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The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 19.0497  Friday, 22 August 2008

From:       L. Swilley <louisswilley@att.net>
Date:       Thursday, 21 Aug 2008 16:59:07 -0500
Subject:    Othello and Cassio

Othello has deceived his host, Brabantio, and made off with Desdemona without 
B's consent. (Could there be a more blatant -- but never remarked as such -- 
offense?)  For that, he the more readily believes Desdemona to be unfaithful -- 
we often mark iniquities in others without realizing we are guilty of the same, 
and because we are so.

If that is the chief flaw in Othello's character -- I believe it is -- what 
should we make of his never-explained choice of Cassio over Iago for his 
lieutenant? How should we see that choice as consonant with Othello's character? 
I guess Cassio is *socially* superior to Iago -- is that the place to start?

L. Swilley

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