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Article SHAKSPERE'S OTHELLO. ← Page 3 of 7 →
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Shakspere's Othello.
the elementary thoughts , their treatment , and changes under the artist ' s hand , —studies of nature snatched with a passing stroke of the pencil , to be eventually immortalized in some master-piece of art . An interest akin to this is offered by the tale before us : in it we trace the suggestions out of which was produced one of the
most perfect triumphs of dramatic art . The incidents , traits of character , and motives which Shakspere has adopted , enlarged , altered , ennobled , —the skeleton which he has informed with life , dignity , and beauty , —all give back a reflected charm to the original story , which in its first and naked form it wanted .
The simple elements of the story were precisely calculated to seize upon Shakspere ' s attention , —the opposition and contrast of characters , the deep play of the passions , the suggestive motives , thoughts , and springs of action , the capabilities
of the plot , —were all materials as if created for his genius to mould , work upon , and fashion . To a few points of similarity , and some of the changes the poet has introduced , we may here advert . Desdemona , both in the play and novel , is the same affectionate and gentle being—the very soul of purity and honour ,
—innocent as unsuspecting—trusting and betrayed . Some of these points of character are but faintly sketched in the tale , but still visible . Her devotion to the Moor appears in several simple touches of the novelist : her delight at the honour paid him by the Senate ; her impatience that he should obey their summons ; her eagerness to accompany him ,
adding , that he could not love her did he imagine she could be happier to remain in safety than to share his dangers . Shakspere departs from the story in the motives for Desdemona ' s interference for Cassio with the Moor . Cassio importunes her , and she pleads as for a suitor ; she promises to do so as " a vow of friendship" to Cassio ; and although she says to Othello ,
" Why this is not a boon ; 'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves , Or feed on nourishing dishes , or keep you warm , Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit To your own person ;" this comes with only the force of an additional argument urged for Cassio ' s sake . Againin the Moor ' s presence she
, says to Ludovico , " I would do much To atone them , for the love I bear to Cassio . Olh . Fire and brimstone ' . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Shakspere's Othello.
the elementary thoughts , their treatment , and changes under the artist ' s hand , —studies of nature snatched with a passing stroke of the pencil , to be eventually immortalized in some master-piece of art . An interest akin to this is offered by the tale before us : in it we trace the suggestions out of which was produced one of the
most perfect triumphs of dramatic art . The incidents , traits of character , and motives which Shakspere has adopted , enlarged , altered , ennobled , —the skeleton which he has informed with life , dignity , and beauty , —all give back a reflected charm to the original story , which in its first and naked form it wanted .
The simple elements of the story were precisely calculated to seize upon Shakspere ' s attention , —the opposition and contrast of characters , the deep play of the passions , the suggestive motives , thoughts , and springs of action , the capabilities
of the plot , —were all materials as if created for his genius to mould , work upon , and fashion . To a few points of similarity , and some of the changes the poet has introduced , we may here advert . Desdemona , both in the play and novel , is the same affectionate and gentle being—the very soul of purity and honour ,
—innocent as unsuspecting—trusting and betrayed . Some of these points of character are but faintly sketched in the tale , but still visible . Her devotion to the Moor appears in several simple touches of the novelist : her delight at the honour paid him by the Senate ; her impatience that he should obey their summons ; her eagerness to accompany him ,
adding , that he could not love her did he imagine she could be happier to remain in safety than to share his dangers . Shakspere departs from the story in the motives for Desdemona ' s interference for Cassio with the Moor . Cassio importunes her , and she pleads as for a suitor ; she promises to do so as " a vow of friendship" to Cassio ; and although she says to Othello ,
" Why this is not a boon ; 'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves , Or feed on nourishing dishes , or keep you warm , Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit To your own person ;" this comes with only the force of an additional argument urged for Cassio ' s sake . Againin the Moor ' s presence she
, says to Ludovico , " I would do much To atone them , for the love I bear to Cassio . Olh . Fire and brimstone ' . "