6. OTHELLO

Date WrittenDate RangeFirst Published Shakespeare’s plays (conjectures of the best editors)(composition / performance) All's Well That Ends Well ?1623 Measure For Measure Othello King Lear Macbeth

Rhodes CYPRUS Venice Turkey

Duke of Venice Duke of Venice, or the "Doge" Roderigo Roderigo, a dissolute Venetian, in love with Desdemona Othello Othello, the Moor: A general in the Venetian military CassioBianca Cassio, Othello's lieutenant ↔Bianca, Cassio's lover Desdemona Desdemona, Othello's wife and daughter of Brabantio Brabantio Brabantio, a Venetian senator, Gratiano's brother, and Desdemona's father Gratiano Gratiano, Brabantio's brother Lodovico Lodovico, Brabantio's kinsman and Desdemona's cousin Iago Iago, Othello's ensign and Emilia's husband Emilia Emilia, Iago's wife and Desdemona's maidservant Montano Montano, Othello's Venetian predecessor in the government of Cyprus Clown, a servant Officers Gentlemen Messenger Herald Sailor Attendants Musicians, etc.

Othello Othello (2.1, ; M351) Amen to that, sweet powers! I cannot speak enough of this content; It stops me here; it is too much of joy: the greatest discords And this, and this, the greatest discords be Kissing her That e'er our hearts shall make!Iago well tuned [Aside] O, you are well tuned now! the pegs that make this music But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am. Iago Iago (2.3, ; M383) into his ear 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 Iago (2.1, ; 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 his trumpet The Moor! I know his trumpet. ACT III (M ) SCENE I. Before the castle. CASSIOMusicians Enter CASSIO and some MusiciansCASSIO Masters, play here; I will content your pains; Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.' Music Clownwind-instrument the general so likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it 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 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] Iago 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] Desdemona Desdemona (4.3,26segg.; M497…) My mother had a maid call'd Barbara: She was in love, and he she loved proved mad a song of 'willow;' And did forsake her: she had a song of 'willow;' An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune, she died singing itthat song to-night And she died singing it: that song to-night Will not go from my mind Will not go from my mind; I have much to do, But to go hang my head all at one side, sing it like poor Barbara And sing it like poor Barbara. Prithee, dispatch. [… con quel che segue]

Ci vediamo giovedì 17 maggio con il settimo incontro del ciclo: MACBETH Buona Pasqua!