Notes on Othello

A. Stereotypes—moor, black man, muslim—quote from Arden Introduction page 4

B. Error and proof –comic vs. tragic misprision—reformation and scientific revolution: Iago and Puck—inference; passion and reason in love;

1. Ocular proof, physical evidence; the trial

2. Issue of “place”—bed and in hierarchy; suit and suitor

3. The senator’s ability to distinguish truth from falsehood, see through the Turk’s feigning—as opposed to Brabantio and Iago

4. Brabantio’s false inference about witchcraft

5. The senates distinguishing error or misprision from truth in case of Brabantio and Othello 1.3.108—this is no proof

6. She loved me for the dangers I had passed and I loved her that she did pity them 1.3.169—I think this tale would win my daughter—power of Othello’s rhetoric n

7. Brabantio: move from love to affairs of state 1.3.221

8. Cyprus--Othello—my blood begins my safer guides to rule…manage private and domestic quarrel 2.3.211

9. Come Desdemona—tis the soldier’s life 2.3.254

a) Her ambition in promoting Cassio 3.3.20-25

10. Mistaken entrances

a) 1.2.30

11. Magic in the web; witchcraft

12. Her misprision of him—3.4.141—something sure of state…I had suborned the witness—he’s indited falsely

13. Total confusion at night 5.1 wounding Cassio—killing Roderigo and placing blame on Bianca—getting her accused—scapegoating and placing blame

14. Religious imagery

15. Not Cassio killed 114

16. You heard her say herself it was not I 5.2.125

17. Your father’s dead

C. Iago

1. the villain—Aaron, Flamineo, Richard—talking to the audience; honest iago--honest fools 2.3.330—wit and not witchcraft 2.3.368

2. I am not what I am 1.1.64—his bewildering transformations and reappearances—a kind of Robin Goodfellow—his delight in disguise and acting and playwriting

3. His poison language—poison his delight 1.1.66—like a drug or spell, his rhetorical strength 1.84-90, 115, ability to improvise, 1.2.1

a) Where’s that palce whereinto foul things sometimes intrude not 3.3.154—demonic

b) Would you grossly gape on, behold her topped 3.3.398

4. Lecture to Roderigo about lust and will—love is just a scion of lust; put money in thy purse 1.3.318—and about virtue as a fig—it’s all power; not virtue or love; and it lies within will

5. All his philosophy contingent on the occasion

6. Iago on lust

a) Convincing Roderigo she must change 1.3.350; also in banter in 2.1.167 and with Roderigo in 2.1.225

b) Sure Othello and Cassio have slept with his wife 2.1.293 and 1.3.385—mentioned twice [defective script?]

7. Soliloquy 1.3.385—engendering the plot

8. Seducing Cassio into drinking—finding his infirmity 2.3.40, 105, 151

9. Iago on reputation 2.3.260, 3.3.158

10. An honest man and hates the slime that sticks on filthy deeds 5.2.144

D. The Moor

1. put up your swords 1.2.58

2. position and love 1.2.88

3. Zounds 3.4.99

4. epileptic fit 4.143

5. I would have him nine years a killing…she might lie by an emperor’s side and command him tasks…I will chop her into messes 4.1.175, 197

6. Cassio shall have my place…goats and monkeys 4.1.260

7. Some of your function mistress 4.2.27….there where I have garnered up my heart 4.2.58

8. I will kill thee and love thee after 5.2.19

9. When we shall meet at compt this look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven and fiends will snatch it…whip me ye devils

10. An honorable murderer 5.2.291

11. Final speech 5.2. 340—die upon a kiss

E. Emilia’s betrayal

1. I have a thing for you 3.3.305

2. They are all stomachs, we but food 3.4.104

3. Attack on betrayer 4.2.125

4. So come my soul to bliss as I speak true

F. Sexual pressure

1. Interrupted in the Saggitary

2. Desdemona wants to go to with him to war 1.3.250 and wants to have sex 1.3.260

3. Othello insists he’s not subject to lust—soldier and husband—Uriah and Bathsheba

4. Separated at the Senate

5. Cassio: may love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms…bring Cyprus comfort 2.1.80

6. The romantic duet—Otello [next time]

7. The profit’s yet to come tween me and you 2.3.10

8. Bell rings, riot interrupts them 2.31.159

9. Iago’s bride and groom divesting them for bed 2.3.176

10. O curse of marriage--3.3.275—

11. They are all stomachs, we but food 3.4.104

12. The bed: undressing for bed 4.3

13. Tragic loading of this bed 5.2.361

G. Happy Arrival at Cyprus

1. turkish fleet drowned, othello arriving; tribute to him and Desdemona by Cassio and Montano—contrast Iago’s version

2. O my fair warrior…O my soul’s joy 2.1.180-196

3. Celebration and feasting

H. Seduction scene—cf. Notes

1. Giving Othello a stake in proving her guilt to assuage his uncertainty and fear 3.3.217—I am bound to thee forever

2. the handkerchief—the prop; the evidence; the sign

3. trifles light as air…dangerous conceits 3.3.325—inference

4. Othello returns regretting the knowledge…wanting the knowledge, regretting the knowledge—imagines the whole camp…had tasted her sweet body…farewell war…occupation gone…ocular proof…doubt and reformation

5. Cassio’s dream

6. The handkerchief—cassio wipe his beard

7. Arise black vengeance from the hollow hell 50

8. Now art thou my lieutenant 481

I. Credulousness of both Othello and Desdemona

J. Cassio

1. With drink

2. With Bianca 3.4.170