Costumes for Othello (2003)

For this production we splurged on a luxurious costume for Othello, the Moor general of Venice. The costume turned out to be surprisingly heavy, and I worried whether some of the students in my class would be able to stand up under its weight. To my surprise all were fine, and on the contrary the costume seemed to give them the extra power and confidence needed to perform this difficult role. Thanks to the weighty costume, some of the women, in particular, gave a performance of Othello I'll never forget! We also obtained a superb pointed hat for Iago that hints at his evil cunning, and a fine-looking dress for Iago's wife, Emilia.

Othello (final suicide)

Swords (Othello, Roderigo Cassio, Montano)

Iago: O beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. (3.3.164-66)

Iago: Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ. (3.3.320-23)

Othello: Put out the light, and then put out the light.
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore,
Should I repent me; but once put out thy light,
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
I know not where is that Promethean heat
That can thy light relume. (5.2.7-13)

Othello: Then, must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well. (5.2.339-41)