Disdemona (i. e. 'the hapless one')," 1 who is beaten to death "with a stocking filled with sand," Cassio and Emilia from the vaguest possible outlines. The tale should be read side by side with the play by such as desire to study the process whereby a not altogether artless tale of horror 2 has become the subtlest of tragedies-"perhaps the greatest work in the world.” 3 "The most pathetic of human compositions." 4 DURATION OF ACTION The action seems to cover three days:-Act I—one day; interval for voyage; Act II-one day; Acts III, IV, Vone day. In order to get over the difficulty of this timedivision various theories have been advanced, notably that of Double Time, propounded by Halpin and Wilson; according to the latter, "Shakespeare counts off days and hours, as it were, by two clocks, on one of which the true Historic Time is recorded, and on the other the Dramatic Time, or a false show of time, whereby days, weeks, and i 1 This is the only name given by Cinthio. Steevens first pointed out that "Othello" is found in Reynold's God's Revenge against, Adultery, standing in one of his arguments as follows:-"She marries Othello, an old German soldier." The name "Iago" also occurs in the book. It is also found in The first and second part of the History of the famous Euordanus, Prince of Denmark. With the strange adventures of Iago, Prince of Saxonie: and of both their several fortunes in Love. At London, 1605. 2 Mrs. Jameson rightly calls attention to a striking incident of the original story:-Desdemona does not accidentally drop the handkerchief: it is stolen from her by Iago's little child, an infant of three years old, whom he trains and bribes to the theft. The love of Desdemona for this child, her little play fellow-the pretty description of her taking it in her arms and caressing it, while it profits by its situation to steal the handkerchief from her bosom, are well imagined and beautifully told, etc. 3 Macaulay. 4 Wordsworth:-"The tragedy of Othello, Plato's records of the last scenes in the career of Socrates, and Izaak Walton's Life of George Herbert are the most pathetic of human compositions." (Á valuable summary of criticisms, English and foreign, will be found in Furness' Othello, pp. 407-453.) months may be to the utmost contracted" (Furness, pp. 358-372). According to Mr. Fleay, the scheme of time for the play is as follows: Act I-one day. Interval for voyage. Act II-one day. Act III-one day (Sunday). Interval of a week, at least. Act IV, sc. i, ii, iii; Act V, sc. i, ii, iii-one day. Where Act IV begins with what is now Act III, sc. iv, and Act V with the present Act IV, sc. iii. "Dreams, Books, are each a world: and books, we know, Are a substantial world, both pure and good; Round them with tendrils strong as flesh and blood, Our pastime and our happiness will grow. There find I personal theme, a plenteous store, Matter wherein right voluble I am, To which I listen with a ready ear; Two shall be named pre-eminently dear,- And heavenly Una, with her milk-white Lamb. DRAMATIS PERSONE DUKE OF VENICE Other Senators GRATIANO, brother to Brabantio LODOVICO, kinsman to Brabantio OTHELLO, a noble Moor in the service of the Venetian state IAGO, his ancient RODERIGO, a Venetian gentleman MONTANO, Othello's predecessor in the government of Cyprus DESDEMONA, daughter to Brabantio and wife to Othello EMILIA, wife to Iago BIANCA, mistress to Cassio Sailor, Messenger, Herald, Officers, Gentlemen, Musicians, and Attendants SCENE: Venice: a seaport in Cyprus SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK ACT I Othello, a Moorish general of noble birth, woos and wins Desdemona, daughter to Brabantio, a Venetian senator. Her father, learning of their secret marriage, is very angry and accuses him before the Duke of stealing his daughter by means of "spells and medicines bought of mountebanks." Desdemona herself declares in the council chamber her love for the Moor and receives her father's forgiveness. The Duke and the senators then take. up state matters. These are very pressing, for word has come that the Turks are making "a most mighty preparation" to take the Island of Cyprus from the Venetians. Othello, as the most able general in Venice, is sent to oppose them. His wife accompanies him. By promoting Cassio to be his lieutenant Othello incurs the secret enmity of Iago, his ancient or ensign. The latter also believes his general has had improper relations with his wife Emilia. ACT II A storm wrecks the Turkish fleet before it reaches Cyprus. Othello issues a proclamation for general rejoicing because of their deliverance from the Turks and in honor of his marriage. Cassio is placed in charge, with instructions to keep the fun within bounds. Iago plies him with wine until he is drunk and involves him in a street fight. Othello hears the noise, and, coming to the scene, reduces Cassio to the ranks. The latter is sobered by this disgrace and is anxious to be restored to his rank again. He is |