Characters of Shakespeare's Plays by William Hazlitt
page 76 of 332 (22%)
page 76 of 332 (22%)
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Roderigo. Here is her father's house: I'll call aloud.
Iago. Do, with like timorous accent and dire yell, As when, by night and negligence, the fire Is spied in populous cities. One of his most favourite topics, on which he is rich indeed, and in descanting on which his spleen serves him for a Muse, is the disproportionate match between Desdemona and the Moor. This is a clue to the character of the lady which he is by no means ready to part with. It is brought forward in the first scene, and he recurs to it, when in answer to his insinuations against Desdemona, Roderigo says: I cannot believe that in her--she's full of most blest conditions. Iago. Bless'd fig's end. The wine she drinks is made of grapes. If she had been blest, she would never have married the Moor. And again with still more spirit and fatal effect afterwards, when he turns this very suggestion arising in Othello's own breast to her prejudice. Othello. And yet how nature erring from itself-- Iago. Aye, there's the point;--as to be bold with you, Not to affect many proposed matches Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, &c. |
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