Production Notes
Act 1, Scene 3 Concept: this is the first time we see Othello in his “official” role. In this scene he is a commanding presence: serious, formal, used to being listened to; he speaks with absolute confidence. He is generally still; he wants his words to command. His objective is to convince the senators he won Desdemona without witchcraft or charms. He says he is not “blessed with the soft phrase of peace,” but he is clearly able to defend himself with words. His dignity and bearing here contrast sharply with the way we will see him later in the play, undone by Iago’s treachery. But in this scene, we see him at his best: confident in his relationship and confident in his command.
Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
(HERE O TURNS TO LOOK AT ALL THE ASSEMBLED GROUP; HE IS UNAFRAID AND VERY CONFIDENT)
My very noble and approved good masters, (HERE HE BOWS HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY TO INDICATE HIS SUBMISSION)
That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter, (HERE LOOKS AT BRABANTIO)
It is most true; true, I have married her: (PAUSE HERE; THE DEED IS DONE; HE TAKES IN THE REACTION OF THE CROWD)
The very head and front of my offending
Hath this extent, no more.
PAUSE HERE. HE HAS DEFENDED HIMSELF AGAINST THE CHARGE AND HE WANTS THEM TO HEAR IT.
Rude am I in my speech,
And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace: (HERE A SLIGHT DEPRECATING PAUSE; HE SEEMS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGING THE LIMITS OF HIS SPEECH, YET THIS SPEECH SHOWS HE CAN COMMAND WITH THE BEST OF THEM; HE WANTS THEM TO BE ON HIS SIDE, SO HE BELITTLES HIMSELF)
For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith,
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used
Their dearest action in the tented field,
And little of this great world can I speak, (SHOWS HERE A HINT OF THE FUTURE WHEN HE DOES NOT KNOW WORLD OF VENICE)
More than pertains to feats of broil and battle,
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself.
Yet, (A PAUSE HERE TO SHOW HE IS WILLING TO TELL THEM
by your gracious patience, (AGAIN, A SUBMISSION TO THEM)
I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver
Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms, (THERE IS A SLIGHT IRONY TO HIS TONE HERE)
What conjuration and what mighty magic,
For such proceeding I am charged withal,
I won his daughter. (EQUAL EMPHASIS HERE; NOT ON I OR WON OR HIS OR DAUGHTER, BUT ALL)