William Shakespeare The Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare Othello the Moor of Venice The plot of Shakespeare's tragedy revolves around the title character and his passionate love for and marriage with Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian senator. Othello, a Moor and valiant army general, has proven exceptional military abilities in the service of the maritime power of Venice. But his life faces ruin once he is caught in the conniving tricks of his ensign, Iago who is angered that he was not given the promotion he had anticipated. Through shrewd and calculated deceit, Iago weaves a web of innuendoes, false accusations and deliberate miscommunications that ultimately undermine Othello's love. Tricked into believing the lie that his wife has been unfaithful to him, Othello begins to lose his confidence in her and haunts her with his blind jealousy. Although Desdemona professes her innocence in good faith, the trumped evidence provided by Iago inescapably pushes Othello down the torturous slope of doubt, unbearable uncertainty and disbelief. In the end Othello seeks a desperate escape from these mutual sufferings: he ask Desdemona to say her last prayers and smothers her to death. When he realizes that he has murdered her for falsified reasons, ultimately Othello takes his own life. The play concludes with the unmasking of Iago and his punishment by execution for the heinous crimes he perpetrated. [umass.edu] Othello, Hugh Quarshie CHARACTERS: Duke of Venice Brabantio, a Senator, father to Desdemona Gratiano, Brother to Brabantio Lodovico, Kinsman to Brabantio Othello, a Moor, General in the service of Venice Cassio, his Lieutenant Iago, his Ancient Roderigo, a Venetian Gentleman Montano, Othello's predecessor in the government of Cyprus Senators, Officers, Messengers, Heralds, Sailors, Attendants Desdemona, Daughter to Brabantio, and Wife to Othello Emilia, Wife to Iago Bianca, a Courtesan, mistress to Cassio The First Act in Venice; the rest of the play at a seaport in Cyprus. Act 1, Scene 1: Venice. A street. Act 1, Scene 2: Another street. Act 1, Scene 3: A council-chamber. Act 2, Scene 1: A Sea-port in Cyprus. An open place near the quay. Act 2, Scene 2: A street. Act 2, Scene 3: A hall in the castle. Act 3, Scene 1: Before the castle. Act 3, Scene 2: A room in the castle. Act 3, Scene 3: The garden of the castle. Act 3, Scene 4: Before the castle. Act 4, Scene 1: Cyprus. Before the castle. Act 4, Scene 2: A room in the castle. Act 4, Scene 3: Another room In the castle. Act 5, Scene 1: Cyprus. A street. Act 5, Scene 2: A bedchamber in the castle: DESDEMONA in bed Play of the Week: Othello the Moor of Venice BBC World Service: August 11& 18, 1996
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.