第2章

Silencethatdreadfulbell:itfrightstheisleFromherpropriety。Whatisthematter,masters?

HonestIago,thatlook’stdeadwithgrieving,Speak,whobeganthis?onthylove,Ichargethee。IAGOIdonotknow:friendsallbutnow,evennow,Inquarter,andintermslikebrideandgroomDevestingthemforbed;andthen,butnow——

Asifsomeplanethadunwittedmen——

Swordsout,andtiltingoneatother’sbreast,Inoppositionbloody。IcannotspeakAnybeginningtothispeevishodds;

AndwouldinactiongloriousIhadlostThoselegsthatbroughtmetoapartofit!OTHELLOHowcomesit,Michael,youarethusforgot?CASSIOIprayyou,pardonme;Icannotspeak。OTHELLOWorthyMontano,youwerewontbecivil;

ThegravityandstillnessofyouryouthTheworldhathnoted,andyournameisgreatInmouthsofwisestcensure:what’sthematter,ThatyouunlaceyourreputationthusAndspendyourrichopinionforthenameOfanight—brawler?givemeanswertoit。MONTANOWorthyOthello,Iamhurttodanger:

Yourofficer,Iago,caninformyou,——

WhileIsparespeech,whichsomethingnowoffendsme,——

OfallthatIdoknow:norknowIaughtBymethat’ssaidordoneamissthisnight;

Unlessself—charitybesometimesavice,AndtodefendourselvesitbeasinWhenviolenceassailsus。OTHELLONow,byheaven,Mybloodbeginsmysaferguidestorule;

Andpassion,havingmybestjudgmentcollied,Assaystoleadtheway:ifIoncestir,Ordobutliftthisarm,thebestofyouShallsinkinmyrebuke。GivemetoknowHowthisfoulroutbegan,whosetiton;

Andhethatisapprovedinthisoffence,Thoughhehadtwinn’dwithme,bothatabirth,Shallloseme。What!inatownofwar,Yetwild,thepeople’sheartsbrimfuloffear,Tomanageprivateanddomesticquarrel,Innight,andonthecourtandguardofsafety!

’Tismonstrous。Iago,whobegan’t?MONTANOIfpartiallyaffined,orleaguedinoffice,Thoudostdelivermoreorlessthantruth,Thouartnosoldier。IAGOTouchmenotsonear:

IhadratherhavethistonguecutfrommymouthThanitshoulddooffencetoMichaelCassio;

Yet,Ipersuademyself,tospeakthetruthShallnothingwronghim。Thusitis,general。

Montanoandmyselfbeinginspeech,Therecomesafellowcryingoutforhelp:

AndCassiofollowinghimwithdeterminedsword,Toexecuteuponhim。Sir,thisgentlemanStepsintoCassio,andentreatshispause:

Myselfthecryingfellowdidpursue,Lestbyhisclamour——asitsofellout——

Thetownmightfallinfright:he,swiftoffoot,Outranmypurpose;andIreturn’dtheratherForthatIheardtheclinkandfallofswords,AndCassiohighinoath;whichtillto—nightIne’ermightsaybefore。WhenIcameback——

Forthiswasbrief——Ifoundthemclosetogether,Atblowandthrust;evenasagaintheywereWhenyouyourselfdidpartthem。

MoreofthismattercannotIreport:

Butmenaremen;thebestsometimesforget:

ThoughCassiodidsomelittlewrongtohim,Asmeninragestrikethosethatwishthembest,YetsurelyCassio,Ibelieve,receivedFromhimthatfledsomestrangeindignity,Whichpatiencecouldnotpass。OTHELLOIknow,Iago,Thyhonestyandlovedothmincethismatter,MakingitlighttoCassio。Cassio,IlovetheeButnevermorebeofficerofmine。

Re—enterDESDEMONA,attendedLook,ifmygentlelovebenotraisedup!

I’llmaketheeanexample。DESDEMONAWhat’sthematter?OTHELLOAll’swellnow,sweeting;comeawaytobed。

Sir,foryourhurts,myselfwillbeyoursurgeon:

Leadhimoff。

ToMONTANO,whoisledoffIago,lookwithcareaboutthetown,Andsilencethosewhomthisvilebrawldistracted。

Come,Desdemona:’tisthesoldiers’lifeTohavetheirbalmyslumberswakedwithstrife。

ExeuntallbutIAGOandCASSIOIAGOWhat,areyouhurt,lieutenant?CASSIOAy,pastallsurgery。IAGOMarry,heavenforbid!CASSIOReputation,reputation,reputation!O,Ihavelostmyreputation!Ihavelosttheimmortalpartofmyself,andwhatremainsisbestial。Myreputation,Iago,myreputation!IAGOAsIamanhonestman,Ithoughtyouhadreceivedsomebodilywound;thereismoresenseinthatthaninreputation。Reputationisanidleandmostfalseimposition:oftgotwithoutmerit,andlostwithoutdeserving:youhavelostnoreputationatall,unlessyoureputeyourselfsuchaloser。What,man!

therearewaystorecoverthegeneralagain:

youarebutnowcastinhismood,apunishmentmoreinpolicythaninmalice,evensoasonewouldbeathisoffencelessdogtoaffrightanimperiouslion:

suetohimagain,andhe’syours。CASSIOIwillrathersuetobedespisedthantodeceivesogoodacommanderwithsoslight,sodrunken,andsoindiscreetanofficer。Drunk?andspeakparrot?

andsquabble?swagger?swear?anddiscoursefustianwithone’sownshadow?Othouinvisiblespiritofwine,ifthouhastnonametobeknownby,letuscalltheedevil!IAGOWhatwashethatyoufollowedwithyoursword?Whathadhedonetoyou?CASSIOIknownot。IAGOIs’tpossible?CASSIOIrememberamassofthings,butnothingdistinctly;

aquarrel,butnothingwherefore。OGod,thatmenshouldputanenemyintheirmouthstostealawaytheirbrains!thatweshould,withjoy,pleasancerevelandapplause,transformourselvesintobeasts!IAGOWhy,butyouarenowwellenough:howcameyouthusrecovered?CASSIOIthathpleasedthedevildrunkennesstogiveplacetothedevilwrath;oneunperfectnessshowsmeanother,tomakemefranklydespisemyself。IAGOCome,youaretoosevereamoraler:asthetime,theplace,andtheconditionofthiscountrystands,Icouldheartilywishthishadnotbefallen;

but,sinceitisasitis,menditforyourowngood。CASSIOIwillaskhimformyplaceagain;heshalltellmeIamadrunkard!HadIasmanymouthsasHydra,suchananswerwouldstopthemall。Tobenowasensibleman,byandbyafool,andpresentlyabeast!Ostrange!Everyinordinatecupisunblessedandtheingredientisadevil。IAGOCome,come,goodwineisagoodfamiliarcreature,ifitbewellused:exclaimnomoreagainstit。

And,goodlieutenant,IthinkyouthinkIloveyou。CASSIOIhavewellapprovedit,sir。Idrunk!IAGOYouoranymanlivingmaybedrunk!atatime,man。

I’lltellyouwhatyoushalldo。Ourgeneral’swifeisnowthegeneral:maysaysointhisrespect,forthathehathdevotedandgivenuphimselftothecontemplation,mark,anddenotementofherpartsandgraces:confessyourselffreelytoher;importuneherhelptoputyouinyourplaceagain:sheisofsofree,sokind,soapt,soblessedadisposition,sheholdsitaviceinhergoodnessnottodomorethansheisrequested:thisbrokenjointbetweenyouandherhusbandentreathertosplinter;

and,myfortunesagainstanylayworthnaming,thiscrackofyourloveshallgrowstrongerthanitwasbefore。CASSIOYouadvisemewell。IAGOIprotest,inthesincerityofloveandhonestkindness。CASSIOIthinkitfreely;andbetimesinthemorningIwillbeseechthevirtuousDesdemonatoundertakeforme:

Iamdesperateofmyfortunesiftheychequemehere。IAGOYouareintheright。Goodnight,lieutenant;

I

musttothewatch。

CASSIO:Goodnight,honestIago。

ExitIAGOAndwhat’shethenthatsaysIplaythevillain?

WhenthisadviceisfreeIgiveandhonest,ProbaltothinkingandindeedthecourseTowintheMooragain?For’tismosteasyTheincliningDesdemonatosubdueInanyhonestsuit:she’sframedasfruitfulAsthefreeelements。AndthenforherTowintheMoor——were’ttorenouncehisbaptism,Allsealsandsymbolsofredeemedsin,Hissoulissoenfetter’dtoherlove,Thatshemaymake,unmake,dowhatshelist,EvenasherappetiteshallplaythegodWithhisweakfunction。HowamIthenavillainTocounselCassiotothisparallelcourse,Directlytohisgood?Divinityofhell!

Whendevilswilltheblackestsinsputon,Theydosuggestatfirstwithheavenlyshows,AsIdonow:forwhilesthishonestfoolPliesDesdemonatorepairhisfortunesAndsheforhimpleadsstronglytotheMoor,I’llpourthispestilenceintohisear,Thatsherepealshimforherbody’slust;

Andbyhowmuchshestrivestodohimgood,SheshallundohercreditwiththeMoor。

SowillIturnhervirtueintopitch,AndoutofherowngoodnessmakethenetThatshallenmeshthemall。

Re—enterRODERIGO

Hownow,Roderigo!RODERIGOIdofollowhereinthechase,notlikeahoundthathunts,butonethatfillsupthecry。Mymoneyisalmostspent;Ihavebeento—nightexceedinglywellcudgelled;andIthinktheissuewillbe,Ishallhavesomuchexperienceformypains,andso,withnomoneyatallandalittlemorewit,returnagaintoVenice。IAGOHowpooraretheythathavenotpatience!

Whatwounddideverhealbutbydegrees?

Thouknow’stweworkbywit,andnotbywitchcraft;

Andwitdependsondilatorytime。

Does’tnotgowell?Cassiohathbeatenthee。

Andthou,bythatsmallhurt,hastcashier’dCassio:

Thoughotherthingsgrowfairagainstthesun,Yetfruitsthatblossomfirstwillfirstberipe:

Contentthyselfawhile。Bythemass,’tismorning;

Pleasureandactionmakethehoursseemshort。

Retirethee;gowherethouartbilleted:

Away,Isay;thoushaltknowmorehereafter:

Nay,gettheegone。

ExitRODERIGO

Twothingsaretobedone:

MywifemustmoveforCassiotohermistress;

I’llsetheron;

MyselfthewhiletodrawtheMoorapart,AndbringhimjumpwhenhemayCassiofindSolicitinghiswife:ay,that’sthewayDullnotdevicebycoldnessanddelay。

ExitACTIIISCENEI。Beforethecastle。EnterCASSIOandsomeMusiciansCASSIOMasters,playhere;Iwillcontentyourpains;

Somethingthat’sbrief;andbid’Goodmorrow,general。’

MusicEnterClownClownWhymasters,haveyourinstrumentsbeeninNaples,thattheyspeaki’thenosethus?FirstMusicianHow,sir,how!ClownArethese,Iprayyou,wind—instruments?FirstMusicianAy,marry,arethey,sir。ClownO,therebyhangsatail。FirstMusicianWherebyhangsatale,sir?ClownMarry。sir,bymanyawind—instrumentthatIknow。

But,masters,here’smoneyforyou:andthegeneralsolikesyourmusic,thathedesiresyou,forlove’ssake,tomakenomorenoisewithit。FirstMusicianWell,sir,wewillnot。ClownIfyouhaveanymusicthatmaynotbeheard,to’tagain:but,astheysaytohearmusicthegeneraldoesnotgreatlycare。FirstMusicianWehavenonesuch,sir。ClownThenputupyourpipesinyourbag,forI’llaway:

go;vanishintoair;away!

ExeuntMusiciansCASSIODostthouhear,myhonestfriend?ClownNo,Ihearnotyourhonestfriend;Ihearyou。CASSIOPrithee,keepupthyquillets。There’sapoorpieceofgoldforthee:ifthegentlewomanthatattendsthegeneral’swifebestirring,tellherthere’soneCassioentreatsheralittlefavourofspeech:

wiltthoudothis?ClownSheisstirring,sir:ifshewillstirhither,I

shallseemtonotifyuntoher。CASSIODo,goodmyfriend。

ExitClownEnterIAGO

Inhappytime,Iago。IAGOYouhavenotbeena—bed,then?CASSIOWhy,no;thedayhadbrokeBeforeweparted。Ihavemadebold,Iago,Tosendintoyourwife:mysuittoherIs,thatshewilltovirtuousDesdemonaProcuremesomeaccess。IAGOI’llsendhertoyoupresently;

AndI’lldeviseameantodrawtheMoorOutoftheway,thatyourconverseandbusinessMaybemorefree。CASSIOIhumblythankyoufor’t。

ExitIAGO

IneverknewAFlorentinemorekindandhonest。

EnterEMILIAEMILIAGoodmorrow,goodLieutenant:IamsorryForyourdispleasure;butallwillsurebewell。

Thegeneralandhiswifearetalkingofit;

Andshespeaksforyoustoutly:theMoorreplies,ThatheyouhurtisofgreatfameinCyprus,Andgreataffinity,andthatinwholesomewisdomHemightnotbutrefuseyou;butheprotestshelovesyouAndneedsnoothersuitorbuthislikingsTotakethesafestoccasionbythefrontTobringyouinagain。CASSIOYet,Ibeseechyou,Ifyouthinkfit,orthatitmaybedone,GivemeadvantageofsomebriefdiscourseWithDesdemonaalone。EMILIAPrayyou,comein;

IwillbestowyouwhereyoushallhavetimeTospeakyourbosomfreely。CASSIOIammuchboundtoyou。

ExeuntSCENEII。Aroominthecastle。EnterOTHELLO,IAGO,andGentlemenOTHELLOTheselettersgive,Iago,tothepilot;

Andbyhimdomydutiestothesenate:

Thatdone,Iwillbewalkingontheworks;

Repairtheretome。IAGOWell,mygoodlord,I’lldo’t。OTHELLOThisfortification,gentlemen,shallwesee’t?GentlemanWe’llwaituponyourlordship。

ExeuntSCENEIII。Thegardenofthecastle。EnterDESDEMONA,CASSIO,andEMILIADESDEMONABethouassured,goodCassio,IwilldoAllmyabilitiesinthybehalf。EMILIAGoodmadam,do:Iwarrantitgrievesmyhusband,Asifthecasewerehis。DESDEMONAO,that’sanhonestfellow。Donotdoubt,Cassio,ButIwillhavemylordandyouagainAsfriendlyasyouwere。CASSIOBounteousmadam,WhatevershallbecomeofMichaelCassio,He’sneveranythingbutyourtrueservant。DESDEMONAIknow’t;Ithankyou。Youdolovemylord:

Youhaveknownhimlong;andbeyouwellassuredHeshallinstrangenessstandnofurtheroffThaninapolitedistance。CASSIOAy,but,lady,Thatpolicymayeitherlastsolong,Orfeeduponsuchniceandwaterishdiet,Orbreeditselfsooutofcircumstance,That,Ibeingabsentandmyplacesupplied,Mygeneralwillforgetmyloveandservice。DESDEMONADonotdoubtthat;beforeEmiliahereIgivetheewarrantofthyplace:assurethee,IfIdovowafriendship,I’llperformitTothelastarticle:mylordshallneverrest;

I’llwatchhimtameandtalkhimoutofpatience;

Hisbedshallseemaschool,hisboardashrift;

I’llintermingleeverythinghedoesWithCassio’ssuit:thereforebemerry,Cassio;

ForthysolicitorshallratherdieThangivethycauseaway。EMILIAMadam,herecomesmylord。CASSIOMadam,I’lltakemyleave。DESDEMONAWhy,stay,andhearmespeak。CASSIOMadam,notnow:Iamveryillatease,Unfitformineownpurposes。DESDEMONAWell,doyourdiscretion。

ExitCASSIO

EnterOTHELLOandIAGOIAGOHa!Ilikenotthat。OTHELLOWhatdostthousay?IAGONothing,mylord:orif——Iknownotwhat。OTHELLOWasnotthatCassiopartedfrommywife?IAGOCassio,mylord!No,sure,Icannotthinkit,Thathewouldstealawaysoguilty—like,Seeingyoucoming。OTHELLOIdobelieve’twashe。DESDEMONAHownow,mylord!

Ihavebeentalkingwithasuitorhere,Amanthatlanguishesinyourdispleasure。OTHELLOWhois’tyoumean?DESDEMONAWhy,yourlieutenant,Cassio。Goodmylord,IfIhaveanygraceorpowertomoveyou,Hispresentreconciliationtake;

Forifhebenotonethattrulylovesyou,Thaterrsinignoranceandnotincunning,Ihavenojudgmentinanhonestface:

Iprithee,callhimback。OTHELLOWenthehencenow?DESDEMONAAy,sooth;sohumbledThathehathleftpartofhisgriefwithme,Tosufferwithhim。Goodlove,callhimback。OTHELLONotnow,sweetDesdemona;someothertime。DESDEMONAButshall’tbeshortly?OTHELLOThesooner,sweet,foryou。DESDEMONAShall’tbeto—nightatsupper?OTHELLONo,notto—night。DESDEMONATo—morrowdinner,then?OTHELLOIshallnotdineathome;

Imeetthecaptainsatthecitadel。DESDEMONAWhy,then,to—morrownight;orTuesdaymorn;

OnTuesdaynoon,ornight;onWednesdaymorn:

Iprithee,namethetime,butletitnotExceedthreedays:infaith,he’spenitent;

Andyethistrespass,inourcommonreason——

Savethat,theysay,thewarsmustmakeexamplesOutoftheirbest——isnotalmostafaultToincuraprivatecheque。Whenshallhecome?

Tellme,Othello:Iwonderinmysoul,Whatyouwouldaskme,thatIshoulddeny,Orstandsomammeringon。What!MichaelCassio,Thatcamea—wooingwithyou,andsomanyatime,WhenIhavespokeofyoudispraisingly,Hathta’enyourpart;tohavesomuchtodoTobringhimin!Trustme,Icoulddomuch,——OTHELLOPrithee,nomore:lethimcomewhenhewill;

Iwilldenytheenothing。DESDEMONAWhy,thisisnotaboon;

’TisasIshouldentreatyouwearyourgloves,Orfeedonnourishingdishes,orkeepyouwarm,OrsuetoyoutodoapeculiarprofitToyourownperson:nay,whenIhaveasuitWhereinImeantotouchyourloveindeed,ItshallbefullofpoiseanddifficultweightAndfearfultobegranted。OTHELLOIwilldenytheenothing:

Whereon,Idobeseechthee,grantmethis,Toleavemebutalittletomyself。DESDEMONAShallIdenyyou?no:farewell,mylord。OTHELLOFarewell,myDesdemona:I’llcometotheestraight。DESDEMONAEmilia,come。Beasyourfanciesteachyou;

Whate’eryoube,Iamobedient。

ExeuntDESDEMONAandEMILIAOTHELLOExcellentwretch!Perditioncatchmysoul,ButIdolovethee!andwhenIlovetheenot,Chaosiscomeagain。IAGOMynoblelord——OTHELLOWhatdostthousay,Iago?IAGODidMichaelCassio,whenyouwoo’dmylady,Knowofyourlove?OTHELLOHedid,fromfirsttolast:whydostthouask?IAGOButforasatisfactionofmythought;

Nofurtherharm。OTHELLOWhyofthythought,Iago?IAGOIdidnotthinkhehadbeenacquaintedwithher。OTHELLOO,yes;andwentbetweenusveryoft。IAGOIndeed!OTHELLOIndeed!ay,indeed:discern’stthouaughtinthat?

Ishenothonest?IAGOHonest,mylord!OTHELLOHonest!ay,honest。IAGOMylord,foraughtIknow。OTHELLOWhatdostthouthink?IAGOThink,mylord!OTHELLOThink,mylord!

Byheaven,heechoesme,AsifthereweresomemonsterinhisthoughtToohideoustobeshown。Thoudostmeansomething:

Iheardtheesayevennow,thoulikedstnotthat,WhenCassioleftmywife:whatdidstnotlike?

AndwhenItoldtheehewasofmycounselInmywholecourseofwooing,thoucriedst’Indeed!’

Anddidstcontractandpursethybrowtogether,AsifthouthenhadstshutupinthybrainSomehorribleconceit:ifthoudostloveme,Showmethythought。IAGOMylord,youknowIloveyou。OTHELLOIthinkthoudost;

And,forIknowthou’rtfullofloveandhonesty,Andweigh’stthywordsbeforethougivestthembreath,Thereforethesestopsofthinefrightmethemore:

ForsuchthingsinafalsedisloyalknaveAretricksofcustom,butinamanthat’sjustTheyareclosedelations,workingfromtheheartThatpassioncannotrule。IAGOForMichaelCassio,IdarebeswornIthinkthatheishonest。OTHELLOIthinksotoo。IAGOMenshouldbewhattheyseem;

Orthosethatbenot,wouldtheymightseemnone!OTHELLOCertain,menshouldbewhattheyseem。IAGOWhy,then,IthinkCassio’sanhonestman。OTHELLONay,yetthere’smoreinthis:

Iprithee,speaktomeastothythinkings,Asthoudostruminate,andgivethyworstofthoughtsTheworstofwords。IAGOGoodmylord,pardonme:

ThoughIamboundtoeveryactofduty,Iamnotboundtothatallslavesarefreeto。

Uttermythoughts?Why,saytheyarevileandfalse;

Aswhere’sthatpalacewhereintofoulthingsSometimesintrudenot?whohasabreastsopure,ButsomeuncleanlyapprehensionsKeepleetsandlaw—daysandinsessionsitWithmeditationslawful?OTHELLOThoudostconspireagainstthyfriend,Iago,Ifthoubutthink’sthimwrong’dandmakesthisearAstrangertothythoughts。IAGOIdobeseechyou——

ThoughIperchanceamviciousinmyguess,As,Iconfess,itismynature’splagueTospyintoabuses,andoftmyjealousyShapesfaultsthatarenot——thatyourwisdomyet,Fromonethatsoimperfectlyconceits,Wouldtakenonotice,norbuildyourselfatroubleOutofhisscatteringandunsureobservance。

Itwerenotforyourquietnoryourgood,Norformymanhood,honesty,orwisdom,Toletyouknowmythoughts。OTHELLOWhatdostthoumean?IAGOGoodnameinmanandwoman,dearmylord,Istheimmediatejeweloftheirsouls:

Whostealsmypursestealstrash;’tissomething,nothing;

’Twasmine,’tishis,andhasbeenslavetothousands:

ButhethatfilchesfrommemygoodnameRobsmeofthatwhichnotenricheshimAndmakesmepoorindeed。OTHELLOByheaven,I’llknowthythoughts。IAGOYoucannot,ifmyheartwereinyourhand;

Norshallnot,whilst’tisinmycustody。OTHELLOHa!IAGOO,beware,mylord,ofjealousy;

Itisthegreen—eyedmonsterwhichdothmockThemeatitfeedson;thatcuckoldlivesinblissWho,certainofhisfate,lovesnothiswronger;

But,O,whatdamnedminutestellsheo’erWhodotes,yetdoubts,suspects,yetstronglyloves!OTHELLOOmisery!IAGOPoorandcontentisrichandrichenough,ButrichesfinelessisaspooraswinterTohimthateverfearsheshallbepoor。

Goodheaven,thesoulsofallmytribedefendFromjealousy!OTHELLOWhy,whyisthis?

Think’stthouI’ldmakealieofjealousy,TofollowstillthechangesofthemoonWithfreshsuspicions?No;tobeonceindoubtIsoncetoberesolved:exchangemeforagoat,WhenIshallturnthebusinessofmysoulTosuchexsufflicateandblownsurmises,Matchingthyinference。’TisnottomakemejealousTosaymywifeisfair,feedswell,lovescompany,Isfreeofspeech,sings,playsanddanceswell;

Wherevirtueis,thesearemorevirtuous:

NorfrommineownweakmeritswillIdrawThesmallestfearordoubtofherrevolt;

Forshehadeyes,andchoseme。No,Iago;

I’llseebeforeIdoubt;whenIdoubt,prove;

Andontheproof,thereisnomorebutthis,——

Awayatoncewithloveorjealousy!IAGOIamgladofit;fornowIshallhavereasonToshowtheloveanddutythatIbearyouWithfrankerspirit:therefore,asIambound,Receiveitfromme。Ispeaknotyetofproof。

Looktoyourwife;observeherwellwithCassio;

Wearyoureyethus,notjealousnorsecure:

Iwouldnothaveyourfreeandnoblenature,Outofself—bounty,beabused;lookto’t:

Iknowourcountrydispositionwell;

InVenicetheydoletheavenseethepranksTheydarenotshowtheirhusbands;theirbestconscienceIsnottoleave’tundone,butkeep’tunknown。OTHELLODostthousayso?IAGOShediddeceiveherfather,marryingyou;

Andwhensheseem’dtoshakeandfearyourlooks,Shelovedthemmost。OTHELLOAndsoshedid。IAGOWhy,gotothen;

Shethat,soyoung,couldgiveoutsuchaseeming,Tosealherfather’seyesupcloseasoak—

Hethought’twaswitchcraft——butIammuchtoblame;

IhumblydobeseechyouofyourpardonFortoomuchlovingyou。OTHELLOIamboundtotheeforever。IAGOIseethishathalittledash’dyourspirits。OTHELLONotajot,notajot。IAGOI’faith,Ifearithas。

IhopeyouwillconsiderwhatisspokeComesfrommylove。ButIdoseeyou’removed:

IamtoprayyounottostrainmyspeechTogrosserissuesnortolargerreachThantosuspicion。OTHELLOIwillnot。IAGOShouldyoudoso,mylord,MyspeechshouldfallintosuchvilesuccessAsmythoughtsaimnotat。Cassio’smyworthyfriend——

Mylord,Iseeyou’removed。OTHELLONo,notmuchmoved:

IdonotthinkbutDesdemona’shonest。IAGOLonglivesheso!andlongliveyoutothinkso!OTHELLOAndyet,hownatureerringfromitself,——IAGOAy,there’sthepoint:as——tobeboldwithyou——

NottoaffectmanyproposedmatchesOfherownclime,complexion,anddegree,Wheretoweseeinallthingsnaturetends——

Foh!onemaysmellinsuchawillmostrank,Fouldisproportionthoughtsunnatural。

Butpardonme;IdonotinpositionDistinctlyspeakofher;thoughImayfearHerwill,recoilingtoherbetterjudgment,MayfalltomatchyouwithhercountryformsAndhappilyrepent。OTHELLOFarewell,farewell:

Ifmorethoudostperceive,letmeknowmore;

Setonthywifetoobserve:leaveme,Iago:IAGO[Going]Mylord,Itakemyleave。OTHELLOWhydidImarry?ThishonestcreaturedoubtlessSeesandknowsmore,muchmore,thanheunfolds。IAGO[Returning]Mylord,IwouldImightentreatyourhonourToscanthisthingnofurther;leaveittotime:

ThoughitbefitthatCassiohavehisplace,Forsure,hefillsitupwithgreatability,Yet,ifyoupleasetoholdhimoffawhile,Youshallbythatperceivehimandhismeans:

Note,ifyourladystrainhisentertainmentWithanystrongorvehementimportunity;

Muchwillbeseeninthat。Inthemeantime,Letmebethoughttoobusyinmyfears——

AsworthycauseIhavetofearIam——

Andholdherfree,Idobeseechyourhonour。OTHELLOFearnotmygovernment。IAGOIoncemoretakemyleave。

ExitOTHELLOThisfellow’sofexceedinghonesty,Andknowsallqualities,withalearnedspirit,Ofhumandealings。IfIdoproveherhaggard,Thoughthatherjessesweremydearheartstrings,I’ldwhistleheroffandletherdownthewind,Toprayatfortune。Haply,forIamblackAndhavenotthosesoftpartsofconversationThatchamberershave,orforIamdeclinedIntothevaleofyears,——yetthat’snotmuch——

She’sgone。Iamabused;andmyreliefMustbetoloatheher。Ocurseofmarriage,Thatwecancallthesedelicatecreaturesours,Andnottheirappetites!Ihadratherbeatoad,Andliveuponthevapourofadungeon,ThankeepacornerinthethingIloveForothers’uses。Yet,’tistheplagueofgreatones;

Prerogativedaretheylessthanthebase;

’Tisdestinyunshunnable,likedeath:

EventhenthisforkedplagueisfatedtousWhenwedoquicken。Desdemonacomes:

Re—enterDESDEMONAandEMILIA

Ifshebefalse,O,thenheavenmocksitself!

I’llnotbelieve’t。DESDEMONAHownow,mydearOthello!

Yourdinner,andthegenerousislandersByyouinvited,doattendyourpresence。OTHELLOIamtoblame。DESDEMONAWhydoyouspeaksofaintly?

Areyounotwell?OTHELLOIhaveapainuponmyforeheadhere。DESDEMONA’Faith,that’swithwatching;’twillawayagain:

Letmebutbindithard,withinthishourItwillbewell。OTHELLOYournapkinistoolittle:

Heputsthehandkerchieffromhim;anditdropsLetitalone。Come,I’llgoinwithyou。DESDEMONAIamverysorrythatyouarenotwell。

ExeuntOTHELLOandDESDEMONAEMILIAIamgladIhavefoundthisnapkin:

ThiswasherfirstremembrancefromtheMoor:

MywaywardhusbandhathahundredtimesWoo’dmetostealit;butshesolovesthetoken,Forheconjuredhersheshouldeverkeepit,ThatshereservesitevermoreaboutherTokissandtalkto。I’llhavetheworkta’enout,Andgive’tIago:whathewilldowithitHeavenknows,notI;

Inothingbuttopleasehisfantasy。

Re—enterIagoIAGOHownow!whatdoyouherealone?EMILIADonotyouchide;Ihaveathingforyou。IAGOAthingforme?itisacommonthing——EMILIAHa!IAGOTohaveafoolishwife。EMILIAO,isthatall?WhatwillyougivemenowForthesamehandkerchief?IAGOWhathandkerchief?EMILIAWhathandkerchief?

Why,thattheMoorfirstgavetoDesdemona;

Thatwhichsooftenyoudidbidmesteal。IAGOHaststol’nitfromher?EMILIANo,’faith;sheletitdropbynegligence。

And,totheadvantage,I,beinghere,took’tup。

Look,hereitis。IAGOAgoodwench;giveitme。EMILIAWhatwillyoudowith’t,thatyouhavebeensoearnestTohavemefilchit?IAGO[Snatchingit]Why,what’sthattoyou?EMILIAIfitbenotforsomepurposeofimport,Give’tmeagain:poorlady,she’llrunmadWhensheshalllackit。IAGOBenotacknownon’t;Ihaveuseforit。

Go,leaveme。

ExitEMILIA

IwillinCassio’slodginglosethisnapkin,Andlethimfindit。TrifleslightasairAretothejealousconfirmationsstrongAsproofsofholywrit:thismaydosomething。

TheMooralreadychangeswithmypoison:

Dangerousconceitsare,intheirnatures,poisons。

Whichatthefirstarescarcefoundtodistaste,Butwithalittleactupontheblood。

BurnliketheminesofSulphur。Ididsayso:

Look,wherehecomes!

Re—enterOTHELLO

Notpoppy,normandragora,Norallthedrowsysyrupsoftheworld,ShallevermedicinetheetothatsweetsleepWhichthouowedstyesterday。OTHELLOHa!ha!falsetome?IAGOWhy,hownow,general!nomoreofthat。OTHELLOAvaunt!begone!thouhastsetmeontherack:

Iswear’tisbettertobemuchabusedThanbuttoknow’talittle。IAGOHownow,mylord!OTHELLOWhatsensehadIofherstol’nhoursoflust?

Isaw’tnot,thoughtitnot,itharm’dnotme:

Isleptthenextnightwell,wasfreeandmerry;

IfoundnotCassio’skissesonherlips:

Hethatisrobb’d,notwantingwhatisstol’n,Lethimnotknow’t,andhe’snotrobb’datall。IAGOIamsorrytohearthis。OTHELLOIhadbeenhappy,ifthegeneralcamp,Pionersandall,hadtastedhersweetbody,SoIhadnothingknown。O,now,foreverFarewellthetranquilmind!farewellcontent!

Farewelltheplumedtroop,andthebigwars,Thatmakeambitionvirtue!O,farewell!

Farewelltheneighingsteed,andtheshrilltrump,Thespirit—stirringdrum,theear—piercingfife,Theroyalbanner,andallquality,Pride,pompandcircumstanceofgloriouswar!

And,Oyoumortalengines,whoserudethroatsTheimmortalJove’sdeadclamourscounterfeit,Farewell!Othello’soccupation’sgone!IAGOIs’tpossible,mylord?OTHELLOVillain,besurethouprovemyloveawhore,Besureofit;givemetheocularproof:

Orbytheworthofman’seternalsoul,ThouhadstbeenbetterhavebeenbornadogThananswermywakedwrath!IAGOIs’tcometothis?OTHELLOMakemetosee’t;or,attheleast,soproveit,ThattheprobationbearnohingenorloopTohangadoubton;orwoeuponthylife!IAGOMynoblelord,——OTHELLOIfthoudostslanderherandtortureme,Neverpraymore;abandonallremorse;

Onhorror’sheadhorrorsaccumulate;

Dodeedstomakeheavenweep,allearthamazed;

FornothingcanstthoutodamnationaddGreaterthanthat。IAGOOgrace!Oheavenforgiveme!

Areyouaman?haveyouasoulorsense?

Godbewi’you;takemineoffice。Owretchedfool。

Thatlivesttomakethinehonestyavice!

Omonstrousworld!Takenote,takenote,Oworld,Tobedirectandhonestisnotsafe。

Ithankyouforthisprofit;andfromhenceI’lllovenofriend,sithlovebreedssuchoffence。OTHELLONay,stay:thoushouldstbehonest。IAGOIshouldbewise,forhonesty’safoolAndlosesthatitworksfor。OTHELLOBytheworld,Ithinkmywifebehonestandthinksheisnot;

Ithinkthatthouartjustandthinkthouartnot。

I’llhavesomeproof。Hername,thatwasasfreshAsDian’svisage,isnowbegrimedandblackAsmineownface。Iftherebecords,orknives,Poison,orfire,orsuffocatingstreams,I’llnotendureit。WouldIweresatisfied!IAGOIsee,sir,youareeatenupwithpassion:

IdorepentmethatIputittoyou。

Youwouldbesatisfied?OTHELLOWould!nay,Iwill。IAGOAndmay:but,how?howsatisfied,mylord?

Wouldyou,thesupervisor,grosslygapeon——

Beholdhertopp’d?OTHELLODeathanddamnation!O!IAGOItwereatediousdifficulty,Ithink,Tobringthemtothatprospect:damnthemthen,IfevermortaleyesdoseethembolsterMorethantheirown!Whatthen?howthen?

WhatshallIsay?Where’ssatisfaction?

Itisimpossibleyoushouldseethis,Weretheyasprimeasgoats,ashotasmonkeys,Assaltaswolvesinpride,andfoolsasgrossAsignorancemadedrunk。Butyet,Isay,Ifimputationandstrongcircumstances,Whichleaddirectlytothedooroftruth,Willgiveyousatisfaction,youmayhave’t。OTHELLOGivemealivingreasonshe’sdisloyal。IAGOIdonotliketheoffice:

But,sithIamenter’dinthiscausesofar,Prick’dto’tbyfoolishhonestyandlove,Iwillgoon。IlaywithCassiolately;

And,beingtroubledwitharagingtooth,Icouldnotsleep。

Thereareakindofmensolooseofsoul,Thatintheirsleepswillmuttertheiraffairs:

OneofthiskindisCassio:

InsleepIheardhimsay’SweetDesdemona,Letusbewary,letushideourloves;’

Andthen,sir,wouldhegripeandwringmyhand,Cry’Osweetcreature!’andthenkissmehard,Asifhepluck’dupkissesbytherootsThatgrewuponmylips:thenlaidhislegOvermythigh,andsigh’d,andkiss’d;andthenCried’CursedfatethatgavetheetotheMoor!’OTHELLOOmonstrous!monstrous!IAGONay,thiswasbuthisdream。OTHELLOButthisdenotedaforegoneconclusion:

’Tisashrewddoubt,thoughitbebutadream。IAGOAndthismayhelptothickenotherproofsThatdodemonstratethinly。OTHELLOI’lltearheralltopieces。IAGONay,butbewise:yetweseenothingdone;

Shemaybehonestyet。Tellmebutthis,HaveyounotsometimesseenahandkerchiefSpottedwithstrawberriesinyourwife’shand?OTHELLOIgavehersuchaone;’twasmyfirstgift。IAGOIknownotthat;butsuchahandkerchief——

Iamsureitwasyourwife’s——didIto—daySeeCassiowipehisbeardwith。OTHELLOIfitbethat——IAGOIfitbethat,oranythatwashers,Itspeaksagainstherwiththeotherproofs。OTHELLOO,thattheslavehadfortythousandlives!

Oneistoopoor,tooweakformyrevenge。

NowdoIsee’tistrue。Lookhere,Iago;

AllmyfondlovethusdoIblowtoheaven。

’Tisgone。

Arise,blackvengeance,fromthyhollowcell!

Yieldup,Olove,thycrownandheartedthroneTotyrannoushate!Swell,bosom,withthyfraught,For’tisofaspics’tongues!IAGOYetbecontent。OTHELLOO,blood,blood,blood!IAGOPatience,Isay;yourmindperhapsmaychange。OTHELLONever,Iago:LiketothePonticsea,WhoseicycurrentandcompulsivecourseNe’erfeelsretiringebb,butkeepsdueonTotheProponticandtheHellespont,Evensomybloodythoughts,withviolentpace,Shallne’erlookback,ne’erebbtohumblelove,TillthatacapableandwiderevengeSwallowthemup。Now,byyondmarbleheaven,KneelsIntheduereverenceofasacredvowIhereengagemywords。IAGODonotriseyet。

KneelsWitness,youever—burninglightsabove,Youelementsthatclipusroundabout,WitnessthathereIagodothgiveupTheexecutionofhiswit,hands,heart,Towrong’dOthello’sservice!Lethimcommand,Andtoobeyshallbeinmeremorse,Whatbloodybusinessever。

TheyriseOTHELLOIgreetthylove,Notwithvainthanks,butwithacceptancebounteous,Andwillupontheinstantputtheeto’t:

WithinthesethreedaysletmeheartheesayThatCassio’snotalive。IAGOMyfriendisdead;’tisdoneatyourrequest:

Butletherlive。OTHELLODamnher,lewdminx!O,damnher!

Come,gowithmeapart;Iwillwithdraw,TofurnishmewithsomeswiftmeansofdeathForthefairdevil。Nowartthoumylieutenant。IAGOIamyourownforever。

ExeuntSCENEIV。Beforethecastle。EnterDESDEMONA,EMILIA,andClownDESDEMONADoyouknow,sirrah,whereLieutenantCassiolies?ClownIdarenotsayheliesanywhere。DESDEMONAWhy,man?ClownHe’sasoldier,andforonetosayasoldierlies,isstabbing。DESDEMONAGoto:wherelodgeshe?ClownTotellyouwherehelodges,istotellyouwhereIlie。DESDEMONACananythingbemadeofthis?ClownIknownotwherehelodges,andformetodevisealodgingandsayhelieshereorheliesthere,weretolieinmineownthroat。DESDEMONACanyouinquirehimout,andbeedifiedbyreport?ClownIwillcatechisetheworldforhim;thatis,makequestions,andbythemanswer。DESDEMONASeekhim,bidhimcomehither:tellhimIhavemovedmylordonhisbehalf,andhopeallwillbewell。ClownTodothisiswithinthecompassofman’swit:andthereforeIwillattemptthedoingit。

ExitDESDEMONAWhereshouldIlosethathandkerchief,Emilia?EMILIAIknownot,madam。DESDEMONABelieveme,IhadratherhavelostmypurseFullofcrusadoes:and,butmynobleMoorIstrueofmindandmadeofnosuchbasenessAsjealouscreaturesare,itwereenoughToputhimtoillthinking。EMILIAIshenotjealous?DESDEMONAWho,he?IthinkthesunwherehewasbornDrewallsuchhumoursfromhim。EMILIALook,wherehecomes。DESDEMONAIwillnotleavehimnowtillCassioBecall’dtohim。

EnterOTHELLO

Howis’twithyou,mylordOTHELLOWell,mygoodlady。

AsideO,hardnesstodissemble!——

Howdoyou,Desdemona?DESDEMONAWell,mygoodlord。OTHELLOGivemeyourhand:thishandismoist,mylady。DESDEMONAItyethathfeltnoagenorknownnosorrow。OTHELLOThisarguesfruitfulnessandliberalheart:

Hot,hot,andmoist:thishandofyoursrequiresAsequesterfromliberty,fastingandprayer,Muchcastigation,exercisedevout;

Forhere’sayoungandsweatingdevilhere,Thatcommonlyrebels。’Tisagoodhand,Afrankone。DESDEMONAYoumay,indeed,sayso;

For’twasthathandthatgaveawaymyheart。OTHELLOAliberalhand:theheartsofoldgavehands;

Butournewheraldryishands,nothearts。DESDEMONAIcannotspeakofthis。Comenow,yourpromise。OTHELLOWhatpromise,chuck?DESDEMONAIhavesenttobidCassiocomespeakwithyou。OTHELLOIhaveasaltandsorryrheumoffendsme;

Lendmethyhandkerchief。DESDEMONAHere,mylord。OTHELLOThatwhichIgaveyou。DESDEMONAIhaveitnotaboutme。OTHELLONot?DESDEMONANo,indeed,mylord。OTHELLOThatisafault。

ThathandkerchiefDidanEgyptiantomymothergive;

Shewasacharmer,andcouldalmostreadThethoughtsofpeople:shetoldher,whileshekeptit,’TwouldmakeheramiableandsubduemyfatherEntirelytoherlove,butifshelostitOrmadegiftofit,myfather’seyeShouldholdherloathedandhisspiritsshouldhuntAfternewfancies:she,dying,gaveitme;

Andbidme,whenmyfatewouldhavemewive,Togiveither。Ididso:andtakeheedon’t;

Makeitadarlinglikeyourpreciouseye;

Tolose’torgive’tawayweresuchperditionAsnothingelsecouldmatch。DESDEMONAIs’tpossible?OTHELLO’Tistrue:there’smagicinthewebofit:

Asibyl,thathadnumber’dintheworldThesuntocoursetwohundredcompasses,Inherpropheticfurysew’dthework;

Thewormswerehallow’dthatdidbreedthesilk;

AnditwasdyedinmummywhichtheskilfulConservedofmaidens’hearts。DESDEMONAIndeed!is’ttrue?OTHELLOMostveritable;thereforelookto’twell。DESDEMONAThenwouldtoGodthatIhadneverseen’t!OTHELLOHa!wherefore?DESDEMONAWhydoyouspeaksostartinglyandrash?OTHELLOIs’tlost?is’tgone?speak,isitouto’theway?DESDEMONAHeavenblessus!OTHELLOSayyou?DESDEMONAItisnotlost;butwhatanifitwere?OTHELLOHow!DESDEMONAIsay,itisnotlost。OTHELLOFetch’t,letmesee’t。DESDEMONAWhy,soIcan,sir,butIwillnotnow。

Thisisatricktoputmefrommysuit:

Prayyou,letCassiobereceivedagain。OTHELLOFetchmethehandkerchief:mymindmisgives。DESDEMONACome,come;

You’llnevermeetamoresufficientman。OTHELLOThehandkerchief!DESDEMONAIpray,talkmeofCassio。OTHELLOThehandkerchief!DESDEMONAAmanthatallhistimeHathfoundedhisgoodfortunesonyourlove,Shareddangerswithyou,——OTHELLOThehandkerchief!DESDEMONAInsooth,youaretoblame。OTHELLOAway!

ExitEMILIAIsnotthismanjealous?DESDEMONAIne’ersawthisbefore。

Sure,there’ssomewonderinthishandkerchief:

Iammostunhappyinthelossofit。EMILIA’Tisnotayearortwoshowsusaman:

Theyareallbutstomachs,andweallbutfood;

Toeatushungerly,andwhentheyarefull,Theybelchus。Lookyou,Cassioandmyhusband!

EnterCASSIOandIAGOIAGOThereisnootherway;’tisshemustdo’t:

And,lo,thehappiness!go,andimportuneher。DESDEMONAHownow,goodCassio!what’sthenewswithyou?CASSIOMadam,myformersuit:IdobeseechyouThatbyyourvirtuousmeansImayagainExist,andbeamemberofhisloveWhomIwithalltheofficeofmyheartEntirelyhonour:Iwouldnotbedelay’d。

IfmyoffencebeofsuchmortalkindThatnormyservicepast,norpresentsorrows,Norpurposedmeritinfuturity,Canransommeintohisloveagain,Buttoknowsomustbemybenefit;

SoshallIclothemeinaforcedcontent,Andshutmyselfupinsomeothercourse,Tofortune’salms。DESDEMONAAlas,thrice—gentleCassio!

Myadvocationisnotnowintune;

Mylordisnotmylord;norshouldIknowhim,Wereheinfavourasinhumouralter’d。

Sohelpmeeveryspiritsanctified,AsIhavespokenforyouallmybestAndstoodwithintheblankofhisdispleasureFormyfreespeech!youmustawhilebepatient:

WhatIcandoIwill;andmoreIwillThanformyselfIdare:letthatsufficeyou。IAGOIsmylordangry?EMILIAHewenthencebutnow,Andcertainlyinstrangeunquietness。IAGOCanhebeangry?Ihaveseenthecannon,Whenithathblownhisranksintotheair,And,likethedevil,fromhisveryarmPuff’dhisownbrother:——andcanhebeangry?

Somethingofmomentthen:Iwillgomeethim:

There’smatterin’tindeed,ifhebeangry。DESDEMONAIprithee,doso。

ExitIAGO

Something,sure,ofstate,EitherfromVenice,orsomeunhatch’dpractiseMadedemonstrablehereinCyprustohim,Hathpuddledhisclearspirit:andinsuchcasesMen’snatureswranglewithinferiorthings,Thoughgreatonesaretheirobject。’Tisevenso;

Forletourfingerache,anditinduesOurotherhealthfulmemberseventothatsenseOfpain:nay,wemustthinkmenarenotgods,NorofthemlookforsuchobservancesAsfitthebridal。Beshrewmemuch,Emilia,Iwas,unhandsomewarriorasIam,Arraigninghisunkindnesswithmysoul;

ButnowIfindIhadsuborn’dthewitness,Andhe’sindictedfalsely。EMILIAPrayheavenitbestate—matters,asyouthink,AndnoconceptionnornojealoustoyConcerningyou。DESDEMONAAlastheday!Inevergavehimcause。EMILIAButjealoussoulswillnotbeanswer’dso;

Theyarenoteverjealousforthecause,Butjealousfortheyarejealous:’tisamonsterBegotuponitself,bornonitself。DESDEMONAHeavenkeepthatmonsterfromOthello’smind!EMILIALady,amen。DESDEMONAIwillgoseekhim。Cassio,walkhereabout:

IfIdofindhimfit,I’llmoveyoursuitAndseektoeffectittomyuttermost。CASSIOIhumblythankyourladyship。

ExeuntDESDEMONAandEMILIA

EnterBIANCABIANCASaveyou,friendCassio!CASSIOWhatmakeyoufromhome?

Howisitwithyou,mymostfairBianca?

I’faith,sweetlove,Iwascomingtoyourhouse。BIANCAAndIwasgoingtoyourlodging,Cassio。

What,keepaweekaway?sevendaysandnights?

Eightscoreeighthours?andlovers’absenthours,Moretediousthanthedialeightscoretimes?

Owearyreckoning!CASSIOPardonme,Bianca:

Ihavethiswhilewithleadenthoughtsbeenpress’d:

ButIshall,inamorecontinuatetime,Strikeoffthisscoreofabsence。SweetBianca,GivingherDESDEMONA’shandkerchiefTakemethisworkout。BIANCAOCassio,whencecamethis?

Thisissometokenfromanewerfriend:

TothefeltabsencenowIfeelacause:

Is’tcometothis?Well,well。CASSIOGoto,woman!

Throwyourvileguessesinthedevil’steeth,Fromwhenceyouhavethem。YouarejealousnowThatthisisfromsomemistress,someremembrance:

No,ingoodtroth,Bianca。BIANCAWhy,whoseisit?CASSIOIknownot,sweet:Ifounditinmychamber。

Iliketheworkwell:ereitbedemanded——

Aslikeenoughitwill——I’ldhaveitcopied:

Takeit,anddo’t;andleavemeforthistime。BIANCALeaveyou!wherefore?CASSIOIdoattendhereonthegeneral;

Andthinkitnoaddition,normywish,Tohavehimseemewoman’d。BIANCAWhy,Iprayyou?CASSIONotthatIloveyounot。BIANCAButthatyoudonotloveme。

Iprayyou,bringmeonthewayalittle,AndsayifIshallseeyousoonatnight。CASSIO’TisbutalittlewaythatIcanbringyou;

ForIattendhere:butI’llseeyousoon。BIANCA’Tisverygood;Imustbecircumstanced。

ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。Cyprus。Beforethecastle。EnterOTHELLOandIAGOIAGOWillyouthinkso?OTHELLOThinkso,Iago!IAGOWhat,Tokissinprivate?OTHELLOAnunauthorizedkiss。IAGOOrtobenakedwithherfriendinbedAnhourormore,notmeaninganyharm?OTHELLONakedinbed,Iago,andnotmeanharm!

Itishypocrisyagainstthedevil:

Theythatmeanvirtuously,andyetdoso,Thedeviltheirvirtuetempts,andtheytemptheaven。IAGOSotheydonothing,’tisavenialslip:

ButifIgivemywifeahandkerchief,——OTHELLOWhatthen?IAGOWhy,then,’tishers,mylord;and,beinghers,Shemay,Ithink,bestow’tonanyman。OTHELLOSheisprotectressofherhonourtoo:

Mayshegivethat?IAGOHerhonourisanessencethat’snotseen;

Theyhaveitveryoftthathaveitnot:

But,forthehandkerchief,——OTHELLOByheaven,Iwouldmostgladlyhaveforgotit。

Thousaid’st,itcomeso’ermymemory,Asdoththeraveno’ertheinfectedhouse,Bodingtoall——hehadmyhandkerchief。IAGOAy,whatofthat?OTHELLOThat’snotsogoodnow。IAGOWhat,IfIhadsaidIhadseenhimdoyouwrong?

Orheardhimsay,——asknavesbesuchabroad,Whohaving,bytheirownimportunatesuit,Orvoluntarydotageofsomemistress,Convincedorsuppliedthem,cannotchooseButtheymustblab——OTHELLOHathhesaidanything?IAGOHehath,mylord;butbeyouwellassured,Nomorethanhe’llunswear。OTHELLOWhathathhesaid?IAGO’Faith,thathedid——Iknownotwhathedid。OTHELLOWhat?what?IAGOLie——OTHELLOWithher?IAGOWithher,onher;whatyouwill。OTHELLOLiewithher!lieonher!Wesaylieonher,whentheybelieher。Liewithher!that’sfulsome。

——Handkerchief——confessions——handkerchief!——Toconfess,andbehangedforhislabour;——first,tobehanged,andthentoconfess。——Itrembleatit。

Naturewouldnotinvestherselfinsuchshadowingpassionwithoutsomeinstruction。Itisnotwordsthatshakemethus。Pish!Noses,ears,andlips。

——Is’tpossible?——Confess——handkerchief!——Odevil!——

FallsinatranceIAGOWorkon,Mymedicine,work!Thuscredulousfoolsarecaught;

Andmanyworthyandchastedameseventhus,Allguiltless,meetreproach。What,ho!mylord!

Mylord,Isay!Othello!

EnterCASSIO

Hownow,Cassio!CASSIOWhat’sthematter?IAGOMylordisfall’nintoanepilepsy:

Thisishissecondfit;hehadoneyesterday。CASSIORubhimaboutthetemples。IAGONo,forbear;

Thelethargymusthavehisquietcourse:

Ifnot,hefoamsatmouthandbyandbyBreaksouttosavagemadness。Lookhestirs:

Doyouwithdrawyourselfalittlewhile,Hewillrecoverstraight:whenheisgone,Iwouldongreatoccasionspeakwithyou。

ExitCASSIO

Howisit,general?haveyounothurtyourhead?OTHELLODostthoumockme?IAGOImockyou!no,byheaven。

Wouldyouwouldbearyourfortunelikeaman!OTHELLOAhornedman’samonsterandabeast。IAGOThere’smanyabeasttheninapopulouscity,Andmanyacivilmonster。OTHELLODidheconfessit?IAGOGoodsir,beaman;

Thinkeverybeardedfellowthat’sbutyokedMaydrawwithyou:there’smillionsnowaliveThatnightlylieinthoseunproperbedsWhichtheydareswearpeculiar:yourcaseisbetter。

O,’tisthespiteofhell,thefiend’sarch—mock,Tolipawantoninasecurecouch,Andtosupposeherchaste!No,letmeknow;

AndknowingwhatIam,Iknowwhatsheshallbe。OTHELLOO,thouartwise;’tiscertain。IAGOStandyouawhileapart;

Confineyourselfbutinapatientlist。

Whilstyouwerehereo’erwhelmedwithyourgrief——

Apassionmostunsuitingsuchaman——

Cassiocamehither:Ishiftedhimaway,Andlaidgood’scuseuponyourecstasy,Badehimanonreturnandherespeakwithme;

Thewhichhepromised。Dobutencaveyourself,Andmarkthefleers,thegibes,andnotablescorns,Thatdwellineveryregionofhisface;

ForIwillmakehimtellthetaleanew,Where,how,howoft,howlongago,andwhenHehath,andisagaintocopeyourwife:

Isay,butmarkhisgesture。Marry,patience;

OrIshallsayyouareallinallinspleen,Andnothingofaman。OTHELLODostthouhear,Iago?

Iwillbefoundmostcunninginmypatience;

But——dostthouhear?——mostbloody。IAGOThat’snotamiss;

Butyetkeeptimeinall。Willyouwithdraw?

OTHELLOretiresNowwillIquestionCassioofBianca,AhousewifethatbysellingherdesiresBuysherselfbreadandclothes:itisacreatureThatdotesonCassio;as’tisthestrumpet’splagueTobeguilemanyandbebeguiledbyone:

He,whenhehearsofher,cannotrefrainFromtheexcessoflaughter。Herehecomes:

Re—enterCASSIO

Asheshallsmile,Othelloshallgomad;

AndhisunbookishjealousymustconstruePoorCassio’ssmiles,gesturesandlightbehavior,Quiteinthewrong。Howdoyounow,lieutenant?CASSIOTheworserthatyougivemetheadditionWhosewantevenkillsme。IAGOPlyDesdemonawell,andyouaresureon’t。

SpeakinglowerNow,ifthissuitlayinBianco’spower,Howquicklyshouldyouspeed!CASSIOAlas,poorcaitiff!OTHELLOLook,howhelaughsalready!IAGOIneverknewwomanlovemanso。CASSIOAlas,poorrogue!Ithink,i’faith,shelovesme。OTHELLONowhedeniesitfaintly,andlaughsitout。IAGODoyouhear,Cassio?OTHELLONowheimportuneshimTotellito’er:goto;wellsaid,wellsaid。IAGOShegivesitoutthatyoushallmarryhey:

Doyouintendit?CASSIOHa,ha,ha!OTHELLODoyoutriumph,Roman?doyoutriumph?CASSIOImarryher!what?acustomer!Prithee,bearsomecharitytomywit:donotthinkitsounwholesome。

Ha,ha,ha!OTHELLOSo,so,so,so:theylaughthatwin。IAGO’Faith,thecrygoesthatyoushallmarryher。CASSIOPrithee,saytrue。IAGOIamaveryvillainelse。OTHELLOHaveyouscoredme?Well。CASSIOThisisthemonkey’sowngivingout:

sheispersuadedIwillmarryher,outofherownloveandflattery,notoutofmypromise。OTHELLOIagobeckonsme;nowhebeginsthestory。CASSIOShewashereevennow;shehauntsmeineveryplace。

Iwastheotherdaytalkingonthesea—bankwithcertainVenetians;andthithercomesthebauble,and,bythishand,shefallsmethusaboutmyneck——OTHELLOCrying’OdearCassio!’asitwere:hisgestureimportsit。CASSIOSohangs,andlolls,andweepsuponme;

sohales,andpullsme:ha,ha,ha!OTHELLONowhetellshowshepluckedhimtomychamber。O,Iseethatnoseofyours,butnotthatdogI

shallthrowitto。CASSIOWell,Imustleavehercompany。IAGOBeforeme!look,whereshecomes。CASSIO’Tissuchanotherfitchew!marryaperfumedone。

EnterBIANCA

Whatdoyoumeanbythishauntingofme?BIANCALetthedevilandhisdamhauntyou!

Whatdidyoumeanbythatsamehandkerchiefyougavemeevennow?

Iwasafinefooltotakeit。Imusttakeoutthework?——Alikelypieceofwork,thatyoushouldfinditinyourchamber,andnotknowwholeftitthere!

Thisissomeminx’stoken,andImusttakeoutthework?There;giveityourhobby—horse:wheresoeveryouhadit,I’lltakeoutnoworkon’t。CASSIOHownow,mysweetBianca!hownow!hownow!OTHELLOByheaven,thatshouldbemyhandkerchief!BIANCAAnyou’llcometosupperto—night,youmay;anyouwillnot,comewhenyouarenextpreparedfor。

ExitIAGOAfterher,afterher。CASSIO’Faith,Imust;she’llrailinthestreetelse。IAGOWillyousupthere?CASSIO’Faith,Iintendso。IAGOWell,Imaychancetoseeyou;forI

wouldveryfainspeakwithyou。CASSIOPrithee,come;willyou?IAGOGoto;saynomore。

ExitCASSIOOTHELLO[Advancing]HowshallImurderhim,Iago?IAGODidyouperceivehowhelaughedathisvice?OTHELLOOIago!IAGOAnddidyouseethehandkerchief?OTHELLOWasthatmine?IAGOYoursbythishand:andtoseehowheprizesthefoolishwomanyourwife!shegaveithim,andhehathgivenithiswhore。OTHELLOIwouldhavehimnineyearsa—killing。