"Therefore, be merry Cassio": plate 6 from Othello (Act 3, Scene 3) 1844

"Therefore, be merry Cassio": plate 6 from Othello (Act 3, Scene 3), is a lithograph by Théodore Chassériau, created in 1844. This print is part of a series of illustrations for William Shakespeare's Othello, focusing on Act 3, Scene 3 where Desdemona pleads with Othello to be merry. The scene depicts a tense interaction between Desdemona, Othello, and Cassio, highlighting the emotional drama of the play. Chassériau's detailed and emotive style, evident in the expressive figures and dramatic composition, is a hallmark of his work. The lithograph, held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offers a glimpse into Chassériau's artistic interpretation of this iconic Shakespearean tragedy.