Of jealousy, our being’s bane
Mark the small cause and the most dreadful pain.
Mr. Allyn—Will depict the character of a specious villain, in the regiment of Othello, who is so base as to hate his commander on mere suspicion and to impose on his best friend. Of such characters, it is to be feared, there are thousands in the world, and the one in question may present to us a salutary warning.
The man that wrongs his master and his friend
What can he come to but a shameful end?
Mr. Hallam—Will delineate a young and thoughtless officer who is traduced by Mr. Allyn and, getting drunk, loses his situation and his general’s esteem. All young men whatsoever take example from Cassio.
The ill effects of drinking would you see?
Be warned and fly from evil company.
Mr. Morris—Will represent an old gentleman, the father of Desdemona, who is not cruel or covetous, but is foolish enough to dislike the noble Moor, his son-in-law, because his face is not white, forgetting that we all spring from one root. Such prejudices are very numerous and very wrong.
Fathers beware what sense and love ye lack!
’Tis crime, not colour, that makes the being black.
Mr. Quelch—Will depict a fool who wishes to become a knave, and, trusting to one, gets killed by one. Such is the friendship of rogues! Take heed!
Where fools would become, how often you’ll
Perceive the knave not wiser than the fool.
Mrs. Morris—Will represent a young and virtuous wife, who being wrongfully suspected, gets smothered (in an adjoining room) by her husband.