the bloody book of law You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, After your own sense; yea, though our proper son Bra. Humbly I thank your grace. Here is the man, this Moor; whom now, it seems, Hath hither brought. Duke & Sen. We are very sorry for it. Duke. What, in your own part, can you say to this? Bra. Nothing, but this is so. Oth. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, My very noble and approv'd good masters,- [TO OTHELLO. |