In high school, I only read the Charles & Mary Lamb version of Shakespeare’s works. While it served as a good introduction to the essential plots and themes, it failed to capture the true beauty of the language. I never formally studied Shakespeare, and my only attempt at reading his original works was as a fourteen-year-old, grasping at dusty shelves to retrieve a heavy copy of The Complete Original Works of Shakespeare at my grandparents’ house. Unfortunately, that cherished leather-bound edition has been lost, and now that I appreciate its value, I regret not taking better care of it.
But I digress.
Given the challenges of reading the original prose, and considering critics’ claims that Shakespeare’s works are filled with puns and jokes, I decided to approach it differently. I chose to begin my journey with Othello, as I am drawn to dark tragic themes. I borrowed the text from the library and also obtained an audio recording of the Donmar Warehouse production of Othello. This rendition features Ewan McGregor as Iago, Kelly Reilly as Desdemona, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Othello. I won’t provide a review of the production, but I will say that it’s worth a listen. Although it received average reviews during its 2007 performance, I personally enjoyed it, so approach it at your own discretion.
As I played the recording, I followed along in the text, discovering new meanings in each sentence. The nuances in the actors’ delivery and the accompanying soundtrack helped to establish the context and tone of each scene, enriching my reading experience.
Othello is a marvelous tale of passionate love, betrayal, jealousy, revenge, and the thirst for power. Among the characters, my favorite is Iago because of his intelligence and complexity. I always knew Iago was evil, but Shakespeare portrays him as a malevolent genius. Oh, what a cunning villain he is! Othello is initially likable until he succumbs to madness due to jealousy. None of the other characters left a significant impression on me, except perhaps Emilia, who stands out as the sole feminist voice in the play.
The play addresses broader themes such as interracial marriage (Othello is famously depicted as a black man) and the social position of black men in society. It also explores the role of women and their subjugation (highlighted by Desdemona’s fate being determined by her father and later her husband) and the struggle for power (as the tragedy unfolds when Othello passes over Iago and promotes Cassio).
Rather than paraphrasing the entire story, I would like to share some of my favorite lines and leave you with those.
Othello : ( as he describes how Desdemona and he fell in love)
Her father loved me; oft invited me; Still question’d me the story of my life, From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes, That I have passed. I ran it through, even from my boyish days, To the very moment that he bade me tell it; Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and fieldOf hair-breadth scapes i’ the imminent deadly breach, Of being taken by the insolent foe And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence And portance in my travels’ history: Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle, Rough quarries, rocks and hills whose heads touch heaven It was my hint to speak,–such was the process;……………………… This to hearWould Desdemona seriously incline: But still the house-affairs would draw her thence: Which ever as she could with haste dispatch, She’ld come again, and with a greedy ear Devour up my discourse:……………………… She gave me for my pains a world of sighs: She swore, in faith, twas strange, ’twas passing strange, ‘Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful: She wish’d she had not heard it, yet she wish’d That heaven had made her such a man: she thank’d me, And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story. And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake: She loved me for the dangers I had pass’d, And I loved her that she did pity them.BRABANTIO ( It is here that it is where the seed of doubt is planted in Othello’s mind) Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father, and may thee. Iago ( when he explains to Roderigo that he must become rich to win Desdemona)– Put money in thypurse; follow thou the wars; defeat thy favour withan usurped beard; I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor, — put money in thy purse,–nor hehis to her: it was a violent commencement, and thoushalt see an answerable sequestration: –put butmoney in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills: fill thy purse with money: –the food that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall beto him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth: when she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice: she must have change, she must: therefore put money in thy purse. Iago to Cassio (who has just kissed Emilia as a sign of courtesy): Sir, would she give you so much of her lips As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, You’ll have enough. And some of my favorite – Iago’s comment on women’s beauty and witIf she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, The one’s for use, the other useth it.
If she be black, and thereto have a wit, She’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
She never yet was foolish that was fair; For even her folly help’d her to an heir. DESDEMONA ( assuring Cassio that she will heckle Othello until his case is heard) Do not doubt that; before Emilia here I give thee warrant of thy place:assure thee, If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it To the last article: my lord shall never rest; I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience; His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift; I’ll intermingle every thing he does With Cassio’s suit: therefore be merry, Cassio; For thy solicitor shall rather die Than give thy cause away. Iago( explains the concept of reputation) Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse steals trash; ’tis something, nothing; ‘Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands: But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed. IAGO ( on wealth & happiness) Poor and content is rich and rich enough, But riches fineless is as poor as winter To him that ever fears he shall be poor.And many more…
