The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-10
v. F. MERRILL ADDRESS.
ES CLUB WOMEN

The meeting of the Woman's Club
, at the Library Parlors yesterday
afternoon was given over to
an analysis of the Shakespearian
Tragedy, Othello. by VIM. Folsom
Merrill, Esq. The analysis of the
various characters reveals a grouping
AROUND the passion of suspicious jeal-
ously; and the plot a network of in
trique. the mode OF action in which
jealousy finds vent.
The leading personages in Othello
are variations of a single passion,
suspicious jealousy. Othello presents
jealousy in a trusting nature, zone
not easily jealous, but heing wrought
perplexed in the extreme" Contrary
wise, lagos is the jealousy that be-
lieves in nothing. In the love mtri-
que between Roderigo and Desdamona
il is the jealousy of Roderigo for
Cassie that prevents Roderigo from
seeing he is but the dupe of Iago. The
jealousy of Blanca, in her vulgar
liason with Cassie serves to develop
the episode of the handkerchief. first
in bringing her to look for Cassie af-
ter long absence, and again to fling
1t back at Cassie in the sight OF
Othello In Cassie and Desdamona
the utter absence Of suspicious jeal-
ousy makes them prominent. Thus
the positive and negative forms of,
this passion of jealousy form a great
character-group in the play.
What jealousy is to the character
of the play, intrigue is to the plot.
In the technique of this play Shake
xol ~,
tions, carried each along and finally
used the one to advance the other un-
til they are all blended into one tragic
consumation with its resulting neme-
sis on the intriguer, 1ago. The eight
actions are 1.-The illiat laiZon be-
tween Cassie and Blanca; 2-Roderi-
go's pursuit of Desdamona; 3-Love
of Othello and Desdamona (all three
going on at the commencement or
the play. Next come four con-
scious intrigues of Iago furnishing the
next actions; 4-Iago against dupe;
erigo to get money out OF MS dupe;
against Cassie two-one to gain
his office and 6-the other, to take
his life; 7-Iago against Othello de-
sire to destroy his happiness with
Desdamona S-Recoil of the catas-
trophe upon Iago himself.
After carefully analyzing the plot
as above it was pointed out that the
NOV ement in this play was as simple
and direct as the plot was complex
The first act is not so much the COM
mencement of the movement as the
preparation. The second act Is the
transition stage. given over 10 the
new setting in Cyprus. In the thiro
and fourth acts the plot is moving In
full swing; and is divided into fouI
stages: THE famous suggestion
scene between Iago and Othello; z
The scene where Othello demands
the handkerchief of Desdamona anc
she plies her suit for Cassie; 3-1ago
presents the ocular evidence Y
Othello, when in reality Cassie is re-
ferring to Blanca; 4-Finally Othelif
goaded beyond the limit brings on the
tragic end in Desdamona's death.
4 Finally when the movement of th'
4 play has been carried from the stag
of preparation to tragic consumma
ton we are allowed to recover ou
poise and sense of position by see
ing Cassie put in lagos place, ant
meet out lagos punishment to him
and finally hear Othello say,
Speak
OF one that loved not wisely, but to-
well;
One not easily jealous, but beinI
wrought
Perplexed in the extreme; on on
whose hand.
'le the base Indian, threw pear
away
Richer than all his tribe"
Mr.. Merrill. who is one Of fSkowhe
MS younger attorneys delighted h
dience with his keen understandin
d able deiineation of Shakespear
characters, The AFTERNOON wa
~ected by Mrs. jeanette Z. Merrill
d special musical features wer
ano solos by Miss Rebecca Russo
n. The hostesses were Mrs. Hele
INNINGS and Mrs. Mary E. Mars