Collected and back-translated by Dr Marie N. Sørbø, Associate professor of English literature, Volda University College, Norway
1.
Henrik Rytter (1923) Othello: Móren frå Venezia, Oslo: Det norske samlaget ’(Til Brabantio) Og vyrde herre, um manndom ikkje vantar venleik bjart, er Dykkar verson visst meir ven enn svart.’ Literal back translation: ’if masculinity does not lack beauty bright / is Your son-in-law surely more beautiful than black’.
2. Ragnvald Skrede (1962) Othello: Móren i Venezia, Oslo . Unpublished manuscript for radio play, produced by the national broadcasting channel NRK. Prepared for radio by Tormod Skagestad. ’Edle Brabantio, om dygda nokon venleik i seg ber, langt meire lys enn svart din verson er.’ Literal back-translation: ’if virtue any beauty carries / far more light than black your son-in-law is.’
3. Gunnar Larsen (1964) Othello: Móren fra Venezia, Oslo. Unpublished manuscript for theatre, produced by the national travelling company Riksteatret 1964/65. ‘Kjære venn, er mannsmot vakkert, ser en i en fart, móren er vakrere enn han er svart!’ Literal back-translation: ’if male courage is beautiful, one sees at a glance / the moor is more beautiful than he is black.’
4. Erik Bystad (1995) Othello, Oslo: Aschehoug. ’om mannsmot også er av skjønnhet gjort, er Deres svigersønn mer skjønn enn sort.’ Literal back-translation: ’if male courage also is of beauty made / is Your son-in-law more beautiful than black.’
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