![]() By "head and front of my offending," Othello means the very worst that can be said of him. He says, "That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter, / It is most true true, I have married her: / The very head and front of my offending / Hath this extent, no more" (1.3.78-81). Then Othello judiciously distinguishes truth from fiction. Rather than just plunging right in, as Brabantio did, Othello first pays his respects to all present, addressing them as "Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, / My very noble and approved good masters" (1.3.76-77). This is not something that they expected from Othello, and it looks as if they might be deprived of his services just when they need them the most. ![]() The Duke promises that whoever is responsible will be punished, and that Brabantio himself will decide the punishment, but when Brabantio points out Othello as the perpetrator, there are shocked murmurs from everyone. In Brabantio's words: "For nature so preposterously to err, / Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, / Sans witchcraft could not" (1.3.62-64). Her nature could not make such a mistake - unless it was defective, or blind, or senseless - without the help of witchcraft. ("Mountebanks" were quack peddlers of fake elixirs, but they were also reputed to sell poisons and magical potions.) Brabantio also repeats his reasoning: Desdemona's love is so unnatural that it must have been caused by unnatural means. Desdemona has been "abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted / By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks" (1.3.60-61). The Duke asks what's the matter, and Brabantio cries out "My daughter! O, my daughter! "(1.3.59) in such a way that the other senators think she must be dead.īrabantio then repeats the accusations that he previously made against Othello. He says he didn't come out of concern for the general welfare, but because of personal grief "of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature / That it engluts and swallows other sorrows" (1.3.56-57). Only then does the Duke notice Brabantio and say to him, "I did not see you welcome, gentle signior / We lack'd your counsel and your help tonight" (1.3.50-51). Although Brabantio's name is announced first, the Duke greets Othello first, saying, "Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you / Against the general enemy Ottoman" (1.3.48-49). When Brabantio, Othello, and the others enter the Duke's council chamber, Othello's importance is made clear. A dangerous military crisis is rapidly reaching a boil, and the Duke needs help.Įnter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and Officers: However, we don't need to know who he is because we can see the situation clearly. We don't know who Marcus Luccicos is, and we never will find out because he's never mentioned again. Hearing this, the Duke sends someone flying out of the room to get in touch with Marcus Luccicos. Just as the Duke is agreeing with this reasoning, a messenger comes with the news that the Turkish fleet near Rhodes has now joined with thirty more warships, and the whole force is plainly headed to Cyprus. Cyprus is more important and less well-defended, and the Turks aren't stupid. First Senator mulls this over - aloud - and comes to the conclusion that the Turks must be making a diversionary feint towards Rhodes. However, just as the men start to think that they can be sure of that much, a sailor rushes in with the news that the Turkish fleet is headed for Rhodes, not Cyprus. The only thing that everyone can agree on is that there is a very large Turkish fleet approaching Cyprus, a Venetian possession. One report says that there are 107 warships, while others give the numbers as 140 and 200. He says, "There is no composition in these news / That gives them credit" (1.3.1-2). The Duke is trying to figure out just what is happening, but the various reports are so different that he doesn't know if he can believe any of them. If this scene were done with a modern setting, we'd probably see a war room with red lights flashing on a map of the world. The Duke and senators are facing a crisis. ![]() In a soliloquy, Iago develops his plan to make Othello jealous. Iago persuades Roderigo that he can still have Desdemona, if he will just disguise himself and come to Cyprus. Enter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and Officers.īrabantio brings his charges against Othello, and Othello tells the true of story of his and Desdemona's mutual love.ĭesdemona arrives and confirms Othello's story, then receives permission to accompany Othello to Cyprus.The Duke and senators receive news of a serious threat against Cyprus, which makes the Duke very anxious to see Othello. Detailed Summary of Othello, Act 1, Scene 3 Page Index:
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