Othello (possible spoilers)

[kempermentor]

Since Main, Movies and OT are pretty quiet, I thought I'd talk about
an issue that's been gnawing at me.

Recently, I went to Oregon's Shakespeare Festival where I saw Othello
along with the best Midsummer's I've seen (five total) as well as a
horrible contemporary play.  

I have never seen nor read Othello prior my most recent trip to the
Festival nor did I ever hear anyone discuss its plot or its ending. 
Sometime in the first two acts of Othello, I got the distinct
impression that Iago had a thing for Othello.  

The following passage's general interpretation is that Iago thinks
Othello has slept with his (Iago's) wife, Emilia:
Iago: '... I hate the Moor:
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if't be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well;'

Instead of 'office' I heard 'orifice'.  I know.  It's a stretch.  But
Shakespeare is a tricky willie when it comes to language. So that
changed the meaning. 

I hate the Moor:
I'll come back to this.

'And it is thought abroad,'
This could be paranoia on Iago's part, fearing that others will
know/suspect his sexuality, that twixt his sheets Othello has done his
orifice:.

'I know not if't be true;'
I conjecture that this refers back to 'I hate the Moor:'

'But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety.'
Iago suspects that he loves Othello (and perhaps hates himself for it)

'He holds me well;'
I think it could be easily inferred that Iago enjoys being cuddled by
Othello.  Though it also means, Othello holds Iago in high regard. 
That Shakespeare and his double meanings!

Later on in the middle of the play, Iago implies to Othello that his
(Othello's) wife may be cheating on him.  Iago seeing that Othello is
hurt by this, he says:
... but I am much to blame;
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you.

Othello replies:
I am bound to thee for ever.

Gay marriage!!! Yeah!!!  Who knew Shakespeare celebrated Pride?

While I suspect Iago is gay (and hates that part of himself), I don't
think Othello is.  Rather, Othello had sex with Iago because there was
a lack of women on the battlefield and can therefore separate that
part of his sexuality.  

Poor Iago thought himself a villain, but he was just a victim of
suppressed sexuality.  Emilia was a beard!

just thinking,
Kemper