Othello

1
Othello

• Time and Speed

2
Double clock

• In Othello, a double clock has been used which
  suggests that a long period of time has passed,
  but in reality only a couple of days have passed.
  In total the whole play goes over a period of
  about 33 hours. Shakespeare doesnt draw
  attention to the time scheme and he manipulates
  events and emotions that would seem to usually
  take time to develop and be put in place.

3
Desdemonas guilt

• The notion of Desdemonas guilt is absurd as she
  has not had enough time to commit adultery let
  alone a thousand times, as Iago tells Othello.
  Othello obviously hasnt thought it through as
  only a couple of days have passed and Desdemona
  and Cassio havent had time to have committed
  this adultery.

4
Time scheme

• A series of events happened which would suggest
  that a significant period of time has passed
  since arriving in Cyprus. This is what confuses
  the audience to believe that a much longer time
  frame has passed.

5
Time illusions

• A voyage to Cyprus from Venice usually took
  several weeks. Cassio says that Iago and
  Desdemona arrived a week earlier
• Emelia says Iago has asked her a hundred times
  to steal the handkerchief
• Bianca accuses Cassio of not seeing her for eight
  days
• Roderigo has spent all of his money from the sale
  of his land and waited every day for some
  response from Desdemona to the gift of the
  jewels.
• Gratiano and Lodivico travelled to Cyprus with a
  new commission for Othello, travel usually takes
  several weeks, and news couldnt have got back to
  Cyprus within a few days

6
Time schedule

• The people who arrive in Cyprus come at about
  4pm on Saturday. Cassios drunkeness begins
  before 10pm and goes till early hours of Sunday.
  Cassio decides to talk to Desdemona betimes in
  the morning. He does so, and then follows the
  long temptation scene. Desdemona is immediately
  aware at the loss of her handkerchief.