02_212752 ch01.qxp 5/15/08 9:54 PM Page 1 Introduction Shakespeare on the Double! Othello provides the full text of the Bard’s play side by side with an easy-to-read modern English translation that you can understand. You no longer have to struggle wondering what exactly “I kissed thee ere I killed thee” means! You can read the Shakespearean text on the left-hand pages and check the right-hand pages when Shakespeare’s lan- guage stumps you. Or you can read only the translation, which enables you to understand the action and characters without struggling through the Shakespearean English. You can even read both, referring back and forth easily between the original text and the modern translation. Any way you choose, you can now fully understand every line of the Bard’s masterpiece! We’ve also provided you with some additional resources: • Brief synopsis of the plot and action offers a broad-strokes overview of the play. • Comprehensive character list covers the actions, motivations, and characteristics of each major player. • Visual character map displays who the major characters are and how they relate to one another. • Cycle of death pinpoints the sequence of deaths in the play, includ- ing who dies, how they die, and why they die. • Reflective questions help you delve even more into the themes and meanings of the play. Reading Shakespeare can be slow and difficult. No more! With Shakespeare on the Double! Othello, you can read the play in language that you can grasp quickly and thoroughly. COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 1 02_212752 ch01.qxp 5/15/08 9:54 PM Page 2 Synopsis ACT I Scene 1 On a street in the city-state of Venice, Italy, Roderigo, a Florentine noble, argues with Iago, the Moorish general’s flag bearer. Roderigo, who loves the refined Venetian lady Desdemona, has paid large sums of money for baubles for Iago to pass to Desdemona. Roderigo expects Iago to relay the gifts to win Desdemona’s love so Roderigo can marry her. The two men learn that Desdemona has left the house of her father, Brabantio, a sena- tor, and has eloped with Othello, a black-skinned Moor from North Africa who is a mercenary military commander in service to Venice. Roderigo fears that he has lost both his lady and his investment. Iago reveals to Roderigo that Iago takes pleasure in plotting and lying to get what he wants. An experienced soldier, Iago hates Othello for promoting Michael Cassio, an intellectual accountant, to the position of lieutenant, a post that Iago wanted for himself. Iago plans to ruin Othello for two rea- sons—to avenge himself on the general for the lost promotion and to gain Desdemona for Roderigo. Iago and Roderigo knock at the senator’s door and yell until Brabantio comes out onto the upstairs balcony of his residence in his night clothes. Iago informs the senator that Desdemona has eloped with Othello. The couple room at the Sagittary Inn. Brabantio, enraged, dresses and joins Roderigo in awakening kinsmen and neighbors and in organizing a search party. Scene 2 Iago informs Cassio of Othello’s marriage. Cassio summons Othello to an urgent state meeting about the military situation on the island of Cyprus. Iago warns Othello that there may be a legal attempt to annul the mar- riage. Despite personal threat on his wedding day, Othello knows his mili- tary worth to Venice. He confidently meets the Duke and senators in the council chamber. When Brabantio’s party arrives at the Duke’s chambers, the senator threatens Othello and accuses him of bewitching Desdemona to win her 2 02_212752 ch01.qxp 5/15/08 9:54 PM Page 3 Othello 3 love. The angry father believes that Desdemona would never marry a black like Othello voluntarily. Brabantio calls for Othello’s arrest and imprison- ment, but yields to the Duke’s summons to the emergency session. Scene 3 Several reports from Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean indicate a Turkish fleet advancing on the island. The reports differ in the size of the enemy navy, but the situation is obviously critical after the combined force heads for Rhodes, then changes course toward Cyprus. Othello enters the meeting with Cassio, Brabantio, Iago, and others. The Duke immedi- ately appoints Othello to head the forces in defense of Cyprus. Brabantio informs the Duke that a seducer has corrupted Desdemona with magic potions and minerals. In Brabantio’s opinion, she would never willingly choose such an outsider for a husband. The Duke promises to support Brabantio’s investigation of witchcraft, a capital crime. When the Duke realizes that the alleged seducer is Othello, he calls on the general to defend himself. Othello describes his courtship of Desdemona in a dignified, persuasive speech. To prove that the romance is mutual, Othello asks the Duke to send for Desdemona to speak for herself. Iago leads a group to fetch her from the Sagittary Inn. When Othello finishes describing how he wooed Desdemona with stories of his many experiences, the Duke sides with Othello. The Duke admits that his own daughter would love a man who has survived enslavement. Desdemona makes a compelling argument concerning woman’s duties. She owes obedience and gratitude to her father for her upbringing, but, after marriage, her loyalty passed to her husband, just as her mother appropriately left her father’s care and passed to Brabantio’s control. The Duke urges Brabantio to drop his opposition to the marriage. Othello must depart immediately for Cyprus to command its defense. Desdemona requests to go as well. The Duke grants her wish. Before departing that night, Othello selects Iago to follow later in another ship, bringing Desdemona and her household. Iago’s wife, Emilia, serves Desdemona as lady-in-waiting, a combination of chaperone, social secre- tary, and lady’s maid. As Othello leaves, Brabantio warns Othello that Desdemona may trick her new husband just as she deceived her father. Othello trusts Desdemona’s fidelity. In private to Iago, Roderigo admits he has lost Desdemona and talks of drowning himself. Iago scorns Roderigo’s melodrama and convinces him to go to Cyprus. Iago predicts that Desdemona will tire of Othello and look for younger, more interesting men. Because he hates Othello, Iago pledges to help Roderigo court Desdemona and reminds Roderigo to bring plenty of money to buy gifts to sway Desdemona into a sexual liaison. 02_212752 ch01.qxp 5/15/08 9:54 PM Page 4 4 Othello In private, Iago congratulates himself for gaining Roderigo’s money. In a side thought, Iago ponders a rumor that Othello has seduced his wife Emilia. Although Iago is unconvinced, he uses the rumor to justify his hatred. Iago’s real aim is to seize Cassio’s position as lieutenant, which Iago believes he deserves. 3 ACT II Scene 1 On the fortified island of Cyprus, Montano, the governor, awaits the Venetian forces, whom a storm delayed at sea. A messenger reports that the Turkish fleet is so damaged by wind and waves that it no longer threat- ens Cyprus. Cassio’s ship outruns the convoy and precedes Desdemona’s ship in arriving at the harbor. Her first question is for news of Othello, whose ship the storm separated from the fleet. Cassio and Desdemona pass the time in pleasantries. Iago watches, planning to damn Cassio for his winsome courtesies to women. Othello arrives triumphant. He, Desdemona, and their company enter the fortress. The flag bearer stays behind to fetch the general’s luggage. Iago uses the opportunity to tell Roderigo a blatant lie—that Desdemona is in love with Cassio. Iago convinces Roderigo to pick a fight with Cassio to cause mutiny that will ruin Cassio’s career. Iago mutters to himself his hatred for Othello, whom Iago plans to drive insane. Scene 2 A messenger reads a proclamation declaring a night of feasting for islanders. The festivities celebrate both the destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello and Desdemona’s recent marriage. Scene 3 During six hours of dining, merrymaking, and drinking, Cassio commands the night watch. General Othello directs the soldiers to drink with moder- ation and to keep the peace before the 11:00 P.M. curfew. Cassio and Iago, Othello’s second in command, depart to launch a security patrol. Othello and Desdemona retire to spend their first night together since their marriage. In private to Cassio, Iago makes suggestive remarks about Desdemona, which Cassio ignores. Iago urges Cassio to drink, despite Cassio’s knowl- edge that he gets drunk easily. Iago spurs Roderigo into a fight with Cassio, 02_212752 ch01.qxp 5/15/08 9:54 PM Page 5 Othello 5 whose military skill Roderigo belittles. When others join the melee, Iago sends Roderigo to ring the alarm bell. The noise awakens Othello, who leads an armed squad to the disturbance. The general demands to know who started the fight. Iago names Cassio. Othello relieves Cassio from his post for being drunk and disorderly while on duty. Othello and Desdemona return to bed. Pretending friendship, Iago advises Cassio to ask Desdemona to inter- vene with Othello to regain Cassio’s appointment. Cassio agrees. Iago uses his unsuspecting wife Emilia as a go-between to arrange a private meeting between Cassio and Desdemona. 3 ACT III Scene 1 Cassio hires a group of musicians to entertain Othello. During the singing, Cassio sends a jokester to find Desdemona’s lady-in-waiting. Iago dispatches Emilia from the castle to speak with Cassio. Emilia reports that Desdemona and Othello are discussing last night’s street brawl.