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Home , Margaret Hughes, Othello, Othello (ballet), Othello (paintings)

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STUDENT GUIDE

Content created by Directors of Education Breona Conrad and Joshua Murphy contact: [email protected] with any questions, concerns, or more fascinating Shakespeare trivia quick facts. 8

Theatrical history took D

e America's most notable performance of took to

place at the Vere Street c Broadway in 1943. Directed by Margaret Webster, this was the e 1943. Theatre on this date as m first production to feature a black Othello alongside an otherwise white cast. The b production starred in the title role; he had previously played the

Margaret Hughes took to e

r role in London in 1931. The 1943 production ran for 296 performances; one of the stage as , 1 the longest running Shakespearean plays in Broadway history. Along with this, becoming England's first 6 6 this production was the first long performance of a Shakespearean play to be professional actress. 0 released on record. Paul Robeson is a Shakespearean rock star. T H E T E S T O F T I M E Brief history lesson: in 1649, King Charles I was executed on the grounds of high treason and thus began the Interregnum, or the time when the monarch was kicked off the throne. All of that was restored in 1660: The Restoration. Hooray! The Monarchy is back! Along with this, theatres, which were banned during the Interregnum, were reopened. Hooray! But here's the rub: though Shakespeare's works made a comeback, many of his works were adapted or tweaked to better fit the times and social climate. OTHELLO wasn't touched. It hit the stages in its original form on October 11, 1660. The themes of Othello are still very relevant in the 21st century. Can you think of any parallels?

? The name "There once lived in a Moor, You may have E DESDEMONA is of who was very valiant and of a MOOR handsome person..." noticed the subtitle of M Greek origin meaning

A "misery" and "unlucky." This is the opening line of this play: "The Moor of

N is the Spanish form Shakespeare's source for Othello: 16th Venice." In of Jacob meaning century story Un Capitano Moro ("A

A Europe and England,

"supplanter" or a person Moorish Captain") by Italian writer the word "moor" was N who trips up or overthrows. Giraldi Cinthio. It was featured in a I

OTHELLO is a little more collection called Hecatommithi. The only used to described a

S of a guess. The best guess named character in Cinthio's story is person who was '

T is that Othello is derived Desdemona. The other characters swarthy (dark skinned)

A from , the Italian were: Moor (Othello), the Squadron or tawny (orange-

H derivative of Otto meaning Leader (Cassio), the Ensign (Iago), and "rich and prosperous." the Ensign's Wife (). brown) in skin tone. W S C

WAIT, COULD YOU SPELL THAT AGAIN? The word 'honesty' O

HIS FINAL BOW The first recorded performance of U Kean was an or synonym of that T Othello occurred , 1604. ' word is spoken 52 S

accomplished English The title of the play was The Moor of H

Venis (yes, that is the correct spelling) times in the play- O in the 18th Century. Known most commonly by N written by...Shaxberd. Where's O to "play the whole round of spellcheck when you need it? Iago. Honest! R , comedy, opera, farce," Kean had a turn at "B U T I W I L L W E A R M Y H E A R T U P O N M Y S L E E V E . .." Ever hear that phrase in a song or conversation? Have you both Othello and Iago. On ever spoken this phrase? If you've answered yes, you've March 25, 1833, while encountered Shakespeare. Dialogue from Act 1 scene i, Iago: onstage as Othello opposite his son, Charles, as Iago, "...But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at: I am not what I am." Kean collapsed and died. (pssst...that's Latin for "persons of the drama" or, cast of characters as we know it) dramatis personae

(Th at's t he low in a est ra naval nking GENERAL IN THE VENETIAN MILITARY comm OTHELLO and.)

IAGO OTHELLO'S TRUSTED, BUT CONNIVING, ENSIGN

CASSIO OTHELLO'S LOYAL AND MOST BELOVED CAPTAIN

RODERIGO CORRUPT VENETIAN, IN LOVE WITH DESDEMONA

MONTANO VENETIAN PREDECESSOR IN THE GOVERNMENT OF

OTHELLO'S WIFE; DAUGHTER OF DESDEMONA

IAGO'S WIFE AND DESDEMONA'S MAIDSERVANT EMILIA

CASSIO'S LOVE

ALSO SAILORS official (That is an ) essenger. HOLD ON! m HERALD/SOLDIER This adaptation is full of BRABANTINO VENETIAN SENATOR significant cuts to the AND DESDEMONA'S original text. Fear not! All of the major plot points FATHER "Men are still very much in tact. One BIG change to this version is that our GRATIANO should be action begins in Cyprus, BRABANTIO'S BROTHER not Venice. Because of what they this, we never meet Desdemona's family. If LODOVICO seem..." you like this adaptation, BRABANTIO'S KINSMAN read the whole text! AND DESDEMONA'S -Iago When you do, you'll COUSIN'S BROTHER meet these guys: In a single play, Shakespeare penned both his most disdainful villain and poignant tragic hero. To quote the introduction of Othello by Leslie Dunton-Downer and Alan Riding from their book Essential Shakespeare Handbook, "Iago's pathological fiendishness has never been surpassed in dramatic literature, set against Othello's honesty, love, and purity of principle." The following is a summary of the entire play; this production has been condensed and some characters and scenes have been completely cut for time and flow.

One name is at the center of every conversation: Othello. He has recently promoted Cassio to Lieutenant- a title Iago had been coveting. News has reached Barbantio, via Iago, his daughter, Desdemona, has secretly eloped with Othello. This news infuriates Brabantino and devastates Rodergio who is desperately in love with Desdemona. Brabantio is convinced Othello used to woo Desdemona until she arrives and professes her love. Iago and join forces to seek revenge against Othello. We set sail for Cyprus: Iago with 1 Desdemona, Othello with a fleet to prepare for battle against the Turks. Othello is still at sea for battle; news arrives that the Turkish fleet has wrecked. Meanwhile, Iago lands in Cyprus with Desdemona where they are greeted with great affection by Cassio, an affluent gesture that enrages and inspires Iago. Iago convinces Roderigo to confront Cassio with being in love with Desdemona. Othello arrives and throws a party to celebrate his marriage and the demise of the Turks. Iago convinces Cassio, who has a drinking problem, to get drunk. Cassio causes a scene and is disgraced by Othello. Iago then convinces Cassio to plead forgiveness 2 through Desdemona; he plots to make Othello see the Cassio and Desdemona together. Othello walks in on Cassio and Desdemona talking. Cassio leaves with haste and Desdemona takes to pleading to Othello on behalf of Cassio. These actions, fueled by Iago's sinister advice, takes hold and Othello becomes suspicious of Desdemona's fidelity. Emilia, Iago's wife, steals the handkerchief Othello gave to Desdemona so Iago can place it in Cassio's room to further the deception. Othello demands proof of the affair. First Iago claims that Cassio, while sleepwalking, passionately embraced him thinking Iago was Desdemona, but Othello doesn't bite. He then says he saw Cassio wipe his beard with Desdemona's handkerchief. This works. Desdemona presses Othello to speak with Cassio. Othello 3 demands the handkerchief; she can't produce it. Uh-oh. Iago sets up Othello to hear Cassio speaking candidly about his "affair" with Desdemona and does so by tricking Cassio into talking openly about his real relationship with Bianca. Othello is over the edge and seeks to murder Desdemona for revenge; Iago feeds that fire. Word comes that Othello must away and Cassio is to be put in charge in Cyprus. Roderigo confronts Iago about not delivering gifts to Desdemona on his behalf as promised. Iago spins this into convincing Roderigo that what needs to 4 happen is Cassio being murdered. Desdemona, now full of fear, confides in Emilia. Roderigo and Cassio fight; Roderigo is injured. Running to his "aide," Iago takes the opportunity to kill Roderigo. Cassio gets away with a leg wound. Othello watches Desdemona sleep as he contemplates killing her. She awakes and pleads her innocence after Othello confronts her to confess her sin. He smothers her and then confesses to Emilia. His confession leads Emilia to connect the dots of the command to steal the handkerchief; Iago immediately kills her upon the confession and is swiftly arrested. Cassio then enters and reveals the entire plot to Othello. 5 Overcome with remorse and sorrow, Othello stabs himself. "Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! JEALOUSY Not Your Average It is the -eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on..." -Iago, Act 3 scene 3 Shakespearean The overwhelming driving force in Othello is jealousy: Iago and Roderigo act out of jealousy and it is the single force that leads to Othello's undoing. Today, we don't really call it Tragedy "the green-eyed monster," but have you ever encountered the phrase "green with envy" in conversation or in a movie, TV show, or Ever wonder why, after book? Have you ever made a choice influenced by jealousy? 400 years, the works of "And, noble signior, -The Duke of Venice - Shakespeare are the Act I Scene iii RACE If virtue no delighted beauty lack, most performed plays Your son-in-law is far more fair than black." in the world? One of Unrest due to an and snap judgements the reasons is that his and assumptions based on skin color. No, I am not describing an episode of Parenthood. 400 years ago, people plays explore humanity, dealt with the very same issues and the hold and effect of and humanity is racism is still palpable in our daily lives. ALWAYS relevant. Do you personally know anyone affected by racism? "But, study guide," you "...And, though he in a fertile climate dwell, MANIPULATION ask, "what about some Plague him with flies. Though that his joy be joy, of the devices Yet throw such changes of vexation on 't -Iago, Act I scene i As it may lose some color..." Shakespeare uses, like Insert name of any Soap Opera here...or Game of Thrones! House the poison in Romeo Lannister is fueled by manipulation. But, let's get back to reality: bending and Juliet that makes the truth to suit our needs is a tactic we use regularly. From little white Juliet appear dead or lies to full on fraud, manipulation is EVERYWHERE in our lives. Have you ever faked being sick to get out of class? the incantations of witches in , or "Reputation, reputation, reputation! the ghost in , or REPUTATION Oh, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself..." -C a ssio, the ghost in Julius Act 2 scene iii Social media presence. Number of followers. Being voted Prom Caesar? And we don't King or Queen. Earning the title of most epic prank. It's the live in a monarchy. basis of every high school rom-com: reputation = status. None of those Have you ever worried what others might think of you? examples are relevant to our real world." "It is a creature That dotes on Cassio—as 'tis the strumpet's GENDER Othello is different. This plague... /He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain -Iago, Act 4 scene i From the excess of laughter..." play explores societal Let's face it, the women in Othello are not treated well. Women around hot buttons that are still the world still fight for equality and for their voices to be heard. Think very much a part of our about this: Arizona elected its' FIRST two female senators in 2018.

21st century lives: Do you know anyone affected by #MeToo? Meet Debra Ann Byrd! She's the founder of the Harlem and plays the title role. In January, Debra Ann took the time to answers these questions from the Education Department here at SSC:

Can you talk to us a little bit about The Harlem Shakespeare Festival? What can I expect if I were to plan a trip to New York to experience the Festival? With the plays of as its foundation, the What is it about Harlem Shakespeare Festival™ is a classical theatre Shakespeare that festival spanning across Harlem with ongoing programming lights you up? from late summer through early spring. The festival, now celebrating it’s 7th season was formed with a social justice The main thing about Shakespeare that lights mission to foster understanding and unity in the arts by me up is his use of words producing special events and plays with multicultural casts, and language. It not only with a special emphasis in giving center stage opportunities lights me up, but inspires to women, youth and especially classically trained of me and empowers me all color. The Festival, inaugurated in summer 2013, brings at once! Being an actress Shakespeare scripts alive featuring 3-5 Shakespeare and who gets to "speak the modern plays, master classes, panel discussions, speech" is like having workshops, international symposiums, artist talk-backs, superpowers. It is like Shakespeare4Kids, ShakespeareInMusic, wearing a large magical ShakespeareOnFilm, and Shakespeare-In-The-Open-Air. cape. And this super-cape lights me up and gives me the power to stand tall, to Why an all female Othello? break barriers, to bring The Harlem Shakespeare Festival chose to produce an all- people together and to female Othello in order to give more opportunities to female walk boldly towards my classically trained actresses. The opportunity to play roles dreams and goals! traditionally outside of their reach, gives women the ability to stretch and flex their acting muscles, which in turn gives them the chance to reach towards their highest potential. What is your most memorable moment on stage? I would have to say that my most memorable moment on stage happened while performing Othello in 2015. My Othello was quite emotional at the realization that Desdemona was dead and moreover that he was responsible. I began to say a line that began with "O". When I opened my mouth to speak the words, a sound came rushing from my belly, my head and body reared back and I let out a such a roar as would shake the room. It was as if I was levitating. I recall having to tell

myself to come back to the stage and finish the line. Wow!, I Debra Ann Byrd as Othello thought, I will never forget such a moving moment.