Monday, December 13, 2010

Othello Journal 3

"Cassio  Whats the matter?
Iago  My lord is fall'n into an epilepsy.  This is his second fit.  He had one yesterday.
Cassio  Rub him about the temples
Iago  No, forbear.  The lethargy must have his quiet course.  If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by breaks out to savage madness.  Look he stirs.  Do you withdraw yourself a little while.  He will recover straight.  When he is gone, I would on great occasion speak with you."

One section of act 4, scene 1 was when Iago first mentions that Othello has epilepsy.  I was surprised that this was not revealed earlier in the story; I wonder what Shakespeare's motives were for not introducing this condition earlier in the play.  It would seem that having epilepsy would have a diverse effect on how Othello reacts to other people, and how other people react to Othello.  A symptom of Othello's epilepsy appears to be violence and madness.  I wonder if Othello will murder Cassio, Desdemona, or even Iago in a epileptic frenzy.

- I also think that Othello is very quick to take Iago's advice, even when there isn't much backing it up. Maybe he will eventually find out Iago is lying to him?

1 comment:

  1. That is intresting. Iago almost acted as if it wasn't a big deal when Othello went in to a fit, I wonder if it happens often.

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