Othello Time and Speed

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 doesn’t 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.

Desdemona’s guilt The notion of Desdemona’s guilt is absurd as she has not had enough time to commit adultery – let alone “a thousand times”, as Iago tells Othello. Othello obviously hasn’t thought it through as only a couple of days have passed and Desdemona and Cassio haven’t had time to have committed this adultery.

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.

Time illusions A voyage to Cyprus from Venice usually took several weeks. Cassio says that Iago and Desdemona arrived a week earlier 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 Emelia says Iago has asked her “a hundred times” to steal the handkerchief Bianca accuses Cassio of not seeing her for eight days 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. 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 couldn’t have got back to Cyprus within a few days Gratiano and Lodivico travelled to Cyprus with a new commission for Othello, travel usually takes several weeks, and news couldn’t have got back to Cyprus within a few days

Time schedule The people who arrive in Cyprus come at about 4pm on Saturday. Cassio’s 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.