disproportionateness, a want of balance, in Desdemona, which Shakspeare does not appear to have in the least contemplated. 'Ib.' Brabantio's speech:-- This accident is not unlike my dream:-- The old careful senator, being caught careless, transfers his caution to his dreaming power at least. 'Ib.' Iago's speech:-- --For their souls, Another of his fathom they have not, To lead their business:-- The forced praise of Othello followed by the bitter hatred of him in this speech! And observe how Brabantio's dream prepares for his recurrence to the notion of philtres, and how both prepare for carrying on the plot of the arraignment of Othello on this ground. 'Ib.' sc. 2. 'Oth'. 'Tis better as it is. How well these few words impress at the outset the truth of Othello's own character of himself at the end--'that he was not easily wrought!' His self-government contradistinguishes him throughout from Leontes. 'Ib.' Othello's speech:-- --And my demerits May speak, _unbonnetted_-- The argument in Theobald's note, where 'and bonnetted' is suggested, goes on the assumption that Shakspeare could not use the same word differently in different places; whereas I should conclude, that as in the passage in Lear the word is employed in its direct meaning, so here it is used metaphorically; and this is confirmed by what has escaped the editors, that it is not 'I,' but 'my demerits' that may speak unbonnetted,--without the symbol of a petitioning inferior. 'Ib.' Othello's speech:-- Please your grace, my ancient; A man he is of honesty and trust: To his conveyance I assign my wife. Compare this with the behaviour of Leontes to his true friend Camillo. 'Ib.' sc. 3. 'Bra'. Look to her, Moor; have a quick eye to see; She has deceiv'd her father, and may thee. 'Oth'. My life upon her faith. In real life, how do we look back to little speeches as presentimental of, or contrasted with, an affecting event! Even so, Shakspeare, as secure of being read over and over, of becoming a family friend, provides this passage for his readers, and leaves it to them. 'Ib.' Iago's speech:-- Virtue? a fig! 'tis in ourselves, that we are thus, or thus, &c. This speech comprises the passionless character of Iago. It is all will in intellect; and therefore he is here a bold partizan of a truth, but yet of a truth converted into a falsehood by the absence of all the necessary modifications caused by the frail nature of man. And then comes the last sentiment,-- Our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts, whereof I take this, that you call--love, to be a sect or scion! Here is the true Iagoism of, alas! how many! Note Iago's pride of mastery in the repetition of 'Go, make money!' to his anticipated dupe, even stronger than his love of lucre: and when Roderigo is completely won-- I am chang'd. I'll go sell all my land--