Othello Bloom Chapter

8/13/2019 Othello Bloom Chapter

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O T H E L L O

Source: Harold Bloom, Shakespeare: the Invention of the Human, Riverhead Books, New York,1998.pp.43!"#

$%he charac&er o' (a)o ... *elo+)s &o a class o' charac&ers commo+ &o Shakespeare, a+d a& &he same &ime

peculiar &o him+amel-, &ha& o' )rea& i+&ellec&ual ac&ivi&-, accompa+ied wi&h a &o&al wa+&

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o' moral pri+ciple,a+d &here'ore displa-i+) i&sel' a& &he co+s&a+& epe+se o' o&hers, a+d seeki+) &o co+'ou+d &he prac&ical

dis&i+c&io+s o' ri)h& a+d wro+), *- re'erri+) &hem &o some overs&rai+ed s &a+dard o' specula&ive

re'i+eme+& .Some perso+s, more +ice &ha+ wise, have &hou)h& &he whole o' &he charac&er o' (a)o

u++a&ural. Shakespeare, who was /ui&e as )ood a philosopher as he was a poe&, &hou)h& o&herwise. He

k+ew &ha& &he love o' power, which is a+o&her +ame 'or &he love o' mischie', was +a&ural &o ma+. He would

k+ow &his as well or *e&&er &ha+ i' i& had *ee+ demo+s&ra&ed &o him *- a lo)ical dia)ram, merel- 'rom seei+)

childre+ paddle i+ &he dir&, or kil l 'l ies 'or spor&. 0e mi)h& ask &hose who &h i+k &he charac&er o' (a)o +o&

+a&ural, wh- &he- )o &o see i& per'ormed, *u& 'rom &he i+&eres& i& eci&es, &he sharper ed)e which i& se&s o+

&heir curiosi&- a+d ima)i+a&io+ 0h- do we )o &o see &ra)edies i+ )e+eral 0h- do we alwa-s read &he

accou+&s i+ &he +ewspapers o' dread'ul 'ires a+d shocki+) murders, *u& 'or &he same reaso+ 0h- do so

ma+- perso+s 're/ue+& eecu&io+s a+d &rials, or wh- do &he lower classes 2sic almos& u+iversall- &ake deli)h&

i+ *ar*arous spor&s a+d cruel&- &o a+imals, *u& *ecause &here is a +a&ural &e+de+c- i+ &he mi+d &o s&ro+)

eci&eme+&, a desire &o have i&s 'acul&ies roused a+d s&imula&ed &o &he u&mos& 0he+ever &his pri+c iple is

+o& u+der &he res&rai+& o' huma+i&-, or &he se+se o' moral o*li)a&io+, &here are +o ecesses &o which i& will

+o& o' i&sel' )ive rise, wi&hou& &he assis&a+ce o' a+- o&her mo&ive, ei&her o' passio+ or sel'!i+&eres&, (a)o is o+l-

a+ e&reme i+s&a+ce o' &he ki+d,! &ha& is, o' diseased i+&el lec&ual ac&ivi&-, wi&h a+ almos& per'ec& i+di''ere+ce

&o moral )ood or evil, or ra&her wi&h a pre'ere+ce o' &he la&&er, *ecause i& 'alls more i+ wi&h his 'avouri&e

prope+si&-, )ives )rea&er es& &o his &hou)h&s, a+d scope &o his ac&io+s.Be i& o*served, &oo, 5'or &he

sake o' &hose who are 'or s/uari+) al l huma+ ac&io+s *- &he maims o' Roche'oucaul&6, &ha& he is /ui&e or

+earl- as i+di' 'e re+& &o his ow+ 'a&e as &o &ha& o' o&hers,! &ha& he ru+s all risks 'or a &r i' li +) a+d dou*&'ul

adva+&a)e,! a+d is himsel' &he dupe a+d vic&im o' his ruli+) passio+a+ i+corri)i*le 3love o' mischie'a+

i+sa&ia*le cravi+) a'&er ac&io+ o' &he mos& di '' icu l& a+d da+)erous ki+d. 7ur +cie+& is a philosopher, who

'a+cies &ha& a lie &ha& kills has more poi+& i+ i& &ha+ a+ all i&era&io+ or a+ a+& i&hesis,! who &hi+ks a 'a&al

eperime+& o+ &he peace o' a 'amil- a *e&&er &hi+) &ha+ wa&chi+) &he palpi&a&io+s i+ &he hear& o' a 'lea i+ a+

air!pump,! who plo&s &he rui+ o' his 'rie+ds as a+ eercise 'or his u+ders&a+di+), a+d s&a*s me+ i+ &he dark &o

preve+& ennui4. -0illiam Hali&&

Si+ce i& is 7&hellos &ra)ed-, eve+ i' i& is la)os pla- 5+o& eve+ Hamle& or ;dmu+d seem &o compose

so much o' &heir dramas6, we +eed &o res&ore some se+se o' 7&hellos i+i&ial di)+i&- a+d )lor-. *ad

moder+ &radi&i o+ o' cri& icism &ha& )oes 'rom % S. ;l io & a+ d lack2?rope+si&- > +a&ural &e+de+c-3(+corri)i*le > ca+@& *e cha+)edA deep!roo&ed4;++ui > a 'eeli+) o' lis&less+ess a+d )e+eral dissa&is'ac&io+ resul&i+) 'rom lack o' ac&ivi&- or eci&eme+& 5so (a)odoes &hese &erri*le &hi+)s &o avoid *oredom, *asicall-6.


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His&oricism has dives&ed#&he hero o' his sple+dour, i+ e''ec& doi+) la)os work so &ha&, i+ 7&hellos

words, 7&hellos occupa&io+s )o+e. Si+ce 1919 or so, )e+erals have los& es&eem amo+) &he eli&e,

&hou)h +o& alwa-s amo+) &he )rou+dli+)s. Shakespeare himsel' su*ec&ed chivalric valour &o &he

super* comic cri&i/ueCo'


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*ecause his o+l- God is 7&hel lo himsel', whose 'a ll *ecomes &he appropria&e reve+)e 'or la)os

evide+&l- sicke+i+) loss o' *ei+) a& reec&io+, wi&h co+se/ue+ces i+cludi+) wha& ma- *e seual

impo&e+ce, a+d wha& cer&ai+l- is a se+se o' +ulli&-, o' +o lo+)er *ei+) wha& o+e was. (a)o is

Shakespeares lar)es& s&ud- i+ o+&o!&heolo)ical a*se+ce, a se+se o' &he void &ha& 'ollows o+ 'rom

Hamle&s, a+d &ha& direc&l- precedes ;dmu+ds more res&ric&ed *u& eve+ more a''ec&less ecursio+

i+&o &he u+ca++i+ess o' +ihil ism. 7&hel lo was ever-&hi+) &o (a)o, *ecause war was ever-&hi+),

passed over, (a)o is +o&hi+), a+d i+ warri+) a)ai+s& 7&hello, his war is a)ai+s& o+&olo)-1J.

%ra)ic drama is +o& +ecessaril- me&aph-sical11,*u& (a)o, who sa-s he is +o&hi+) i' +o& cri&ical,

also is +o&hi+) i' +o& me&aph-sical. His )ra+d *oas& ( am +o& wha& ( am deli*era&el- repeals S&.

?auls B- &he )race o' God ( am wha& ( am. 0i&h (a)o, Shakespeare is e+a*led &o re&ur+ &o &he

Eachiavel, -e& +ow +o& &o a+o&her aro+ &he Eoor or Richard (((, *o&h versio+s o' Bara*as, Kew o'

Eal&a, *u& &o a charac&er li)h&!-ears *e-o+d Earlowe. %he sel'!deli)h& o' Bara*as, aro+, a+d

Richard ((( i+ &heir ow+ villai+- is childlike compared wi&h (a)os au)me+&i+) pride i+ his

achieveme+& as ps-cholo)is&, drama&is&, a+d aes&he&e15&he 'irs& moder+ o+e6 as he co+&empla&es

&he &o&al rui+ o' &he war )od 7&hello, reduced &o murderous i+cohere+ce. la)os accomplishme+& i+

reve+)e &ra)ed- 'ar surpasses Hamle&s revisio+ o' The Mur$er of *on+a)o i+&o The Mousetrap.

Fo+&empla&e la)os achieveme+&: his u+aided )e+ius has lim+ed13 &his +i)h& piece, a+d i& was his

*es&. He will die u+der &or&ure, sile+&l-, *u& he wil l have le'& a mu&ila&ed reali&- as his mo+ume+&.

ude+, i+ o+e o' his mos& pul i+) cri& ical essa-s, 'ou+d i+ (a)o &he apo&heosis14o' &he prac&ical

oker, which ( ' i+d eplica*le o+l- *- realii+) &ha& ude+s (a)o was Lerdis 5&ha& is, Boi&os6, us&

as ude+s &o represe+& i+ drawi+) or pai+&i+)A descri* e i+ wordsA a+ o*sole&e word 'or illumi+a&e.14po&heosis > &he eleva&io+ o' a perso+ &o &he ra+k o' a )odA dei'ica&io+A )lori'ica&io+ o' a perso+ or &hi+)A a )lori'iedideal.15+ihilism > a comple&e de+ial o' all es&a*lished au&hori&- a+d i+s&i&u&io+sA ?hilosoph-. a+ e&reme 'orm o'scep&icism &ha& s-s&ema&icall- reec&s all values, *elie' i+ eis&e+ce, &he possi*ili&- o' commu+ica&io+, e&cA arevolu&io+ar- doc&ri+e o' des&ruc&io+ 'or i&s ow+ sakeA &he prac&ice or promul)a&io+ o' &errorism. No&e &ha& all 'ourde'i+i&io+s appl- &o (a)o.


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prac&ical oker. Sa&a+, eplori+) &he u+&racked *-ss i+ 'ara$ise Lost, is &rul- i+ la)os spiri& . 0ho

*e'ore (a)o, i+ li&era&ure or i+ li 'e, per'ec&ed &he ar&s o' disi+'orma&io+, disorie+&a&io+, a+d

dera+)eme+& ll &hese com*i+e i+ la)os )ra+d pro)ramme o' u+crea&io+, as 7&hello is re&ur+ed &o

ori)i+a l chaos, &o &he %ohu a+d Bohu 'rom which we came.

;ve+ a *r ie' )la+ce a& Shakespeares source i+ Fi+&hio reveals &he e&e+& &o which (a)o is

esse+&iall- Shakespeares radical i+ve+& io+, ra&her &ha+ a+ adap&a&io+ o' &he wicked ;+si)+ i+ &he

ori)i+al s&or-. Fi+&hios ;+si)+ 'alls passio+a&el- i+ love wi&h Iesdemo+a, *u& wi+s +o 'avor wi&h her,

si+ce she loves &he Eoor. %he u++amed ;+si)+ decides &ha& his 'ailure is due &o Iesdemo+as

love 'or a+ u++amed Fap&ai+ 5Shakespeares Fassio6, a+d so he de&ermi+es &o remove &his

supposed rival, *- i+duci+) ealous- i+ &he Eoor a+d &he+ plo&& i+) wi&h him &o murder *o&h

Iesdemo+a a+d &he Fap&ai+. (+ Fi+&hios versio+, &he ;+si)+ *ea&s Iesdemo+a &o dea&h, while &he

Eoor wa&ches approvi+)l-. (& is o+l- a'&erward, whe+ &he Eoor repe+&s a+d despera&el- misses his

wi'e, &ha& he dismisses &he ;+si)+, who &hus is 'irs& moved &o ha&red a)ai+s& his )e+eral.

Shakespeare &ra+smu&ed &he e+&ire s&or- *- )ivi+) i&, a+d (a)o, a di''ere+& s&ar&i+) poi+&, &he 'ore!

)rou+d i+ which (a)o has *ee+ passed over 'or promo&io+. %he o+&olo)ical shock o' &ha& reec&io+

is Shakespeares ori) i+al i+ve+&io+ a+d is &he &rauma &ha& &ru l- crea&es (a)o, +o mere wicked

;+si)+ *u& ra&her a )e+ius o' evil who has e+)e+dered1Chimsel' 'rom a )rea& &o *ri+) a*ou& or )ive rise &oA produce or causeA &o *e *or+ or cause &o *e *or+A *ri+) or come i+&o *ei+).17Nulli&- > charac&erlessA wi&hou& valueA +o&hi+)+essA a void


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0olves cull &hemselves, ma+. 0ha& o&her crea&ure could +d is &he race o' ma+ +o& more predacious 18

-e& %he wa- o' &he world is &o *loom a+d 'lower a+d die *u& i+ &he a''airs o' me+ &here is +o wa+i+)

a+d &he moo+ o' his epressio+ si)+als &he o+se& o' +i)h&. His spiri& is ehaus&ed a& &he peak o' i&s

achieveme+&. His meridia+ is a& o+ce his darke+i+) a+d &he eve+i+) o' his da-. He loves )ames =e&

him pla- 'or s&akes.

(+ (a)o, wha& was &he reli)io+ o' war, whe+ he worshiped 7&hello as i&s )od, has +ow *ecome &he

)ame o' war, &o *e pla-ed ever-where ecep& upo+ &he *a&&le'ield. %he dea&h o' *elie' *ecomes

&he *ir&h o' i+ve+&io+, a+d &he passed!over o''icer *ecomes &he poe& o' s&ree& *rawls, s&a**i+)s i+

&he dark, disi+'orma&io+, a+d a*ove all else, &he u+crea&io+ o' 7&hello, &he spara)mos19o' &he )rea&

cap&ai+!)e+eral so &ha& he ca+ *e re&ur+ed &o &he ori)i+al a*-ss, &he chaos &ha& (a)o e/ua&es wi&h

&he Eoors 'rica+ ori)i+s. %ha& is +o& 7&hellos view o' his heri&a)e 5or Shakespeares6, *u& la)os i+!

&erpre&a&io+ wi+s, or almos& wi+s, si+ce ( will ar)ue &ha& 7&hellos much!mali)+ed suicide speech

is some&hi+) ver- close &o a recover- o' di)+i&- a+d cohere+ce, &hou)h +o& o' los& )rea&+ess. (a)o,

'orever *e-o+d 7&hellos u+ders&a+di+), is +o& *e-o+d ours, *ecause we are more like (a)o &ha+ we

resem*le 7&hello. la)os views o+ war, o+ &he wil l, a+d o+ &he aes&he&ics o' reve+)e i+au)ura&e our

ow+ pra)ma&ics o' u+ders&a+di+) &he huma+.

0e ca++o& arrive a& a us& es&ima&e o' 7&hello i' we u+dervalue (a)o, who would *e 'ormida*le

e+ou)h &o u+do mos& o' us i' he emer)ed ou& o' his pla- i+&o our l ives. 7&hel lo is a )rea& soul

hopelessl- ou&classed i+ i+&ellec& a+d drive *- (a)o. Hamle&, as . F. Bradle- o+ce o*served, would

have disposed o' (a)o ver- readil-. (+ a speech or &wo, Hamle& would discer+ (a)o 'or wha& he was,

a+d &he+ would drive (a)o &o suicide *- li)h&+i+) parod- a+d mocker-.


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percep&ive+ess. %he pu*lic sphere )ave Earlowe his Guise i+ The Massare at 'aris, *u& &he Guise

is a mere imp o' evil whe+ u&aposed &o (a)o. %he Ievil himsel'i+ Eil&o+, Earlowe, Goe&he,

Ios&oevsk-, Eelville, or a+- o&her wri&erca++o& compe&e wi& h (a)o, whose merica+

desce+da+&s ra+)e 'rom Haw&hor+es Fhil li+)wor &h a+d Eelvilles Fla))ar& &hrou)h Eark

%wai+s E-s&erious S&ra+)er o+ &o Na&ha+ael 0es&s Shrike a+d Formac EcFar&h-s Kud)e

Holde+. Eoder+ li&era&ure has +o& surpassed (a)o,! he remai+s &he per'ec& Ievil o' &he 0es&,

super* as ps-cholo)is&, pla-wri)h&, drama& ic cri &ic, a+d +e)a&ive &heolo)ia+. Shaw, ealous o'

Shakespeare, ar)ued &ha& &he charac&er de'ies all co+sis&e+c-, *ei+) a& o+ce a coarse *lack)uard

a+d also re'i+ed a+d su*&le.


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'reedom:

7, sir, co+&e+& -ouM

( 'o llow him &o serve m- &ur+ upo+ him.

0e ca++o& al l *e mas&ers, +or al l mas&ers

Fa++o& *e &rul- 'ollowed. You shall mark

Ea+- a du&eous a+d k+ee!crooki+) k+ave%ha&, do&i+) o+ his ow+ o*se/uious *o+da)e,

0ears ou& his &ime much like his mas&ers ass,

a+ces&or


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over 'or promo&io+, is read- &o suspec& ;mil ia wi&h ever- male i+ &he pla-, while +o& par&icularl-

cari+) o+e wa- or &he o&her. ;mil ia, com'or&i+) Iesdemo+a a'&er 7&hellos i+i&ial ra)e o' ealous-

a)ai+s& his *lameless wi'e, sums up her ow+ marria)e also:

%is +o& a -ear or &wo shows us a ma+. %he- are all *u& s&omachs, a+d we all *u& 'ood: %he- ea& us hu+)erl-,

a+d whe+ &he- are 'u l l %he- *elch us. 5(((, iv6

%ha& is &he ero&ic visio+ o' Troilus an$ %ressi$a, carried over i+&o a )rea&er realm, *u& +o& a lessra+cid o+e, *ecause &he world o' Othello *elo+)s &o (a)o. (& is +o& persuasive &o sa- &ha& 7&hello is

a +ormal ma+ a+d (a)o a*+ormal !(a)o is &he )e+ius o' his &ime a+d place, a+d is all will. His passio+

'or des&ruc&io+ is &he o+l- crea&ive passio+ i+ &he pla-. Such a ud)me+& is +ecessaril- ver- som*re,

*u& &he+ &his is surel- Shakespeares mos& pai+'ul pla-. (in) Lear a+d Ma!eth are eve+ darker, *u&

&heirs is &he dark+ess o' &he +e)a&ive su*lime. %he o+l- su*limi&- i+ Othello is la)os. Shakespeares

co+cep&io+ o' him was so de'i+i&ive &ha& &he revisio+s made *e&wee+ &he uar&os &e& a+d &he

s&u**or+A u+co+&rolla*le


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Emilia. Iwill +o&.

*ratiano.


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ps-cholo)is& who u+seamed 7&hello, a+d who de'&l - ma+ipula&ed Iesdemo+a, Fassio, Roderi)o,

a+d all o&hers, a+)ri l- 'alls i+&o &he 'a&e he arra+)ed 'or his prime vic&im, &he Eoor, a+d *ecomes

a+o&her wi'e murderer. He has, a& las&, se& 'ire &o himsel'.

Si+ce &he world is la)os, ( scarcel- am do+e epou+di+) him, a+d will eami+e h im a)ai+ i+ a+

overview o' &he pla-, *u& o+l- a'&er *roodi+) upo+ &he ma+- e+i)mas o' 7&hello. 0here Shakespeare

)ra+&ed Hamle&, =ear, a+d Eac*e&h a+ almos& co+&i+uous a+d pre&er+a&ural elo/ue+ce, he chose

i+s&ead &o )ive 7&hello a curiousl- mied power o' epressio+, dis&i+c& -e& divided, a+d deli*era&el-

'lawed. la)os &hea&rical ism is super*, *u& 7&hellos is &rou*lesome, *rillia+&l- so. %he Eoor &ells us

&ha& he has *ee+ a warrior si+ce he was seve+, presuma*l- a h-per*ole *u& i+dica&ive &ha& he is all

&oo aware his )rea&+ess has *ee+ hard wo+. His pro'essio+al sel'!aware+ess is e&raordi+aril-

i+&e+seA par&l- &his is i+evi&a*le, si+ce he is &ech+icall- a merce+ar-, a *lack soldier o' 'or&u+e

who ho+ora*l- serves &he Le+e&ia+ s&a&e. +d -e& his acu&e se+se o' his repu&a&io+ *e&ra-s wha&

ma- well *e a+ u+easi+ess, some&imes ma+i'es&ed i+ &he *aro/ue#ela*ora&io+s o' his la+)ua)e,

sa&iried *- (a)o as a *om*as& circums&a+ce, P Horri*l- s&u''ed wi&h epi&he&s o' war.

mili &ar- comma+der who ca+ compare &he moveme+& o' his mi+d &o &he ic- curre+& a+d

compulsive course o' &he ?o+&ic 5Black6 Sea, 7&hello seems i+capa*le o' seei+) himsel' ecep& i+

)ra+diose &erms. He prese+&s himsel' as a livi+) le)e+d or walki+) m-&h, +o*ler &ha+ a+-

a+&i/ue Roma+. %he poe& +&ho+- Hech& &hi+ks &ha& we are mea+& &o reco)+ie a ludicrous a+d

+ervous va+i&- i+ 7&hello, *u& Shakespeares adroi&Cperspec&ivism evades so si+)le a reco)+i&io+.

7&hello has a &ouch o' Shakespeares Kulius Faesar i+ himA &here is a+ am*i)ui&- i+ *o&h 'i)ures

&ha& makes i& ver- di''icul& &o &race &he demarca&io+s *e&wee+ &heir vai+)lor-"a+d &heir )ra+deur.

(' -ou *elieve i+ &he war )od Faesar 5as +&o+- does6 or i+ &he war )od 7&hello 5as (a)o o+ce did6,

&he+ -ou lack &he leisure &o co+&empla&e &he )ods 'aili+)s. Bu& i' -ou are Fassius, or &he

pos&lapsaria+8(a)o, &he+ -ou are a& pai+s &o *ehold &he weak+esses &ha& mask as divi+i&-. 7&hello,

like Faesar, is pro+e &o re'er &o himsel' i+ &he &hird perso+, a somewha& u++ervi+) ha*i&, whe&her i+

li&era&ure or i+ li'e. +d -e&, a)ai+ like Kulius Faesar, 7&hello *elieves his ow+ m-&h, a+d &o some

e&e+& we mus& also, *ecause &here is au&he+&ic +o*ili&- i+ &he la+)ua)e o' his soul. %ha& &here is

opaci&- also, we ca++o& dou*&A 7&hellos &ra)ed- is precisel- &ha& (a)o should k+ow him *e&&er &ha+

&he Eoor k+ows himsel' .

7&hello is a )rea& comma+der, who k+ows war a+d &he limi&s o' war *u& who k+ows li&&le else, a+d

ca++o& k+ow &ha& he does +o& k+ow. His se+se o' himsel' is ver- lar)e, i+ &ha& i&s scale is vas&, *u& he

sees himsel' 'rom a'ar as i& wereA up close, he hardl- co+'ro+&s &he void a& his ce+&er. la)os ap!

prehe+sio+ o' &ha& a*-ss is some&imes compared &o Eo+&ai)+esA ( soo+er would compare i& &o

Hamle&s, *ecause like o+e eleme+& i+ &he i+'i +i &e l- varied pri+ce o' Ie+mark, (a)o is well *e-o+d

scep&icism a+d has crossed i+&o +ihilism, la)os mos& *rillia+& i+si)h& is &ha& i' he was reduced &o

25*aro/ue 5i+ &his case6 > heavil- or+ame+&ed s&-le 5i.e. 'lower- a+d over &he &op626adroi& > skil'ul27vai+)lor- > *oas&'ul+ess28pos&lapsaria+ > a'&er disillusio+me+& a+d 'all


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+o&hi+)+ess *- Fassios pre'erme+&, &he+ how much more vul+era*le 7&hello mus& *e, lacki+)

la)os i+&el lec& a+d )ame!pla-i+) wi ll . +-o+e ca+ *e pulveried, i+ la)os view, a+d i+ &his drama

he is ri)h&. %here is +o o+e i+ &he pla- wi&h &he iro+- a+d wi& &ha& alo+e could hold o'' (a)o: 7&hello

is co+sciousl- &hea&rical *u& /ui &e humourless, a+d Iesdemo+a is a miracle o' si+ceri&-. %he &erri*le

pai+'ul+ess o' Othello is &ha& Shakespeare shrewdl- omi&s a+- cou+&er'orce &o (a)o. (+ (in) Lear,

;dmu+d also co+'ro+&s +o o+e wi&h &he i+&ellec& &o wi&hs&a+d him, u+& il he is a++ihila&ed *- &he

e/uisi&e iro+- o' havi+) crea&ed &he +ameless ave+)er who was o+ce his )ull, ;d)ar.


12/30

s-mpa&he&ic represe+&a&io+.

Othello is +o& a poem u+l imi&ed, *e-o+d )e+re, like Hamlet, *u& &he roma+ce eleme+&s i+ i&s &hree

pr i+c ipal 'i)ures do make i& a ver- u+commo+ &ra)ed-. (a)o is a &riumph *ecause he is i+ eac&l-

&he ri)h& pla- 'or a+ o+&o!&heolo)ical vi llai+, while &he chari&a*le Iesdemo+a is super*l- sui&ed &o

&his drama also. 7&hello ca++o& /ui&e 'i&, *u& &he+ &ha& is his sociopoli&ical dilemma, &he heroic

Eoor comma+di+) &he armed 'orces o' Le+ice, sophis&ica&ed i+ i&s decade+ce &he+ as +ow.

Shakespeare mi+)les commercial realism a+d visio+ar- roma+ce i+ his por&rai& o' 7&hello, a+d &he

mi +ecessaril- is u+s&ead-, eve+ 'or &his )rea&es& o' all makers. Ye& we do 7&hello wro+) &o o''er

him &he show o' viole+ce, whe&her *- u+sel 'i+) him or *- devalui+) his )ood+ess. (a)o, +o&hi+)

i' +o& cri&ical, has a kee+er se+se o' 7&hello &ha+ mos& o' us +ow &e+d &o achieve:

%he Eoor is o' a 'ree a+d ope+ +a&ure

%ha& &hi+ks me+ ho+es& &ha& *u& seem &o *e so.

%here are +o& ma+- i+ Shakespeare, or i+ li'e, &ha& are o' a 'ree a+d ope+ +a&ure: &o suppose &ha&

we are &o 'i+d 7&hello ludicrous or pal&r- is &o mis&ake &he pla- *adl-. He is admira*le, a &ower

amo+) me+, *u& soo+ e+ou)h he *ecomes a *roke+ &ower. Shakespeares ow+ Hec&or, l-sses,

a+d chilles, i+ his Troilus an$ %ressi$a, were all comple &raves&ies o' &heir Homeric ori)i+als 5i+

Geor)e Fhapma+s versio+6, *u& 7&hello is precisel- Homeric, as close as Shakespeare desired &o

come &o Fhapma+s heroes. 0i&hi+ his clear limi&a&io+s, 7&hello i+deed is +o*leA his

co+scious+ess, prior &o his 'all, is 'irml- co+&rolled, us&, a+d massivel- di)+i'ied, a+d has i&s ow+ ki+do' per'ec&io+. Reu*e+ Brower admira*l- said o' 7&hello &ha& his heroic simplici&- was also heroic

*li+d+ess. %ha& &oo is par& o' &he ideal hero, par& o' Shakespeares me&aphor. %he me&aphor, +o

lo+)er /ui &e Homeric, had &o e&e+d &o &he pro'essio+al ism o' a )rea& merce+ar- soldier a+d a

heroic *lack i+ &he service o' a hi)hl- decade+& whi&e socie&-. 7&hellos super* pro'essio+alism is a&

o+ce his e&raordi+ar- s&re+)&h a+d his &ra)ic 'reedom &o 'all. %he love *e&wee+ Iesdemo+a a+d

7&hello is au&he+&ic, -e& mi)h& have proved ca&as&rophic eve+ i+ &he a*se+ce o' &he daemo+ic )e+ius

o' (a)o. No&hi+) i+ 7&hello is marria)ea*le: his mil i&ar- career 'ul ' i l ls him comple&el-. Iesdemo+a,

persuasivel- i++oce+& i+ &he hi)hes& o' se+ses, 'alls i+ love wi&h &he pure warrior i+ 7&hello, a+d he

'alls i+ love wi&h her love 'or him, her mirrori+) o' his le)e+dar- career. %heir roma+ce is his ow+

pre!eis&e+& roma+ceA &he marria)e does +o& a+d ca++o& cha+)e him, &hou)h i& cha+)es his

rela&io+ship &o Le+ice, i+ &he hi)hl- iro+ic se+se o' maki+) him more &ha+ ever a+ ou&sider.

7&hellos charac&er has su''ered &he assaul&s o' %. S. ;lio& a+d


13/30

par&l- a s&ud- i+ repressed homoseuali&-, a+d &hus his virule+& ealous- is o' a+o&her order &ha+

7&hellos. 0e wi+ce whe+ 7&hello, i+ his closi+) apolo)ia, speaks o' himsel' as o+e +o& easil-

ealous, a+d we wo+der a& his *li+d+ess. S&il l we +ever dou*& his valour, a+d &his makes i& eve+

s&ra+)er &ha& he a& leas& ma&ches =eo+&es i+ ealous mad+ess. Shakespeares)rea&es& i+si)h& i+&o

male seual ealous- is &ha& i& is a mask 'or &he 'ear o' *ei+) cas&ra&ed *- dea&h. Ee+ ima)i+e &ha&

&here +ever ca+ *e e+ou)h &ime a+d space 'or &hemselves, a+d &he- 'i+d i+ cuckoldr-, real or

ima)i+ar-, &he ima)e o' &heir ow+ va+ishi+), &he real ia&io+ &ha& &he world will )o o+ wi&hou& &hem.

7&hello sees &he world as a &hea&re 'or his pro'essio+al repu&a&io+A &his mos& valia+& o' soldiers

has +o 'ear o' li&eral dea&h!i+!*a&&le, which o+l- would e+ha+ce his )lor-. Bu& &o *e cuckolded *-

his ow+ wi'e, a+d wi&h his su*ordi+a&e Fassio as &he o&her o''e+der, would *e a )rea&er, me&aphor!

ical dea&h!i+!li'e, 'or his repu&a&io+ would +o& survive i&, par&icularl- i+ his ow+ view o' his m-&hic

re+ow+. Shakespeare is su*limel- daemo+ic, i+ a mode &ra+sce+di+) eve+ la)os )e+ius, i+ maki+)

7&hellos vul+era*ili &- eac&l- co+so+a+& wi&h &he wou+d re+dered &o la)os sel'!re)ard *- *ei+)

passed over 'or promo&io+. (a)o sa-s, ( am +o& wha& ( amA 7&hellos loss o' o+&olo)ical di)+i&-

would *e eve+ )rea&er, had Iesdemo+a *e&ra-ed him 5( place &he word *e&wee+ /uo&a& io+

marks, *ecause &he imp lici & me&aphor i+volved is a &riumph o' male va+i &-6. 7&hello all &oo

sel'!co+sciousl- has risked his hard!wo+ se+se o' his ow+ *ei+) i+ marr-i+) Iesdemo+a, a+d

he has a+ accura&e 'ore*odi+) o' chao&ic e+)ul'me+& should &ha& risk prove a disas&er:

;celle+& wre&chM ?erdi&io+ ca&ch m- soul Bu& ( do love &heeM a+d whe+ ( love &hee +o& Fhaos is

come a)ai+. 2(((.ii i.9J!9

+ earlier i+&ima&io+ o' 7&hellos u+easi+ess is o+e o' &he pla-s su*&les& &ouches:


14/30

pi&i'ul,!She wished she had +o& heard i&, -e& she wished %ha& heave+

had made her such a ma+. She &ha+ked me +d *ade me, i' ( had a

'rie+d &ha& loved her, ( should *u& &each him how &o &ell m- s&or- ! +d

&ha& would woo her. po+ &his hi+& ( spake: She loved me 'or &he da+)ers

( had passed +d ( loved her &ha& she did pi&- &hem.

2(.iii.14C!C9

%ha& is ra&her more &ha+ a hi+&, a+d +earl- co+s&i&u&es a *oldl- direc& proposal, o+ Iesdemo+as

par&. 0i&h &he Le+e&ia+ compe&i&io+ evide+&l-co+'i+ed &o &he likes o' Roderi)o, Iesdemo+a is

willi+)l- seduced *- 7&hellos +aive *u& power'ul roma+ce o' &he sel', provoca&ive o' &ha& world o'

kisses. %he Eoor is +o& o+l- +o*leA his sa)a *ri+)s a maide+ +ever *old 5her 'a&hers &es&imo+-6

&o 'a ll i+ love wi&h wha& she 'eared &o look o+. Iesdemo+a, a Hi)h Roma+&ic ce+&uries ahead o'

her &ime, -ields &o &he 'asci+a&io+ o' /ues&, i' #iel$s ca+ *e a+ accura&e word 'or so ac&ive a surre+der.

No o&her ma&ch i+ Shakespeare is so 'a*ulousl- u+likel-, or so &ra)icall- i+evi&a*le. ;ve+ i+ a

Le+ice a+d a F-prus wi&hou& (a)o, how does so impro*a*le a roma+ce domes&ica&e i&sel' %hehi)h poi+& o' passio+ *e&wee+ 7&hello a+d Iesdemo+a is &heir reu+io+ o+ F-prus:

Othello. 7 m- 'ai r warriorM

5es$emona. E- dear 7&hello.

Othello. (& )ives me wo+der )rea& as m- co+&e+&

%o see -ou here *e'ore me. 7 m- souls o-,

(' a'&er ever- &empes& come such calmsEa- &he wi+ds *low &ill &he- have wake+ed dea&h,

+d le& &he la*ouri+) *ark clim* hil ls o' seas,

7l-mpus!hi)h, a+d duck a)ai+ as low

s hells 'rom heave+. (' i& were +ow &o die

%were +ow &o *e mos& happ-, 'or ( 'ear

E- soul ha&h her co+&e+& so a*solu&e

%ha& +o& a+o&her com'or& like &o &his

Succeeds i+ u+k+ow+ 'a&e.

5es$emona. %he heave+s 'or*id

Bu& &ha& our loves a+d com'or&s should i+crease

;ve+ as our da-s do )row.

Othello.me+ &o &ha&, swee& powersM

( ca++o& speak e+ou)h o' &his co+&e+&,

(& s&ops me here, i& is &oo much o' o-.

+d &his, a+d &his &he )rea&es& discords *e 1The# kiss.4

%ha& eer our hear&s shall make. 2(( .i. 18J!9C

hi)h poi+&, )lori'ica&io+


15/30

'o llowi+) m- mas&er, Ir. Koh+so+6 came +a&ural l- &o comed- a+d &o roma+ce, *u& vio le+&l - a+d

am*ivale+&l- &o &ra)ed-. Othello ma- have *ee+ as pai+'ul 'or Shakespeare as he made i& 'or us.

?laci+) &he precarious +o*ili&- o' 7&hello a+d &he 'ra)ile roma+&icism o' Iesdemo+a upo+ o+e

s&a)e wi&h &he sadis&ic aes&he&icism o' (a)o 5a+ces&or o' all moder+ li &erar- cri&ics6 was alread- a+

ou&ra)eous coup o' sel'!wou+di+) o+ &he poe&!drama&is&s par&. ( am deli)h&ed &o revive &he +ow

sco''ed!a& roma+&ic specula&io+ &ha& Shakespeare carries a priva&e a''lic&io+, a+ ero&ic visi&a&io+,

i+&o &he hi)h &ra)edies, Othello i+ par&icular. Shakespeare is, o' course, +o& =ord B-ro+, sca+!

dalousl- paradi+) *e'ore ;urope &he pa)ea+& o' his *leedi+) hear&, -e& &he i+credi*le a)o+- we

ri)h&l- u+der)o as we o*serve 7&hel lo murderi+) Iesdemo+a has a priva&e as well as pu*lic

i+&e+si&- i+'ormi+) i&. Iesdemo+as murder is &he crossi+) po i+& *e&wee+ &he over'lowi+)

cosmos o' Hamle& a+d &he cosmolo)ical emp&i+ess o' =ear a+d o' Eac*e&h.

%he pla- Hamlet a+d &he mi+d o' Hamle& ver)e upo+ a+ ide+&i&-, si+ce ever-&hi+) &ha& happe+s

&o &he ?ri+ce o' Ie+mark alread- seems &o *e &he pri+ce. 0e ca++o& /ui&e sa- &ha& &he mi+d o' (a)o

a+d &he pla- Othello are o+e, si+ce his vic&ims have &heir ow+ )rea&+ess. Ye&, u+&il ;milia co+'ou+ds

him, &he dramas ac&io+ is la)osA o+l- &he &ra)ed- o' &heir &ra)ed- *elo+)s &o 7&hello a+d

Iesdemo+a. (+ 1CJ4, a+ a+o+-mous s&or-&eller re'lec&ed upo+ Shakespeares &ra)edies, where &he

Fomedia+ rides, whe+ &he %ra)edia+ s&a+ds o+ %ip!&oe. %his wo+der'ul remark was made o'

?ri+ce Hamle&, who pleased all , *u& more su*&l- il lumi+a&es Othello, where Shakespeare!as!

comedia+ rides (a)o, eve+ as &he drama&is& s&a+ds o+ &ip&oe &o e&e+d &he limi&s o' his so pai+'ul

ar&. 0e do +o& k+ow who i+ Shakespeares compa+- pla-ed (a)o a)ai+s& Bur*a)es 7&hello, *u& (

wo+der i' i& was +o& &he )rea& clow+ Ro*er& rmi+, who would have pla-ed &he dru+ke+ por&er a& &he

)a&e i+ Ma!eth, &he


16/30

rivals (a)o as a 'lawless co+cep&io+, who re/uires +o improveme+&. Swi+*ur+e was accura&e: &he

mos& per'ec& evil!dom, &he mos& po&e+& demi!devil, a+d a re'lec&io+ *- hel l! 'i re o' &he 'i)ure o'

?rome&heus. Sa&a+ic ?rome&heus ma- a& 'irs& appear &oo Hi)h Roma+&ic, -e& &he p-roma+iac

(a)o e+coura)es Roderi)o &o a

dire -ell s whe+ *- +i)h& a+d +e)li)e+ce &he 'ire (s spied i+ populous ci&ies. 2( .i."4!"C

ccordi+) &o &he m-&h, ?rome&heus s&eals 'ire &o 'ree usA (a)o s&eals us, as 'resh 'odder 'or &he ' ire.

He is a+ au&he+&ic ?rome&hea+, however +e)a&ive, *ecause who ca+ de+- &ha& la)os ' ire is poe&ic

%he hero!villai+s o' Koh+ 0e*s&er a+d F-ril %our+eur are mere +ames o+ &he pa)e whe+ we

co+&ras& &hem wi&h (a)oA &he- lack ?rome&hea+ 'ire. 0ho else i+ Shakespeare, ecep& 'or Hamle&

a+d


17/30

spiri&ual have!+o&, (a)o is u+iversal, &ha& is, ma+- &hi+)s a& o+ce, a+d o' ma+- &imes a& o+ce.

Swi+*ur+e, perhaps &i+)ed wi&h his usual sadomasochism i+ his hi)h re)ard 'or (a)o, prophesied

&ha& la)os s&a+ce i+ hell would *e like &ha& o'


18/30

eal&a&io+ o' &he will, i+ (a)o, ema+a&es 'rom a+ o+&olo)ical lack so )rea& &ha& +o huma+ emo&io+

possi*l- could 'ill i&:

Lir&ue 'i)M &is i+ ourselves &ha& we are &hus, or &hus. 7ur *odies are )arde+s, &o &he which our wills

are )arde+ers. So &ha& i' we will pla+& +e&&les or sow le&&uce, se& h-ssop a+d weed up &h-me, suppl- i&

wi&h o+e )e+der o' her*s or dis&rac& i& wi&h ma+-, ei&her &o have i& s&erile wi&h idle+ess or ma+ured wi&h

i+dus&r-wh-, &he power a+d corri)i*le au&hori&- o' &his lies i+ our wills. (' &he *ala+ce o' our lives had

+o& o+e scale o' reaso+ &o poise a+o&her o' se+suali&-, &he *lood a+d *ase+ess o' our +a&ures would

co+duc& us &o mos& prepos&erous co+clusio+s. Bu& we have reaso+ &o cool our ra)i+) mo&io+s, our

car+al s& i+)s, our u+*i&&ed lus&s,! whereo' ( &ake &his, &ha& -ou call love, &o *e a sec& or scio+.

2(.iii.3J!33

Lir&ue here mea+s some&hi+) like ma+l- s&re+)&h, while *- reaso+ (a)o i+&e+ds o+l- his ow+

a*se+ce o' si)+i'ica+& emo&io+. %his prose u&&era+ce is &he poe&ic ce+&er o' Othello, presa)i+) la)os

co+versio+ o' his leader &o a reduc&ive a+d diseased visio+ o' seuali&-. 0e ca++o& dou*& &ha& 7&hello

loves Iesdemo+aA Shakespeare also ma- su))es& &ha& 7&hello is amai+)l- reluc&a+& &o make love

&o his wi'e. s ( read &he pla-s &e&, &he marria)e is +ever co+summa&ed, despi&e Iesdemo+as

ea)er desires. (a)o derides 7&hellos weak 'u+c&io+,! &ha& seems more a hi+& o' la)os impo&e+ce

&ha+ o' 7&hellos, a+d -e& +o&h i+) &ha& &he Eoorish cap&ai+!)e+eral sa-s or does re'lec&s a+

au&he+&ic lus& 'or Iesdemo+a. %his cer&ai+l- helps eplai+ his murderous ra)e, o+ce (a)o has

roused him &o ealous-, a+d also makes &ha& ealous- more plausi*le, si+ce 7&hello li&erall- does +o&

k+ow whe&her his wi'e is a vir)i+, a+d is a'raid &o ' i+d ou&, o+e wa- or &he o&her. ( o i+ here &he

mi+ori&- view o' Graham Bradshaw, a+d o' o+l- a 'ew o&hers, *u& &his pla-, o' al l Shakespeares,

seems &o me &he mos& weakl- misread, possi*l- *ecause i&s vi ll ai+ is &he )rea&es& mas&er o'

misprisio+3 i+ Shakespeare, or i+ li&era&ure. 0h- did 7&hello marr- a+-wa-, i' he does +o&

seuall- desire Iesdemo+a (a)o ca++o& help us here, a+d Shakespeare allows us &o pule &he

ma&&er ou& 'or ourselves, wi&hou& ever )ivi+) us su''icie+& i+'orma&io+ &o se&&le &he /ues&io+. Bu&

Bradshaw is surel- ri)h& &o sa- &ha& 7&hello 'i+all- &es&i'ies Iesdemo+a died a vir)i+:

Now: how dos& &hou look +ow 7 ill!s&arred we+ch, ?ale as &h- smock. 0he+ we shall

mee& a& comp& %his look o' &hi+e wi ll hurl m- soul 'rom heave+ +d 'ie+ds wi ll s+a&ch a& i&.

Fold, cold, m- )irl, ;ve+ like &h- chas&i&-33. 2L.ii."J!"4

+less 7&hello is merel- ravi+), we a& leas& mus& *elieve he mea+s wha& he sa-s: she died +o&

o+l- 'ai&h'ul &o him *u& cold . . . ;ve+ like &h- chas&i&-. (& is a li&&le di''icul& &o k+ow us& wha&

Shakespeare i+&e+ds 7&hello &o mea+, u+less his vic&im had +ever *ecome his wi'e, eve+ 'or &he si+!

)le +i)h& whe+ &heir seual u+io+ was possi*le. 0he+ 7&hello vows +o& &o shed her *lood, he

mea+s o+l- &ha& he will smo&her her &o dea&h, *u& &he 'ri)h&e+i+) iro+- is &here as well: +ei&her he

32misprisio+ > a 'ailure &o i+'orm &he proper au&hori&ies o' &he commissio+ o' a+ ac& o' &reaso+A &he deli*era&eco+cealme+& o' &he commissio+ o' a 'elo+-A co+&emp&A 'ailure &o apprecia&e &he value o' some&hi+).33Fhas&i&- > &he s&a&e o' *ei+) chas&eA puri&-A a*s&e+&io+ 'rom seual i+&ercourseA vir)i+i&- or celi*ac-:


19/30

+or Fassio +or a+-o+e else has ever e+ded her vir)i+i &-. Bradshaw ' i+ds i+ &his a )has&l-

&ra)icomic parod- o' a+ ero& ic dea&h, a+d &ha& is appropria&e 'or la)os &hea&rical achieveme+&.

( wa+& &o shi'& &he emphasis 'rom Bradshaws i+ order &o /ues&io+ a ma&&er upo+ which (a)o had

li && le i+'lue+ce: 0h- was 7&hel lo reluc&a+&, 'rom &he s&ar&, &o co+summa&e &he marria)e 0he+, i+

c& (, Sce+e ii i, &he Iuke o' Le+ice accep&s &he love ma&ch o' 7&hello a+d Iesdemo+a, a+d &he+

orders 7&hello &o F-prus, &o lead i&s de'e+se a)ai+s& a+ epec&ed %urkish i+vasio+, &he Eoor

asks o+l- &ha& his wi'e *e housed wi&h com'or& a+d di)+i&- duri+) his a*se+ce. (& is &he arde+&

Iesdemo+a who re/ues&s &ha& she accompa+- her hus*a+d:

So &ha&, dear lords, i ' l *e le '& *ehi+d,

mo&h o' peace, a+d he )o &o war,

%he ri&es 'or which ( love him are *ere'& me,

+d ( a heav- i+&erim shall suppor&

B- his dear a*se+ce. =e& me )o wi&h him. 2(.i i i. #C!CJ

?resuma*l- *- ri&es Iesdemo+a mea+s co+summa&io+, ra&her &ha+ *a&& le, a+d &hou)h

7&hello seco+ds her, he ra&her )ra&ui&ousl- i+sis&s &ha& desire 'or her is +o& eac&l- ho& i+ him:

=e& her have -our voice.

Louch wi&h me, heave+, ( &here'ore *e) i& +o&

%o please &he pala&e o' m- appe&i&e,

Nor &o compl- wi&h hea&, &he -ou+) a''ec&s(+ me de'u+c&, a+d proper sa&is'ac&io+,

Bu& &o *e 'ree a+d *ou+&eous &o her mi+d .

+d heave+ de'e+d -our )ood souls &ha& -ou &hi+k

( will -our serious a+d )rea& *usi+ess sca+&

0he+ she is wi &h me. No, whe+ li)h&!wi+)ed &o-s

7' 'ea&hered Fupid seel wi&h wa+&o+ dull+ess

E- specula&ive a+d o''iced i+s&rume+&,

%ha& m- dispor&s corrup& a+d &ai+& m- *usi+ess,

=e& housewives make a skille& o' m- helm

+d all i+di)+ a+d *ase adversi&ies

Eake head a)ai+s& m- es&ima&io+.

%hese li+es, hardl- 7&hello a& his mos& elo/ue+&, eceed &he measure &ha& decorum re/uires, a+d

do +o& 'avour Iesdemo+a. He pro&es&s much &oo much, a+d hardl- *e&&ers &he case whe+ he ur)es

her o'' &he s&a)e wi&h him:

Fome, Iesdemo+a, ( have *u& a+ hour 7' love, o' worldl- ma&&er a+d direc& io+ %o

spe+d wi&h &hee. 0e mus& o*e- &he &ime. 2(.iii.99!3J1


20/30

(' &ha& hour is li &eral , &he+ love wil l *e luck- &o )e& &we+&- mi+u&es o' &his over*us- )e+erals

&ime. ;ve+ wi&h &he %urks impe+di+), &he s&a&e would surel- have allowed i&s chie' mili&ar- o''icer a+

e&ra hour or &wo 'or i+i&iall- em*raci+) his wi'e. 0he+ he arrives o+ F-prus, where Iesdemo+a

has preceded him, 7&hello &ells us: 7ur wars are do+e, &he %urks are drow+ed. %ha& would seem &o

provide ample &ime 'or &he de'erred ma&&er o' maki+) love &o his wi'e, par&icularl- si+ce pu*lic

'eas&i+) is +ow decreed. ?erhaps i& is more proper &o wai& 'or eve+i+), a+d so 7&hello *ids Fassio

comma+d &he wa&ch, a+d dul- sa-s &o Iesdemo+a: Fome, m- dear love, P %he purchase made,

&he 'rui&s are &o e+sue: P %ha& pro'i&s -e& &o come &wee+ me a+d -ou, a+d ei&s wi&h her. (a)o

works up a dru+ke+ rio&, i+volvi+) Fassio, Roderi)o, a+d Eo+&a+o, )over+or o' F-prus, i+ which

Fassio wou+ds Eo+&a+o. 7&hello, aroused *- a &olli+) *ell, e+&ers wi&h Iesdemo+a 'ollowi+) soo+

a'&erward. 0e are +o& &old whe&her &here has *ee+ &ime e+ou)h 'or &hei r ri&es, *u& 7&hello

summo+s her *ack &o *ed, while also a++ou+ci+) &ha& he himsel' will supervise &he dressi+) o'

Eo+&a+os wou+ds. 0hich had priori&-, we do +o& precisel- k+ow, *u& evide+&l- &he )e+eral pre'erred

his sel'! imposed o*li)a&io+ &oward &he )over+or &o his mari&al o*li)a&io+.

la)os 'irs& i+si+ua&io+s o' Iesdemo+as supposed rela&io+ship wi&h Fassio would have +o e''ec& i'

7&hello k+ew her &o have *ee+ a vir)i+. (& is *ecause he does +o& k+ow &ha& 7&hello is so vul+era*le.

0h- did ( marr-M he eclaims, a+d &he+ poi+&s &o his cuckolds hor+s whe+ he &ells Iesdemo+a: (

have a pai+ upo+ m- 'orehead, here, which his poor i++oce+& o' a wi 'e a&&ri*u&es &o his al l!+i)h &

care o' &he )over+or: 0h-, &ha&s wi&h wa&chi+), a+d &ries &o *i+d i& hard wi&h &he 'a&al

ha+dkerchie', pushed awa- *- him, a+d so i& 'a lls i+ ;milias wa-. B- &he+, 7&hello is alread-

la)os, a+d is i+capa*le o' resolvi+) his dou*&s &hrou)h &he o+l- se+si*le course o' 'i+all- *ri+)i+)

himsel ' &o *ed Iesdemo+a.

%his is a *ewilderi+) la*-ri+&h 'or &he audie+ce, a+d 're/ue+&l- is +o& over&l- addressed *-

direc&ors o' Othello, who leave us dou*&'ul o' &heir i+&erpre&a&io+s, or perhaps &he- are +o& eve+ aware

o' &he di''icul&- &ha& re/uires i+&erpre&a&io+. Shakespeare was capa*le o' careless+ess, *u& +o&

upo+ so crucial a poi+&, 'or &he e+&ire &ra)ed- &ur+s upo+ i&. Iesdemo+a a+d 7&hello, alas,

scarcel- k+ow each o&her, a+d seuall- do +o& k+ow each o&her a& all. Shakespeares audacious

su))es&io+ is &ha& 7&hello was &oo 'ri)h&e+ed or di''ide+& &o seie upo+ &he oppor&u+i&- o' &he 'irs&

+i)h& i+ F-prus, *u& evaded a+d dela-ed &he ordeal *- devo&i+) himse l' &o &he wou+ded Eo+&a+o.

%he 'ur&her su))es&io+ is &h a& (a)o, u+ders&a+di+) 7&hello, 'ome+&ed &he dru+ke+ al&erca&io+ i+

order &o dis&rac& his )e+eral 'rom co+summa&io+, 'or o&herwise la)os ma+ipula&io+s would have

*ee+ wi&hou& co+se/ue+ce. %ha& credi&s (a)o wi&h e&raordi+ar- i+si)h& i+&o 7&hello, *u& +o o+e

should *e surprised a& such a+ evalua&io+. 0e ca+ wo+der wh- Shakespeare did +o& make all

&his clearer, ecep& &ha& we +eed &o remem*er his co+&emporar- audie+ce was 'ar superior &o us i+

comprehe+di+) &hrou)h &he ear. %he- k+ew how &o lis&e+A mos& o' us do +o&, i+ our overvisualcul&ure. Shakespeare dou*&less would +o& have a)reed wi&h Blake &ha& wha& could *e made epl ic i&

&o &he idio & was +o& wor&h his care, *u& he had lear+ed 'rom Fhaucer, i+ par&icular, how &o *e

appropria&el- sl-.


21/30

Be'ore &ur+i+) a& las& &o la)os &riumphalism, ( 'eel o*li)ed &o a+swer m- ow+ /ues&io+: 0h- did

7&hello marr- whe+ his love 'or Iesdemo+a was o+l- a seco+dar- respo+se &o her primar-

passio+ 'or him %his prelude &o &ra)ed- seems plausi*l- compou+ded o' her i)+ora+ceshe is s&ill

o+l- a child, ra&her like Kulie&a+d his co+'usio+. 7&hello &ells us &ha& he had *ee+ +i+e

co+secu&ive mo+&hs i+ Le+ice, awa- 'rom &he *a&&le'ield a+d &he camp, a+d &hus he was +o& himsel'.

cha+)ed or &ra+s'ormed i+&o a di''ere+& shape, esp. a )ro&es/ue or *iarre o+e.


22/30

*ea&i'ica&io+ mi)h& *e, i+ &he pleasure o' u+doi+) o+es superior a& or)a+ied viole+ce. ?erhaps

Hoski+ss (a)o was a shade more Earlovia+ &ha+ Shakespearea+, almos& as &hou)h Hoski+s 5or

Eiller6 had The 7e2 of Malta par&l- i+ mi+d, whereas (a)o is re'i+ed *e-o+d &ha& 'arcical a+ i+&e+si&-.

%riumphalism is la)os mos& chilli+) -e& e+)a)i+) modeA his )rea& solilo/uies a+d asides march

&o a+ i+&ellec&ual music ma&ched i+ Shakespeare o+l- *- aspec&s o' Hamle&, a+d *- a 'ew rare

mome+&s whe+ ;dmu+d desce+ds &o sel '!cele*ra&io+. la)os i+ward+ess, which some&imes

echoes Hamle&s, e+ha+ces his repelle+& 'asci+a&io+ 'or us: How ca+ a se+si*le emp&i+ess *e so

la*-ri+&hi+e %o &race &he phases o' la)os e+&rapme+& o' 7&hello should a+swer &ha& /ues&io+, a&

leas& i+ par&. Bu& ( pause here &o de+- &ha& (a)o represe+&s some&hi+) crucial i+ 7&hello, a+

asser&io+ made *- ma+- i+&erpre&ers, &he mos& co+vi+ci+) o' whom is ;dward S+ow. (+ a readi+)

&oo relia+& upo+ &he


23/30

(s &he immedia&e ewel o' &heir souls:

0ho s&eals m- purse s&eals &rash&is some&hi+)!+o&hi+),

%was mi+e, &is his, a+d has *ee+ slave &o &housa+ds

Bu& he &ha& 'ilches 'rom me m- )ood +ame

Ro*s me o' &ha& which +o& e+riches h im

+d makes me poor i+deed.

Othello. B- heave+, (ll k+ow &h- &hou)h&sM

la)o. You ca++o&, i' m- hear& were i+ -our ha+d,

Nor shall +o& whi ls& &is i+ m- cus&od-. Othello. HaM

1a)o. 7, *eware, m- lord, o' ealous-M

(& is &he )ree+!e-ed mo+s&er, which do&h mock

%he mea& i& 'eeds o+. %ha& cuckold lives i+ *l iss

0ho, cer&ai+ o' his 'a&e, loves +o& his wro+)er,

Bu& 7, wha& dam+ed mi+u&es &el ls he oer

0ho do&es -e& dou*&s, suspec&s -e& s&ro+)l- lovesM Othello. 7 miser-M 2111.iii.14"!"3

%his would *e ou&ra)eous i' i&s i+&erpla- *e&wee+ (a)o a+d 7&hello were +o& so persuasive. (a)o

ma+ipula&es 7&hello *- eploi&i+) wha& &he Eoor shares wi&h &he ealous God o' &he Kews,

Fhris&ia+s, a+d Euslims, a *arel- repressed vul+era*ili&- &o *e&ra-al. Yahweh a+d 7&hello alike are

vul+era*le *ecause &he- have risked e&e+di+) &hemselves, Yahweh &o &he Kews a+d 7&hello &o

Iesdemo+a. (a)o, whose mo&&o is ( am +o& wha& ( am, will &riumph *- &racki+) &his +e)a&ivi&- &o

7&hello, u+&il 7&hello /ui&e 'or)e&s he is a ma+ a+d *ecomes ealous- i+car+a&e, a parod- o' &heGod o' ve+)ea+ce. 0e u+deres&ima&e (a)o whe+ we co+sider him o+l- as a drama&is& o' &he sel'

a+d a ps-cholo)is& o' )e+iusA his )rea&es& power is as a +e)a&ive o+&o&heolo)ia+, a dia*olical

prophe& who has a voca&io+ 'or des&ruc&io+. He is +o& &he Fhris&ia+ devil or a parod- &hereo', *u&

ra&her a 'ree ar&is& o' himsel', u+i/uel- e/uipped, *- eperie+ce a+d )e+ius, &o e+&rap spiri&s )rea&er

&ha+ his ow+ i+ a *o+da)e 'ou+ded upo+ &heir i++er 'laws. (+ a pla- &ha& held a )e+ius opposed

&o his ow+a Hamle& or a


24/30

+ulli'ied, (a)o de&ermi+es &o co+ver& his ow+ sadomasochism i+&o a cou+&er&riumphalism, o+e &ha&

will comma+deer his comma+der, a+d &he+ &ra+s'orm &he )od o' his ear lier worship i+&o a

de)rada&io+ o' )od!hood. %he chaos &ha& 7&hello ri)h&l- 'eared i' he ceased &o love Iesdemo+a

has *ee+ la)os +a&ural eleme+& si+ce Fassios promo&io+.


25/30

&he ealous- o' o+e )od wi&h &ha& o' &he o&her:

( wi ll i+ Fassios lod)i+) lose &his +apki+ +d le& him ' i+d i&. %ri'les li)h& as air re &o &he ealous co+'irma&io+s

s&ro+) s proo's o' hol- wri&. %his ma- do some&hi+). %he Eoor alread- cha+)es wi&h m- poiso+: Ia+)erous

co+cei&s are i+ &hei r +a&ures poiso+s 0hich a& &he 'irs& are scarce 'ou+d &o dis&as&e Bu& wi&h a li&& le ar& upo+

&he *lood Bur+ like &he mi+es o' sulphur. ( did sa- so.

%he simile works e/uall- well &he o&her wa- rou+d: proo's o' Hol- 0ri& are, &o &he ealous God,

s&ro+) co+'irma&io+s, *u& &he airies& &ri'les ca+ provoke &he Yahweh who i+ Num*ers leads &he

(sraeli&es &hrou)h &he wilder+ess. 7&hello )oes mad, a+d so does Yahweh i+ Num*ers, la)os

marvelous pride i+ his ( did sa- so leads o+ &o a cri&ical music +ew eve+ &o Shakespeare, o+e

which wil l e+)e+der &he aes&he&icism o' Koh+ Dea&s a+d 0al&er ?a&er. %he +ow o*sessed 7&hel lo

s&um*les upo+ &he s&a)e, &o *e )ree&ed *- la)os mos& )or)eous ou&*urs& o' &riumphalism:

=ook where he comes. No& popp- +or ma+dra)ora Nor all &he drows- s-rups o' &he world

Shall ever medici+e &hee &o &ha& swee& sleep 0hich &hou oweds& -es&erda-. 2111.iii.333!

3C

(' &his were o+l- sadis&ic eul&a&io+, we would +o& receive so immor&al a wou+d 'rom i&A masochis&ic

+os&al)ia mi+)les wi&h &he sa&is'ac&io+ o' u+crea&io+, as (a)o salu&es *o&h his ow+ achieveme+&

a+d &he co+scious+ess &ha& 7&hello +ever wi ll e+o- a)ai+. Shakespeares (a)o!l ike su*&le ar& is a& i&s

hi)hes&, as we come &o u+ders&a+d &ha& 7&hello $oes not kno2 precisel- *ecause he has +o& k+ow+

his wi'e. 0ha&ever his earlier reluc&a+ce &o co+summa&e marria)e ma- have *ee+, he +ow realies

he is i+capa*le o' i&, a+d so ca++o& a&&ai+ &o &he &ru&h a*ou& Iesdemo+a a+d Fassio:

( had *ee+ happ- i' &he )e+eral camp, ?io+eers a+d all , had &as&ed her swee& *od-, So

( had +o&h i+) k+ow+. 7 +ow 'or ever


26/30

&he villai+s su*lime rhe&orical /ues&io+: (s& possi*le m- lord 0ha& 'ollows is &he decisive mome+&

o' &he pla-, i+ which (a)o realies, 'or &he 'irs& &ime, &ha& Iesdemo+a mus& *e murdered *- 7&hello:

Othello. Lillai+, *e sure &hou prove m- love a whore,

Be sure o' i&, )ive me &he ocular proo',

7r *- &he wor&h o' ma+s e&er+al soul 1athin) hol$ of him

%hou hads& *ee+ *e&&er have *ee+ *or+ a do)

%ha+ a+swer m- waked wra&hM

Ia)o. (s& come &o &his

Othello. Eake me &o see&, or a& &he leas& so prove i&

%ha& &he pro*a&io+ *ear +o hi+)e +or loop

%o ha+) a dou*& o+, or woe upo+ &h- li'eM

Ia)o. E- +o*le lord

Othello. (' &hou dos& sla+der her a+d &or&ure me

Never pra- more, a*a+do+ all remorse,!

7+ horrors head horrors accumula&e,

Io deeds &o make heave+ weep, all ear&h amaed,


27/30

%he o+l- ocular proo' possi*le is wha& 7&hello will +o& essa-, as (a)o well u+ders&a+ds, si+ce &he

Eoor will +o& &r- his wi'es vir)i+i&-. Shakespeare shows us ealous- i+ me+ as ce+&eri+) upo+ *o&h

visual a+d &emporal o*sessio+s, *ecause o' &he male 'ear &ha& &here will +o& *e e+ou)h &ime a+d

space 'or him. (a)o pla-s power'ull- upo+ 7&hellos +ow mo+ume+&al aversio+ 'rom &he o+l- door

o' &ru&h &ha& could )ive sa&is'ac& io+, &he e+&ra+ce i+ &o Iesdemo+a. ?s-cholo)ical mas&er-

ca++o& surpass la)os co+&rol o' 7&hello, whe+ &he e+si)+ chooses precisel- &his mome+& &o i+!

&roduce a ha+dkerchie', P ( am sure i& was -our wi'es, did ( &oda-P See Fassio wipe his *eard

wi&h . Irama&ic mas&erca++o& eceed la)os eploi&a&io+ o' 7&hellos s&a)e )es&ure o'

k+eeli+) &o swear reve+)e:

Othello. ;ve+ so m- *lood- &hou)h&s wi&h viole+& pace

Sha ll +eer look *ack, +eer e** &o hum*le love

%ill &ha& a capa*le a+ d wide reve+)e

Swal low &hem up. Now *- -o+d mar*le heave+(+ &he due revere+ce o' a sacred vow

( here e+)a)e m- words.

Ia)o. Io +o& rise -e&. Ia)o kneels.

0i&+ess, -ou ever!*ur+i+) li)h&s a*ove,

You eleme+&s &ha& clip us rou+d a*ou&,

0i&+ess &ha& here (a)o do&h )ive up

%he eecu&io+ o' his wi &, ha+ds, hear&,

%o wro+)ed 7&hellos service. =e& h im comma+d

+d &o o*e- shall *e i+ me remorse

0ha& *lood- *usi+ess ever.

Othello. ( )ree& &h- love

No& wi&h va i+ &ha+ks *u& wi &h accep&a+ce *ou+&eous,

+d wil l upo+ &he i+s&a +& pu& &hee &o&.

0i&hi+ &hese &hree da-s le & me hear &hee sa-

%ha& Fassios +o& al ive.

Ia)o. E- 'rie+d is dead.

%is do+ea& -our re/ues&. Bu& le& her live.

Othello. Iam+ her, lewd mi+: 7 dam+ her, dam+ herM

Fome, )o wi&h me apar&,! ( wi ll wi&hdraw

%o 'ur+ish me wi& h some swi'& mea+s o' dea&h


28/30

ver- di ''ere+& 'rom wha& 7&hello ca+ u+ders&a+d, while ( am -our ow+ 'or ever seals

7&hellos s&arr- a+d eleme+&al 'a&e. 0ha& rem ai+s is o+l- &he wa- dow+ a+d ou&, 'or

ever-o+e i+volved.

Shakespeare crea&es a &erri*le pa&hos 'or us *- +o& showi+) Iesdemo+a i+ her 'ull +a&ure a+dsple+dour u+&i l we k+ow &ha& she is doomed. Ir. Koh+so+ 'ou+d &he dea&h o' Fordelia

i+&olera*leA &he dea&h o' Iesdemo+a, i+ m- eperie+ce as a reader a+d &hea&re)oer, is eve+

more u+e+dura*le. Shakespeare s&a)es &he sce+e as a sacri'ice, as )riml- cou+&er&heolo)ical

as are la)os passed!over + ihil ism a+ d 7&hellos )odlike ealous-. %hou)h Iesdemo+a i+

her a+)uish declares she is a Fhris&ia+, she does +o& die a mar&-r &o &ha& 'ai&h *u& *ecomes

o+l- a+o&her vic&im o' wha& could *e called &he reli)io+ o' Eoloch, si+ce she is a sacri'ice &o

&he war )od whom (a)o o+ce worshiped, &he 7&hello he has reduced &o i+cohere+ce. 7&hellos

occupa&io+s )o+eA &he sha&&ered relic o' 7&hello murders i+ &he +ame o' &ha& occupa&io+, 'or he

k+ows +o o&her, a+d is &he walki+) )hos& o' wha& he was.

Ei ll ice+ & Bell rece+&l- has ar)ued &ha& 7&hellos is a+ epis&emolo)ical3#&ra)ed-, *u& o+ l- (a)o

has i+&ellec& e+ou)h &o sus&ai+ such a +o&io+, a+d (a)o is +o& much i+&eres&ed i+ how he

k+ows wha& he &hi+ks he k+ows. Othello, as much as (in) Lear a+d Ma!eth, is a visio+ o'

radical evilA Hamlet is Shakespeares &ra)ed- o' a+ i+&el lec &ual. %hou)h Shakespeare +ever

would commi& himse l' &o speci' ica ll- Fhris&ia+ &erms, he approached a k i+d o' )+os&ic or

here&ic &ra)ed- i+ Ma!eth, as ( will a&&emp& &o show. 7&hello has +o &ra+sce+de+&al aspec&,

perhaps *ecause &he reli)io+ o' war does +o& allow 'or a+-. (a)o, who makes a +ew cove+a+&

wi&h 7&hello whe+ &he- k+eel &o)e&her, had lived a+d 'ou)h& i+ wha& he &ook &o *e a+ old

cove+a+& wi&h his )e+eral, u+&i l Fassio was pre'erred &o him. devou& adhere+& &o &he 'ire o' *a&&le,

his se+se o' meri& i+ured *- his )od, has de)raded &ha& )od i+&o a+ ho+oura*le murderer,

7&hellos o-moro+ic, 'i+al visio+ o' his role. Fa+ such de)rada&io+ allow &he di)+i&- re/uired 'or a

&ra)ic pro&a)o+is&

. F. Bradle- ra&ed Othello *elow Hamlet, Lear, a+d Ma!eth primaril- *ecause i& )ives us +o se+se

o' u+iversal powers impi+)i+) upo+ &he l imi&s o' &he huma+. ( &h i+k &hose powers hover i+ Othello,

*u& &he- ma+i'es& &hemselves o+l- i+ &he )ap &ha& divides &he earlier, 'ore)rou+ded rela&io+ship

*e&wee+ (a)o a+d 7&hello 'rom &he process o' rui+a&io+ &ha& we o*serve *e&wee+ &hem, (a)o is so

'ormida*le a 'i)ure *ecause he has u+ca++- a*ili&ies, e+dowme+&s o+l- availa*le &o a &rue *eliever

whose &rus& has &ra+smu&ed i+&o +ihilism. Fai+, reec&ed *- Yahweh i+ 'avour o' *el, is as much &he

'a&her o' (a)o as (a)o is &he precursor o' Eil&o+s Sa&a+, (a)o murders Roderi)o a+d maims FassioA

i& is as i+co+ceiva*le &o (a)o as &o us &ha& (a)o seeks &o k+i'e 7&hello. (' -ou have *ee+ reec&ed *-

-our )od, &he+ -ou a&&ack him spir i&uall- or me&aph-sicall-, +o& merel- ph-sicall-, la)os )rea&es&

&riumph is &ha& &he lapsed 7&hello sacri'ices Iesdemo+a i+ &he +ame o' &he war )od 7&hello, &he

35;pis&emolo)- > &he &heor- o' k+owled)e, esp. &he cri&ical s&ud- o' i&s validi&-, me&hods, a+d scope.


29/30

soli&ar- warrior wi&h whom u+wisel- she has 'alle+ i+ love. %ha& ma- *e wh- Iesdemo+a o''ers

+o resis&a+ce, a+d makes so rela&ivel- u+spir i&ed a de'e+se, 'irs& o' her vir&ue a+d &he+ o' her l i'e.

Her vic&imia&io+ is al l &he more comple&e, a+d our ow+ horror a& i& &here*- is au)me+&ed.

%hou)h cri&icism 're/ue+&l- has *li+ded i&sel' &o &his, Shakespeare had +o a''ec&io+ 'or war, or 'or

viole+ce or)a+ied or u+or)a+ied. His )rea& ki ll i+) machi+es come &o sorrow'ul e+ds: 7&hello,

Eac*e&h, +&o+-, Foriola+us. His 'avori&e warrior is Sir Koh+


30/30

( have do+e &he s&a&e some service, a+d &he- k+ow&:

No more o' &ha&. ( pra- -ou, i+ -our le&&ers,

0he+ -ou shall &hese u+luck- deeds rela&e,

Speak o' me as ( am. No&hi+) e&e+ua&e,

Nor se& dow+ au)h& i+ malice. %he+ mus& -ou speak

7' o+e &ha& loved +o& wisel-, *u& &oo well,!

7' o+e +o& easil- ealous, *u&, *ei+) wrou)h&,

?erpleed i+ &he e&remeA o' o+e whose ha+d,

=ike &he *ase Kudea+, &hrew a pearl awa-

Richer &ha+ all his &ri*e,! o' o+e whose su*dued e-es,

l*ei& u+used &o &he mel&i+) mood,

Irops &ears as 'as& as &he ra*ia+ &rees

%heir medici+a*le )um. Se& -ou dow+ &his,

+d sa- *esides &ha& i+ leppo o+ce,

0here a mali)+a+& a+d a &ur*a+ed %urk

Bea& a Le+e&ia+ a+d &raduced &he s&a&e,

( &ook *- &h &hroa& &he circumcised do)

+d smo&e him&husM He sta!s himself. 2L.ii.33C!#4

%his 'amous a+d pro*lema&ic ou&*urs& rarel- provokes a+- cri&ic &o a)ree wi&h a+- o&her, -e& &he

;lio&!=eavis i+&erpre&a&io+, which holds &ha& 7&hello esse+&iall- is cheeri+) himsel' up, ca++o& *e

ri)h&. %he Eoor remai+s as divided a charac&er as Shakespeare ever crea&edA we +eed )ive +o

crede+ce &o &he a*surd *li+d+ess o' loved +o& wisel-, *u& &oo well, or &he ou&ra)eous sel'!decep&io+o' o+e +o& easil- ealous. Ye& we are moved *- &he &ru&h o' perpleed i+ &he e&reme, a+d *- &he

i+voca&io+ o' Herod, &he *ase Kudea+ who murdered his Eacca*ea+ wi'e, Eariamme, whom he

loved. %he associa&io+ o' 7&hel lo wi&h Herod &he Grea& is &he more shocki+) 'or *ei+) 7&hellos

ow+ ud)me+& upo+ himsel', a+d is 'ollowed *- &he Eoors &ears, a+d *- his 'i+e ima)e o' weepi+)

&rees. Nor should a 'air cri&ic 'ail &o *e impressed *- 7&hellos verdic& upo+ himsel': &ha& he has

*ecome a+ e+em- o' Le+ice, a+d as such mus& *e slai+. His suicide has+o&hi+) Roma+ i+ i&:

7&hello passes se+&e+ce upo+ himsel', a+d per'orms &he eecu&io+. 0e +eed &o ask wha& Le+ice

would have do+e wi&h 7&hello, had he allowed himsel' &o survive. ( ve+&ure &ha& he seeks &o 'ores&all

wha& mi)h& have *ee+ &heir poli&ic decisio+: &o preserve him u+&i l he mi)h& *e o' hi)h use a)ai+.

Fassio is +o 7&helloA &he s&a&e has +o replaceme+& 'or &he Eoor, a+d mi)h& well have used him

a)ai+, dou*&less u+der some co+&rol. ll o' &he ri'&s i+ 7&hello &ha& (a)o se+sed a+d eploi&ed are

prese+& i+ &his ' i+al speech, *u& so is a ' i+al visio+ o' ud)me+&, o+e i+ which 7&hello a*a+do+s his

+os&al)ias 'or )lorious war, a+d pi&i'ull- seeks &o epia&e wha& ca++o& *e epia&ed+o&, a& leas&, *-

a 'arewell &o arms.

Documents

Othello Bloom Chapter