OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. THE story upon which this beautiful and instructive tragedy is founded, was taken, according to Mr. Pope, from Cynthio's novels. It was probably written in the year 1611. Mustapha, Selymus's general, invaded Cyprus in May 1570, and conquered it in the following year. His fleet first sailed towards that island; but immediately changing its course for Rhodes, formed a junction with another squadron, and then returned to the attack of Cyprus thus the actual historical periods of the performance are satisfactorily determined. In addition to the admirable lesson set forth in this impressive tragedy, so well calculated to produce an excellent effect upon the human mind, by pourtraying that baneful passion, which, when once indulged, is the inevitable destroyer of conjugal happiness; it may justly be considered as one of the noblest efforts of dramatic genius, that has appeared in any age, or in any language. "The fiery openness of Othello, (says Dr. Johnson) magnanimous, artless, and credulous; boundless in his confidence, ardent in his affection, inflexible in his resolution, and obdurate in his revenge---the soft simplicity of Desdemona, confident of merit, and conscious of innocence; her artless perseverance in her suit, and her slowness to suspect that she can be suspected---the cool malignity of lago, silent in his resentment, subtle in his designs, and studious at once of his interest and his vengeance---are such proofs of Shakspeare's skill in human nature, as I suppose it is in vain to seek in any modern writer; whilst even the inferior characters would be very conspicuous in any other piece, not only for their justness, but their strength." In proportion to the enormity of such a crime as adultery, should be the caution with which a suspicion of it is permitted to be entertained; and our great dramatic moralist was no doubt desirous of enforcing this maxim, when he made it, as he has done, the subject of no less than four of his most finished productions. RODERIGO, a Venetian Gentleman. CLOWN, Servant to Othello. DESDEMONA, Daughter to Brabantio, and EMILIA, Wife to lago. BIANCA, a Courtezan, Mistress to Cassio. MONTANO, Othello's predecessor in the Go- Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicans, vernment of Cyprus. Sailors, Attendants, &c. SCENE, for the first Act, in Venice; during the rest of the Play, at a Sea-port in Cyprus. ACT I. SCENE I-Venice.-A Street. Rod. Tush, never tell me, I take it much un- That thou, Iago,-who hast had my purse, this. Jago. 'Sblood, but you will not hear me :- Rod. Thou told'st me, thou didst hold him in Jago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Forsooth, a great arithmetician, A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; † Wherein the toged consuls can propose By debitor and creditor; this counter-caster, I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, But he, as loving his own pride and purposes, And, in conclusion, nonsuits And I, (God bless the mark!) his Moorship's ancient. Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. But there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service; Preferment goes by letter and affection, Whether I in any just term am affin'd * Rod. I would not follow him then. I follow him to serve my turn upon him: Whip me such honest knaves: Others there are, Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; And such a one do I profess myself. It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Iago. Call up her father, [owe + Rouse him; make after him, poison his delight, Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen, And, though he in a fertile climate dwell, Rod. Here is her father's house: I'll call aloud. Iago. Do; with like timorous accent, and dire yell, As when, by night and negligence, the fire Rod. What, ho! Brabantio! signior Brabantio, ho! Iago. Awake! what, ho! Brabantio! thieves thieves thieves ! [bags! Look to your house, your daughter, and your Thieves thieves ! BRABANTIO, above, at a Window. Bra. What is the reason of this terrible sumWhat is the matter there? [mons? Rod. Signior, is all your family within ? Iago. Are your doors lock'd ? Bra. Why? wherefore ask you this! Iago. 'Zounds, Sir, you are robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; [soul; Your heart is burst, you have lost half your Even now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping 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. Bra. What, have you lost your wits? Rod. Most reverend signior, do you know my voice ? Bra. Not 1; What are you? Rod. My name is-Roderigo. Bra. The worse welcome: 'doors; I have charg'd thee, not to haunt about my Being full of supper and distempering draughts Rod. Sir, Sir, Sir, Sir,- Bra. But thou must needs be sure, Rod. Patience, good Sir. Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice; My house is not a grange. • Rod. Most grave Brabantio, In simple and pure soul I come to you. lago. 'Zounds, Sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service, you think we are ruffians: You'll have your daughter covered with a Barbaty horse; you'll have your nephews † neigh to you you'll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans. Bra. What profane wretch art thou? Iago. I am one, Sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. Bra. Thou art a villain. Iago. You are-a senator. Bra. This thou shalt answer: I know thee Roderigo. Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. But I be seech you, If't be your pleasure, and most wise consent, leave, I say again, bath made a gross revolt; Bra. Strike on the tinder, ho! [Exit from above. Iago. Farewell; for I must leave you : It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place, To be produc'd (as, if I stay, I shall,) Against the Moor: For, I do know, the state, However this may gall him with some check, Cannot with safety cast | him; for he's embark'd With such loud reason to the Cyprus' wars, (Which even now stand in act,) that, for their souls, Another of his fathom they have not, I must show out a flag and sign of love, Lead to the Sagittary the rais'd search; [Exit. Enter below, BRABANTIO, and Servants with Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is: He didst thou know 'twas she? O thou de- Past thought!-What said she to you ?-Get more Bra. O heaven!-How got she out!-O trea- Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds By what you see them act.-Are there not charms Rod. Yes, Sir; I have indeed. Bra. Call up my brother.-0 that you had Some one way, some another.-Do you know Rod. I think, I can discover him, if you please Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll I may command at most :-Get weapons, ho! SCENE II.-The same.-Another Street. men, Yet do I hold it very stuff o'the conscience, Oth. 'Tis better as it is. Iago. Nay, but he prated, 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. Let him do his spite : know, 'Tis yet to tenant. The goodness of the night upon you, friends! Cas. The duke does greet you, general; Oth. What is the matter, think you? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine; This very night at one another's heels; When, being not at your lodging to be found, Oth. 'Tis well I am found by you. I will but spend a word here in the house. [Exit. Cas. Ancient, what makes me here ? carack, + If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. Cas. To who? Re-enter OTHELLO. Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go? Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you. Iago. It is Brabantio :-general, be advised; Oth. Holla! stand there! Bra. Down with him, thief! [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.[years, Good signior, you shall more command with Than with your weapons. Bra. O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her: That waken motion: I'll have it disputed on; (Which, when I know that boasting is an hon-Tis probable, and palpable to thinking. I shall promulgate,) I fetch my life and being I would not my unhoused free condition Put into circumspection and confine I therefore apprehend and do attach thee, Oth. Hold your hands, Both you of my inclining, and the rest: For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it yonder ? Without a prompter.-Where will you that I go Bra. To prison: till fit time Of law, and course of direct session, Oth. What if I do obey? How may the duke be therewith satisfied; |