8
"Why this is not a boon;
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
To your own person;"
this comes with only the force of an additional argument urged for Cassio's sake. Again, in the Moor's presence she says to Ludovico,
"I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
Oth. Fire and brimstone!"
This was necessary to give full motive to the Moor's suspicions, to silence the questioning and scruples of his love and trust in Desdemona, and to establish in his mind her guilt beyond a doubt. But in the Novel, when the Moor betrays his suspicion, she says, with much simplicity, "Be not angered with me, my dear lord; I have no other cause to bid me speak, than sorrow that I see you lose so dear a friend; nor has he done so grave a fault, that you should bear him so much enmity." Desdemona's pleading for the Captain is prompted by the sole thought of her lord's own interest and sense of justice, which is the higher motive.
Othello is a character of Shakspere's creation. In the Story he is passionate in his affections, sudden to suspect, prompt to revenge. Nevertheless, after he is convinced of his wife's guilt, his love pleads for her: it cannot be true,—and he bursts out with the exclamation—"By heavens, I scarce
