Wa0015

No Fear Shakespeare – Othello (by SparkNotes, transcription by Alex Woelffer) -1-
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Act 1, Scene 1
Enter RODMERIGO and IAGO RODERIGO and IAGO enter.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Tush! Never tell me. I take it much unkindly Come on, don’t tell me that. I don’t like it that you
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse knew about this, Iago. All this time I’ve thought
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. you were such a good friend that I’ve let you
spend my money as if it was yours.
IAGO IAGO
'Sblood, but you’ll not hear me! If ever I did dream of Damn it, you’re not listening to me! I never
such a matter, abhor me. dreamed this was happening—if you find out I
did, you can go ahead and hate me.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Thou told’st me You told me you hated him.
Thou didst hold him in thy hate.
IAGO IAGO
Despise me I do hate him, I swear. Three of Venice’s most
If I do not. Three great ones of the city important noblemen took their hats off to him and
10 (In personal suit to make me his lieutenant) asked him humbly to make me his lieutenant, the
Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man second in command. And I know my own worth
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. well enough to know I deserve that position. But
But he (as loving his own pride and purposes) he wants to have things his own way, so he
Evades them with a bombast circumstance sidesteps the issue with a lot of military talk and
15 Horribly stuffed with epithets of war, refuses their request. “I’ve already chosen my
And in conclusion lieutenant,” he says. And who does he choose? A
Nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he, guy who knows more about numbers then
“I have already chose my officer.” fighting! This guy from Florence named Michael
And what was he? Cassio. He has a pretty wife but he can’t even
20 Forsooth, a great arithmetician, control her. And he’s definitely never commanded
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine men in battle. He’s got no more hands-on
(A fellow almost damned in a fair wife) knowledge of warfare than an old woman—
That never set a squadron in the field, unless you count what he’s read in books,
Nor the division of a battle knows
25 More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric,
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 2

Wherein the toged consuls can propose which any peace-lover can do. His military
As masterly as he. Mere prattle without practice understanding is all theory, no practice. But
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had th' election Cassio’s been chosen over me. My career is cut
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof short by some bookkeeper, even though the
30 At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds general saw my fighting skills first-hand in
Christian and heathen, must be belee’d and calmed Rhodes and Cyprus. This accountant is now
By debitor and creditor. This counter-caster lieutenant, while I end up as the Moor’s flag-
He (in good time) must his lieutenant be bearer.
And I, bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
35 By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. By God, I’d rather be his executioner.
IAGO IAGO
Why, there’s no remedy. 'Tis the curse of service. And there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s the
Preferment goes by letter and affection, curse of military service. You get promoted when
And not by old gradation, where each second someone likes you, not because you’re next in
Stood heir to th' first. Now sir, be judge yourself, line. Now, you tell me: should I feel loyal to the
40 Whether I in any just term am affined Moor?
To love the Moor.

RODERIGO RODERIGO
I would not follow him then. If you don’t like him you should quit.
IAGO IAGO
O sir, content you. No, calm down. I’m serving under him to take
I follow him to serve my turn upon him. advantage of him. We can’t all be masters, and
45 We cannot all be masters, nor all masters not all masters should be followed. Look at all the
Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark devoted servants who work for their masters their
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave whole lives for nothing but their food, and then
That (doting on his own obsequious bondage) when they get old they’re terminated. They ought
Wears out his time much like his master’s ass to be whipped for being so stupid. But then
50 For naught but provender, and when he’s old, there’s another kind of servant who looks dutiful
cashiered. and devoted, but who’s really looking out for
Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are himself. By pretending to serve their lords, these
Who, trimmed in forms and visages of duty, men get rich, and when they’ve saved up enough
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves they can be their own masters. Guys like that
55 And, throwing but shows of service on their lords, have soul, and that’s the kind of guy I am. Let me
Do well thrive by them. And when they have lined tell
their coats,
Do themselves homage. These fellows have some
soul,

And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir, you, as sure as your name’s Roderigo, if I were
It is as sure as you are Roderigo, the Moor I wouldn’t want to be Iago. I may seem
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago. to love and obey him, but in fact, I’m just serving
60 In following him, I follow but myself. him to get what I want. If my outward appearance
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, started reflecting what I really felt, soon enough
But seeming so, for my peculiar end. I’d be wearing my heart on my sleeve for birds to
For when my outward action doth demonstrate peck at. No, it’s better to hide it. I’m not who I
The native act and figure of my heart appear to be.
65 In compliment extern, ’tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
What a full fortune does the Thick-lips owe Thick-lips sure is lucky if he can pull this off!
If he can carry’t thus!
IAGO IAGO
Call up her father. Let’s shout up to Desdemona’s father, wake him,
70 Rouse him. Make after him, Poison his delight, pester him, spoil his happiness, spread rumors
Proclaim him in the streets. Incense her kinsmen, about him in the streets, enrage his relatives, and
And, though he in a fertile climate dwell, irritate him endlessly. However real his happiness
Plague him with flies. Though that his joy be joy is, it will vanish in light of this.
Yet throw such changes of vexation on’t,
75 As it may lose some color.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Here is her father’s house, I’ll call aloud. Here’s her father’s house. I’ll call out.
IAGO IAGO
Do, with like timorous accent and dire yell Do it, and shout like the city’s on fire.
As when, by night and negligence, the fire
Is spied in populous cities.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
80 What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho! Hey, Brabantio! Signor Brabantio, hey!
IAGO IAGO
Awake! What, ho, Brabantio! Thieves! Thieves! Wake up, Brabantio! Wake up! Thieves! Thieves!
Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! Check on your daughter, your house, your
Thieves! thieves! money! Thieves! Thieves!
Enter BRABANTIO, above BRABANTIO enters, above.

BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
What is the reason of this terrible summons? What’s the reason for this horrible shouting?
85 What is the matter there? What’s the matter?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Signior, is all your family within? Sir, is everyone in your family at home?
IAGO IAGO
Are your doors locked? Are your doors locked?
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Why, wherefore ask you this? Why are you asking me that?
IAGO IAGO
Zounds, sir, you’re robbed! For shame, put on your For God’s sake, sir, you’ve been robbed. Get
gown. dressed. Your heart’s going to break. It’s like half
90 Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul. your soul’s been ripped out. At this very minute
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram an old black ram is having sex with your little
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise, white lamb. Wake up, wake up, ring a bell and
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell wake up all the snoring citizens. If you wait too
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you. long you’ll have black grandchildren. Get up, I tell
Arise, I say! you!
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
What, have you lost your wits? Are you crazy?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
95 Most reverend signior, do you know my voice? Do you recognize my voice, noble lord?
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Not I. What are you? Not me. Who are you?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
My name is Roderigo. My name’s Roderigo.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
The worser welcome. I told you not to hang around my house. I’ve
I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors. already told you quite plainly that my daughter
100 In honest plainness thou hast heard me say will never marry you. Now you come here drunk
My daughter is not for thee. And now in madness, to make trouble and startle me out of a sound
Being full of supper and distempering drafts, sleep?
Upon malicious knavery dost thou come
To start my quiet?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
105 Sir, sir, sir— Sir, sir, sir—

BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
But thou must needs be sure You know I’m powerful enough to make you pay
My spirits and my place have in their power for this.
To make this bitter to thee.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Patience, good sir. Please wait, sir.

BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
What tell’st thou me of robbing? This is Venice, Why are you talking about robbery? This is
110 My house is not a grange. Venice. My house isn’t in some remote
countryside.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Most grave Brabantio, Brabantio, with all due respect, I’m here out of
In simple and pure soul I come to you— courtesy and good will. I’ve come to tell you—
IAGO IAGO
Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve My God, sir, you’re stubborn and suspicious. We
God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do come here to help you and you treat us like
you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have thugs, but you let an African horse climb all over
your daughter covered with a Barbary horse. You’ll your daughter. Your grandsons will neigh to you
have your nephews neigh to you. You’ll have like horses. Your whole family will be ruined.
coursers for cousins and gennets for germans.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
What profane wretch art thou? What kind of crude jerk are you?
IAGO IAGO
I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter The kind that tells you that the Moor is having
and the Moor are now making the beast with two sex with your daughter right now.
backs.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Thou art a villain! You’re a villain!
IAGO IAGO
You are a senator! You’re a senator!
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
This thou shalt answer. I know thee, Roderigo. You’re going to pay for this, Roderigo. I know
who you are.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech you, I’ll answer for everything. I don’t know if you
If’t be your pleasure and most wise consent know or approve of this, but in the wee hours of
120 (As partly I find it is) that your fair daughter the morning your daughter left your house, with
At this odd-even and dull watch o' th' night no better escort than a hired gondolier, to go into
the rough embrace of a lustful Moor. If all of this
happened with your

Transported with no worse nor better guard approval, then we’ve been very rude to bother
But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, you like this. But if you didn’t know about it, then
To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor, you were wrong to get mad at us. I’d never play
125 If this be known to you and your allowance, pranks on you. If you didn’t allow your daughter
We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs. to do what she’s doing, then she’s rebelling
But if you know not this my manners tell me against you. She’s throwing her life away on
We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe some stranger. Go ahead, see for yourself if
That, from the sense of all civility, she’s in her bedroom. If she is, you can sue me
130 I thus would play and trifle with your reverence. for lying to you.
Your daughter (if you have not given her leave)
I say again, hath made a gross revolt,
Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes
In an extravagant and wheeling stranger
135 Of here and everywhere. Straight satisfy yourself.
If she be in her chamber or your house,
Let loose on me the justice of the state

For thus deluding you.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Strike on the tinder, ho! Light the candles! Wake up my whole household!
Give me a taper, call up all my people! I dreamt about this. I’m starting to worry it’s true.
140 This accident is not unlike my dream, Give me some light!
Belief of it oppresses me already.
Light, I say, light!
Exit above BRABANTIO exits.
IAGO IAGO
(to RODERIGO) (to RODERIGO)
Farewell, for I must leave you. It’s time for me to say goodbye to you. It would
It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place, be inappropriate—dangerous, even—for me to
145 To be producted (as, if I stay, I shall) be seen working against the Moor, as I would if I
Against the Moor. For I do know the state stayed. The Venetian government might
(However this may gall him with some check) reprimand him for this, but it can’t safely get rid of
Cannot with safety cast him, for he’s embarked him, since it needs him urgently for the imminent
With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars Cyprus wars. They couldn’t find another man
150 (Which even now stand in act) that, for their souls, with his abilities to lead their armed forces—not if
Another of his fathom they have none their souls depended on it. I hate him, but I’ve got
To lead their business. In which regard, to show him signs of loyalty

Though I do hate him as I do hell pains, and affection, even if it’s just an act. If you want
Yet for necessity of present life to find him, send the search party to the
155 I must show out a flag and sign of love, Sagittarius Inn. He and I will be there.
(Which is indeed but sign). That you shall surely find
him,
Lead to the Sagittary the raisèd search,
And there will I be with him. So farewell.
Exit IAGO exits.
Enter BRABANTIO, with servants and torches BRABANTIO enters with servants and torches.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
It is too true an evil. Gone she is. It’s true. She’s gone. The rest of my life will be
160 And what’s to come of my despisèd time nothing but bitterness. Now, Roderigo, where did
Is naught but bitterness. Now, Roderigo, you see her?—Oh, that miserable wretch!—You
Where didst thou see her?—Oh, unhappy girl!— say you saw her with the Moor?—Oh, who would
With the Moor, say’st thou?—Who would be a want to be a father?—How did you know it was
father?— her?—To think she tricked me so easily!—What
165 How didst thou know ’twas she?—Oh, she deceives did she say to you?—Get me more candles, and
me wake up all my relatives. Do you think they’re
Past thought!—What said she to you?—Get more married?
tapers,
Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Truly, I think they are. Yes, I really think so.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Oh, heaven, how got she out? Oh, treason of the Oh, heaven, how did she get out? My own flesh
blood! and blood rebels against me! Fathers, never trust
170 Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds your daughters just because they act obedient
By what you see them act. Is there not charms and innocent. Are there magic spells that can
By which the property of youth and maidhood lead young virgins astray? Have you ever heard
May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo, of anything like that, Roderigo?
Of some such thing?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Yes, sir, I have indeed. Yes, sir, I have.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Call up my brother—Oh, would you had had her! Call my brother.—Now I wish you’d married
175 Some one way, some another. Do you know her!—Some of you go one way, some the other
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor? way.—Do you know where we can find her and
the Moor?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I think I can discover him, if you please I think I can find him. Get together a group of
To get good guard and go along with me. armed men and follow me.

BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Pray you lead on. At every house I’ll call. Lead the way. I’ll stop at every house. I’m
180 I may command at most.—Get weapons, ho! respected enough that most of them will do what
And raise some special officers of might.— I say.—Get your weapons! And get the officers
On, good Roderigo. I will deserve your pains. who guard the city at night.—Let’s go, Roderigo.
I’ll reward you for your troubles.
Exeunt They exit
Act 1, Scene 2
Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and attendants with torches OTHELLO and IAGO enter, followed by
attendants with torches.
IAGO IAGO
Though in the trade of war I have slain men, I’ve killed many men in battle, but I still believe it’s
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' th' conscience deeply wrong to murder someone. Sometimes I
To do no contrived murder. I lack iniquity worry I’m not cruel enough for this job. Nine or
Sometimes to do me service. Nine or ten times ten times I wanted to stab him under the ribs.
5 I had thought t' have yerked him here under the ribs.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
'Tis better as it is. It’s better that you didn’t kill him.
IAGO IAGO
Nay, but he prated But he kept chattering so foolishly, talking about
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms you in such insulting and despicable terms, that it
Against your honor was hard for me to restrain myself. But please tell
That, with the little godliness I have, me, sir, is your marriage secure? Brabantio is an
10 I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir, important man in this city, almost as powerful as
Are you fast married? Be assured of this: the duke himself. He’ll try to annul your marriage,
That the Magnifico is much beloved or else inflict whatever punishment the law and
And hath in his effect a voice potential his power will allow him to.
As double as the Duke’s. He will divorce you,
15 Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
The law (with all his might to enforce it on)
Will give him cable.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Let him do his spite. Let him do his worst. The services I have done for
My services which I have done the signiory the Venetian government will count for more than
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know— his complaints will. No one knows this yet—and I
20 Which, when I know that boasting is an honor, don’t like to brag, but I come from a royal family,
I shall promulgate. I fetch my life and being and I’m as noble as the woman I’ve married. And
From men of royal siege, and my demerits let me tell you, Iago, if I didn’t love Desdemona as
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune much as I do, I’d never agree to get married and
As this that I have reached. For know, Iago, lose my freedom at all. But look at those lights.
25 But that I love the gentle Desdemona, Who’s coming?
I would not my unhousèd free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea’s worth. But look, what lights come yond?

IAGO IAGO
Those are the raisèd father and his friends. That’s her father and his friends, who’ve been
30 You were best go in. roused out of bed. You’d better go inside.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Not I, I must be found. No, I must let them find me. My good qualities,
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul my legal status as Desdemona’s husband, and
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they? my innocence will protect me. Is it them?
IAGO IAGO
By Janus, I think no. I don’t think so.
Enter CASSIO, with officers and torches CASSIO enters with officers and men carrying
torches.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
The servants of the Duke and my lieutenant? The servants of the Duke and my lieutenant?
35 The goodness of the night upon you, friends! Hello, everyone! What’s going on?
What is the news?
CASSIO CASSIO
The Duke does greet you, general, The Duke sends his regards. He needs to see
And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, you right away.
Even on the instant.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What’s the matter, think you? What do you think he wants?
CASSIO CASSIO
Something from Cyprus as I may divine. Something about Cyprus. I think it’s important.
40 It is a business of some heat. The galleys The warships have sent a dozen messages
Have sent a dozen sequent messengers tonight, one after the other, and many of the
This very night at one another’s heels, senators have been awakened and are at the
And many of the consuls, raised and met, Duke’s already. They’re very anxious for you to
Are at the Duke’s already. You have been hotly get there. When you weren’t at home, the Senate
45 called for. sent out three different search parties to find you.
When being not at your lodging to be found
The Senate hath sent about three several guests
To search you out.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
'Tis well I am found by you. It’s good you found me. I’ll just speak a word or
I will but spend a word here in the house two here in the house and then I’ll go with you.
And go with you.
Exit OTHELLO exits.

CASSIO CASSIO
Ancient, what makes he here? Ensign, what’s he doing in there?
IAGO IAGO
50 Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack. Tonight he boarded a treasure ship. If he can
If it prove lawful prize, he’s made for ever. keep it, he’ll be set forever.
CASSIO CASSIO
I do not understand. I don’t understand.
IAGO IAGO
He’s married. He’s married.
CASSIO CASSIO
To who? To whom?
IAGO IAGO
Marry, to— To—
Enter OTHELLO OTHELLO enters.
Come, captain, will you go? Are you ready?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
55 Have with you. Yes, I’ll go with you now.
CASSIO CASSIO
Here comes another troop to seek for you. Here comes another group looking for you.
Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and officers with BRABANTIO and RODERIGO enter, followed
torches and weapons byOFFICERS and men with torches.
IAGO IAGO
It is Brabantio. General, be advised, It’s Brabantio. Look out, sir. He intends to do
He comes to bad intent. something bad to you.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Holla! Stand there! Hey! Stop right there!
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Signior, it is the Moor. Sir, it’s the Moor.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Down with him, thief! Get him, he’s a thief!
They draw their swords Both sides draw their swords.

IAGO IAGO
60 You, Roderigo! Come, sir, I am for you. You, Roderigo! Come on, I’ll fight you.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust Put away your swords. They’ll get rusty in the
them. dew. Sir, your age and status inspire more
Good signior, you shall more command with years respect than your weapons do.
Than with your weapons.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my You evil thief, where have you hidden my
65 daughter? daughter? You devil, you’ve put a spell on her!
Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her! Anybody with eyes could tell you that a beautiful
For I’ll refer me to all things of sense, and happy young girl like her, who’s refused to
If she in chains of magic were not bound, marry all of the handsome young men of the city,
Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy, wouldn’t run off with a black thing like you unless
70 So opposite to marriage that she shunned she’d been bewitched. You’re something to fear,
The wealthy curlèd darlings of our nation, not to love. It’s obvious to everyone that you’ve
Would ever have, t' incur a general mock, tricked her, drugged her, or kidnapped her. That’s
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom probably what happened, so I’m arresting you.—
Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight. Arrest this man as a practitioner of black magic.
75 Judge me the world if ’tis not gross in sense Grab him. If he struggles, use force!
That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms,
Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
That weakens motion. I’ll have ’t disputed on.
'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.
80 I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
For an abuser of the world, a practicer
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.—
Lay hold upon him. If he do resist,
Subdue him at his peril!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Hold your hands, Just a minute. I don’t need anyone to tell me
Both you of my inclining and the rest. when to fight. You’ve accused me of some
85 Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it serious crimes. Where do you want me to go to
Without a prompter. Whither will you that I go respond to these charges?
To answer this your charge?

BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
To prison, till fit time To prison, until you’re called into court.
Of law and course of direct session
Call thee to answer.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What if I do obey? What if I do what you say? How would I satisfy
90 How may the Duke be therewith satisfied, the Duke then? His messengers are waiting here
Whose messengers are here about my side to take me to him immediately, on pressing state
Upon some present business of the state business.
To bring me to him?
OFFICER OFFICER
'Tis true, most worthy signior. It’s true. The Duke’s in a meeting right now, and
The Duke’s in council and your noble self, he’s sent for you too.
95 I am sure, is sent for.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
How? The Duke in council? The Duke’s in a meeting? At this time of night?
In this time of the night? Bring him away. Bring him with us. The law’s on my side. The
Mine’s not an idle cause. The Duke himself, Duke and any of my fellow senators will take this
Or any of my brothers of the state, wrong as seriously as if it were their own. If we
Cannot but feel this wrong as ’twere their own. let crimes like this happen, slaves and heathens
100 For if such actions may have passage free, will be our rulers.
Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.
Exeunt They all exit.
Act 1, Scene 3
Enter DUKE, SENATORS, and OFFICERS The DUKE enters
with SENATORS andOFFICERS.
DUKE DUKE
There’s no composition in this news These reports are inconsistent. You can’t trust
That gives them credit. them.
FIRST SENATOR FIRST SENATOR
Indeed, they are disproportioned. It’s true, they’re inconsistent. My letters say there
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys. are a hundred and seven ships.
DUKE DUKE
5 And mine a hundred and forty. And mine say a hundred and forty.
SECOND SENATOR SECOND SENATOR
And mine, two hundred. And mine say two hundred. But often in these
But though they jump not on a just account— cases, reports are just estimates. The important
As in these cases, where the aim reports thing is that they all say a Turkish fleet is
'Tis oft with difference—yet do they all confirm approaching Cyprus.
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.
DUKE DUKE
10 Nay, it is possible enough to judgment. Yes, we get the idea. The inconsistency doesn’t
I do not so secure me in the error, make me think that the reports are all wrong. I
But the main article I do approve have no doubt about what they’re basically
In fearful sense. saying, and it’s frightening.
SAILOR SAILOR
(within) (offstage) Hello! Hey, hello!
What, ho, what, ho, what, ho!
OFFICER OFFICER
15 A messenger from the galleys. It’s a messenger from the warships.
Enter SAILOR A SAILOR enters.
DUKE DUKE
Now, what’s the business? Why are you here?
SAILOR SAILOR
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes, Signor Angelo told me to come here and tell you
So was I bid report here to the state that the Turkish fleet is heading for Rhodes, not
By Signior Angelo. Cyprus.

DUKE DUKE
20 How say you by this change? What do you think about this change?
This cannot be, They can’t have changed; there’s no way this
By no assay of reason. 'Tis a pageant, could be true. It’s a trick to confuse us. Think
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider about how important Cyprus is to the Turks, and
Th' importancy of Cyprus to the Turk, remember that they could capture Cyprus more
And let ourselves again but understand easily, since it isn’t as well protected as Rhodes
25 That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes is. If we keep these things in mind, we can’t
So may he with more facile question bear it, possibly imagine that the Turks would be so
For that it stands not in such warlike brace incompetent as to put off for last what they want
But altogether lacks th' abilities to achieve first, setting aside something easy and
That Rhodes is dressed in. If we make thought of this profitable to do something dangerous and
30 We must not think the Turk is so unskillful pointless.
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
DUKE DUKE
Nay, in all confidence, he’s not for Rhodes. No, I think we can be confident that the Turks
aren’t really headed for Rhodes.
OFFICER OFFICER
35 Here is more news. Here’s some more news coming in.
Enter a MESSENGER A MESSENGER enters.
MESSENGER MESSENGER
The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, Sir, the Turks sailed to Rhodes, where they joined
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, with another fleet.
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess? That’s just what I thought. How many, can you
guess?
MESSENGER MESSENGER
40 Of thirty sail. And now they do re-stem Thirty ships. Now they’ve turned around and are
Their backward course, bearing with frank clearly heading for Cyprus. Signor Montano, your
appearance brave and loyal servant, gives you this
Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano, information and asks you to send reinforcements
Your trusty and most valiant servitor, to relieve him.
45 With his free duty recommends you thus,
And prays you to believe him.

DUKE DUKE
'Tis certain then for Cyprus. Then it’s certain they’re heading for Cyprus. Is
Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town? Marcus Luccicos in town?
He’s now in Florence. No, he’s in Florence.
DUKE DUKE
Write from us to him. Post-post-haste, dispatch. Write to him immediately. Hurry.
Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor. Here come Brabantio and the brave Moor.
Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, CASSIO, IAGO,ROD BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, CASSIO, IAGO,RODERI
ERIGO, and officers GO and the officers enter.
DUKE DUKE
5 Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you Brave Othello, I have to send you right away to fight
0 Against the general enemy Ottoman— the Turks, our great enemy.—(toBRABANTIO) Oh, I
(to BRABANTIO) I did not see you. Welcome, gentle didn’t see you there. Welcome, sir. I could have
signior. used your wisdom and help tonight.
We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me. I could have used yours as well. Forgive me, your
5 Neither my place nor aught I heard of business grace. I didn’t get out of bed and come here in the
5 Hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the general dead of night because I heard about the war or
care because I was worried about the city’s defense. I
Take hold on me, for my particular grief have a personal problem so painful and gut-
Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature wrenching that it overwhelms everything else.
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
6 And it is still itself.
0
DUKE DUKE
Why, what’s the matter? Why, what’s the matter?
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
My daughter! Oh, my daughter! It’s my daughter! Oh, my daughter!
ALL FIRST SENATOR
Dead? Is she dead?
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Ay, to me. She’s dead to me. She’s been tricked and stolen
She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted from me, enchanted by black magic spells. She
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks. must’ve

65 For nature so prepost'rously to err, been tricked or drugged, because there’s no way
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, she could have made this mistake on her own.
Sans witchcraft could not.
DUKE DUKE
Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding Whoever tricked your daughter and stole her from
Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself you will pay for it. And you yourself will determine
70 And you of her, the bloody book of law the sentence as you see fit, and impose the death
You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, penalty if you choose to, even if the criminal were
After your own sense, yea, though our proper son my own son.
Stood in your action.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Humbly I thank your grace. I humbly thank you, sir. Here is the man, the
Here is the man, this Moor, whom now it seems, Moor. It seems you had your own reasons for
75 Your special mandate for the state affairs summoning him here.
Hath hither brought.
ALL ALL
We are very sorry for’t. We’re sorry to hear this.
DUKE DUKE
(to OTHELLO)What, in your own part, can you say to (to OTHELLO) What do you have to say for
this? yourself?
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Nothing, but this is so. Nothing, but this is true.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, Noble, honorable gentlemen whom I serve: it’s
80 My very noble and approved good masters, true that I’ve taken this man’s daughter from him
That I have ta'en away this old man’s daughter, and married her. But that’s my only offense.
It is most true. True, I have married her. There’s nothing more. I’m awkward in my speech
The very head and front of my offending and I’m not a smooth talker. From the time I was
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech, seven years old until nine months ago I’ve been
85 And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace, fighting in battles. I don’t know much about the
For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith world apart from fighting. So I won’t do myself
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used much good by speaking in my own defense. But if
Their dearest action in the tented field, you’ll let me, I’ll tell you the plain
And little of this great world can I speak,

90 More than pertains to feats of broils and battle, story of how we fell in love, and what drugs,
And therefore little shall I grace my cause charms, spells, and powerful magic—because
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious that’s what I’m being accused of—I used to win
patience, his daughter.
I will a round unvarnished tale deliver
95 Of my whole course of love. What drugs, what
charms,
What conjuration and what mighty magic—
For such proceeding I am charged withal—
I won his daughter.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
A maiden never bold, She’s a good girl, quiet and obedient. She
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion blushes at the slightest thing. And you want me
Blushed at herself. And she, in spite of nature, to believe that despite her young age and proper
100 Of years, of country, credit, everything, upbringing she fell in love with a man she’d be
To fall in love with what she feared to look on? afraid to look at? The very thought of it is
It is a judgment maimed and most imperfect ridiculous. You’d have to be stupid to think that
That will confess perfection so could err. someone so perfect could make such an
Against all rules of nature, and must be driven unnatural mistake as that. The devil must be
105 To find out practices of cunning hell behind this. Therefore I say again that he must
Why this should be. I therefore vouch again have used some powerful drug or magic potion
That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood on her.
Or with some dram, conjured to this effect,
He wrought upon her.
DUKE DUKE
To vouch this is no proof, Your saying this isn’t proof. There has to be clear
110 Without more wider and more overt test evidence that he’s done this, not just these
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods accusations.
Of modern seeming do prefer against him.
But, Othello, speak. Tell us, Othello. Did you trick or deceive this lady
Did you by indirect and forcèd courses in some way? Or did you agree to this as
115 Subdue and poison this young maid’s affections? equals?
Or came it by request and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I do beseech you, Please, send for Desdemona to come here from
Send for the lady to the Sagittary, the Sagittarius Inn and ask her to speak about
me in front

And let her speak of me before her father. of her father. If she has anything bad to say
120 If you do find me foul in her report about me, then you can sentence me to death.
The trust, the office I do hold of you,
Not only take away, but let your sentence
Even fall upon my life.
DUKE DUKE
Fetch Desdemona hither. Bring Desdemona here.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ancient, conduct them. You best know the place. Iago, bring Desdemona here. You know where
she is.
Exeunt IAGO and attendants IAGO and attendants exit.
125 And till she come, as truly as to heaven In the meantime I’ll tell you all, as honestly as I
I do confess the vices of my blood confess my sins to God, how I wooed this
So justly to your grave ears I’ll present beautiful lady, and how she came to love me.
How I did thrive in this fair lady’s love
And she in mine.
DUKE DUKE
Say it, Othello. Tell us, Othello.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
130 Her father loved me, oft invited me, Her father loved me and used to invite me to his
Still questioned me the story of my life house often, continually asking me about my life
From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes, and all the battles I’ve fought. I told him
That I have passed. everything, from my boyhood up until the time

I ran it through, even from my boyish days, when I was talking to him. I told him about
135 To th' very moment that he bade me tell it, unfortunate disasters, hair-raising adventures on
Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances, sea and on land, and near-catastrophes and
Of moving accidents by flood and field, dangerous adventures I’ve been through. I told
Of hair-breadth ’scapes i' th' imminent deadly him how I was captured and sold as a slave, how
breach, I bought my freedom, and how I wandered
140 Of being taken by the insolent foe through caves and deserts. I was able to tell him
And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence about cannibals who eat each other, and men
And portance in my traveler’s history. with heads growing below their shoulders. When
Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle, I talked about all these things, Desdemona used
Rough quarries, rocks, hills whose heads touch to listen attentively. If she had to go do some
145 heaven household chore, I noticed that she’d always
It was my hint to speak—such was my process— come back quickly to hear more of my stories.
And of the Cannibals that each others eat,

The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads When I was relaxing, she’d pull me aside and
Grew beneath their shoulders. These things to hear ask to hear some part of a story she had missed.
Would Desdemona seriously incline. Her eyes would fill with tears at the bad things I
But still the house affairs would draw her hence, went through in my younger years. When my
150 Which ever as she could with haste dispatch, stories were done, she’d sigh and tell me how
She’d come again, and with a greedy ear strangely wonderful and sad my life had been.
Devour up my discourse, which I, observing, She said she wished she hadn’t heard it, but she
Took once a pliant hour and found good means also wished there was a man like me for her.
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart She thanked me and told me that if a friend of
155 That I would all my pilgrimage dilate, mine had a story like mine to tell, she’d fall in
Whereof by parcels she had something heard love with him. I took the hint and spoke to her.
But not intentively. I did consent, She said she loved me for the dangers I’d
And often did beguile her of her tears survived, and I loved her for feeling such strong
When I did speak of some distressful stroke emotions about me. That’s the only witchcraft I
160 That my youth suffered. My story being done ever used. Here comes my wife now. She’ll
She gave me for my pains a world of sighs. confirm everything.
She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing
strange,
'Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.
165 She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished
That heaven had made her such a man. She
thanked me
And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
I should but teach him how to tell my story
170 And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
And I loved her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Here comes the lady. Let her witness it.
Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, and attendants DESDEMONA, IAGO, and attendants enter.
DUKE DUKE
I think this tale would win my daughter too. I think a story like that would win my own
Good Brabantio. Take up this mangled matter at the daughter over. Brabantio, I urge you to make the
175 best. best of this. Try to accept what’s happened.
Men do their broken weapons rather use
Than their bare hands.

BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
I pray you, hear her speak. Please let her speak. If she admits she wanted
If she confess that she was half the wooer, this, then I won’t blame Othello.—Come here, my
Destruction on my head if my bad blame child. Who do you obey here?
Light on the man.—Come hither, gentle mistress.
180 Do you perceive in all this noble company
Where most you owe obedience?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
My noble father, Father, this isn’t easy for me. I’m torn. I owe you
I do perceive here a divided duty. respect because you gave me life and education.
To you I am bound for life and education. You’re the one I have to obey. I’m your daughter.
My life and education both do learn me But this man here is my husband now, and I owe
185 How to respect you. You are the lord of duty. him as much as my mother owed you, just as
I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband. she preferred you to her own father. So I have to
And so much duty as my mother showed give my obedience to the Moor, my husband.
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
190 Due to the Moor my lord.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
God be with you. I have done. I’m finished, then. Duke, please go ahead with
Please it your grace, on to the state affairs. your state business. I’d rather adopt a child than
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.— have one of my own.—Come here, Moor. I’m
Come hither, Moor. forced to give my blessing to this marriage. With
I here do give thee that with all my heart all my heart, I give you that thing which, if you
195 Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart didn’t already have it, I’d try with all my heart to
I would keep from thee. For your sake, jewel, keep from you. Desdemona, I’m glad you’re my
I am glad at soul I have no other child. only child, since if I had others I’d keep them all
For thy escape would teach me tyranny, locked up. You would have made me treat them
To hang clogs on them.—I have done, my lord. like a tyrant.—I’m done, my lord.
DUKE DUKE
200 Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence Let me refer to a proverb that may help you
Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers. forgive these lovers: if you can’t change
When remedies are past, the griefs are ended something, don’t cry about it. When you lament
By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended. something bad that’s already happened, you’re
setting yourself up for more

To mourn a mischief that is past and gone bad news. A robbery victim who can smile about
205 Is the next way to draw new mischief on. his losses is superior to the thief who robbed
What cannot be preserved when fortune takes, him, but if he cries he’s just wasting time.
Patience her injury a mock'ry makes.
The robbed that smiles steals something from the
thief,
He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
210 So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile, So if the Turks steal Cyprus from us, it won’t be
We lose it not, so long as we can smile. bad as long as we keep smiling. It’s easy to
He bears the sentence well that nothing bears accept platitudes like that if you haven’t lost
But the free comfort which from thence he hears. anything. But I’ve lost something precious, and I
But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow have to put up with the platitude as well as
215 That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow. suffering my loss. Talk is cheap. I’ve never heard
These sentences to sugar or to gall, of someone feeling better because of someone
Being strong on both sides, are equivocal. else’s words. Please, I’m asking you, go ahead
But words are words. I never yet did hear and get back to your state affairs.
That the bruised heart was piercèd through the ears.
220 I humbly beseech you, proceed to th' affairs of state.
DUKE DUKE
The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for The Turks are heading for Cyprus with a
Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best powerful fleet. Othello, you understand better
known to you, and though we have there a substitute than anyone how the defenses for Cyprus work.
of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign Even though we have a very good officer in
mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on charge there already, everyone says you’re the
you. You must therefore be content to slubber the better man for the job. So I’ll have to ask you to
gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn put a damper on your marriage celebrations and
and boist'rous expedition. take part in this dangerous expedition.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
The tyrant custom, most grave senators, I’ve gotten used to the hardships of a military life.
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war I rise to the occasion when faced with difficulties.
My thrice-driven bed of down. I do agnize I will take charge of this war against the Turks.
225 A natural and prompt alacrity But I humbly ask you to make appropriate
I find in hardness, and do undertake arrangements for my wife,
These present wars against the Ottomites.
Most humbly therefore bending to your state,

I crave fit disposition for my wife. giving her a place to live and people to keep her
230 Due reference of place and exhibition, company that suit her high rank.
With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding.
DUKE DUKE
Why, at her father’s. She can stay at her father’s house.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
I’ll not have it so. I won’t allow it.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
235 Nor I. Neither will I.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Nor would I there reside, And I wouldn’t stay there. I don’t want to upset
To put my father in impatient thoughts my father by being in his house. Dear Duke,
By being in his eye. Most gracious Duke, please listen to what I have to say.
To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear
240 And let me find a charter in your voice,
T' assist my simpleness.
DUKE DUKE
What would you, Desdemona? What do you want to do, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
That I did love the Moor to live with him, When I fell in love with Othello I made up my
My downright violence and storm of fortunes mind that I wanted to live with him. You can see
245 May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued how much I wanted to be with him by how
Even to the very quality of my lord. violently I threw away my old life. I feel like I’m a
I saw Othello’s visage in his mind, part of him now, and that means I’m part of a
And to his honors and his valiant parts soldier. I saw Othello’s true face when I saw his
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate. mind. I gave my whole life to him because of his
250 So that, dear lords, if I be left behind honor and bravery. If I were left at home
A moth of peace and he go to the war, uselessly while he went off to war, then I’m
The rites for which I love him are bereft me, separated from my husband in his natural
And I a heavy interim shall support element. I’d be miserable without him. Let me go
By his dear absence. Let me go with him. with him.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
255 Let her have your voice. Please allow her to do this. I’m not asking to
Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not have her near me for sex—I’m too old for that,
To please the palate of my appetite, and my sexual

Nor to comply with heat the young affects urges are dead. I want this because she wants
In my defunct and proper satisfaction, it—I love her for her mind. And I’d never want
260 But to be free and bounteous to her mind, you to think that I’d neglect my serious official
And heaven defend your good souls, that you think duties while she was there with me. If I ever let
I will your serious and great business scant love blind me so that I choose to lounge around
When she is with me. No, when light-winged toys in bed with my loved one instead of going off to
Of feathered Cupid seel with wanton dullness war, then you can let a housewife use my helmet
265 My speculative and officed instrument, as a frying pan. My reputation would be
That my disports corrupt and taint my business, disgraced if I ever acted like that.
Let housewives make a skillet of my helm
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against my estimation.
DUKE DUKE
270 Be it as you shall privately determine, You can decide that privately. I don’t care
Either for her stay or going. Th' affair cries haste whether she stays or goes. What’s important is
And speed must answer it. the urgency of this mission. You’ve got to act
fast.
You must away tonight. You’ll have to leave tonight.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
With all my heart. With all my heart, I’ll go right away.
DUKE DUKE
At nine i' th' morning here we’ll meet again. We’ll meet again at nine in the morning. Othello,
275 Othello, leave some officer behind have one of your officers stay behind to bring
And he shall our commission bring to you, you your commission and whatever else is
And such things else of quality and respect important to you.
As doth import you.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
So please your grace, my ancient. My lord, my ensign is an honest and trustworthy
A man he is of honesty and trust. man. He’ll accompany my wife, and bring
280 To his conveyance I assign my wife, whatever else you think I might need.
With what else needful your good grace shall think
To be sent after me.

DUKE DUKE
Let it be so. All right, then. Good night, everyone.—
Good night to every one.—(to BRABANTIO) (toBRABANTIO) Sir, if goodness is beautiful,
And, noble signior, your son-in-law is beautiful, not black.
285 If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
Adieu, brave Moor. Use Desdemona well. Goodbye, black Moor. Treat Desdemona well.
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. Keep an eye on her, Moor. She lied to me, and
She has deceived her father, and may thee. she may lie to you.
Exeunt DUKE, BRABANTIO, CASSIO,SENATORS, The DUKE, BRABANTIO, CASSIO,SENATORS,
and officers and officers exit.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
290 My life upon her faith!—Honest Iago, I’d bet my life she’d never lie to me. Iago, I’m
My Desdemona must I leave to thee. leaving my dear Desdemona with you. Have your
I prithee, let thy wife attend on her, wife attend to her, and bring them along as soon
And bring them after in the best advantage. as you can. Come on, Desdemona, I’ve only got
Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour an hour of love to spend with you, to tell you what
295 Of love, of worldly matter and direction, you need to do. We’re on a tight schedule.
To spend with thee. We must obey the time.
Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA OTHELLO and DESDEMONA exit.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Iago. Iago.
IAGO IAGO
What say’st thou, noble heart? What do you have to say, noble friend?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
What will I do, think’st thou? What do you think I should do?
IAGO IAGO
300 Why, go to bed, and sleep. Go to bed, and sleep.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I will incontinently drown myself. I’m going to go drown myself.

IAGO IAGO
If thou dost I shall never love thee after. Why, thou If you do that, I’ll never respect you again. Why,
silly gentleman! you silly man!
RODERIGO RODERIGO
It is silliness to live when to live is torment, and then It’s silly to live when life is torture. The only cure
have we a prescription to die when death is our is death.
physician.
IAGO IAGO
Oh, villainous! I have looked upon the world for four Oh, how stupid! I’ve been alive for twenty-eight
times seven years, and since I could distinguish years, and I’ve never met a man who knew what
betwixt a benefit and an injury I never found man was good for him. I’d rather be a baboon than kill
that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I myself out of love for some woman I can’t have.
would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I
would change my humanity with a baboon.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
305 What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so What should I do? I know it’s foolish to be so
fond, but it is not in my virtue to amend it. much in love, but I can’t help it.
IAGO IAGO
Virtue? A fig! 'Tis in ourselves that we are thus or Can’t help it? Nonsense! What we are is up to
thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our us. Our bodies are like gardens and our
wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles or willpower is like the gardener. Depending on
sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply what we plant—weeds or lettuce, or one kind of
it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many— herb rather than a variety, the garden will either
either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured be barren and useless, or rich and productive. If
with industry—why, the power and corrigible we didn’t have rational minds to counterbalance
authority of this lies in our wills. If the balance of our our emotions and desires, our bodily urges would
lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of take over. We’d end up in ridiculous situations.
sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures Thankfully, we have reason to cool our raging
would conduct us to most prepost'rous conclusions. lusts. In my opinion, what you call love is just an
But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our offshoot of lust.
carnal stings, our unbitted lusts. Whereof I take this
that you call love to be a sect or scion.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
It cannot be. I don’t believe it.
IAGO IAGO
It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of You feel love because you feel lust and you have
the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats no willpower. Come on, be a man. Drown
and blind puppies! I have professed me thy friend, yourself? Drowning is for cats or blind puppies—
and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of don’t drown yourself! I’ve told you I’m your friend,
perdurable toughness. and I’ll stick by you.

I could never better stead thee than now. Put money I’ve never been more useful to you than I will be
in thy purse. Follow thou the wars, defeat thy favor now. Here’s what you’ll do. Sell all your assets
with an usurped beard. I say, put money in thy and your land, and turn it into cash. Desdemona
purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should can’t continue loving the Moor any more than he
continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy can continue loving her. She fell in love with him
purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent very suddenly, and they’ll break up just as
commencement in her, and thou shalt see an suddenly. Moors are moody people.—So sell
answerable sequestration—put but money in thy your lands and raise a lot of cash. What seems
purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills—fill sweet to him now will soon turn bitter. She’ll
thy purse with money. The food that to him now is as dump Othello for a younger man. When she’s
luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as had enough of the Moor’s body, she’ll realize her
coloquintida. She must change for youth. When she mistake. She’ll need to have a new lover. She’ll
is sated with his body she will find the errors of her have to have it. So have your money ready. If
choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou you want to go to hell, there are better ways to
wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way do it than killing yourself. Raise all the money
than drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If you can. I can get the better of religion and a few
sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring flimsy vows between a misguided barbarian and
barbarian and supersubtle Venetian be not too hard a depraved Venetian girl. You’ll get to sleep with
for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her—just put together some money. And to hell
her. Therefore make money. A pox of drowning with drowning yourself! That’s completely beside
thyself! 'Tis clean out of the way. Seek thou rather to the point. If you’re ready to die, you can risk
be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned death by committing crimes in an attempt to get
and go without her. the woman you want. Don’t just give up on her
and drown yourself.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
310 Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the Can I count on you if I wait to see what
issue? happens?
IAGO IAGO
Thou art sure of me. Go, make money. I have told You can trust me. Go now and get cash. I told
thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate you before, and I’ll tell you again and again: I
the Moor. My cause is hearted. Thine hath no less hate the Moor. I’m devoted to my cause of hating
reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him, just as devoted as you are to yours. So let’s
him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a join forces and get revenge. If you seduce
pleasure, me a sport. There are many events in the Desdemona and make a fool out of him, it’ll be
womb of time which will be delivered. Traverse, go, fun for both of us. Many things may happen. Go
provide thy money. We will have more of this get money. We’ll speak again tomorrow.
tomorrow. Adieu. Goodbye.

RODERIGO RODERIGO
Where shall we meet i' th' morning? Where will we meet in the morning?

IAGO IAGO
At my lodging. At my house.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I’ll be with thee betimes. I’ll be there early.
IAGO IAGO
Go to, farewell. Go home. Goodbye. Oh, and one more thing—
Do you hear, Roderigo?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
315 What say you? What is it?
IAGO IAGO
No more of drowning, do you hear? No more talk about killing yourself, okay?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I am changed. I’ve changed my mind about that.
IAGO IAGO
Go to, farewell. Put money enough in your purse. Go then, goodbye. Put a lot of cash together.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I’ll sell all my land. I’m going to sell all my land.
Exit RODERIGO exits.
IAGO IAGO
320 Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. That’s how I always do it, getting money from
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane fools. I’d be wasting my skills dealing with an
If I would time expend with such a snipe idiot like that if I couldn’t get something useful out
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor, of him. I hate the Moor, and there’s a widespread
And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets rumor that he’s slept with my wife. I’m not sure
325 He’s done my office. I know not if ’t be true, it’s true, but just the suspicion is enough for me.
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, He thinks highly of me. That’ll help. Cassio’s a
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well. handsome man. Let’s see, how can I
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now,

330 To get his place and to plume up my will get his position and use him to hurt Othello at the
In double knavery. How? How? Let’s see. same time? How? How? Let’s see. After a while
After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear I’ll start telling Othello that Cassio is too intimate
That he is too familiar with his wife. with Desdemona. Cassio is a smooth talker and
He hath a person and a smooth dispose a good-looking guy, the sort of man that people
335 To be suspected, framed to make women false. would expect to be a seducer. The Moor is open
The Moor is of a free and open nature and straightforward. He thinks any man who
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, seems honest is honest. People like that are
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose easy to manipulate. So it’s all decided. I’ve
As asses are. worked it out. With a little help from the devil, I’ll
340 I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night bring this monstrous plan to success.
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.
Exit He exits.
Act 2, Scene 1
Enter MONTANO and two GENTLEMEN MONTANO and two GENTLEMEN enter.
MONTANO MONTANO
What from the cape can you discern at sea? What can you see out on the ocean?
FIRST GENTLEMAN FIRST GENTLEMAN
Nothing at all. It is a high-wrought flood. Nothing. The water’s so rough that I can’t see any
I cannot ’twixt the heaven and the main sails, either in the bay or on the ocean.
Descry a sail.
MONTANO MONTANO
5 Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land, It was windy on shore too. A big blast of wind
A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements. shook our fortifications. How could a ship made
If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea out of wood hold together in those mountainous
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them, waves? What do you think will be the result of this
Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this? storm?
SECOND GENTLEMAN SECOND GENTLEMAN
10 A segregation of the Turkish fleet. The Turkish navy will be broken up. The wind’s
For do but stand upon the foaming shore, whipping up the waves so high you expect them
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds, to reach the clouds and splash against the stars
The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous in the sky. I’ve never seen the waters so
mane, disturbed.
15 Seems to cast water on the burning bear,
And quench the guards of th' ever-fixèd pole.
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafèd flood.
MONTANO MONTANO
If that the Turkish fleet If the Turkish fleet isn’t protected in some harbor,
Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned. their men must all be drowned. No ship could
20 It is impossible they bear it out. survive this storm.
Enter a THIRD GENTLEMAN A THIRD GENTLEMAN enters.

THIRD GENTLEMAN THIRD GENTLEMAN
News, lads, Our wars are done! I’ve got news, boys, the war’s over! This terrible
The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks, storm has smashed the Turks so badly that their
That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice plans are ruined. One of our ships has reported
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance that it saw most of their fleet shipwrecked.
25 On most part of their fleet.
MONTANO MONTANO
How? Is this true? What? Is this true?
The ship is here put in, The ship’s sailing into harbor now; it’s from
A Veronesa. Michael Cassio, Verona. Michael Cassio, lieutenant of the Moor
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello, Othello, has arrived on shore. The Moor himself
Is come on shore. The Moor himself at sea is still at sea. He’s been commissioned to come
30 And is in full commission here for Cyprus. here to Cyprus.
MONTANO MONTANO
I am glad on ’t. 'Tis a worthy governor. I’m happy about that. He’ll be a good governor.
But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort Cassio brings good news about the Turkish
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly defeat, but he’s worried about the Othello’s
And prays the Moor be safe. For they were parted safety. The two of them were separated during
35 With foul and violent tempest. the storm.

MONTANO MONTANO
Pray heavens he be, I hope to God Othello’s all right. I served under
For I have served him, and the man commands him, and I know what an excellent commander he
Like a full soldier. Let’s to the seaside, ho! is. Let’s go to the shore to get a look at the ship
As well to see the vessel that’s come in that came in, and to look out for Othello’s ship.
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello, We’ll stare out at the sea until the sea and the sky
40 Even till we make the main and th' aerial blue blur together.
An indistinct regard.
Come, let’s do so. Let’s do that. Every minute we expect more ships
For every minute is expectancy to arrive.
Of more arrivance.
Enter CASSIO CASSIO enters.

CASSIO CASSIO
Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle Thanks, you brave men who defend this island
45 That so approve the Moor. Oh, let the heavens and respect Othello. I hope heaven protects him
Give him defense against the elements, from the weather, because I lost sight of him on
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea. the stormy sea.
MONTANO MONTANO
Is he well shipped? Is his ship sturdy?
CASSIO CASSIO
His bark is stoutly timbered and his pilot Yes, it’s well built, and the ship’s pilot is very
50 Of very expert and approved allowance expert and experienced. For that reason I still
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death, have some hope for him, even though I don’t
Stand in bold cure. have my hopes up too high.
A VOICE A VOICE
(within) A sail, a sail, a sail! (offstage) A sail! A sail! A sail!
Enter a MESSENGER A MESSENGER enters.
CASSIO CASSIO
What noise? What’s all that shouting about?
MESSENGER MESSENGER
55 The town is empty. On the brow o' th' sea Everybody in town is down at the shore shouting
Stand ranks of people, and they cry “A sail!” “A sail!”
CASSIO CASSIO
My hopes do shape him for the governor. I hope it’s Othello.
A shot A shot is heard.
They do discharge their shot of courtesy. They’ve fired a greeting shot, so at least it’s a
Our friends at least. friendly ship.
CASSIO CASSIO
60 I pray you sir, go forth Please go find out for certain who has arrived.
And give us truth who ’tis that is arrived.
I shall. I’ll do that.
Exit SECOND GENTLEMAN exits.

MONTANO MONTANO
But good lieutenant, is your general wived? Good lieutenant, is your general married?
CASSIO CASSIO
Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid Yes, and he’s very lucky to have married the woman
6 That paragons description and wild fame, he did. His wife defies description. She’s God’s
5 One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, masterpiece, and she’d exhaust whoever tried to do
And in th' essential vesture of creation her justice while praising her.
Does tire the ingener.
Enter SECOND GENTLEMAN The SECOND GENTLEMAN enters.
How now? Who has put in? Who’s arrived in the harbor?
7 'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general. A man named Iago, the general’s ensign.
0
CASSIO CASSIO
He’s had most favorable and happy speed. He made good time. You see how the storm, the
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds, jagged rocks, and the sand banks that trap ships all
The guttered rocks and congregated sands, appreciate a beautiful woman. They let the heavenly
Traitors ensteeped to enclog the guiltless keel, Desdemona arrive safe and sound.
7 As having sense of beauty, do omit
5 Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.
MONTANO MONTANO
What is she? Who’s that?
CASSIO CASSIO
She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain, She’s the one I was talking about, the general’s wife.
8 Left in the conduct of the bold Iago, The brave Iago was put in charge of bringing her
0 Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts here, and he’s arrived a week sooner than we
A se'nnight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello guard, expected. Dear God, please protect Othello and help
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath, him arrive here safely, so he and Desdemona can be
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship, in each other’s arms, and Othello can cheer us up
Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms, and bring comfort to Cyprus.
8 Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits
5 And bring all Cyprus comfort!
Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGOwit DESDEMONA, IAGO, RODERIGO and EMILIAenter
h attendants .

Oh, behold, Look, the precious Desdemona has arrived on
The riches of the ship is come on shore! shore. We should all kneel before her, men of
You men of Cyprus, let her have your knees. Cyprus! Greetings, my lady, and may God
90 Hail to thee, lady, and the grace of heaven, always be with you.
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Enwheel thee round!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I thank you, valiant Cassio. Thank you, brave Cassio. Is there any news
What tidings can you tell me of my lord? about my husband?
CASSIO CASSIO
95 He is not yet arrived. Nor know I aught He hasn’t arrived yet. As far as I know, he’s okay
But that he’s well and will be shortly here. and will arrive here soon.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Oh, but I fear. How lost you company? Oh, but I’m worried. How did you two get
separated?
CASSIO CASSIO
The great contention of the sea and skies The storm separated us.
Parted our fellowship—
A VOICE A VOICE
100 (within) A sail, a sail! (offstage) A sail! A sail!
CASSIO CASSIO
But, hark! a sail. Listen, they’ve spotted another ship!
A shot A gunshot is heard.
They give this greeting to the citadel. They fired a greeting shot too, so this is also a
This likewise is a friend. friendly ship.
CASSIO CASSIO
See for the news. Go find out the news.
Exit a SECOND GENTLEMEN SECOND GENTLEMAN exits.
Good ancient, you are welcome.—Welcome, Ensign Iago, welcome.—And welcome to you,
105 mistress. too, madam. (he kisses EMILIA) Don’t be upset
(kisses EMILIA) that I kissed your wife hello, Iago. It’s a courtesy
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, where I come from.
That I extend my manners. 'Tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

IAGO IAGO
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips If she gave you as much lip as she gives me,
110 As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, you’d be sick of her by now.
You’ll have enough.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Alas, she has no speech! On the contrary, she’s a soft-spoken woman.
IAGO IAGO
In faith, too much. No, she talks too much. She’s always talking
I find it still, when I have leave to sleep. when I want to sleep. I admit that in front of you,
115 Marry, before your ladyship, I grant, my lady, she keeps a bit quiet. But she’s scolding
She puts her tongue a little in her heart me silently.
And chides with thinking.
EMILIA EMILIA
You have little cause to say so. You have no reason to say that.
IAGO IAGO
Come on, come on. You are pictures out of door, Come on, come on. You women are all the
bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens, same. You’re as pretty as pictures when you’re
saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players out in public, but in your own houses you’re as
in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds. noisy as jangling bells. In your own kitchens you
act like wildcats. You make yourselves sound
like saints when you’re complaining about
something, but you act like devils when someone
offends you. You don’t take your jobs as
housewives seriously, and you’re shameless
hussies in bed.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer! Shame on you, you slanderer!
IAGO IAGO
120 Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk. No, it’s true, or if it’s not, I’m a villain. You wake
You rise to play and go to bed to work. up to have fun, and you start work when you go
to bed.
EMILIA EMILIA
You shall not write my praise. You clearly have nothing good to say about me.
IAGO IAGO
No, let me not. No, I don’t.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
What wouldst thou write of me, if thou should’st But if you had to say something nice about me,
praise me? what would you say?

IAGO IAGO
O gentle lady, do not put me to ’t, Don’t make me do it, my lady. I’m critical by
125 For I am nothing, if not critical. nature.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Come on, assay. There’s one gone to the harbor? Come on, just try.—By the way, has someone
gone down to the harbor?
IAGO IAGO
Ay, madam. Yes, madam.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I am not merry, but I do beguile I’m not as happy as I seem. I’m just trying not to
The thing I am by seeming otherwise. show how worried I am about Othello’s safety.
130 Come, how wouldst thou praise me? Come on, what would you say about me?
IAGO IAGO
I am about it, but indeed my invention I’m trying to think of something, but I’m not good
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze, at inventing clever things. It takes time. Ah, I’ve
It plucks out brains and all. But my Muse labors got it. If a woman is pretty and smart, she uses
And thus she is delivered: her good looks to get what she wants.
135 If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
The one’s for use, the other useth it.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Well praised! How if she be black and witty? Very clever! But what if the woman is smart but
ugly?
IAGO IAGO
If she be black, and thereto have a wit, Even if she’s ugly, she’ll be smart enough to find
She’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit. a guy to sleep with her.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
140 Worse and worse! This is getting worse and worse!
EMILIA EMILIA
How if fair and foolish? What if she’s pretty but stupid?
IAGO IAGO
She never yet was foolish that was fair, No pretty woman is stupid, because her stupidity
For even her folly helped her to an heir. will make her more attractive to men.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i' These are stupid old jokes that men tell each
th' alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her other in bars. What horrible thing do you have to
That’s foul and foolish? say about a woman who’s both ugly and stupid?
IAGO IAGO
145 There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto, No matter how ugly or stupid the woman is, she
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do. plays the same dirty tricks that the smart and
pretty ones do.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Oh, heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best. You don’t know a thing! You give your best
But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving praise to the worst women. But how would you
woman indeed, one that in the authority of her merit praise a truly good woman, someone who had no
did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself? reason to worry about what anyone said about
her?
IAGO IAGO
She that was ever fair and never proud, A woman who was beautiful but never proud,
Had tongue at will and yet was never loud, who could speak well but knew when to be quiet,
150 Never lacked gold and yet went never gay, who dressed well but was never overdressed,
Fled from her wish and yet said “Now I may,” who had self-restraint even when she could get
She that being angered, her revenge being nigh, what she wanted, a woman who never took
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly, revenge, who overlooked it when people hurt
She that in wisdom never was so frail her, who was too wise to do anything stupid, who
155 To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail, could think without revealing her thoughts, and
She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind, who could refrain from flirting with men in love
See suitors following and not look behind, with her, that kind of woman, if she ever existed,
She was a wight, if ever such wights were— would—
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
To do what? Would do what?
IAGO IAGO
160 To suckle fools and chronicle small beer. Would raise babies and clip coupons.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Oh, most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not Oh, that’s pathetic! Don’t listen to him, Emilia,
learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How even though he’s your husband. What do you
say you, Cassio? Is he not a most profane and think about him, Cassio? Isn’t he a horrible man?
liberal counselor?
CASSIO CASSIO
He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more He speaks bluntly, madam. He’s more of a
in the soldier than in the scholar. soldier than a wise man.
CASSIO takes DESDEMONA'S hand CASSIO takes DESDEMONA'S hand.
IAGO IAGO
(aside) He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, (to himself) He’s taking her hand. That’s right, go
whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as ahead and whisper together. This is all I need to
great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do, I will get Cassio. Yes, keep smiling at her, Cassio.
gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true, 'Tis Your fine manners around women will be your
so, indeed. downfall. Oh, I’m sure you’re saying something
very clever.

If such tricks as these strip you out of your If you lose your job because of little flirtations like
lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed this, you’ll wish you hadn’t been so courteous
your three fingers so oft, which now again you are with her. Oh, how nice, you’re kissingyour own
most apt to play the sir in. Very good, well kissed, hand, one finger at a time? I wish those fingers
and excellent courtesy! ’tis so, indeed. Yet again were enema tubes!—
your fingers to your lips? Would they were clyster-
pipes for your sake!—
Trumpet within A trumpet plays offstage.
165 The Moor! I know his trumpet. That’s the Moor! I recognize his trumpet.
CASSIO CASSIO
'Tis truly so. Yes, it is.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Let’s meet him and receive him. Let’s go greet him when he lands.
CASSIO CASSIO
Lo, where he comes! Look, here he comes.
Enter OTHELLO and attendants OTHELLO enters with attendants.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh my fair warrior! My beautiful warrior!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
My dear Othello! My darling Othello!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
It gives me wonder great as my content I’m amazed you got here before me. But I’m
To see you here before me. Oh, my soul’s joy! overjoyed! My love, if the calm after the storm
170 If after every tempest come such calms, could always be this wonderful, I’d want the wind
May the winds blow till they have wakened death, to blow until it waked the dead, and whipped up
And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas waves as tall as mountains! If I died right now I’d
Olympus-high, and duck again as low be completely happy, since I’ll probably never be
As hell’s from heaven! If it were now to die, as happy as this again in my life.
175 'Twere now to be most happy, for I fear
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
The heavens forbid God willing, our love and our happiness will only
But that our loves and comforts should increase, increase as we get older.
180 Even as our days do grow.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Amen to that, sweet powers! Amen to that! I can’t talk about my happiness
I cannot speak enough of this content. anymore. It’s too much. I hope these kisses I’m
It stops me here, it is too much of joy. about to give you are the closest we ever come
And this, and this, the greatest discords be (kissing to fighting.(they kiss)
her)
That e'er our hearts shall make!
IAGO IAGO
185 (aside) (to himself) Oh, you’re happy now, but I’ll ruin
Oh, you are well tuned now, your happiness, for all my supposed honesty.
But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music,
As honest as I am.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Come, let us to the castle. Let’s go up to the castle. Good news, friends.
News, friends! Our wars are done, the Turks are The war’s over and the Turks are drowned. How
drowned. are my old friends from this island doing?—
190 How does my old acquaintance of this isle?— Honey, they’ll love you here in Cyprus. They’ve
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus, been very good to me here. Oh, my dear, I’m
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet, blabbing on and on because I’m so happy.—
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote Iago, would you be good enough to go get my
In mine own comforts.—I prithee, good Iago, trunks from the ships? And bring the ship’s
195 Go to the bay and disembark my coffers. captain to the castle. He’s a good man.—Let’s
Bring thou the master to the citadel. go, Desdemona. I’ll say it again: I’m so happy to
He is a good one, and his worthiness see you here in Cyprus!
Does challenge much respect.—Come, Desdemona,

Once more, well met at Cyprus.
Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and attendants OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and attendants exit.
IAGO IAGO
Do thou meet me presently at the harbor.—Come Meet me down at the harbor.—Come here. They
hither. If thou be’st valiant, as they say base men say love makes cowards brave. So if you’re
being in love have then a nobility in their natures brave, listen to me. Lieutenant Cassio will be on
more than is native to them, list me. The lieutenant guard duty tonight. But first, I have to tell you that
tonight watches on the court of guard. First, I must Desdemona’s completely in love with him.
tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.

RODERIGO RODERIGO
200 With him? Why, ’tis not possible. With Cassio? That’s impossible.
IAGO IAGO
Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Be quiet and listen to me. Remember how she
Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, fell madly in love with the Moor because he
but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To bragged and told her made-up stories? Did you
love him still for prating? Let not thy discreet heart expect her to keep on loving him for his
think it. Her eye must be fed, and what delight shall chattering? You’re too smart to think that. No,
she have to look on the devil? When the blood is she needs someone nice-looking. Othello’s ugly,
made dull with the act of sport, there should be a what pleasure could she find in him?
game to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh Lovemaking gets boring after a while. To keep
appetite, loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, things hot, she’ll need to see someone with a
manners and beauties. All which the Moor is handsome face, someone close to her in age,
defective in. Now for want of these required someone who looks and acts like her. Othello
conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself isn’t any of those things. Since he doesn’t have
abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and these advantages to make him attractive to her,
abhor the Moor. Very nature will instruct her in it and she’ll get sick of him until he makes her want to
compel her to some second choice. Now sir, this puke. She’ll start looking around for a second
granted—as it is a most pregnant and unforced choice. Now, if that’s true—and it’s obviously
position—who stands so eminent in the degree of true—who’s in a better position than Cassio?
this fortune as Cassio does? A knave very voluble, He’s a smooth talker, and uses sophistication
no further conscionable than in putting on the mere and fine manners to hide his lust. Nobody’s as
form of civil and humane seeming, for the better crafty as he is. Besides, he’s young and
compassing of his salt and most hidden loose handsome, and he’s got all the qualities that
affection. Why, none, why, none! A slipper and naïve and silly girls go for. He’s a bad boy, and
subtle knave, a finder of occasions that has an eye, Desdemona’s got her eye on him already.
can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true
advantage never present itself. A devilish knave.
Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all
those requisites in him that folly and green minds
look after. A pestilent complete knave, and the
woman hath found him already.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I cannot believe that in her. She’s full of most I can’t believe that. She’s not that kind of woman.
blessed condition. She’s very moral.
IAGO IAGO
Blessed fig’s-end! The wine she drinks is made of Like hell she is! She’s made of the same flesh
grapes. If she had been blessed, she would never and blood as everyone else. If she were so
have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou moral, she would never have fallen in love with
not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst the Moor in the first place. Good lord! Did you
not mark that? notice how she and Cassio were fondling each
other’s hands? Did you see that?

RODERIGO RODERIGO
Yes, that I did, but that was but courtesy. Yes, I did. But that wasn’t romantic, it was just
polite manners.
IAGO IAGO
205 Lechery, by this hand, an index and obscure They were lusting after each other. You could tell
prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. by how they were acting that they’re going to be
They met so near with their lips that their breaths lovers. They were so close that their breath was
embraced together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo! mingling. When two people get that intimate, sex
When these mutabilities so marshal the way, hard at will soon follow. Disgusting! But listen to me; let
hand comes the master and main exercise, th' me guide you. I brought you here from Venice.
incorporate conclusion. Pish! But, sir, be you ruled Be on guard duty tonight. I’ll put you in charge.
by me. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you Cassio doesn’t know you. I’ll be nearby. Make
tonight for the command, I’ll lay ’t upon you. Cassio Cassio angry somehow, either by speaking too
knows you not. I’ll not be far from you. Do you find loud, or insulting his military skills, or however
some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking else you want.
too loud, or tainting his discipline, or from what other
course you please, which the time shall more
favorably minister.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Well. All right.
IAGO IAGO
Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler, and haply He’s hot-tempered, and he might try to hit you
may strike at you. Provoke him that he may. For with his staff. Try to get him to do that. That’ll
even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to allow me to stir up public sentiment against him
mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true here in Cyprus. I’ll get them so riled up that they’ll
taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall only calm down when Cassio’s fired. To get what
you have a shorter journey to your desires by the you want, you need to get Cassio out of the way.
means I shall then have to prefer them, and the If you don’t do that, things are hopeless for you.
impediment most profitably removed, without the
which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity. I’ll do it, if you help me out.
IAGO IAGO
I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel. I I promise I will. Meet me in a little while at the
must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell. citadel. I need to get Othello’s things from the
ship. Goodbye.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
210 Adieu. Goodbye.
Exit RODERIGO exits.

IAGO IAGO
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ’t. I think Cassio really does love her, and it’s
That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit. perfectly likely that she loves him too. I can’t
The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not, stand the Moor, but I have to admit that he’s a
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature, reliable, loving, and good-natured man. He’d
215 And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona probably be a good husband to Desdemona. I
A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too, love her too, not simply out of lust, but also to
Not out of absolute lust—though peradventure feed my revenge. I have a feeling the Moor slept
I stand accountant for as great a sin— with my wife. That thought keeps gnawing at me,
But partly led to diet my revenge, eating me up inside. I won’t be satisfied until I get
220 For that I do suspect the lusty Moor even with him, wife for wife. If I can’t do that, I
Hath leaped into my seat. The thought whereof can at least make the Moor so jealous that he
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards, can’t think straight. If that piece of Venetian trash
And nothing can or shall content my soul Roderigo can do what I need to carry out my
Till I am evened with him, wife for wife. plan, I’ll have power over Cassio. I’ll say bad
225 Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor things about him to the Moor. I have a feeling
At least into a jealousy so strong Cassio seduced my wife as well. I’ll make the
That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do, Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, even
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace though the joke will be on him the whole time.
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on, I’ve got a good plan, though I haven’t worked out
230 I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip, the details yet. You can never see the end of an
Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb evil plan until the moment comes.
(For I fear Cassio with my night-cape too)
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me
For making him egregiously an ass
235 And practicing upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused.
Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.
Exit IAGO exits.
Act 2, Scene 2
Enter Othello’s HERALD, with a proclamation Othello’s HERALD enters with a proclamation.
HERALD HERALD
It is Othello’s pleasure, our noble and valiant general, Our noble and courageous general Othello having
that, upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the been informed that the Turkish fleet has been
mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put completely destroyed, invites every man to
himself into triumph: some to dance, some to make celebrate our victory. Some of you dance, some
bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his of you make bonfires, and every man celebrate in
addiction leads him. For besides these beneficial whatever way he likes to. For besides the good
news, it is the celebration of his nuptial. So much was news, we are also celebrating his marriage. That’s
his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices are the end of the announcement. There will be a
open, and there is full liberty of feasting from this feast from five o'clock until eleven. God bless the
present hour of five till the bell have told eleven. Bless island of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!
the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!
Exit The HERALD exits.
Act 2, Scene 3
Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO and
attendants attendants enter.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight. Good Michael, keep a careful eye on the guards
Let’s teach ourselves that honorable stop tonight. Let’s exercise restraint and not let the
Not to outsport discretion. party get too wild.
CASSIO CASSIO
Iago hath direction what to do, Iago has orders what to do. But I’ll see to it
5 But notwithstanding with my personal eye personally anyway.
Will I look to ’t.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Iago is most honest. Iago’s a good man. Goodnight, Michael. Come
Michael, good night. Tomorrow with your earliest talk to me tomorrow as early as you can.—Come
Let me have speech with you.— with me, my dear love. Now that the wedding’s
Come, my dear love, over, we can have the pleasure of consummating
10 The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue: our marriage. Good night, everyone.
That profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.
Good night.
Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and attendants OTHELLO and DESDEMONA exit with their
attendants.
Enter IAGO IAGO enters.
CASSIO CASSIO
Welcome, Iago. We must to the watch. Hello, Iago. It’s time for us to stand guard.
IAGO IAGO
Not this hour, lieutenant, ’tis not yet ten o' the clock. Not yet, lieutenant. It’s not even ten o'clock. The
Our general cast us thus early for the love of his general got rid of us early tonight so he could be
Desdemona—who let us not therefore blame. He with Desdemona.—I can’t blame him. He hasn’t
hath not yet made wanton the night with her, and she spent the night with her yet, and she’s beautiful
is sport for Jove. enough to be Jove’s lover.
CASSIO CASSIO
15 She’s a most exquisite lady. She’s an exquisitely beautiful lady.
IAGO IAGO
And, I’ll warrant her, full of game. And I bet she’s good in bed too.

CASSIO CASSIO
Indeed she’s a most fresh and delicate creature. Yes, she’s young and tender.
IAGO IAGO
What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to And such pretty eyes! Like an invitation.
provocation.
CASSIO CASSIO
An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest. Yes, she’s pretty. But she’s modest and ladylike
too.
IAGO IAGO
20 And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love? And when she speaks, doesn’t her voice stir up
passion?
CASSIO CASSIO
She is indeed perfection. She’s a perfect woman, it’s true.
IAGO IAGO
Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I Well, good luck to them tonight in bed! Come with
have a stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of us, lieutenant. I’ve got a jug of wine, and these
Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to two Cyprus gentlemen want to drink a toast to the
the health of black Othello. black Othello.
CASSIO CASSIO
Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy Not tonight, Iago. I’m not much of a drinker. I wish
brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would there was less social pressure to drink.
invent some other custom of entertainment.
IAGO IAGO
Oh, they are our friends. But one cup. I’ll drink for Oh, but these are our friends. Just one glass. I’ll
you. do most of the drinking for you.
CASSIO CASSIO
25 I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily I’ve already had a glass of wine tonight, watered
qualified too, and behold what innovation it makes down, but look how drunk I am. I’m not a heavy
here. I am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not drinker. I wouldn’t dare drink much more than
task my weakness with any more. that.
IAGO IAGO
What, man, ’tis a night of revels! The gallants desire What are you talking about, man? Tonight is for
it. celebrating! The gentlemen are waiting.
CASSIO CASSIO
Where are they? Where are they?
IAGO IAGO
Here at the door. I pray you call them in. By the door. Please invite them in.
CASSIO CASSIO
I’ll do ’t, but it dislikes me. I’ll do it, but I don’t like it.
Exit CASSIO exits.

IAGO IAGO
30 If I can fasten but one cup upon him, If I can just get him to drink one more glass after
With that which he hath drunk tonight already, what he’s drunk already, he’ll be as
He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense argumentative and eager to fight as a little dog.
As my young mistress' dog. Now my sick fool That fool Roderigo, all twisted up inside with love,
Roderigo, has been drinking toasts to Desdemona by the
35 Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out, gallon, and he’s on guard duty.I’ve gotten the rest
To Desdemona hath tonight caroused of the guards drunk, as well as several gentlemen
Potations pottle-deep, and he’s to watch. from Cyprus who are quick to take offense. Now
Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits I’ll get Cassio to do something in front of all these
(That hold their honors in a wary distance, drunkards that will offend everyone on the island.
40 The very elements of this warlike isle) Here they come. If the future turns out as I hope it
Have I tonight flustered with flowing cups, will, I’m all set for success.
And they watch too. Now ’mongst this flock of
drunkards
Am I to put our Cassio in some action
That may offend the isle.
45 But here they come.
If consequence do but approve my dream
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.
Enter CASSIO, MONTANO and gentlemen CASSIO, MONTANO, and GENTLEMEN enter,
followed by servants with wine.
CASSIO CASSIO
'Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse already. My God, they’ve given me a lot to drink.
MONTANO MONTANO
Good faith, a little one, not past a pint, As I am a No, it was a little one, not more than a pint.
soldier.
IAGO IAGO
Some wine, ho! Bring in more wine!
(sings) (he sings)
And let me the cannikin clink, clink, And clink your glasses together,
50 And let me the cannikin clink. And clink your glasses together.
A soldier’s a man, A soldier’s a man,
A life’s but a span, And a man’s life is short,
Why then let a soldier drink. So let the soldier drink.
Some wine, boys! Have some more wine, boys!

CASSIO CASSIO
55 Fore heaven, an excellent song. My God, what a great song!
IAGO IAGO
I learned it in England where indeed they are most I learned it England, where they have a talent for
potent in potting. Your Dane, your German, and your drinking. The Danes, the Germans, and the
swag-bellied Hollander—Drink, ho!—are nothing to Dutch—come on, drink, drink!—are nothing
your English. compared to the English.
CASSIO CASSIO
Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking? Are Englishmen really such heavy drinkers?
IAGO IAGO
Why, he drinks you with facility your Dane dead They drink Danes under the table, and it takes
drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain. He them no effort at all to out-drink Germans. And
gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle can the Dutch are vomiting while the English are
be filled. asking for refills.
CASSIO CASSIO
To the health of our general! Let’s drink to our general!
MONTANO MONTANO
60 I am for it, lieutenant, and I’ll do you justice. Hear, hear! I’ll drink as much as you do!
IAGO IAGO
Oh, sweet England! Oh, sweet England!
(sings) (he sings)
King Stephen was a worthy peer, King Stephen was a good king, and his pants
His breeches cost him but a crown, were very cheap,
65 He held them sixpence all too dear, But he thought his tailor overcharged him, so
With that he called the tailor lown. he called him a peasant.
He was a wight of high renown, And that was a man of noble rank, much higher
And thou art but of low degree, than you are.
'Tis pride that pulls the country down, So be happy with your worn-out cloak,
70 Then take thine auld cloak about thee. Since pride is ruining the nation.
Some wine, ho! More wine!
CASSIO CASSIO
Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. God, that song’s even better than the other one.
IAGO IAGO
Will you hear ’t again? Do you want to hear it again?
CASSIO CASSIO
No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that No, because we shouldn’t be doing that—stuff.
does those things. Well, heaven’s above all, and Oh well, God’s in charge, and some people have
there be souls must be saved, and there be souls to go to heaven, while other people have to go to
must not be saved. hell.
IAGO IAGO
75 It’s true, good lieutenant. That’s true, lieutenant.

CASSIO CASSIO
For mine own part, no offence to the general nor any Speaking for myself—and no offense to the
man of quality, I hope to be saved. general or anyone else—I hope I’m going to
heaven.
IAGO IAGO
And so do I too, lieutenant. Me too, lieutenant.
CASSIO CASSIO
Ay, but (by your leave) not before me. The lieutenant Okay, but please not before me. The lieutenant
is to be saved before the ancient. Let’s have no more has to get to heaven before the ensign. But let’s
of this, let’s to our affairs.—Forgive us our sins!— stop this drinking and get down to business.—
Gentlemen, let’s look to our business. Do not think, God forgive our sins!—Gentlemen, let’s get down
gentlemen, I am drunk. This is my ancient, this is my to business. By the way, I don’t want anyone
right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunk now. I thinking I’m drunk. This is my ensign. This is my
can stand well enough, and I speak well enough. right hand, and this is my left hand.
I’m not drunk. I can stand well enough, and I can
speak just fine.
ALL ALL
Excellent well! Yes, you’re speaking very well.
CASSIO CASSIO
80 Why, very well then. You must not think then that I Yes, very well. So don’t think that I’m drunk.
am drunk.
Exit CASSIO exits.
MONTANO MONTANO
To th' platform, masters. Come, let’s set the watch. Let’s go to the platform where we’ll stand guard.
Come on.
Exit GENTLEMEN GENTLEMEN exit.
IAGO IAGO
You see this fellow that is gone before, You see that man who just left? He’s a good
He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar soldier, good enough to be Caesar’s right-hand
And give direction. And do but see his vice, man. But he has a serious weakness. It’s too bad.
85 'Tis to his virtue a just equinox, I’m worried that Othello trusts him too much, and
The one as long as th' other. 'Tis pity of him. it’ll be bad for Cyprus eventually.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in
On some odd time of his infirmity
Will shake this island.
MONTANO MONTANO
But is he often thus? But is he often like this?

IAGO IAGO
90 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep. He drinks like this every night before he goes to
He’ll watch the horologe a double set sleep. He’d stay up all night and all day if he
If drink rock not his cradle. didn’t drink himself to sleep.
MONTANO MONTANO
It were well The general should be informed about this.
The general were put in mind of it. Maybe he’s never noticed, or he only wants to
Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature see Cassio’s good side. Don’t you think so?
95 Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio
And looks not on his evils. Is not this true?
Enter RODERIGO RODERIGO enters.
IAGO IAGO
(aside) How now, Roderigo? (speaking so that only RODERIGO can hear)
I pray you, after the lieutenant, go! Hello, Roderigo. Please, follow the lieutenant.
Hurry! Go!
Exit RODERIGO RODERIGO exits.
MONTANO MONTANO
And ’tis great pity that the noble Moor And it’s too bad that the Moor chose a man with
100 Should hazard such a place as his own second such a deep-rooted drinking problem as his
With one of an ingraft infirmity. second-in-command. We should definitely say
It were an honest action to say something to the Moor.

So to the Moor.
IAGO IAGO
Not I, for this fair island. I wouldn’t say anything, not if you gave me the
I do love Cassio well, and would do much whole island for doing so. I respect Cassio and
105 To cure him of this evil— I’d like to help cure his alcoholism—
Cry within “Help! help!” A voice offstage calls “Help! Help!”
IAGO IAGO
But, hark! What noise? What’s that noise?
Enter CASSIO, pursuing RODERIGO CASSIO enters, chasing RODERIGO.

CASSIO CASSIO
Zounds! You rogue! You rascal! Damn you, you villain, you rascal!
MONTANO MONTANO
What’s the matter, lieutenant? What’s the matter, lieutenant?
CASSIO CASSIO
A knave teach me my duty? To think that fool had the nerve to try to teach me
110 I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle. manners! I’ll beat him until the welts look like
basket-weave!
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Beat me? You’ll beat me?
CASSIO CASSIO
Dost thou prate, rogue? (strikes him) Are you talking, you villain?(he hits RODERIGO)
MONTANO MONTANO
Nay, good lieutenant! I pray you, sir, hold your No, don’t hit him, lieutenant! Please, sir, restrain
hand.(stays him) yourself. (he restrains CASSIO)
CASSIO CASSIO
Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you o'er the mazzard. Let me go, or I’ll knock you on the head.
MONTANO MONTANO
115 Come, come, you’re drunk. Come on, you’re drunk.
CASSIO CASSIO
Drunk? Drunk?
They fight MONTANO and CASSIO fight.
IAGO IAGO
(aside to RODERIGO) (speaking so that only RODERIGO can hear) Go
Away, I say, go out, and cry a mutiny.— tell everyone there’s a riot.—
Nay, good lieutenant! Alas, gentlemen— No, lieutenant—God, gentlemen—Help—
120 Help, ho!— Lieutenant—sir, Montano— Lieutenant—sir, Montano—Help, men!—The
Help, masters!—Here’s a goodly watch indeed! night guard is coming!
Bell rings Someone rings a bell.

Who’s that which rings the bell?—Diablo, ho! Who’s sounding that alarm? The whole town will
The town will rise. Fie, Fie, lieutenant, riot! God, lieutenant, please stop! You’ll be
You’ll be ashamed for ever. ashamed of this forever!
Enter OTHELLO and attendants OTHELLO enters with attendants.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
125 What is the matter here? What is the matter here?
MONTANO MONTANO
I bleed still, My God, I’m bleeding! I’ve been mortally
I am hurt to the death. He dies! wounded. I’ll kill him!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Hold, for your lives! Stop right now!
IAGO IAGO
Hold, ho! Lieutenant—sir, Montano—gentlemen, Stop! Lieutenant—sir, Montano—gentlemen!
130 Have you forgot all place of sense and duty? Have you forgotten your duty and your sense of
Hold! The general speaks to you. Hold, for shame! decorum? Stop! The general is talking to you!
Stop, for God’s sake!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Why, how now, ho! From whence ariseth this? How did this all start? Have we all become as
Are we turned Turks? And to ourselves do that savage as the Turks, treating each other as
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites? badly as they would have treated us? For
135 For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl. heaven’s sake, stop this savage brawl! The next
He that stirs next to carve for his own rage man who swings his sword must not care about
Holds his soul light, he dies upon his motion. his life, because the instant he strikes, he dies.
Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle Stop that alarm from ringing, it’s scaring the
From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?— islanders. What’s the matter here, gentlemen?—
140 Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving, Honest Iago, you look upset. Speak up and tell
Speak, who began this? On thy love, I charge thee. me who started this. Answer me.
IAGO IAGO
I do not know. Friends all but now, even now, I don’t know. We were all having fun until just a
In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom minute ago; we were as happy as a bride and
Divesting them for bed. And then, but now, groom taking off their clothes. But then the mood
145 As if some planet had unwitted men, suddenly changed. It was as if something had
driven the men insane and made them point their
swords at one another. I don’t

Swords out, and tilting one at other’s breasts know what could have started this. I’d rather
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak have lost my legs in battle than be a part of this!
Any beginning to this peevish odds,
And would in action glorious I had lost
150 Those legs that brought me to a part of it.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot? How did you manage to lose your self-control like
this, Michael?
CASSIO CASSIO
I pray you pardon me, I cannot speak. Please, excuse me, sir. I can’t speak.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil. Montano, you’re supposed to be calm and
The gravity and stillness of your youth collected. You’re famous for it. Wise people
155 The world hath noted, and your name is great respect you. What in the world made you risk
In mouths of wisest censure. What’s the matter your reputation like this and become a street
That you unlace your reputation thus brawler? Tell me.
And spend your rich opinion for the name
Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.
MONTANO MONTANO
160 Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger. Othello, I’ve been seriously hurt. Your officer
Your officer Iago can inform you, Iago can tell you what happened. I should save
While I spare speech, which something now offends my breath, since it hurts to talk. I didn’t do
me, anything wrong that I know of, unless it was a sin
Of all that I do know. Nor know I aught to defend myself when someone attacked me.
165 By me that’s said or done amiss this night,
Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,
And to defend ourselves it be a sin
When violence assails us.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Now, by heaven, All right, now I’m starting to lose my cool. By
My blood begins my safer guides to rule, God, if you don’t tell me what happened you’ll all
And passion, having my best judgment collied, suffer. Tell me how this fight began, who started
170 Assays to lead the way. If I once stir, it. Whoever is guilty, even if he were my twin
brother, I swear I’m through with him. We’re in a
town that’s just

Or do but lift this arm, the best of you avoided a war, everyone’s still on edge, and
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know you’re getting into private fights while you’re
How this foul rout began, who set it on, supposed to be on guard duty? That’s
And he that is approved in this offence, unbelievably bad. Iago, who started it?
175 Though he had twinned with me, both at a birth,
Shall lose me. What, in a town of war
Yet wild, the people’s hearts brimful of fear,
To manage private and domestic quarrel?
In night, and on the court and guard of safety?
180 'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began ’t?
MONTANO MONTANO
If partially affined or leagued in office I know you’re close to Cassio, but if you diverge
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth from the truth in any way, you’re not a true
Thou art no soldier. soldier.
IAGO IAGO
Touch me not so near. You’re hitting close to home there. I’d rather cut
I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth my tongue out of my mouth than say anything
185 Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio. bad about Michael Cassio. But I don’t think it’ll
Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth hurt him to tell the truth. This is what happened,
Shall nothing wrong him. This it is, general: General. Montano and I were talking when a
Montano and myself being in speech, man came running, crying for help. Cassio was
There comes a fellow crying out for help chasing him with his sword out, trying to kill the
190 And Cassio following him with determined sword guy. This gentleman stopped Cassio and told
To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman him to put away his sword. I followed the guy
Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause, who was crying for help, to keep him from
Myself the crying fellow did pursue, scaring the public. But he was fast and outran
Lest by his clamor—as it so fell out— me. When I got back, I heard the swords clinking
195 The town might fall in fright. He, swift of foot, and Cassio swearing. I’d never heard him swear
Outran my purpose, and I returned then rather before. They were nearly killing each other, as
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords you saw when you pulled them apart. I can’t tell
And Cassio high in oath, which till tonight you anything else.
I ne'er might say before. When I came back—
200 For this was brief— I found them close together
At blow and thrust, even as again they were
When you yourself did part them.
More of this matter cannot I report.

But men are men, the best sometimes forget. But nobody’s perfect, and even the best man
205 Though Cassio did some little wrong to him, sometimes loses control and strikes out in rage.
As men in rage strike those that wish them best, Cassio was wrong to hurt Montano, who was
Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received only trying to help him, but I’m sure the guy who
From him that fled some strange indignity ran away must have offended Cassio in some
Which patience could not pass. terrible way, and Cassio couldn’t let it pass.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I know, Iago, Iago, I know you’re fond of Cassio and are
210 Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, downplaying this for his benefit. Cassio, I love
Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee you, but you’re never again going to be one of
But never more be officer of mine.— my officers.—
Enter DESDEMONA, attended DESDEMONA enters with attendants.
Look, if my gentle love be not raised up! Look, you’ve woken my wife! I’ll make you an
I’ll make thee an example. example for the others to learn from.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
215 What’s the matter, dear? What’s the matter, dear?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
All’s well, sweeting, Everything’s fine, now, sweetheart. Go back to
Come away to bed.—(to MONTANO) Sir, for your bed.— (to MONTANO) I’ll see to it personally
hurts that your wounds are treated. Lead him off.
Myself will be your surgeon. Lead him off.
MONTANO is led off MONTANO is carried off.
Iago, look with care about the town Iago, go and calm down the townspeople.—
220 And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.— Come with me, Desdemona. Unfortunately, it’s
Come, Desdemona, ’tis the soldiers' life part of the soldier’s life to be woken up by
To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife. trouble.
Exeunt all but IAGO and CASSIO Everyone except CASSIO and IAGO exits.
IAGO IAGO
What, are you hurt, lieutenant? Are you hurt, lieutenant?
CASSIO CASSIO
Ay, past all surgery. Yes, but no doctor can help me.
IAGO IAGO
225 Marry, heaven forbid! Oh I hope that’s not true!

CASSIO CASSIO
Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my My reputation, my reputation! I’ve lost my
reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, reputation, the longest-living and truest part of
and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my myself! Everything else in me is just animal-like.
reputation! Oh, my reputation, Iago, my reputation!
IAGO IAGO
As I am an honest man, I thought you had received I swear I thought you meant you’d been hurt
some bodily wound. There is more sense in that than physically. Your physical health matters more
in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false than your reputation. A reputation is a useless
imposition, oft got without merit and lost without and fake quality that others impose on us. You
deserving. You have lost no reputation at all unless haven’t lost it unless you think you have. There
you repute yourself such a loser. What, man, there are lots of ways to get on the general’s good side
are ways to recover the general again. You are but again. You’ve been discharged because he’s
now cast in his mood, a punishment more in policy angry, and because he’s obliged to do so for
than in malice, even so as one would beat his policy reasons, not because he dislikes you. He’s
offenseless dog to affright an imperious lion. Sue to got to beat up the weak to frighten the strong. Go
him again and he’s yours. to him, petition him. He’ll change his mind.
CASSIO CASSIO
I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so I’d rather ask him to hate me than ask such a
good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and good commander to accept such a worthless,
so indiscreet an officer. Drunk? And speak parrot? drunk, stupid officer as myself. Drunk? Babbling
And squabble? Swagger? Swear? And discourse senselessly? Squabbling? Swaggering?
fustian with one’s own shadow? O thou invisible Swearing? Ranting and raving to my own
spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, shadow! Oh, wine is the devil!
let us call thee devil!
IAGO IAGO
What was he that you followed with your sword? Who were you chasing with your sword? What
What had he done to you? did he do to you?
CASSIO CASSIO
230 I know not. I don’t know.
IAGO IAGO
Is ’t possible? Is that possible?
CASSIO CASSIO
I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly. I remember a jumble of impressions, but nothing
A quarrel, but nothing wherefore. Oh, that men distinctly. I remember a fight, but not why we
should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away were fighting. Oh God, why do men drink and
their brains! That we should, with joy, pleasance lose their minds? Why do we party until we’re
revel and applause, transform ourselves into beasts! like animals?

IAGO IAGO
Why, but you are now well enough. How came you You seem all right now. How did you get better?
thus recovered?
CASSIO CASSIO
It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place My drunkenness went away when anger took
to the devil wrath. One unperfectness shows me over. One weakness led to another, to make me
another, to make me frankly despise myself. hate myself.
IAGO IAGO
235 Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time, Come on, you’re being too hard on yourself. I
the place, and the condition of this country stands, I wish none of this had happened, given the
could heartily wish this had not befallen. But since it situation here, and your rank. But since this has
is as it is, mend it for your own good. happened, you should fix it for your own good.
CASSIO CASSIO
I will ask him for my place again, he shall tell me I I’ll ask him for my position back again, and he’ll
am a drunkard. Had I as many mouths as Hydra, tell me I’m a drunk. Even if I had a whole bunch
such an answer would stop them all. To be now a of mouths, I wouldn’t be able to answer that. I
sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a was a reasonable man, then I became a fool,
beast! Oh, strange! Every inordinate cup is and finally a beast! Oh, how strange! Every glass
unblessed and the ingredient is a devil. of liquor is damned, and the devil’s the main
ingredient!
IAGO IAGO
Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, Come on now, wine is good for you, if you know
if it be well used. Exclaim no more against it. And, how to use it. Don’t say anything bad about wine
good lieutenant, I think you think I love you. anymore. Lieutenant, I think you know I’m your
friend.
CASSIO CASSIO
I have well approved it, sir. I drunk! I know that, sir. Imagine, me, a drunk!
IAGO IAGO
You or any man living may be drunk at a time, man. I Any man can get drunk sometime. I’ll tell you
tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now what to do. Othello’s wife has a lot of influence
the general. I may say so in this respect, for that he now. He’s completely devoted to her. Go open
hath devoted and given up himself to the your heart to her. Ask her to help you get back
contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts your position. She is so generous, kind, and
and graces. Confess yourself freely to her, ready to help that she thinks it’s wrong not to do
importune her help to put you in your place again. everything she can, even more than she is asked
She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a to do. Ask her to help you heal the rift between
disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to her husband and you. I’d bet my lucky stars your
do more than she is requested. This broken joint problem will be forgotten, and your relationship
between you and her husband entreat her to splinter, will be stronger than ever.
and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this
crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was
before.

CASSIO CASSIO
240 You advise me well. That’s good advice.
IAGO IAGO
I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest I’m helping you because I like and respect you.
kindness.
CASSIO CASSIO
I think it freely, and betimes in the morning I will I believe it completely. Early in the morning I’ll go
beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for visit Desdemona and plead my case. My
me. I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me. situation is desperate.
IAGO IAGO
You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant, I must to You’re doing the right thing. Good night,
the watch. lieutenant. I’ve got to go to the guard tower.
CASSIO CASSIO
Good night, honest Iago. Good night, honest Iago.
Exit CASSIO exits.
IAGO IAGO
245 And what’s he then that says I play the villain? Who can say I’m evil when my advice is so
When this advice is free I give and honest, good? That’s really the best way to win the Moor
Probal to thinking and indeed the course back again. It’s easy to get Desdemona on your
To win the Moor again? For ’tis most easy side. She’s full of good intentions. And the Moor
Th' inclining Desdemona to subdue loves her so much he would renounce his
250 In any honest suit. She’s framed as fruitful Christianity to keep her happy. He’s so enslaved
As the free elements. And then for her by love that she can make him do whatever she
To win the Moor, were to renounce his baptism, wants. How am I evil to advise Cassio to do
All seals and symbols of redeemèd sin, exactly what’ll do him good? That’s the kind of
His soul is so enfettered to her love, argument you’d expect from Satan! When devils
255 That she may make, unmake, do what she list, are about to commit their biggest sins they put
Even as her appetite shall play the god on their most heavenly faces, just like I’m doing
With his weak function. How am I then a villain now. And while this fool is begging Desdemona
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course, to help him, and while she’s pleading his case to
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell! the Moor, I’ll poison the Moor’s ear against her,
260 When devils will the blackest sins put on hinting that she’s taking Cassio’s side because of
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows her lust for him. The more she
As I do now. For whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
265 I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear:

That she repeals him for her body’s lust. tries to help Cassio, the more she’ll shake
And by how much she strives to do him good Othello’s confidence in her. And that’s how I’ll
She shall undo her credit with the Moor. turn her good intentions into a big trap to snag
So will I turn her virtue into pitch them all.
270 And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all.
How now, Roderigo! Hello, Roderigo!
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I do follow here in the chase not like a hound that I’m totally worn out. My chase is too much for
hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is me. I’ve spent most of my money, and tonight I
almost spent, I have been tonight exceedingly well got beaten up. The upshot is that I’ve got a little
cudgeled, and I think the issue will be I shall have so more experience. So with no money, but a little
much experience for my pains. And so, with no more wisdom, I’m going back to Venice.
money at all and a little more wit, return again to
Venice.
IAGO IAGO
How poor are they that have not patience! You’re a poor man if you’re this impatient! If you
What wound did ever heal but by degrees? get hurt, does your wound heal immediately? No,
275 Thou know’st we work by wit and not by witchcraft, it heals gradually. We achieve things with our
And wit depends on dilatory time. intelligence, not by magic, and intelligent
Does’t not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee. planning takes time. Aren’t things going well?
And thou, by that small hurt, hath cashiered Cassio. Cassio’s beaten you up, but with that tiny
Though other things grow fair against the sun, sacrifice on your part, you got Cassio
280 Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe. discharged! If we’re patient, we’ll be rewarded
Content thyself awhile. In troth, ’tis morning. with the fruits of our labors. My God, it’s morning.
Pleasure and action make the hours seem short. All this excitement has made the time fly by. Go
Retire thee, go where thou art billeted. back to where you’re staying and go to sleep. Go
Away, I say, thou shalt know more hereafter. on, I’m telling you. You’ll understand better later.
285 Nay, get thee gone. Go.

Two things are to be done: Now two things still need to be done. My wife
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress. has to help make Desdemona take Cassio’s
I’ll set her on. side. I’ll put her on that. And I need to take the
Myself, the while, to draw the Moor apart Moor aside right at the moment when Cassio’s
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find talking to Desdemona, so he’ll see them
290 Soliciting his wife. Ay, that’s the way. together. Yes, that’s the way I’ll do it. Let’s not
Dull not device by coldness and delay. ruin a brilliant plan by being slow to act.
Exit IAGO exits.
Act 3, Scene 1
Enter CASSIO and MUSICIANS CASSIO enters with MUSICIANS.
CASSIO CASSIO
Masters, play here, I will content your pains. Musicians, start playing here. I’ll pay you for your
Something that’s brief, and bid “Good morrow, trouble. Play something short that will put the
general.” general in a good mood.

They play. Enter CLOWN The MUSICIANS play. The CLOWN enters.
CLOWN CLOWN
Why masters, have your instruments been in Naples, Your instruments all have a nasal twang. Have
that they speak i' th' nose thus? they been to Naples?
MUSICIAN MUSICIAN
How, sir? How? Excuse me?
CLOWN CLOWN
5 Are these, I pray you, wind instruments? Are these wind instruments?
MUSICIAN MUSICIAN
Ay, marry, are they, sir. Yes, they are.
CLOWN CLOWN
Oh, thereby hangs a tail. Oh, there’s the problem.
MUSICIAN MUSICIAN
Whereby hangs a tale, sir? What’s the problem?
CLOWN CLOWN
Marry sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. Anyone full of hot air is a problem. But here’s
But, masters, here’s money for you, and the general some money. The general likes your music a lot,
so likes your music that he desires you, for love’s but he asks you to stop playing now.
sake, to make no more noise with it.
MUSICIAN MUSICIAN
10 Well, sir, we will not. Well, we’ll stop, then.

CLOWN CLOWN
If you have any music that may not be heard, to ’t If you’ve got any music that can’t be heard, then
again. But, as they say, to hear music the general play that. But as I said, the general isn’t really in
does not greatly care. the mood to hear music now.
MUSICIAN MUSICIAN
We have none such, sir. We don’t have any music that can’t be heard.
CLOWN CLOWN
Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away. Go, Then pack up your instruments and go away. Go!
vanish into air, away!
Exeunt MUSICIANS The MUSICIANS exit.
CASSIO CASSIO
Dost thou hear, my honest friend? Do you hear, my friend?
CLOWN CLOWN
15 No, I hear not your honest friend, I hear you. No, I don’t hear your friend. I hear you.
CASSIO CASSIO
Prithee, keep up thy quillets. There’s a poor piece of Please don’t play games.
gold for thee. If the gentlewoman that attends the (CASSIO givesCLOWN money). There’s a bit of
general’s wife be stirring, tell her there’s one Cassio gold for you. When the woman taking care of the
entreats her a little favour of speech. Wilt thou do general’s wife wakes up, could you please tell her
this? that Cassio asks to speak with her?
CLOWN CLOWN
She is stirring, sir. If she will stir hither, I shall seem to She’s awake, sir. If she feels like coming over
notify unto her. here, I’ll give her your message.
Exit CLOWN The CLOWN exits.
In happy time, Iago. Good to see you, Iago.
IAGO IAGO
You have not been abed, then? You didn’t go to sleep, then?
CASSIO CASSIO
Why, no. The day had broke No. When I left you it was already morning. I’ve
Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago, been bold, Iago. I’ve asked to talk to your wife.
20 To send in to your wife. My suit to her I’m going to ask her to let me talk to Desdemona.
Is that she will to virtuous Desdemona
Procure me some access.

IAGO IAGO
I’ll send her to you presently, I’ll send her out to you now. I’ll think of a plan to
And I’ll devise a mean to draw the Moor get the Moor out of the way, so you can speak
25 Out of the way, that your converse and business more openly.
May be more free.
CASSIO CASSIO
I humbly thank you for’t. I humbly thank you.
Exit IAGO IAGO exits.
I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest. Even for a Florentine, I never knew someone so
kind and honest.
Enter EMILIA EMILIA enters.
EMILIA EMILIA
Good morrow, good Lieutenant. I am sorry Good morning, lieutenant. I’m sorry about what
30 For your displeasure, but all will sure be well. happened, but I’m sure everything will turn out all
The general and his wife are talking of it, right. The general and his wife are talking about it
And she speaks for you stoutly. The Moor replies now, and she’s defending you strongly. The Moor
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus says the man you hurt is very important in
And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom Cyprus, and that under the circumstances he has
35 He might not but refuse you. But he protests he loves no choice but to refuse to reinstate you. But he
you says he still loves and respects you, and based
And needs no other suitor but his likings on his own feelings alone he’s looking for an
To take the safest occasion by the front opportunity to safely take you back.
To bring you in again.
CASSIO CASSIO
Yet I beseech you, Please find a way to give me some time alone
If you think fit, or that it may be done, with Desdemona, if you think that’s all right.
40 Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.
EMILIA EMILIA
Pray you come in. Please come in. I’ll take you to a place where you
I will bestow you where you shall have time can speak freely.
To speak your bosom freely.
CASSIO CASSIO
I am much bound to you. Thank you very much.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 3, Scene 2
Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and GENTLEMEN OTHELLO, IAGO and GENTLEMEN enter.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
These letters give, Iago, to the pilot, Iago, give these letters to the ship’s captain who
And by him do my duties to the senate. brought me here, and ask him to pay my respects
That done, I will be walking on the works, to the Senate of Venice. Now that’s done, I’m
Repair there to me. going to walk on the fortification walls. Look for
me there when you come back.
IAGO IAGO
5 Well, my good lord, I’ll do ’t. I will, my lord.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see ’t? Shall we go see this fortification, men?
GENTLEMEN GENTLEMEN
We’ll wait upon your lordship. We’re at your service, my lord.
Act 3, Scene 3
Enter DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and EMILIA DESDEMONA, CASSIO and EMILIA enter.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do I’ll do everything I can for you, Cassio.
All my abilities in thy behalf.
EMILIA EMILIA
Good madam, do. I warrant it grieves my husband Please do, madam. My husband’s so upset about
As if the cause were his. Cassio’s problem you’d think it was his own.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
5 Oh, that’s an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio, Your husband’s such a good man. Don’t worry,
But I will have my lord and you again Cassio. I’m sure you and my husband will be as
As friendly as you were. friendly as you were before.
CASSIO CASSIO
Bounteous madam, My dear beautiful lady, whatever happens to
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio, Michael Cassio, he’ll always be your humble
He’s never anything but your true servant. servant.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
10 I know ’t, I thank you. You do love my lord. I know that. Thank you. You’re my husband’s
You have known him long, and be you well assured friend and you’ve known him a long time. I assure
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off you the only reason he’s keeping away from you
Than in a polite distance. now is political.
CASSIO CASSIO
Ay, but, lady, Yes, my lady. But those political considerations
That policy may either last so long, might last such a long time that the general will
15 Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, forget my love and service, especially if I’m gone
Or breed itself so out of circumstances, and someone else has my job.
That, I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Do not doubt that. Before Emilia here That’ll never happen. Emilia here will be my
20 I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee, witness: I promise you that you’ll get your position
If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it back again. And if I promise to help someone, I
To the last article. My lord shall never rest, do everything I can. My husband will never get a
I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience. moment’s rest, I’ll keep him up at night talking
about you until he runs out

His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift, of patience. He will think that his bed has become
25 I’ll intermingle everything he does a conference table for discussing your problem—
With Cassio’s suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio, he won’t be able to get away from it. I’ll bring up
For thy solicitor shall rather die your name at every moment. So cheer up. I’m
Than give thy cause away. your advocate, and I’d rather die than give up on
you.
Enter OTHELLO and IAGO OTHELLO and IAGO enter.
EMILIA EMILIA
Madam, here comes my lord. Madam, here comes your husband.
CASSIO CASSIO
Madam, I’ll take my leave. Madam, I’d better leave now.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Why, stay and hear me speak. Why not stay and hear me talk to him?
CASSIO CASSIO
30 Madam, not now. I am very ill at ease, No, madam. I’m very uncomfortable, and that
Unfit for mine own purposes. won’t help my case.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Well, do your discretion. Well, do whatever you think best.
Exit CASSIO CASSIO exits.
IAGO IAGO
Ha! I like not that. Hey! I don’t like that.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What dost thou say? What did you say?
IAGO IAGO
35 Nothing, my lord, or if—I know not what. Nothing, my lord, or if I did—I don’t know what.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Was not that Cassio parted from my wife? Wasn’t that Cassio leaving my wife?
IAGO IAGO
Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it Cassio, my lord? No, I don’t think so. He wouldn’t
That he would steal away so guilty-like sneak away looking so guilty when he saw you
Seeing you coming. coming.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
40 I do believe ’twas he. I really think it was him.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
How now, my lord? What’s this, my lord? I was talking to a petitioner
I have been talking with a suitor here, here just now, someone who’s suffering from your
A man that languishes in your displeasure. anger.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Who is ’t you mean? Who do you mean?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord, Your lieutenant, Cassio. Oh, if I’ve got any
45 If I have any grace or power to move you influence over you at all, please patch things up
His present reconciliation take. with him. In my judgment, this man truly loves
For if he be not one that truly loves you, you, and his mistake was innocent rather than
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning, wicked. Please call him and tell him to come back
I have no judgment in an honest face. here.
50 I prithee, call him back.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Went he hence now? Was that him just now?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Ay, sooth, so humbled Yes. He feels so bad and humble that I feel bad
That he hath left part of his grief with me along with him. My love, call him back in here.
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
55 Not now, sweet Desdemona. Some other time. Not now, my sweet Desdemona. Some other
time.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
But shall ’t be shortly? But will it be soon?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
The sooner, sweet, for you. Very soon, because you want it.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Shall ’t be tonight at supper? Will it be tonight at supper?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
No, not tonight. No, not tonight.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Tomorrow dinner, then? Then tomorrow at dinner?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I shall not dine at home, I won’t be eating dinner at home. I’ll be meeting
I meet the captains at the citadel. the captains at the citadel.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
60 Why, then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn. Well then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday noon, or night, or Wednesday morn. Or Tuesday noon or at night, or Wednesday
I prithee name the time, but let it not morning. Please just name a time, but don’t wait
Exceed three days. In faith, he’s penitent, more than three days. He’s very sorry. His
And yet his trespass, in our common reason mistake was hardly worth punishing him for in the
65 (Save that, they say, the wars must make example first place—though in wartime it is sometimes
Out of her best) is not, almost, a fault necessary to make examples out of even the best
T' incur a private check. When shall he come? soldiers. So when should he come? Tell me,
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul Othello. I can’t imagine you asking me for
What you would ask me that I should deny something and me telling you no or standing
70 Or stand so mamm'ring on. What? Michael Cassio there muttering. Michael Cassio came with you
That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time, when you were trying to win my love. Sometimes
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, I’d criticize you to him, and he’d defend you. And
Hath ta'en your part, to have so much to do now I have to make this big fuss about bringing
To bring him in? Trust me, I could do much— him back? I swear, I could do so much—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
75 Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will, Please, no more. He can come whenever he
I will deny thee nothing. wants. I won’t refuse you anything.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Why, this is not a boon, Don’t act like you’re doing me a favor! This is like
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves, if I asked you to wear your gloves when it’s cold
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm, outside, or eat nutritious food, or do something
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit that’s good for you. If I ever have to ask you for
80 To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit something that will put your luck to the test, it’ll be
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed something difficult and terrible.
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight
And fearful to be granted.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I will deny thee nothing! I won’t deny you anything! But in return, please,
Whereon I do beseech thee, grant me this, do one thing for me: leave me alone for a little
85 To leave me but a little to myself. while.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord. Would I ever deny you anything? No. Goodbye,
my husband.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Farewell, my Desdemona. I’ll come to thee straight. Goodbye, my Desdemona. I’ll come see you right
away.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Emilia, come.—Be as your fancies teach you. Come here, Emilia.—Do whatever you feel like
Whate'er you be, I am obedient. doing, my husband, and I’ll obey you.
Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA DESDEMONA and EMILIA exit.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
90 Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul What a wonderful girl! God help me, I love you!
But I do love thee! And when I love thee not And when I stop loving you, the universe will fall
Chaos is come again. back into the chaos that was there when time
began.
IAGO IAGO
My noble lord— My noble lord—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What dost thou say, Iago? What is it, Iago?
IAGO IAGO
95 Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, When you were wooing Desdemona, did Michael
Know of your love? Cassio know about it?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
He did, from first to last. Yes, he knew about it the whole time. Why do
Why dost thou ask? you ask?
IAGO IAGO
But for a satisfaction of my thought, I was just curious. No reason.
100 No further harm.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Why of thy thought, Iago? Why are you curious, Iago?
IAGO IAGO
I did not think he had been acquainted with her. I didn’t realize he knew her.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, yes, and went between us very oft. Oh, yes. He carried messages back and forth
between us very often.
IAGO IAGO
Indeed? Oh, really?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Indeed? Ay, indeed! Discern’st thou aught in that? Oh, really? Yes, really. Do you see something
105 Is he not honest? wrong with that? Isn’t he an honest man?
IAGO IAGO
Honest, my lord? Honest, my lord?

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Honest, ay, honest. Honest, yes, honest.

IAGO IAGO
My lord, for aught I know. As far as I know, sir.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What dost thou think? What are you thinking?
IAGO IAGO
Think, my lord? Thinking, my lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
110 “Think, my lord?” Alas, thou echo’st me “Thinking, my lord?” My God, you keep repeating
As if there were some monster in thy thought everything I say as if you were thinking
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something too horrible to say out loud. You’re
something. thinking something. Just a minute ago I heard
I heard thee say even now thou lik’st not that you say you didn’t like it when Cassio left my
115 When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like? wife. What didn’t you like? And when I told you
And when I told thee he was of my counsel he was involved the whole time I was trying to
Of my whole course of wooing, thou cried’st get Desdemona, you were like, “Oh, really?” And
“Indeed?” then you frowned and wrinkled up your foreheard
And didst contract and purse thy brow together as if you were imagining something horrible. If
120 As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain you’re my friend, tell me what you’re thinking.
Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me
Show me thy thought.
IAGO IAGO
My lord, you know I love you. My lord, you know I’m your friend.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I think thou dost. I think you are. And I know you’re full of love and
And for I know thou 'rt full of love and honesty honesty, and you think carefully before you
And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them speak. That’s why these pauses of yours frighten
125 breath, me. If some fool were withholding things from
Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more. me, I wouldn’t think twice about it. If some lying,
For such things in a false disloyal knave cheating villain acted like that, it would just be a
Are tricks of custom, but in a man that’s just trick. But when an honest man acts like that, you
They are close dilations, working from the heart, know he’s wrestling with bad thoughts and can’t
That passion cannot rule. help it.
IAGO IAGO
For Michael Cassio, As for Michael Cassio, I think it would be safe for
130 I dare be sworn, I think, that he is honest. me to swear that he’s honest.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I think so too. I think so too.

IAGO IAGO
Men should be what they seem, People should be what they appear to be. If
Or those that be not, would they might seem none! they’re not honest, they shouldn’t look like they
are!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Certain, men should be what they seem. Absolutely, people should be what they appear
to be.
IAGO IAGO
Why then I think Cassio’s an honest man. In that case, I think Cassio’s an honest man.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
135 Nay, yet there’s more in this. No, I think there’s more to this than you’re letting
I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings, on. Please tell me what you’re thinking—even
As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of your worst suspicions.
thoughts
The worst of words.
IAGO IAGO
Good my lord, pardon me, Please don’t make me do that, sir. I have to obey
Though I am bound to every act of duty all your orders, but surely I’m not obligated to
140 I am not bound to that all slaves are free to. reveal my deepest thoughts—even slaves aren’t
Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false, expected to do that. You want me to say what
As where’s that palace whereinto foul things I’m thinking? What if my thoughts are disgusting
Sometimes intrude not? Who has that breast so pure and wrong? Even good people think horrible
Wherein uncleanly apprehensions things sometimes. Who is so pure that they
145 Keep leets and law-days and in sessions sit never think a bad thought?
With meditations lawful?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, You’re not being a good friend, Iago, if you
If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear eventhink your friend has been wronged and you
A stranger to thy thoughts. don’t tell him about it.
IAGO IAGO
I do beseech you, Please don’t ask me to tell you. I might be
150 Though I perchance am vicious in my guess, completely wrong. I have a bad tendency to be
As, I confess, it is my nature’s plague suspicious of people and to look too closely into
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy what they’re doing. Often I imagine crimes that
Shapes faults that are not, that your wisdom, aren’t really there. You would be wise to ignore
From one that so imperfectly conceits, my weak guesses and imaginary suspicions, and
155 Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble don’t worry yourself about the meaningless
Out of his scattering and unsure observance. things I’ve noticed. For me to tell you my
It were not for your quiet nor your good, thoughts would only destroy your peace of mind,
and

Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom it wouldn’t be wise, honest, or responsible for me
To let you know my thoughts. to tell them.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What dost thou mean? What are you talking about?
IAGO IAGO
160 Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, A good reputation is the most valuable thing we
Is the immediate jewel of their souls. have—men and women alike. If you steal my
Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis something, money, you’re just stealing trash. It’s something,
nothing: it’s nothing: it’s yours, it’s mine, and it’ll belong to
'Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands more. But if you steal my reputation,
165 thousands. you’re robbing me of something that doesn’t
But he that filches from me my good name make you richer, but makes me much poorer.
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I’ll know thy thoughts. I’m going to find out what you’re thinking.
IAGO IAGO
You cannot, if my heart were in your hand, You can’t find that out, even if you held my heart
Nor shall not, whilst ’tis in my custody. in your hand you couldn’t make me tell you. And
as long my heart’s inside my body, you never
will.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ha! What?
IAGO IAGO
170 Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! Beware of jealousy, my lord! It’s a green-eyed
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock monster that makes fun of the victims it devours.
The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss The man who knows his wife is cheating on him
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger, is happy, because at least he isn’t friends with
But, oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er the man she’s sleeping with. But think of the
175 Who dotes, yet doubts— suspects, yet soundly unhappiness of a man who worships his wife, yet
loves! doubts her faithfulness. He suspects her, but still
loves her.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, misery! Oh, what misery!
IAGO IAGO
Poor and content is rich, and rich enough, The person who’s poor and contented is rich
But riches fineless is as poor as winter enough. But infinite riches are nothing to
To him that ever fears he shall be poor. someone who’s always afraid he’ll be poor. God,
180 Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend help us not be jealous!
From jealousy!

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Why, why is this? Why are you telling me this? Do you think I
Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy, would live a life of jealousy, tormented by new
To follow still the changes of the moon suspicions every hour? No. If there’s any doubt,
With fresh suspicions? No! To be once in doubt there is no doubt. I might as well be a goat if I
185 Is to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat ever let myself become obsessed with the kind of
When I shall turn the business of my soul suspicions you’re implying. If you say my wife is
To such exsufflicate and blowed surmises, beautiful, eats well, loves good company, speaks
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous freely, sings, plays music, and dances well,
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company, you’re not making me jealous. When a woman is
190 Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances. virtuous, talents like these just make her better.
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous. And I’m not going to start feeling inferior. She
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw had her eyes wide open when she chose me.
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt, No, Iago, I’ll have to see some real evidence
For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago, before I start suspecting her of anything bad, and
195 I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove, when I suspect her, I’ll look for proof, and if
And on the proof there is no more but this: there’s proof, that’s when I’ll let go of my love
Away at once with love or jealousy! and my jealousy.
IAGO IAGO
I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason I’m glad to hear you say that. Now I can show
To show the love and duty that I bear you you my devotion and my duty with more honesty.
200 With franker spirit. Therefore, as I am bound, So please listen to me. I’m not talking about
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof. proof yet. Watch your wife. Watch how she is
Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio. with Cassio. Just watch—don’t be either
Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure. completely suspicious or completely trustful. I
I would not have your free and noble nature wouldn’t want to see you taken advantage of
205 Out of self-bounty be abused. Look to ’t. because you’re such an open and trusting guy.
I know our country disposition well. Watch out! I know the people of Venice well.
In Venice they do let God see the pranks They let God see things they wouldn’t show their
They dare not show their husbands. Their best husbands. They don’t avoid doing things that are
conscience wrong, they just try not to get caught.
Is not to leave ’t undone, but keep’t unknown.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
210 Dost thou say so? Do you really think so?

IAGO IAGO
She did deceive her father, marrying you, She lied to her father to marry you. And when
And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks, she pretended to be afraid of you, she loved you
She loved them most. the most.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
And so she did. That’s right, she did.
IAGO IAGO
Why, go to then. Well, there you go. She was so young, but she
She that, so young, could give out such a seeming, deceived her father so thoroughly he thought it
215 To seel her father’s eyes up close as oak, was witchcraft! But I’m sorry I’ve blurted all this
He thought ’twas witchcraft. But I am much to blame. out. I beg your pardon for loving you too much.
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I am bound to thee forever. I’m indebted to you forever.
IAGO IAGO
I see this hath a little dashed your spirits. You seem a little depressed about this.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
220 Not a jot, not a jot. Not at all, not at all.
IAGO IAGO
Trust me, I fear it has. Really, I’m afraid you are. I hope you remember
I hope you will consider what is spoke that I said all this because I love you. But I see
Comes from my love. But I do see you’re moved. you’re troubled. Please don’t take what I said
I am to pray you not to strain my speech more seriously than it deserves to be taken.
To grosser issues nor to larger reach
225 Than to suspicion.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I will not. I won’t.
IAGO IAGO
Should you do so, my lord, If you take it too seriously, it’ll have bad effects
My speech should fall into such vile success that I didn’t want it to have. Cassio’s a good
Which my thoughts aimed not at. Cassio’s my worthy friend of mine—My lord, I can see you’re upset.
230 friend—
My lord, I see you’re moved.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
No, not much moved. No, not too upset. I’m sure Desdemona would
I do not think but Desdemona’s honest. never cheat on me.
IAGO IAGO
Long live she so. And long live you to think so. I hope she never does! And I hope you keep on
thinking she wouldn’t.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
And yet how nature, erring from itself— But still, it’s true that good things can go bad,
away from their true natures—
IAGO IAGO
Ay, there’s the point. As, to be bold with you, That’s the point I’m trying to make. If I can be
235 Not to affect many proposèd matches frank with you, she veered away from her own
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, nature in turning down all those young men from
Whereto we see in all things nature tends— her own country, with her skin color, with her
Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, status—everything her nature would have drawn
Foul disproportions, thoughts unnatural. her to—Ugh! You can almost smell the dark and
240 But—pardon me—I do not in position ugly desires inside her, the unnatural thoughts—
Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear But—I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to refer to her
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment, specifically just now. I only worry that she might
May fall to match you with her country forms, snap back to her natural taste in men one day,
And happily repent. and compare you unfavorably to other Italians.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Farewell, farewell. Goodbye, goodbye. If you see anything else, let
245 If more thou dost perceive, let me know more. me know. Tell your wife to watch her. Leave me
Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago. alone now, Iago.
IAGO IAGO
My lord, I take my leave. (going) My lord, I’ll say goodbye now. (beginning to exit)
OTHELLO OTHELLO
(aside) Why did I marry? This honest creature (to himself) Why did I ever get married? I’m sure
doubtless this good and honest man sees and knows more,
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. much more, than he’s telling me.
IAGO IAGO
250 (returns) My lord, I would I might entreat your honor (returning) My lord, please don’t think about this
To scan this thing no farther. Leave it to time. any more. Time will tell. It’s right for Cassio to
Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place, have his lieutenancy back—he’s very talented.
For sure, he fills it up with great ability, But keep him away for a while, and you’ll see
Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile, how he goes about getting it back. Notice
255 You shall by that perceive him and his means. whether your wife insists on your
Note if your lady strain his entertainment

With any strong or vehement importunity. giving it back to him. That will tell you a lot. But in
Much will be seen in that. In the meantime, the meantime, just assume that I’m paranoid—as
Let me be thought too busy in my fears— I’m pretty sure I am—and keep thinking she’s
260 As worthy cause I have to fear I am— innocent, please.
And hold her free, I do beseech your honor.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Fear not my government. Don’t worry about how I handle it.
IAGO IAGO
I once more take my leave. I’ll say goodbye once more.
Exit IAGO exits.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty This Iago is extremely honest and good, and he
And knows all quantities, with a learnèd spirit, knows a lot about human behavior. If it turns out
265 Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard, that she really is running around on me, I’ll send
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings, her away, even though it’ll break my heart.
I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind Maybe because I’m black, and I don’t have nice
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black manners like courtiers do, or because I’m getting
And have not those soft parts of conversation old—but that’s not much—She’s gone, and I’ve
270 That chamberers have, or for I am declined been cheated on. I have no choice but to hate
Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much— her. Oh what a curse marriage is! We think our
She’s gone, I am abused, and my relief beautiful wives belong to us, but their desires are
Must be to loathe her. Oh, curse of marriage free! I’d rather be a toad in a moldy basement
That we can call these delicate creatures ours than to have only a part of someone I love,
275 And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad sharing the rest of her with others. This is the
And live upon the vapor of a dungeon plague of important men—our wives betray us
Than keep a corner in the thing I love more than those of poor men. It’s our destiny,
For others' uses. Yet ’tis the plague to great ones, like death. We are destined to be betrayed when
Prerogatived are they less than the base. we are born. Oh, here she comes.
280 'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death.
Even then this forkèd plague is fated to us
When we do quicken. Look where she comes.
Enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA DESDEMONA and EMILIA enter.
If she be false, heaven mocked itself. If she’s cheated on me, then heaven itself is a
I’ll not believe ’t. fake. I don’t believe it.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
How now, my dear Othello? What’s going on, Othello, darling? The nobles of
285 Your dinner, and the generous islanders Cyprus whom you invited to dinner are waiting
By you invited, do attend your presence. for you.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I am to blame. I’m sorry.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Why do you speak so faintly? Why are you whispering? Are you sick?
Are you not well?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
290 I have a pain upon my forehead, here. I have a headache, right here in my forehead.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Why that’s with watching, ’twill away again. That’s from lack of sleep. It’ll go away. Let me
Let me but bind it hard, within this hour wrap up your head, and it will feel okay in less
It will be well. (pulls out a handkerchief) than an hour. (she pulls out a handkerchief)
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Your napkin is too little, No, your handkerchief’s too little. Leave my head
295 Let it alone. alone.
Her handkerchief drops The handkerchief falls to the floor.
Come, I’ll go in with you. Come on, I’ll escort you to dinner.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I am very sorry that you are not well. I’m very sorry you’re not feeling well.
Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA OTHELLO and DESDEMONA exit.
EMILIA EMILIA
(picks up the handkercheif) (picking up the handkerchief) I’m glad I found this
I am glad I have found this napkin, handkerchief. It’s the first keepsake the Moor
300 This was her first remembrance from the Moor. gave her. My stubborn husband has asked me to
My wayward husband hath a hundred times steal it a

Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token hundred times. But she loves it so much (since
(For he conjured her she should ever keep it) Othello told her she should always keep it with
That she reserves it evermore about her her) that she always keeps it near her to kiss it
305 To kiss and talk to. I’ll have the work ta'en out and talk to it. I’ll copy the embroidery pattern and
And give ’t Iago. What he will do with it then give it to Iago. Heaven knows what he’s
Heaven knows, not I. going to do with it. I only try to satisfy his whims.
I nothing but to please his fantasy.

IAGO IAGO
How now! What do you here alone? What’s going on? What are you doing here
alone?
EMILIA EMILIA
310 Do not you chide. I have a thing for you. Don’t snap at me. I’ve got something for you.
IAGO IAGO
A thing for me? It is a common thing— You’ve got something for me? It’s a
commonthing—
EMILIA EMILIA
Ha? What?
IAGO IAGO
To have a foolish wife. —to have a stupid wife.
EMILIA EMILIA
Oh, is that all? What will you give me now Oh, is that so? And what would you give me for
315 For the same handkerchief? the handkerchief?
IAGO IAGO
What handkerchief? What handkerchief?
EMILIA EMILIA
What handkerchief? What handkerchief? The one the Moor gave to
Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona, Desdemona, which you asked me to steal so
That which so often you did bid me steal. many times.
IAGO IAGO
320 Hast stolen it from her? You stole it from her?
EMILIA EMILIA
No, but she let it drop by negligence No, actually. She dropped it carelessly, and,
And, to th' advantage, I being here, took ’t up. seizing the opportunity, since I was here, I picked
Look, here it is. it up. Look, here it is.

IAGO IAGO
A good wench, give it me. Good girl, give it to me.
EMILIA EMILIA
What will you do with ’t, that you have been so And what are you going to do with it? Why did
325 earnest you want it so much that you begged me to steal
To have me filch it? it?
IAGO IAGO
Why, what is that to you? What’s it to you?
EMILIA EMILIA
If it be not for some purpose of import, If you don’t need it for some important reason,
Give ’t me again. Poor lady, she’ll run mad then give it back to me. Poor lady, she’ll go crazy
When she shall lack it. when she sees it’s missing.
IAGO IAGO
Be not acknown on ’t, Don’t admit to knowing anything about it. I need
330 I have use for it. Go, leave me. it. Now go, leave me.
Exit EMILIA EMILIA exits.
I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin I’ll leave this handkerchief at Cassio’s house and
And let him find it. Trifles light as air let him find it.To a jealous man, a meaningless
Are to the jealous confirmations strong little thing like this looks like absolute proof. This
As proofs of holy writ. This may do something. handkerchief may be useful to me. The Moor’s
335 The Moor already changes with my poison. mind has already become infected with my
Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons poisonous suggestions. Ideas can be like
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, poisons. At first they hardly even taste bad, but
But with a little act upon the blood once they get into your blood they start burning
Burn like the mines of sulfur. like hot lava.
I did say so. Here he comes. No drugs or sleeping pills will
340 Look, where he comes. Not poppy nor mandragora ever give you the restful sleep that you had last
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, night.
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owedst yesterday.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ha! Ha! False to me? Argh! She’s cheating on me?
IAGO IAGO
Why, how now, general? No more of that. Oh, general, please, no more of that!

OTHELLO OTHELLO
345 Avaunt! Be gone! Thou hast set me on the rack. Get lost! You’ve tortured me with these thoughts.
I swear ’tis better to be much abused It is better to be tricked completely than to only
Than but to know ’t a little. suspect a little.
IAGO IAGO
How now, my lord! What’s with you, my lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What sense had I in her stol'n hours of lust? I had no idea she was cheating on me. I never
I saw ’t not, thought it not, it harmed not me. saw it or suspected it, so it never hurt me. I slept
350 I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and well, ate well, and was happy. I never saw
merry. Cassio’s kisses on her lips. A man who’s robbed,
I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips. but doesn’t miss what’s stolen, isn’t robbed at all.
He that is robbed, not wanting what is stol'n,
Let him not know’t, and he’s not robbed at all.
IAGO IAGO
I am sorry to hear this. I’m sorry to hear this.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
355 I had been happy if the general camp, I would’ve been happy if the whole army had had
Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body, sex with her, the lowest-ranking grunts and all,
So I had nothing known. Oh, now forever as long as I didn’t know anything about it. Oh,
Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content! goodbye to my peace of mind! Goodbye to my
Farewell the plumèd troops and the big wars happiness! Goodbye to the soldiers and to the
360 That makes ambition virtue! Oh, farewell! wars that make men great! Goodbye! Goodbye
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump, to the horses and the trumpets and the drums,
The spirit-stirring drum, th' ear-piercing fife, the flute and the splendid banners, and all those
The royal banner, and all quality, proud displays and pageantry of war! And you
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war! deadly cannons that roar like thunderbolts
365 And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats thrown by the gods, goodbye! Othello’s career is
The immortal Jove’s dead clamors counterfeit, over.
Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone.
IAGO IAGO
Is ’t possible, my lord? Is this possible, my lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore, You villain, you’d better be able to prove my
370 Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof wife’s a whore! Be sure of it. Get me proof I can
Or by the worth of mine eternal soul see. If you can’t, trust me, you won’t want to feel
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog my rage!
Than answer my waked wrath!

IAGO IAGO
Is ’t come to this? Has it come to this?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Make me to see ’t, or at the least so prove it Show me, or at least prove it beyond the shadow
375 That the probation bear no hinge nor loop of a doubt. If you can’t, your life is worthless!
To hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life!
IAGO IAGO
My noble lord— My noble lord—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
If thou dost slander her and torture me, If you’re slandering her just to torture me, then
Never pray more. Abandon all remorse. it’ll be no use to pray for mercy or say you’re
380 On horror’s head horrors accumulate, sorry. You might as well go ahead and commit
Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed, every unspeakable crime you can think of,
For nothing canst thou to damnation add because there’s nothing you could that would top
Greater than that. what you’ve already done!
IAGO IAGO
Oh, grace! Oh, heaven forgive me! Oh, heaven help me! Aren’t you a rational human
Are you a man? Have you a soul or sense? being? Don’t you have any sense at all?
385 God buy you, take mine office. O wretched fool Goodbye. I resign my official position. I’m such
That lov’st to make thine honesty a vice! an idiot for always telling the truth! What a
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world, horrible world we live in! Listen, pay attention,
To be direct and honest is not safe. everybody. It’s not safe to be straightforward and
I thank you for this profit, and from hence honest. I’m glad you’ve taught me this valuable
390 I’ll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence. lesson. From now on, I’ll never try to help a friend
when it hurts him so much to hear the truth.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Nay, stay. Thou shouldst be honest. No, stop. You should always be honest.
IAGO IAGO
I should be wise, for honesty’s a fool I should always be wise. Honesty’s stupid, it
And loses that it works for. makes me lose my friends even when I’m trying
to help them.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
By the world, I swear, I think my wife’s faithful, and I think she’s
I think my wife be honest and think she is not. not. I think you’re trustworthy one minute and
395 I think that thou art just and think thou art not. then not the next. I need proof! Her reputation
I’ll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh was as pure as the snow, but now it’s as dirty
As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black and black as my own face. As long as there
As mine own face. If there be cords or knives, are ropes, knives, poison, fire, or streams to
Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams, drown in , I won’t stand for this. Oh, how I wish I
400 I’ll not endure it. Would I were satisfied! knew the truth!

IAGO IAGO
I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion. I see you’re all eaten up with emotion. I’m sorry I
I do repent me that I put it to you. said anything. You want proof?
You would be satisfied?

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Would? Nay, and I will. Want? Yes, I want it, and I’ll get it.
IAGO IAGO
And may, but how? How satisfied, my lord? But how? How will you get proof? Are you going
405 Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on, to hide and watch them having sex?
Behold her topped?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Death and damnation! Oh! Death and damnation! Oh!
IAGO IAGO
It were a tedious difficulty, I think, I think it would be very hard to arrange for them
To bring them to that prospect. Damn them then, to have sex while you watched. If anyone sees
If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster them in bed together besides themselves, I
410 More than their own! What then? How then? guess we could damn them then. So what can
What shall I say? Where’s satisfaction? we do? What can I say? What proof is there? It’d
It is impossible you should see this, be impossible for you to watch them, even if they
Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys, were as horny as animals in heat and as stupid
As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross as drunks. But if you would be willing to accept
415 As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say, circumstantial evidence as proof, we can get
If imputation and strong circumstances that.
Which lead directly to the door of truth
Will give you satisfaction, you may have ’t.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Give me a living reason she’s disloyal. Give me one good reason to think she’s cheating
on me.
IAGO IAGO
420 I do not like the office. I don’t like what you’re asking me to do. But
But, sith I am entered in this cause so far, since I’ve gotten myself involved this far,
Pricked to ’t by foolish honesty and love, because I’m so stupidly honest and because I
I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately like you so much, I’ll keep going. I recently
And, being troubled with a raging tooth, shared a bed with Cassio, and I couldn’t sleep
425 I could not sleep. There are a kind of men because of a raging toothache. Well, some
So loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter people talk in their sleep, and Cassio is one of
them. I heard him saying, “Sweet Desdemona,
let’s be careful and hide our love,” in his sleep.
And then he grabbed my hand and said, “Oh, my
darling!” and

Their affairs. One of this kind is Cassio. kissed me hard, as if he were trying to suck my
In sleep I heard him say “Sweet Desdemona, lips off. Then he put his leg over mine, and
Let us be wary, let us hide our loves.” sighed and kissed me, and said, “Damn fate for
430 And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, giving you to the Moor!”
Cry “O sweet creature!” and then kiss me hard,
As if he plucked up kisses by the roots
That grew upon my lips, lay his leg
Over my thigh, and sigh, and kiss, and then
435 Cry “Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!”
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, monstrous! Monstrous! Oh, that’s monstrous! Monstrous!
IAGO IAGO
Nay, this was but his dream. No, it was just a dream.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
But this denoted a foregone conclusion. But it shows that something has already
happened.
IAGO IAGO
'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream. It’s a reason for suspicion, even though it’s just a
440 And this may help to thicken other proofs dream. And it might back up other evidence that
That do demonstrate thinly. may seem too flimsy.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I’ll tear her all to pieces! I’ll tear her to pieces!
IAGO IAGO
Nay, yet be wise, yet we see nothing done, No, be reasonable. We don’t have any proof yet.
She may be honest yet. Tell me but this, She might still be faithful. Just tell me this: have
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief you ever seen her holding a handkerchief with an
445 Spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand? embroidered strawberry pattern on it?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I gave her such a one, ’twas my first gift. Yes, I gave her one like that. It was my first gift to
her.
IAGO IAGO
I know not that, but such a handkerchief— I don’t know about that, but I saw a handkerchief
I am sure it was your wife’s—did I today like that today. I’m sure it belongs to your wife,
See Cassio wipe his beard with. and I saw Cassio use it to wipe his beard.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
If it be that— If it’s the same one—
IAGO IAGO
450 If it be that, or any that was hers, If it’s the same one, or any one that belongs to
It speaks against her with the other proofs. her, then together with the other evidence it’s
pretty strong.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, that the slave had forty thousand lives! Oh, I’d kill that bastard Cassio forty thousand
One is too poor, too weak for my revenge. times if I could! Killing him once is not enough
Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago, revenge. Now I see it’s true. Oh, Iago, all the
455 All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. love I felt is gone, vanished in the wind.
'Tis gone. Welcome, hatred and vengeance! Get out of my
Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! heart, love! My heart feels like it’s full of
Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne poisonous snakes!
To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
460 For ’tis of aspics' tongues!
IAGO IAGO
Yet be content. Calm down—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, blood, blood, blood! I want blood!
IAGO IAGO
Patience, I say. Your mind may change. Be patient, I’m telling you. You may change your
mind later.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic sea, Never, Iago. My thoughts of revenge are flowing
Whose icy current and compulsive course through me like a violent river, never turning
Ne'er keeps retiring ebb but keeps due on back to love, only flowing toward full revenge
465 To the Propontic and the Hellespont, that’ll swallow them up. I swear to God I’ll get
Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace revenge. (he kneels)
Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love

Till that a capable and wide revenge
Swallow them up. Now, by yon marble heaven,
470 In the due reverence of a sacred vow
I here engage my words. (he kneels)
IAGO IAGO
Do not rise yet. Don’t get up yet. Let heaven be my witness—I’m
Witness, you ever-burning lights above, putting my mind, my heart, and my hands in
You elements that clip us round about, Othello’s control. Let him command me, and I’ll
Witness that here Iago doth give up do whatever he asks, no matter how violent.
475 The execution of his wit, hands, heart,
To wronged Othello’s service. Let him command,
And to obey shall be in me remorse,
What bloody business ever.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
I greet thy love I accept your devotion with my deepest love. I’ll
Not with vain thanks but with acceptance bounteous, put you to the test right away. Within the next
480 And will upon the instant put thee to ’t. three days I want to hear you tell me that
Within these three days let me hear thee say Cassio’s dead.
That Cassio’s not alive.
IAGO IAGO
My friend is dead, My friend Cassio is dead. It’s done, because you
'Tis done at your request. But let her live. request it. But let her live.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Damn her, lewd minx! Oh, damn her, damn her! Damn her, the wicked whore! Oh, damn her,
485 Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw damn her! Come away with me. I’m going inside
To furnish me with some swift means of death to think up some way to kill that beautiful devil.
For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant. You’re my lieutenant now.
IAGO IAGO
I am your own for ever. I’m yours forever.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 3, Scene 4
Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, and CLOWN DESDEMONA, EMILIA and the CLOWN enter.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies? Excuse me, do you know which room Lieutenant
Cassio lies in?
CLOWN CLOWN
I dare not say he lies anywhere. I wouldn’t dare say he lies anywhere.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Why, man? Why do you say that?
CLOWN CLOWN
He’s a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies, ’tis He’s a soldier. If I accused a soldier of lying, he’d
stabbing. stab me.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
5 Go to. Where lodges he? Oh, come on. Where does he sleep?
CLOWN CLOWN
To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I lie. Telling you where he’s sleeping is like telling you
where I’m lying.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Can anything be made of this? What on earth does that mean?
CLOWN CLOWN
I know not where he lodges, and for me to devise a I don’t know where he’s staying, so if I told you
lodging and say he lies here, or he lies there, were to he’s sleeping here or there, I’d be lying.
lie in mine own throat.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Can you inquire him out and be edified by report? Can you ask around and find out?
CLOWN CLOWN
10 I will catechize the world for him, that is, make I’ll go ask questions everywhere.
questions, and by them answer.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Seek him, bid him come hither. Tell him I have Find him and tell him to come here. Tell him I’ve
moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be spoken to my husband on his behalf, and I think
well. everything will be all right.
CLOWN CLOWN
To do this is within the compass of man’s wit, and I think I can do that. It’s not too much to ask.
therefore I will attempt the doing it.
Exit CLOWN exits.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia? Where could I have lost that handkerchief,
Emilia?
EMILIA EMILIA
I know not, madam. I don’t know, madam.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
15 Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse Believe me, I’d rather have lost a purse full of
Full of crusadoes. And but my noble Moor gold coins. This would be enough to make my
Is true of mind and made of no such baseness husband suspect me, if he wasn’t so free of
As jealous creatures are, it were enough jealousy.
To put him to ill thinking.
EMILIA EMILIA
20 Is he not jealous? He’s not jealous?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Who, he? I think the sun where he was born Who, him? I think all tendencies to jealousy were
Drew all such humors from him. burned out of him by the sun of his native land.
EMILIA EMILIA
Look where he comes. Look, here he comes.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I will not leave him now till Cassio I won’t leave him alone until he gives Cassio his
25 Be called to him.—How is ’t with you, my lord? job back.—How are you, my lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Well, my good lady.—(aside) Oh, hardness to I’m fine, my lady.—(to himself) Oh, it’s so hard to
dissemble!— pretend!—How are you, Desdemona?
How do you, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Well, my good lord. I’m fine, my lord.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady. Give me your hand. Your hand’s moist, my lady.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
It hath felt no age nor known no sorrow. It’s moist because it’s still young and
inexperienced.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
30 This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart. It says you’re fertile, and you’ve got a giving
Hot, hot, and moist. This hand of yours requires heart. Hot, hot and moist. With a hand like this
A sequester from liberty, fasting, and prayer, you need to

Much castigation, exercise devout, fast and pray to stave off temptations. Someone
For here’s a young and sweating devil here, with a young sweating hand like this one is bound
35 That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, to act up sooner or later. It’s a nice hand, an open
A frank one. one.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
You may indeed say so, You’re right to say that. This was the hand that
For ’twas that hand that gave away my heart. gave you my heart.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
A liberal hand. The hearts of old gave hands, This hand gives itself away very freely. In the old
But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts. days, people used to give their hearts to each
other when they joined their hands in marriage.
But these days, people give each other their
hands without their hearts.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
40 I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise. I don’t know about that. Now, don’t forget, you
promised me something.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What promise, chuck? What did I promise, my dear?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you. I sent for Cassio to come talk with you.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me. I have a bad cold that’s bothering me. Lend me
Lend me thy handkerchief. your handkerchief.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Here, my lord. Here, my lord.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
45 That which I gave you. No, the one I gave you.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I have it not about me. I don’t have it with me.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Not? You don’t?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
No, indeed, my lord. No, my lord.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
That’s a fault. That handkerchief That’s not good. An Egyptian woman gave that
Did an Egyptian to my mother give, handkerchief to my mother. She was a witch, and
She was a charmer and could almost read she could

The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept almost read people’s thoughts. She told my
50 it mother that as long as she kept it with her, my
'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father father would love and desire her. But if she lost it
Entirely to her love, but if she lost it or gave it away, my father would start hating her
Or made gift of it, my father’s eye and looking at other women. When she was dying
Should hold her loathèd and his spirits should hunt she gave it to me and told me to give it to my wife
55 After new fancies. She, dying, gave it me when I got married. I did. So pay attention. Treat
And bid me, when my fate would have me wived, it as something precious. Losing it or giving it
To give it her. I did so, and take heed on ’t, away would be an unspeakable loss, a loss like
Make it a darling like your precious eye. none other.
To lose ’t or give ’t away were such perdition
As nothing else could match.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
OTHELLO OTHELLO
60 'Tis true. There’s magic in the web of it. Yes, it’s true. There’s magic in its fabric. A two-
A sibyl, that had numbered in the world hundred-year-old witch sewed it while she was in
The sun to course two hundred compasses, a fevered trance. The silk came from sacred
In her prophetic fury sewed the work. silkworms, and it was dyed with fluid made from
The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk, embalmed virgins' hearts.
65 And it was dyed in mummy which the skillful
Conserved of maidens' hearts.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Indeed? Is ’t true? Really? Is that true?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Most veritable, therefore look to ’t well. It’s absolutely true, so take good care of it.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Then would to Heaven that I had never seen ’t! I wish I had never seen it!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ha! Wherefore? Ha! Why?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
70 Why do you speak so startingly and rash? Why are you yelling at me so angrily?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Is ’t lost? Is ’t gone? Speak, is ’t out o' th' way? Is it lost? Is it gone? Tell me, is it missing?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Bless us! God help me!

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Say you? What do you have to say for yourself?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
It is not lost, but what and if it were? It’s not lost, but what if it were?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
75 How! What do you mean?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I say, it is not lost. I’m telling you, it’s not lost.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Fetch ’t, let me see ’t. Then bring it here. Let me see it.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now. I could, sir. But I don’t want to now. This is just a
This is a trick to put me from my suit. trick to take my mind off what I’m asking you for.
Pray you, let Cassio be received again. Please hire Cassio again.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
80 Fetch me the handkerchief—my mind misgives. Bring me the handkerchief—My mind is full of
doubt.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Come, come, Come on. You know you’ll never find a more
You’ll never meet a more sufficient man. capable man.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
The handkerchief! The handkerchief!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
A man that all his time He’s counted on your friendship for his success.
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love, He’s shared dangers with you—
85 Shared dangers with you—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
The handkerchief! The handkerchief!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
In sooth, you are to blame. Really, I don’t think you’re behaving very well.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Away! Damn it!
Exit OTHELLO exits.
EMILIA EMILIA
Is not this man jealous? And you say he’s not jealous?

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I ne'er saw this before. I never saw him like this before. There must be
90 Sure, there’s some wonder in this handkerchief, some magic in that handkerchief. I’m miserable
I am most unhappy in the loss of it. that I lost it.
EMILIA EMILIA
'Tis not a year or two shows us a man. Men are all the same, but it takes longer than a
They are all but stomachs, and we all but food. year or two to see how bad they are. They’re like
To eat us hungerly, and when they are full, stomachs and we’re just the food. They eat us up
95 They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband! hungrily, and when they’re full, they vomit us up.
Look, here comes Cassio and my husband.
Enter CASSIO and IAGO IAGO and CASSIO enter.
IAGO IAGO
There is no other way. 'Tis she must do ’t, There’s no other way. She’s the one who’s got to
And, lo, the happiness! Go and importune her. do it. And what luck, she’s here! Go ahead and
ask her.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
How now, good Cassio, what’s the news with you? Hello, Cassio. How are you?
CASSIO CASSIO
Madam, my former suit. I do beseech you Nothing, madam. Just my earlier request. I’m
100 That by your virtuous means I may again begging you to help me get back on his good
Exist, and be a member of his love side. I’m devoted to him with all my heart. I can’t
Whom I, with all the office of my heart wait any longer. If my wrongdoing was so serious
Entirely honor. I would not be delayed. that I can’t get back into his good graces either
If my offence be of such mortal kind by my past service, or my present situation, or
105 That nor my service past, nor present sorrows, the promise of devoted service in the future, just
Nor purposed merit in futurity, knowing that would help me. Then I could stop
Can ransom me into his love again, wondering, and find some other career.
But to know so must be my benefit.

So shall I clothe me in a forced content,
110 And shut myself up in some other course,
To fortune’s alms.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio, I’m sorry, dear Cassio, but now is not the right
My advocation is not now in tune. time to bring up your case. My husband’s not
My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him himself. If his face changed as much as his
Were he in favor as in humor altered. personality has, I wouldn’t recognize him. God
115 So help me every spirit sanctified knows I have done my best to argue for you, and
As I have spoken for you all my best made him angry at me for being so aggressive.
And stood within the blank of his displeasure You’ll just have to be patient for a little while. I’ll
For my free speech. You must awhile be patient. do what I can, more than I’d do for myself. Let
What I can do I will, and more I will that be enough for you.
120 Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.
IAGO IAGO
Is my lord angry? Is Othello angry?
EMILIA EMILIA
He went hence but now, He just left, clearly upset about something.
And certainly in strange unquietness.
IAGO IAGO
Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon Can he even get angry? It’s hard to believe. I’ve
When it hath blown his ranks into the air seen him stay calm when cannons were blowing
125 And, like the devil, from his very arm his soldiers to bits, even killing his own brother
Puffed his own brother—and is he angry? without him batting an eyelid—is he really upset?
Something of moment then, I will go meet him. It must be about something important. I’ll go talk
There’s matter in ’t indeed, if he be angry. to him. If he’s angry, there must be something
seriously wrong.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I prithee, do so. Please, do so.
Something, sure, of state, There must be some political news from Venice,
130 Either from Venice, or some unhatched practice or some dangerous plot here in Cyprus has
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, ruined his good mood. Men always get angry
Hath puddled his clear spirit, and in such cases about little things when they’re really worried
Men’s natures wrangle with inferior things, about bigger ones. That’s the way it goes. When
Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so, our finger hurts, it makes the rest of the body
135 For let our finger ache and it endues hurt too. We shouldn’t expect men to be perfect,
Our other healthful members even to that sense or for them to be as polite as on the weddingday.
Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods, Oh, Emilia, I’m so inexperienced that I thought
Nor of them look for such observances he was being unkind, but actually I was judging
As fit the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia, him harshly.
140 I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul,
But now I find I had suborned the witness,
And he’s indicted falsely.

EMILIA EMILIA
Pray heaven it be I hope to God it’s something political, like you
State matters, as you think, and no conception think, and not jealousy involving you.
145 Nor no jealous toy concerning you.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Alas the day! I never gave him cause. Oh no! I never gave him reason to be jealous.
EMILIA EMILIA
But jealous souls will not be answered so. But jealous people don’t think like that. They’re
They are not ever jealous for the cause, never jealous for a reason; they’re just jealous.
But jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster It’s like a monster that just grows and grows, out
150 Begot upon itself, born on itself. of nothing.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Heaven keep the monster from Othello’s mind! I hope God keeps that monster from growing in
Othello’s mind!
EMILIA EMILIA
Lady, amen. Amen to that, lady.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I will go seek him.—Cassio, walk hereabout. I’ll go look for him—Cassio, stay around here. If
If I do find him fit, I’ll move your suit he’s in a good mood I’ll mention you again, and
155 And seek to effect it to my uttermost. do everything I can.
CASSIO CASSIO
I humbly thank your ladyship. I thank you, lady.
Enter BIANCA BIANCA enters.
BIANCA BIANCA
Save you, friend Cassio! Hello, Cassio!

CASSIO CASSIO
What make you from home? Why are you so far from home? How are you, my
How is ’t with you, my most fair Bianca? pretty Bianca? To tell you the truth, I was just
Indeed, sweet love, I was coming to your house. going to your house.
BIANCA BIANCA
160 And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. And I was just going to yours. You’ve kept away
What, keep a week away? Seven days and nights? from me for a week? Seven days and seven
Eight score eight hours? And lovers' absent hours nights? A hundred and sixty-eight hours? And
More tedious than the dial eightscore times! lovers' hours are a hundred and sixty times
Oh weary reckoning! longer than normal ones! What a tedious wait!
CASSIO CASSIO
Pardon me, Bianca, I’m sorry, Bianca. All this time I’ve been
165 I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed, depressed and had problems on my mind. When
But I shall, in a more continuate time, I get some free time I’ll make it up to you.(he
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, gives her DESDEMONA ’s handkerchief)Sweet
(giving her DESDEMONA’s handkerchief) Bianca, would you copy this embroidery pattern
Take me this work out. for me?
BIANCA BIANCA
O Cassio, whence came this? Oh, Cassio, where did you get this? This is a gift
170 This is some token from a newer friend! from another woman, a new lover! Now I know
To the felt absence now I feel a cause. why you’ve been staying away from me. Has it
Is ’t come to this? Well, well. come to this? Well, well.
CASSIO CASSIO
Go to, woman, Oh, come on, woman. Stop jumping to silly
Throw your vile guesses in the devil’s teeth conclusions. Now you’re jealous, thinking that
From whence you have them. You are jealous now this is from some mistress of mine, but I swear
175 That this is from some mistress, some it’s not, Bianca.
remembrance.
No, in good troth, Bianca.
BIANCA BIANCA
Why, whose is it? Well, whose is it?
CASSIO CASSIO
I know not neither, I found it in my chamber. I don’t even know. I found it in my room. It’s
I like the work well. Ere it be demanded, pretty. Someone is certainly looking for it, and I’ll
As like enough it will, I would have it copied. have to give it back. So I’d like it copied. Take it
180 Take it and do ’t, and leave me for this time. and do that for me, and leave me alone for a
while.
BIANCA BIANCA
Leave you! Wherefore? Leave you alone! Why?

CASSIO CASSIO
I do attend here on the general I’m waiting here for the general, and I don’t want
And think it no addition, nor my wish, him to see me with a woman.
To have him see me womaned.
BIANCA BIANCA
Why, I pray you? And why’s that?
CASSIO CASSIO
185 Not that I love you not. It’s not because I don’t love you.
BIANCA BIANCA
But that you do not love me. But you don’t love me. Please, just walk with me
I pray you bring me on the way a little a little ways, and tell me if I’ll see you later
And say if I shall see you soon at night. tonight.
CASSIO CASSIO
'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, I can only walk a little way with you, since I’m
For I attend here. But I’ll see you soon. waiting here. But I’ll see you soon.
BIANCA BIANCA
190 'Tis very good. I must be circumstanced. All right, have it your way. I have to make do.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 4, Scene 1
Enter OTHELLO and IAGO OTHELLO and IAGO enter.
IAGO IAGO
Will you think so? Do you really think so?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Think so, Iago? What do you mean, do I think so?
IAGO IAGO
What, What, just because they kissed in private?
To kiss in private?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
An unauthorized kiss! An illicit kiss!
IAGO IAGO
Or to be naked with her friend in bed Maybe she was just naked in bed with him for an
An hour or more, not meaning any harm? hour or so, but they didn’t do anything.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
5 Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm! Naked in bed together, but without doing
It is hypocrisy against the devil. anything? Come on, Iago. That would be like
They that mean virtuously, and yet do so, playing a trick on the devil: they’d make him think
The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven. they’re going to commit adultery, but then back
off. Anyone who acted like that would be letting
the devil tempt them, and tempting God to
condemn them.
IAGO IAGO
So they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip. As long as they didn’t do anything, it would only
10 But if I give my wife a handkerchief— be a minor sin. But if I gave my wife a
handkerchief—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What then? Then what?
IAGO IAGO
Why then ’tis hers, my lord, and, being hers, Then it’s hers. And if it’s hers, I guess she can
She may, I think, bestow ’t on any man. give it to any man she wants.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
She is protectress of her honor too. Her reputation is also her own. Can she give that
15 May she give that? away too?

IAGO IAGO
Her honor is an essence that’s not seen, You can’t see a reputation. A lot of people don’t
They have it very oft that have it not. even deserve the reputations they have. But a
But for the handkerchief— handkerchief—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. God, I wish I could forget about the handkerchief!
20 Thou saidst—Oh, it comes o'er my memory, What you told me it haunts me like a nightmare—
As doth the raven o'er the infectious house, he’s got my handkerchief!
Boding to all—he had my handkerchief.
IAGO IAGO
Ay, what of that? Yes, what about it?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
That’s not so good now. That’s not good.
IAGO IAGO
What if I had said I had seen him do you wrong? What if I’d said I saw him do something to hurt
25 Or heard him say—as knaves be such abroad, you? Or heard him say something about it. You
Who having, by their own importunate suit, know there are jerks out there who have to brag
Or voluntary dotage of some mistress, about bedding some woman.—
Convincèd or supplied them, cannot choose
But they must blab—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Hath he said any thing? Has he said anything?
IAGO IAGO
30 He hath, my lord, but be you well assured Yes, but he’d deny it all.
No more than he’ll unswear.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What hath he said? What did he say?
IAGO IAGO
Why, that he did—I know not what he did. He said he did—I don’t know.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What? what? He what?
IAGO IAGO
Lie— He was in bed with—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
With her? With her?

IAGO IAGO
With her, on her, what you will. With her, on top of her—however you want to say
it.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Lie with her? lie on her? We say “lie on her” when In bed with her? On top of her? I would have
they belie her! Lie with her—that’s fulsome. thought people were telling lies about her rather
Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To than believe he was lying on her. My God, it’s
confess, and be hanged for his labor. First to be nauseating! Handkerchief—confessions—
hanged, and then to confess—I tremble at it. Nature handkerchief! I’ll kill him first, and then let him
would not invest herself in such shadowing passion confess—I’m trembling with rage. I wouldn’t be
without some instruction. It is not words that shake trembling like this if I didn’t know deep down this
me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is ’t possible? was all true. Noses, ears, lips. Is it possible? Tell
Confess!—Handkerchief!—Oh, devil!— me the truth—Handkerchief—Damn it!
(falls in a trance) (he falls into a trance)
IAGO IAGO
35 Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools Keep working, poison! This is the way to trick
are caught, gullible fools. Many good and innocent women
And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, are punished for reasons like this.—My lord? My
All guiltless, meet reproach.—What, ho! My lord! lord, Othello!
My lord, I say! Othello!
How now, Cassio! Hey, Cassio!
CASSIO CASSIO
What’s the matter? What’s the matter?
IAGO IAGO
40 My lord is fall'n into an epilepsy. Othello’s having some kind of epileptic fit. This is
This is his second fit. He had one yesterday. his second fit like this. He had one yesterday.
CASSIO CASSIO
Rub him about the temples. Rub his temples.
IAGO IAGO
No, forbear. No, don’t. This fit has to run its course. If you
The lethargy must have his quiet course. interrupt it, he’ll foam at the mouth and go crazy.
If not, he foams at mouth and by and by Look, he’s moving. Why don’t you go away for a
45 Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs. bit? He’ll get
Do you withdraw yourself a little while,

He will recover straight. When he is gone better right away. When he leaves, it’s very
I would on great occasion speak with you. important that I talk to you.
How is it, general? Have you not hurt your head? What happened, general? Did you hit your head?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
50 Dost thou mock me? Are you making fun of me?

IAGO IAGO
I mock you not, by heaven. Making fun of you? No, I swear! I wish you could
Would you would bear your fortune like a man! face your bad news like a man!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
A hornèd man’s a monster and a beast. A man who’s been cheated on isn’t a real man.
He’s subhuman, like an animal.
IAGO IAGO
There’s many a beast then in a populous city, In that case there are a lot of animals on the
And many a civil monster. loose in this city.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
55 Did he confess it? Did he confess?
IAGO IAGO
Good sir, be a man, Sir, be a man. Every married man has been
Think every bearded fellow that’s but yoked cheated on. Millions of men sleep with wives who
May draw with you. There’s millions now alive cheat on them, wrongly believing they belong to
That nightly lie in those unproper beds them alone. Your case is better than that. At least
Which they dare swear peculiar. Your case is better. you’re not ignorant. The worst thing of all is to
60 Oh, ’tis the spite of hell, the fiend’s arch-mock, kiss your wife thinking she’s innocent, when in
To lip a wanton in a secure couch, fact she’s a whore. No, I’d rather know the truth.
And to suppose her chaste. No, let me know, Then I’ll know exactly what she is, just as I know
And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be. what I am.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, thou art wise! 'Tis certain. You’re wise! That’s for sure.
IAGO IAGO
Stand you awhile apart, Go somewhere else for a while. Calm down.
65 Confine yourself but in a patient list. While you were dazed by grief—which isn’t
Whilst you were here o'erwhelmèd with your grief— appropriate for a man like you—Cassio showed
A passion most resulting such a man— up here. I got him to leave, and made up an
Cassio came hither. I shifted him away excuse for your trance. I told him to come back
And laid good ’scuses upon your ecstasy, and talk to me in a bit, and he promised he would.
So hide here and watch how he sneers

70 Bade him anon return and here speak with me, at you. I’ll make him tell me the whole story
The which he promised. Do but encave yourself, again—where, how often, how long ago—and
And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns when he plans to sleep with your wife in the
That dwell in every region of his face. future. I’m telling you, just watch his face. But
For I will make him tell the tale anew stay calm, and don’t get carried away by rage, or
75 Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when I’ll think you’re not a man.
He hath, and is again to cope your wife.
I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience,
Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen,
And nothing of a man.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Dost thou hear, Iago? Do you hear what I’m saying, Iago? I’ll be very
80 I will be found most cunning in my patience, patient, but—do you hear me?—I’m not done with
But—dost thou hear?—most bloody. him yet
IAGO IAGO
That’s not amiss, That’s fine, but for now keep your cool. Will you
But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw? go hide?
OTHELLO withdraws OTHELLO hides.
Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, Now I’ll ask Cassio about Bianca, a prostitute
A huswife that by selling her desires who sells her body for food and clothes. She’s
85 Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature crazy about Cassio. That’s the whore’s curse, to
That dotes on Cassio, as ’tis the strumpet’s plague seduce many men, but to be seduced by one.
To beguile many and be beguiled by one. Whenever he talks about her he can’t stop
He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain laughing.
From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.
90 As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad. And when he laughs, Othello will go crazy. In his
And his unbookish jealousy must construe ignorant jealousy, he’ll totally misunderstand
Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behavior Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and jokes.—How are
Quite in the wrong.—How do you now, lieutenant? you, lieutenant?

CASSIO CASSIO
The worser that you give me the addition It doesn’t make me feel any better when you call
95 Whose want even kills me. me lieutenant. I’m dying to have that title back
again.
IAGO IAGO
Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on ’t. Just keep asking Desdemona, and it’ll be yours.
Now if this suit lay in Bianca’s power If it was up to Bianca to get you your job back,
How quickly should you speed! you’d have had it already!
CASSIO CASSIO
Alas, poor caitiff! The poor thing!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Look how he laughs already! He’s laughing already!
IAGO IAGO
100 I never knew woman love man so. I never knew a woman who loved a man so
much.
CASSIO CASSIO
Alas, poor rogue, I think indeed she loves me. The poor thing, I really think she loves me.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Now he denies it faintly, and laughs it out. Now he denies it a bit, and tries to laugh it off.
IAGO IAGO
Do you hear, Cassio? Have you heard this, Cassio?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Now he importunes him He’s asking him to tell the story again. Go on, tell
To tell it o'er. Go to, well said, well said. it.
IAGO IAGO
105 She gives it out that you shall marry her. She says you’re going to marry her. Are you?
Do you intend it?
CASSIO CASSIO
Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Do ye triumph, Roman? Do you triumph? Are you laughing because you’ve won? Do you
think you’ve won?
CASSIO CASSIO
I marry her! What? A customer? Prithee bear some Me, marry her? That whore? Please give me a
charity to my wit. Do not think it so unwholesome. little credit! I’m not that stupid. Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
110 So, so, so, so! They laugh that win! So, so, so, so! The winner’s always got the last
laugh, hasn’t he?

IAGO IAGO
Why the cry goes that you shall marry her. I swear, there’s a rumor going around that you’ll
marry her.
CASSIO CASSIO
Prithee say true! You’re kidding!
IAGO IAGO
I am a very villain else. If it’s not true, you can call me a villain.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Have you scored me? Well. Have you given me bastard children to raise? All
right, then.
CASSIO CASSIO
115 This is the monkey’s own giving out. She is The little monkey must have started that rumor
persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and herself. She thinks I’ll marry her because she
flattery, not out of my promise. loves me. She’s just flattering herself. I never
promised her anything.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Iago beckons me. Now he begins the story. Iago is gesturing for me to come closer. Now
he’s telling the story.
CASSIO CASSIO
She was here even now. She haunts me in every She was here just now. She hangs around me all
place. I was the other day talking on the sea-bank the time. I was talking to some Venetians down
with certain Venetians, and thither comes the bauble by the shore, and the fool showed up. I swear to
and, by this hand, she falls me thus about my neck— you, she put her arms around me like this—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Crying “O dear Cassio!” as it were. His gesture Saying, “Oh, Cassio,” it seems, judging by his
imports it. gestures.
CASSIO CASSIO
So hangs and lolls and weeps upon me, so shakes, She hangs around me and dangles from my
and pulls me! Ha, ha, ha! neck and cries, shaking me and pulling at me.
Ha, ha, ha!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
120 Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. Now he’s saying how she took him into our
Oh, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall bedroom. Oh, I can see your nose now. But I
throw it to. can’t see the dog I’m going to throw it to.
CASSIO CASSIO
Well, I must leave her company. I have to get rid of her.
IAGO IAGO
Before me! Look, where she comes. Look out, here she comes.

CASSIO CASSIO
'Tis such another fitchew. Marry, a perfumed one.— It’s a whore like all the others, stinking of cheap
What do you mean by this haunting of me? perfume.—Why are you always hanging around
me?
BIANCA BIANCA
125 Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you Damn you! What did you mean by giving me this
mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even handkerchief? I was an idiot to take it! You want
now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the me to copy the embroidery pattern? That was a
work? A likely piece of work, that you should find it in likely story, that you found it in your room and
your chamber, and not know who left it there! This is didn’t know who it belonged to. This is a love
some minx’s token, and I must take out the work? token from some other slut, and you want me to
There, give it your hobby-horse. Wheresoever you copy its pattern for you? Give it back to her, I
had it, I’ll take out no work on ’t. won’t do anything with it.
CASSIO CASSIO
How now, my sweet Bianca! How now, how now? What is it, my dear Bianca? What’s wrong?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
By heaven, that should be my handkerchief! My God, that’s my handkerchief!
BIANCA BIANCA
If you’ll come to supper tonight, you may. If you will If you want to come have dinner with me, you
not, come when you are next prepared for. can. If you don’t want to, then good riddance.
Exit BIANCA exits.
IAGO IAGO
After her, after her. Go after her, go.
CASSIO CASSIO
130 I must, she’ll rail in the street else. Actually, I should. She’ll scream in the streets if I
don’t.
IAGO IAGO
Will you sup there? Will you be having dinner with her tonight?
CASSIO CASSIO
Yes, I intend so. Yes, I will.
IAGO IAGO
Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain Well, maybe I’ll see you there. I’d really like to
speak with you. speak with you.
CASSIO CASSIO
Prithee come, will you? Please come. Will you?
IAGO IAGO
135 Go to! Say no more. Don’t talk anymore, go after her.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
(advancing) How shall I murder him, Iago? (coming forward) How should I murder him,
Iago?
IAGO IAGO
Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice? Did you see how he laughed about sleeping with
her?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
O Iago! Oh Iago!
IAGO IAGO
And did you see the handkerchief? And did you see the handkerchief?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
140 Was that mine? Was it mine?
IAGO IAGO
Yours by this hand. And to see how he prizes the It was yours, I swear. And do you see how much
foolish woman your wife! She gave it him, and he your foolish wife means to him? She gave it to
hath given it his whore. him, and he gave it to his whore.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman! I wish I could keep killing him for nine years
A fair woman! A sweet woman! straight. Oh, she’s a fine woman! A fair woman!
A sweet woman!
IAGO IAGO
Nay, you must forget that. No, you have to forget all that now.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for Yes, let her die and rot and go to hell tonight.
she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone. I She won’t stay alive for long. No, my heart’s
strike it and it hurts my hand. Oh, the world hath not turned to stone—when I hit it, it hurts my hand.
a sweeter creature, she might lie by an emperor’s Oh, the world never saw a sweeter creature. She
side and command him tasks. could be married to an emperor, and he’d be like
her slave!
IAGO IAGO
145 Nay, that’s not your way. But that’s not how you’re going to be.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Hang her! I do but say what she is. So delicate with Damn her, I’m just describing her truthfully! She’s
her needle, an admirable musician. Oh, she will sing so good at sewing, and a wonderful musician.
the savageness out of a bear! Of so high and Oh, she could sing a wild bear to sleep! Oh,
plenteous wit and invention! she’s so witty and creative!
IAGO IAGO
She’s the worse for all this. All the worse that she stooped this low, then.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, a thousand thousand times—and then of so Oh, a thousand times worse, a thousand times—
gentle a condition! and what a sweet personality she has!
IAGO IAGO
Ay, too gentle. Yes, a little too sweet.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
150 Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, Yes, that’s for sure. Oh, it’s dreadful, dreadful,
the pity of it, Iago! Iago!
IAGO IAGO
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to If you still feel so affectionate toward her, then
offend, for if it touch not you it comes near nobody. why not give her permission to cheat on you? If it
doesn’t bother you, it won’t bother anyone else.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me? I’ll chop her into pieces. How could she cheat on
me?
IAGO IAGO
Oh, ’tis foul in her. Oh, it’s horrible of her.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
With mine officer! And with my own officer!
IAGO IAGO
155 That’s fouler. That’s worse.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Get me some poison, Iago, this night. I’ll not Get me some poison tonight, Iago. I won’t argue
expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty with her, so her beautiful body won’t disarm
unprovide my mind again—This night, Iago! me.—Tonight, Iago.
IAGO IAGO
Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even Don’t do it with poison. Strangle her in her bed,
the bed she hath contaminated. the same bed she’s contaminated.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Good, good, the justice of it pleases! Very good! Good, good, I like that—it’s only fair! Very good!
IAGO IAGO
And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You shall And let me kill Cassio. You’ll hear more from me
hear more by midnight. by midnight.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
160 Excellent good. Excellent, good.
A trumpet within A trumpet sounds offstage.

What trumpet is that same? What’s that trumpet for?
IAGO IAGO
I warrant something from Venice. 'Tis Lodovico, this, I think someone’s coming from Venice. It’s
comes from the duke. See, your wife’s with him. Lodovico. He must be coming from the duke.
Look, your wife is with him.
Enter LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, and attendants LODOVICO, DESDEMONA and attendants
enter.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Save you, worthy general! Greetings, good general!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
With all my heart, sir. Greetings, sir.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
The duke and senators of Venice greet you. The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
(gives him a letter) (he hands OTHELLO a piece of paper)
OTHELLO OTHELLO
165 I kiss the instrument of their pleasures. I’ll do whatever they order me to do in this letter.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico? What’s new, cousin Lodovico?
IAGO IAGO
I am very glad to see you, signior. Welcome to Very nice to see you, sir. Welcome to Cyprus.
Cyprus.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
I thank you. How does lieutenant Cassio? Thank you. How is lieutenant Cassio?
IAGO IAGO
Lives, sir. Well, he’s alive.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
170 Cousin, there’s fall'n between him and my lord Cousin, there’s been a falling out between him
An unkind breach, but you shall make all well. and Othello. An unfortunate rift, but you can fix it.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Are you sure of that? Are you sure of that?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
My lord? Excuse me?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
(reads) “This fail you not to do, as you will—” (reading) “Don’t fail to do this, since you’ll—”

LODOVICO LODOVICO
175 He did not call, he’s busy in the paper. He didn’t say anything, he’s reading. So there’s a
Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio? rift between Othello and Cassio?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
A most unhappy one. I would do much Yes, unfortunately. I’d do anything to bring them
T' atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. back together, since I really care for Cassio.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Fire and brimstone! Damn it all!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
My lord? Excuse me, my lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Are you wise? Are you in your right mind?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
180 What, is he angry? Is he angry?
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Maybe the letter moved him, Maybe the letter upset him. I think they want him
For, as I think, they do command him home, to go home and appoint Cassio governor in his
Deputing Cassio in his government. place.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Trust me, I am glad on ’t. I’m happy about that.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Indeed! Oh, are you really!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
185 My lord? My lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I am glad to see you mad. I’m glad you’re insane enough to admit it in front
of me.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Why, sweet Othello— Why, sweet Othello—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
(striking her) Devil! (striking her) You devil!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I have not deserved this. I haven’t done anything to deserve this!

LODOVICO LODOVICO
190 My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, My lord, no one will believe this in Venice, even
Though I should swear I saw ’t. 'Tis very much. though I’d swear I saw it with my own eyes. That
Make her amends, she weeps. was too much. You should apologize. She’s
crying.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, devil, devil! Oh, you devil, you devil! You can cry all day and
If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, all night, and I still won’t believe you’re sad. Get
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. out of my sight!
195 Out of my sight!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I will not stay to offend you. I wouldn’t want to stay here and make you angry.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Truly, an obedient lady. She’s obedient—a fine lady. Please, my lord, call
I do beseech your lordship, call her back. her back.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Mistress! Madam!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
200 My lord? My lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What would you with her, sir? What do you want with her, sir?
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Who, I, my lord? Who, me?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn. Yes, you asked me to call her back. See how
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, well she can turn? She can turn and turn, and
205 And turn again. And she can weep, sir, weep. then turn on you again. And she can cry, sir—oh,
And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient, how she can cry! And she’s obedient, as you
Very obedient.—Proceed you in your tears.— say, obedient. Very obedient—keep crying.—
Concerning this, sir—Oh, well-painted passion!— Concerning this—oh, what fake emotion!—I am
I am commanded home.—Get you away, being ordered home—Get away from me, I’ll
210 I’ll send for you anon.—Sir, I obey the mandate send for you later.—Sir, I’ll obey the order and
And will return to Venice.—Hence, avaunt! return to Venice. Get away from me, you witch!
Exit DESDEMONA DESDEMONA exits.

Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight Cassio can have my job. And tonight, sir, I invite
I do entreat that we may sup together. you have dinner with me. Welcome to Cyprus.
You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats and Horny animals!
monkeys!
Exit OTHELLO exits.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
215 Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate Is this the same Moor whom the senate
Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature considers so capable? Is this the guy who’s
Whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue supposed to never get emotional, and who never
The shot of accident nor dart of chance gets rattled, no matter what disaster happens?
Could neither graze nor pierce?
IAGO IAGO
He is much changed. He’s changed a great deal.
LODOVICO LODVICO
220 Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain? Is he sane? Is he losing his mind?
IAGO IAGO
He’s that he is. I may not breathe my censure He is what he is. I won’t say anything negative
What he might be. If what he might he is not, about what he might be. If he isn’t what he might
I would to heaven he were! be, then I wish to God he were!
LODOVICO LODOVICO
What? Strike his wife? Hitting his wife?
IAGO IAGO
'Faith, that was not so well. Yet would I knew It’s true, that wasn’t such a nice thing to do. But I
225 That stroke would prove the worst! wish I could say that’s the last time he’ll do it!
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Is it his use? Is it a habit of his? Or did the letter make him
Or did the letters work upon his blood emotional somehow, and this is the first time he’s
And new-create his fault? done it?

IAGO IAGO
Alas, alas! Oh, it’s too bad! It wouldn’t be right for me to tell
It is not honesty in me to speak you everything I’ve seen and heard. You’ll see
What I have seen and known. You shall observe what he’s like. His own actions will show you
230 him, what kind of person he is, so I won’t have to
And his own courses will denote him so bother telling you. Just go after him and watch
That I may save my speech. Do but go after what he does next.
And mark how he continues.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
I am sorry that I am deceived in him. I’m sorry I was so wrong about him.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 4, Scene 2
Enter OTHELLO and EMILIA OTHELLO and EMILIA enter.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
You have seen nothing then? You haven’t seen anything, then?
EMILIA EMILIA
Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect. No, and I didn’t hear anything either, or suspect
anything at all.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together. But you’ve seen her and Cassio together.
EMILIA EMILIA
But then I saw no harm, and then I heard Yes, but I didn’t see anything wrong, and I heard
5 Each syllable that breath made up between them. every syllable they said.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What, did they never whisper? Didn’t they ever whisper?
EMILIA EMILIA
Never, my lord. Never, my lord.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Nor send you out o' th' way? Or ask you to leave the room?
EMILIA EMILIA
Never. Never.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
10 To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing? Not even to get her fan, or her gloves, or her
mask, or anything?
EMILIA EMILIA
Never, my lord. No, my lord.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
That’s strange. That’s strange.
EMILIA EMILIA
I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, I’d swear to you on my soul that she’s a good,
Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other honest person, sir. If you suspect otherwise, stop
15 Remove your thought, it doth abuse your bosom. thinking that right now because you’re wrong. If
If any wretch have put this in your head any jerk has tried to convince you she’s bad, I
Let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse hope God curses him. If she’s not honest, faithful,
For if she be not honest, chaste, and true and true, then there’s no such thing as a faithful
There’s no man happy. The purest of their wives wife or a happy husband.
20 Is foul as slander.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Bid her come hither. Go. Tell her to come here. Go.
She says enough, yet she’s a simple bawd She says all the right things, but the dumbest
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore, brothel-keeper would tell the same story.
A closet, lock and key, of villainous secrets. Desdemona’s a tricky whore with a closet full of
And yet she’ll kneel and pray, I have seen her do ’t. awful secrets, but still she’ll kneel and pray like an
honest woman. I’ve seen her do it.
Enter DESDEMONA with EMILIA DESDEMONA and EMILIA enter.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
25 My lord, what is your will? My lord, what do you want?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Pray, chuck, come hither. Please, dear, come here.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
What is your pleasure? What can I do for you?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Let me see your eyes. Let me see your eyes. Look at my face.
Look in my face.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
What horrible fancy’s this? What horrible thing are you imagining?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
(to EMILIA) Some of your function, mistress, (to EMILIA) Go do what you do best, madam.
30 Leave procreants alone and shut the door. Leave us alone for our hanky-panky, and shut the
Cough or cry “hem” if any body come. door behind you. If somebody comes, give a
Your mystery, your mystery! Nay, dispatch! shout. That’s your job, your job. Go on, hurry!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Upon my knee, what doth your speech import? I’m begging you on my knees to tell me what your
I understand a fury in your words, words mean. I can tell you’re furious, but I don’t
35 But not the words. understand what you’re saying.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Why, what art thou? Why? Who are you?

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Your wife, my lord. Your true and loyal wife. I’m your wife, your true and loyal wife.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Come, swear it, damn thyself. Go ahead, swear to that, so you’ll be damned to
Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves hell for lying. Otherwise the devils will mistake
Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double you for an angel and be too scared to grab you.
40 damned, Go ahead, make sure you damn yourself by
Swear thou art honest! swearing you’ve been faithful to me.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Heaven doth truly know it. Heaven knows I am.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell. Heaven knows you’re as unfaithful as hell.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
To whom, my lord? With whom? How am I false? Unfaithful, my lord? With whom? How am I
unfaithful?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ah, Desdemona, away, away, away! Leave me alone, Desdemona, go away!

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Alas the heavy day, why do you weep? Oh, what a horrible day! Why are you crying?
45 Am I the motive of these tears, my lord? Because of me? If you’ve been ordered back to
If haply you my father do suspect Venice because of my father, don’t blame me.
An instrument of this your calling back, You may have lost his respect, but so have I.
Lay not your blame on me. If you have lost him,
Why, I have lost him too.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Had it pleased heaven If God had decided to treat me like Job, making
50 To try me with affliction, had they rained me sick and covered with sores, reducing me to
All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head, abject poverty, selling me into slavery and
Steeped me in poverty to the very lips, destroying all my hopes, I would have found
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes, some way to accept it with patience. But instead
I should have found in some place of my soul He’s made me a laughingstock for everyone in
55 A drop of patience. But, alas, to make me our time to point at and scorn! Even that I could
put up with. But instead, my wife, who’s supposed
to

The fixèd figure for the time of scorn be like the fountain that my children and all my
To point his slow and moving finger at! descendants flow from, has rejected me! Worse
Yet could I bear that too, well, very well. than that, she’s polluted herself, so that the
But there where I have garnered up my heart, fountain is a place where disgusting toads
60 Where either I must live or bear no life, copulate and reproduce! Even the goddess of
The fountain from the which my current runs patience couldn’t look at this and be patient—it’s
Or else dries up—to be discarded thence! too horrifying!
Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads
To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there,
65 Patience, thou young and rose-lipped cherubin,—
Ay, there, look grim as hell!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I hope my noble lord esteems me honest. I hope you think I’m faithful to you.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, ay, as summer flies are in the shambles, As faithful as flies in rotting meat, which give birth
That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed, to maggots every time the wind blows. You’re like
70 Who art so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet a weed pretending to be a flower, so beautiful
That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er and sweet-smelling that I ache when I look at
been born! you. Oh, I wish you’d never been born!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed? Have I done something to offend you without
knowing it?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Was this fair paper, this most goodly book, Was someone as beautiful as you meant to be a
Made to write “whore” upon? What committed? whore? What have you done? What have you
75 Committed? O thou public commoner! done? Oh, you streetwalker! If I said out loud
I should make very forges of my cheeks what you’ve done, you’d burn up with shame.
That would to cinders burn up modesty What have you done? Heaven has to hold its
Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed? nose when it sees you! The pure moon in the sky
Heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks, has to shut its eyes when you go by! Even the
80 The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets wind that blows over everything on earth is
Is hushed within the hollow mine of earth ashamed to visit you. You brazen whore!
And will not hear ’t. What committed!
Impudent strumpet!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
By heaven, you do me wrong! I swear to God you’re accusing me wrongly!

OTHELLO OTHELLO
85 Are you not a strumpet? So you’re saying you’re not a whore?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
No, as I am a Christian. No, I’m as honest as I am Christian. If only letting
If to preserve this vessel for my lord my husband touch my body means I’m not a
From any other foul unlawful touch whore, I’m not a whore.
Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
90 What, not a whore? What, you’re not a whore?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
No, as I shall be saved. No, I swear it.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Oh, heaven forgive us! Oh, heaven help us!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I cry you mercy, then, I beg your pardon then. I must have the wrong
I took you for that cunning whore of Venice woman. I mistook you for that sly Venetian
95 That married with Othello.—You, mistress, woman who married Othello.—You whorehouse-
That have the office opposite to Saint Peter keeper.
And keep the gate of hell!
You, you, ay, you! You’re in charge of this hell! You! We’ve finished
We have done our course. There’s money for your our business. Here’s some money for you.
pains. Please lock the door and keep quiet.
I pray you, turn the key and keep our counsel.
Exit OTHELLO exits.
EMILIA EMILIA
100 Alas, what does this gentleman conceive? What’s he talking about? How are you, madam?
How do you, madam? How do you, my good lady?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Faith, half asleep. I’m stunned, to tell you the truth.
EMILIA EMILIA
Good madam, what’s the matter with my lord? My lady, what’s wrong with your husband?

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
With who? With who?
EMILIA EMILIA
Why, with my lord, madam. Why, with your husband, madam. My lord.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
105 Who is thy lord? Who’s your lord?
EMILIA EMILIA
He that is yours, sweet lady. My lord is your lord.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I have none. Do not talk to me, Emilia. I don’t have a lord. Don’t talk to me, Emilia. I
I cannot weep, nor answers have I none, can’t even cry, though tears are the only answers
But what should go by water. Prithee, tonight I could give to all your questions. Tonight put my
Lay on my bed my wedding sheets. Remember, wedding sheets on my bed, and tell your
110 And call thy husband hither. husband to come to me now.
EMILIA EMILIA
Here’s a change indeed! Things have certainly changed!
Exit EMILIA exits.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet. It’s fair for him to treat me like this, very fair.
How have I been behaved that he might stick What have I ever done that he has anything to
The small’st opinion on my least misuse? complain about?
Enter EMILIA with IAGO IAGO and EMILIA enter.
IAGO IAGO
What is your pleasure, madam? How is ’t with you? What can I do for you, madam? How are you?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
115 I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes I don’t know. When grown-ups teach little
Do it with gentle means and easy tasks. children, they do it gently and easily. He might
He might have chid me so, for, in good faith, have treated me like that, because I’m as unused
I am a child to chiding. to abuse as a little child.
IAGO IAGO
What is the matter, lady? What’s the matter, lady?

EMILIA EMILIA
Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her, He called her a whore so many times, and
120 Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her, heaped up so much abuse on her that good
That true hearts cannot bear it. people can’t stand to hear it.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Am I that name, Iago? Am I that name, Iago?
IAGO IAGO
What name, fair lady? What name, madam?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Such as she says my lord did say I was. What my lord said I was.
EMILIA EMILIA
125 He called her “whore.” A beggar in his drink He called her a whore. A beggar couldn’t have
Could not have laid such terms upon his callet. called his slut worse names.
IAGO IAGO
Why did he so? Why did he do that?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I do not know. I am sure I am none such. I don’t know. I just know I’m not one.
IAGO IAGO
Do not weep, do not weep. Alas the day! Don’t cry, don’t cry. What a day this is!
EMILIA EMILIA
130 Hath she forsook so many noble matches, Did she give up all those chances to marry
Her father and her country, and her friends, noblemen, give up her father and country and
To be called “whore”? Would it not make one weep? friends, just to be called a whore? Doesn’t that
make you want to cry?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
It is my wretched fortune. It’s just my bad luck.

IAGO IAGO
Beshrew him for ’t! Damn him! How did he get such an idea?
How comes this trick upon him?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Nay, heaven doth know. Heaven knows.
EMILIA EMILIA
135 I will be hanged, if some eternal villain, I bet my life some evil busybody, some meddling,
Some busy and insinuating rogue, lying jerk made up this rumor to get some
Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, position. I bet my life on it.
Have not devised this slander. I will be hanged else!

IAGO IAGO
Fie, there is no such man. It is impossible. Nobody’s that bad. It’s impossible.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
140 If any such there be, heaven pardon him! If there is, then heaven help him!
EMILIA EMILIA
A halter pardon him and hell gnaw his bones! A hangman’s noose will help him! Let hell chew
Why should he call her “whore”? Who keeps her him up! Why should he call her a whore? Who’s
company? been with her? When has she had the time, the
What place? What time? What form? What place, or the means to sleep with anyone? How
145 likelihood? is this at all likely? The Moor is being tricked by
The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave, some crook, some terrible villain, some rotten
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow. bastard. Oh, I wish we could unmask scoundrels
O heavens, that such companions thou’dst unfold, like that, and give a whip to every good man to
And put in every honest hand a whip beat them senseless with!
To lash the rascals naked through the world
Even from the east to th' west!
IAGO IAGO
Speak within door. Keep your voice down.
EMILIA EMILIA
150 Oh, fie upon them! Some such squire he was Oh, to hell with those people! It’s the same kind
That turned your wit the seamy side without of guy who got you upset and made you suspect
And made you to suspect me with the Moor. I’d cheated on you with the Moor.
IAGO IAGO
You are a fool. Go to. You’re a fool. Shut up.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Alas Iago, Oh God, Iago, what can I do to win my husband
What shall I do to win my lord again? back again? Please go to him, my friend. I swear
155 Good friend, go to him. For, by this light of heaven, I have no idea why he stopped loving me. Here
I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel: I’m kneeling to swear that if I ever did anything to
If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love, destroy his love for me, either by thoughts or
Either in discourse of thought or actual deed, actions, or if I ever took pleasure in anyone else,
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense, or if I never did love him, or don’t love him now—
160 Delighted them, or any other form, even though he tries to shake me off—
Or that I do not yet, and ever did,

And ever will—though he do shake me off then I hope I have a life of misery! Unkindness is
To beggarly divorcement—love him dearly, powerful, and his unkindness may kill me, but it’ll
Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much, never destroy my love. I can’t say “whore.” It
165 And his unkindness may defeat my life, makes me sick to say the word even now. I
But never taint my love. I cannot say “whore,” wouldn’t do the thing that would make me a
It does abhor me now I speak the word. whore for all the money in the world.
To do the act that might the addition earn
Not the world’s mass of vanity could make me.
IAGO IAGO
170 I pray you, be content, ’tis but his humor. Please calm down. He’s just in a bad mood.
The business of the state does him offence, Political business is bothering him, and he’s just
And he does chide with you. taking it out on you.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
If ’twere no other— If only that were all it is—
IAGO IAGO
'Tis but so, I warrant. It is, I promise.
Trumpets sound Trumpets sound.
175 Hark, how these instruments summon to supper. Those trumpets are calling us in to dinner. The
The messengers of Venice stays the meat. Venetians are waiting for their food. Go in, and
Go in, and weep not. All things shall be well. don’t cry. Everything will be all right.
How now, Roderigo! How are you, Roderigo?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I do not find that thou deal’st justly with me. I don’t think you’re treating me fairly.
IAGO IAGO
180 What in the contrary? What makes you say that?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Every day thou daff’st me with some device, Iago, Every day you put me off with some trick. Instead
and rather, as it seems to me now, keep’st from me of finding opportunities for me, you seem to be
all conveniency than suppliest me with the least preventing me from making any progress.
advantage of hope.

I will indeed no longer endure it, nor am I yet Well, I won’t take it any longer. And I’m not going
persuaded to put up in peace what already I have to sit back and accept what you’ve done.
foolishly suffered.
IAGO IAGO
Will you hear me, Roderigo? Will you listen to me, Roderigo?
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I have heard too much, and your words and I’ve listened to you too much already. Your
performances are no kin together. words and actions don’t match up.
IAGO IAGO
185 You charge me most unjustly. That’s not fair.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
With naught but truth. I have wasted myself out of It’s the truth. I’ve got no money left. The jewels
my means. The jewels you have had from me to you took from me to deliver to Desdemona
deliver Desdemona would half have corrupted a would’ve made even a nun want to sleep with
votaress. You have told me she hath received them me. You told me she got them, and that she
and returned me expectations and comforts of promised to give me a little something in return
sudden respect and acquaintance, but I find none. soon, but nothing like that ever happens.
IAGO IAGO
Well, go to. Very well. Well, all right then. Fine.

RODERIGO RODERIGO
“Very well,” “go to”! I cannot go to, man, nor ’tis not “Fine!” he says. “All right!” It’s not fine, and I’m
very well. Nay, I think it is scurvy, and begin to find not all right! It’s wrong, and I’m starting to realize
myself fopped in it. I’m being cheated!
IAGO IAGO
Very well. Okay.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
190 I tell you ’tis not very well. I will make myself known It’s not okay! I’m going to tell Desdemona my
to Desdemona. If she will return me my jewels I will feelings. If she returns my jewels, I’ll stop
give over my suit and repent my unlawful solicitation. pursuing her and apologize to her. If not, I’ll
If not, assure yourself I will seek satisfaction of you. challenge you to a duel.
IAGO IAGO
You have said now. You’ve said what you have to say now.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Ay, and said nothing but what I protest intendment of Yes, and I’ll do everything I just said.
doing.

IAGO IAGO
Why, now I see there’s mettle in thee, and even from Well, all right then. Now I see that you have
this instant to build on thee a better opinion than some guts. From this moment on I have a higher
ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo. Thou hast opinion of you than before. Give me your hand,
taken against me a most just exception, but yet I Roderigo. Your complaint against me is perfectly
protest I have dealt most directly in thy affair. understandable, but I still insist I’ve done
everything I could to help you.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
It hath not appeared. It doesn’t look that way to me.
IAGO IAGO
195 I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your I admit it doesn’t look that way to me, and the
suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, fact that you suspect me shows that you’re
Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I smart. But Roderigo, if you’re as courageous and
have greater reason to believe now than ever—I determined as I think you are, then wait just a bit
mean purpose, courage and valor—this night show longer. If you’re not having sex with Desdemona
it. If thou the next night following enjoy not tomorrow night, then I suggest you find some
Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery way to stab me in the back and kill me.
and devise engines for my life.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Well, what is it? Is it within reason and compass? Well, what’s your plan? Is it feasible?
IAGO IAGO
Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice Venice has made Cassio governor here on
to depute Cassio in Othello’s place. Cyprus.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Is that true? Why, then Othello and Desdemona Is that true? Then Desdemona and Othello will
return again to Venice. go back to Venice.
IAGO IAGO
Oh, no, he goes into Mauritania and taketh away Oh, no. He’ll go to Mauritania and take the
with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be beautiful Desdemona with him, unless he gets
lingered here by some accident—wherein none can stuck here for some reason. The best way to
be so determinate as the removing of Cassio. extend his stay here is to get rid of Cassio.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
200 How do you mean, removing of him? What do you mean, get rid of him?
IAGO IAGO
Why, by making him uncapable of Othello’s place: I mean knock his brains out, so he can’t take
knocking out his brains. Othello’s place.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
And that you would have me to do! And that’s what you want me to do!

IAGO IAGO
Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He Yes, if you want to help yourself. He’s having
sups tonight with a harlotry, and thither will I go to dinner tonight with a prostitute, and I’ll go visit
him. He knows not yet of his honorable fortune. If him. He doesn’t know he’s been appointed
you will watch his going thence (which I will fashion governor yet. When you see him walking by here
to fall out between twelve and one) you may take (as I’ll make sure he does between twelve and
him at your pleasure. I will be near to second your one) you can nab him. I’ll be nearby to help you,
attempt, and he shall fall between us. Come, stand and between the two of us we can handle him.
not amazed at it, but go along with me. I will show Come on, don’t stand there in a daze. Come
you such a necessity in his death that you shall think along with me. I’ll give you such reasons for
yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high killing him that you’ll feel obliged to snuff him out.
suppertime, and the night grows to waste. About it! It’s nearly dinner time, and the night’s going to be
wasted. Let’s go!
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I will hear further reason for this. I want to hear more about this.
IAGO IAGO
205 And you shall be satisfied. You will. You’ll hear all you want to hear.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 4, Scene 3
Enter OTHELLO, LODOVICO, DESDEMONA,EMILI OTHELLO, LODOVICO, DESDEMONA andEMILIA
A and attendants enter, with attendants.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further. Please, sir, don’t trouble yourself.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, pardon me, ’twill do me good to walk. I beg your pardon; walking will make me feel better.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Madam, good night. I humbly thank your ladyship. Good night, madam. Thank you.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Your honor is most welcome. You’re most welcome.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
5 Will you walk, sir?—O Desdemona— Would you walk out with me, sir?—Oh,
Desdemona—
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
My lord? Yes, my lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Get you to bed on th' instant, I will be returned Go to bed right this minute. I’ll be there shortly. Send
Forthwith. Dismiss your attendant there, look ’t be your maid Emilia away. Make sure you do what I say.
done.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I will, my lord. I will, my lord.
Exeunt OTHELLO, LODOVICO, and attendants OTHELLO, LODOVICO, and attendants
exit.
EMILIA How are things now? He looks calmer than he did
1 How goes it now? He looks gentler than he did. before.
0
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
He says he will return incontinent, He says he’ll come back right away. He asked me to
And hath commanded me to go to bed go to bed and to send you away.
And bid me to dismiss you.
EMILIA EMILIA
Dismiss me? Send me away?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
It was his bidding. Therefore, good Emilia, That’s what he said. So give me my nightgown,
1 Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu. Emilia, and I’ll say goodnight. We shouldn’t displease
5 We must not now displease him. him.

EMILIA EMILIA
Ay. Would you had never seen him! Yes. I wish you’d never met him.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
So would not I. My love doth so approve him That’s not what I wish. I love him even when he’s
That even his stubbornness, his checks, his frowns— harsh and mean—Help me unpin this, would
20 Prithee, unpin me—have grace and favor. you?—I love even his stubbornness, his frowns,
his bad moods.
EMILIA EMILIA
I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed. I put those wedding sheets on your bed, as you
asked.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
All’s one. Good Father, how foolish are our minds! It doesn’t matter. Oh, how silly we are! If I die
If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud me before you do make sure I’m wrapped in those
In one of these same sheets. sheets in my coffin.
EMILIA EMILIA
Come, come! You talk! Listen to you! Don’t be silly!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
25 My mother had a maid called Barbary, My mother had a maid named Barbary. She was
She was in love, and he she loved proved mad in love, and her lover turned out to be wild and
And did forsake her. She had a song of “Willow,” left her. She knew an old song called “Willow”
An old thing ’twas, but it expressed her fortune that reminded her of her own story, and she died
And she died singing it. That song tonight singing it. I can’t get that song out of my head
30 Will not go from my mind. I have much to do tonight. It’s all I can do to keep myself from
But to go hang my head all at one side hanging my head down in despair and singing it
And sing it like poor Barbary. Prithee, dispatch. like poor Barbary. Please, hurry up.
EMILIA EMILIA
Shall I go fetch your nightgown? Should I get your nightgown?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
No, unpin me here. No, just help me unpin this. That Lodovico is a
This Lodovico is a proper man. good-looking man.
EMILIA EMILIA
35 A very handsome man. He’s very handsome.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
He speaks well. He speaks well.
EMILIA EMILIA
I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot I know a lady in Venice who’d walk all the way to
to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip. Palestine for a kiss from him.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
(singing) (singing)
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, The poor soul sat singing by the sycamore tree,
Sing all a green willow. Everyone sing the green willow,
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, She had her hand on her breast and her head
Sing willow, willow, willow. on her knee,
The fresh streams ran by her, and murmured her Sing willow, willow, willow.
moans, The fresh streams ran by her and murmured
Sing willow, willow, willow. her moans,
Her salt tears fell from her, and softened the stones Sing willow, willow, willow.
Sing willow, willow, willow— Her salt tears fell from her and softened the
Lay by these— stones,
Willow, willow— Sing willow, willow, willow.—
Prithee, hie thee, he’ll come anon— Put these things over there.—
Sing all a green willow must be my garland. Please, hurry, he’ll come right away.—
Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve— Everyone sing, a green willow must be my
Nay, that’s not next—Hark! Who is ’t that knocks? garland.
Nobody blame him, he’s right to hate me—
No, that’s not how it goes.—Who’s knocking?
EMILIA EMILIA
It’s the wind. It’s the wind.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
40 (sings) (singing) I told my lover he didn’t love me, but
I called my love false love but what said he then? what did he say? Sing willow, willow, willow.
Sing willow, willow, willow. If I chase more women, you’ll sleep with more
If I court more women you’ll couch with more men— men—Okay, go away now. Good night. My eyes
So, get thee gone, good night. Mine eyes do itch, itch—is that an omen I’ll be crying soon?
Doth that bode weeping?
EMILIA EMILIA
'Tis neither here nor there. No, it doesn’t mean anything.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
45 I have heard it said so. Oh, these men, these men! I heard someone say that’s what it means. Oh,
Dost thou in conscience think—tell me, Emilia— these men, these men! Do you honestly think—
That there be women do abuse their husbands tell me, Emilia—there are women who’d cheat on
In such gross kind? their husbands in such a disgusting manner?
EMILIA EMILIA
There be some such, no question. There are women like that out there, no question.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? Would you ever do such a thing for all the world?
EMILIA EMILIA
50 Why, would not you? Why, wouldn’t you?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
No, by this heavenly light! By the light of heaven, no, I would not!
EMILIA EMILIA
Nor I neither, by this heavenly light. I wouldn’t either, by daylight. It would be easier to
I might do ’t as well i' th' dark. do it in the dark.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? Could you really do such a thing, for all the
world?
EMILIA EMILIA
The world’s a huge thing. It is a great price for a small The world’s huge. It’s a big prize for such a small
vice. sin.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
55 In troth, I think thou wouldst not. I don’t think you would.
EMILIA EMILIA
In troth, I think I should, and undo ’t when I had done. Actually I think I would, and then I’d undo it after I
Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint-ring, nor did it. I wouldn’t do it for a nice ring, or fine linen,
for measures of lawn, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor or pretty gowns or petticoats or hats. But for the
caps, nor any petty exhibition. But for the whole whole world? Who wouldn’t cheat on her husband
world? Why, who would not make her husband a to make him king? I’d risk my soul for that.
cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture
purgatory for ’t.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong I’d never do such a bad thing, not for the whole
For the whole world. world!
EMILIA EMILIA
Why the wrong is but a wrong i' th' world, and having Why, a bad action is just a wrong in this world,
the world for your labor, ’tis a wrong in your own but when you’ve won the whole world, it’s a
world, and you might quickly make it right. wrong in your own world, so you can make it right
then.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
60 I do not think there is any such woman. I don’t think any woman like that exists.
EMILIA EMILIA
Yes, a dozen, and as many to th' vantage as would Yes, a dozen of them—as many as there are
store the world they played for. women in the world, in fact. But I do think it’s the
But I do think it is their husbands' faults husband’s fault if we wives cheat on them. For
If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties instance, our husbands

And pour our treasures into foreign laps, may stop sleeping with us, and give it out to other
65 Or else break out in peevish jealousies, women instead. Or they may get insanely jealous,
Throwing restraint upon us. Or say they strike us, and keep us from going anywhere. Or let’s say
Or scant our former having in despite. they hit us, or cut back on the money they give us
Why, we have galls, and though we have some out of spite. We have feelings. We may be able to
grace, forgive them, but we want to get back at them
70 Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know too. Husbands need to know that their wives are
Their wives have sense like them. They see and human beings too. They see, smell, and taste
smell sweet and sour just like their husbands. Why do
And have their palates both for sweet and sour, they replace us with other women? Do they do it
As husbands have. What is it that they do for fun? I think they do. Is it out of lust? I think so.
75 When they change us for others? Is it sport? Is it a weakness? It is. And don’t we have
I think it is. And doth affection breed it? passions, and a taste for fun, and weaknesses,
I think it doth. Is ’t frailty that thus errs? just like men? Then tell them to treat us well. Or
It is so too. And have not we affections, let them figure out that the bad things we do are
Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have? just what we learned from them.
Then let them use us well, else let them know,
The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
80 Good night, good night. Heaven me such uses send, Good night, good night. I pray that God will let me
Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend! learn from women like that—not to follow their
bad example, but to avoid it!
Exeunt They exit.
Act 5, Scene 1
Enter IAGO and RODERIGO IAGO and RODERIGO enter.
IAGO IAGO
Here, stand behind this bulk, straight will he come. Here, stand behind this wall; he’ll come right
Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home. away. Keep your sword out, and then stick it in as
Quick, quick! Fear nothing. I’ll be at thy elbow. far as it’ll go. Quick, quick. Don’t be afraid. I’ll be
It makes us, or it mars us. Think on that, right next to you. This will either make us or break
5 And fix most firm thy resolution. us. Keep that in mind, and be steady.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Be near at hand, I may miscarry in ’t. Stay right near me. I may mess it up.
IAGO IAGO
Here, at thy hand. Be bold, and take thy stand. I’m right behind you. Be bold, and get ready.
Withdraws IAGO moves aside.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
I have no great devotion to the deed I don’t really want to do this, but he’s given me
And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons. good reasons. I guess it’s only one man—no big
10 'Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword: he dies. deal. My sword comes out, and he dies.
IAGO IAGO
(aside) I have rubbed this young quat almost to the (to himself) I’ve rubbed this young pimple until
sense, he’s ready to pop, and now he’s angry. Whether
And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio he kills Cassio, or Cassio kills him, or they kill
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, each other, it all works in my favor. If Roderigo
15 Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo, survives, though, he’ll ask me for all the gold and
He calls me to a restitution large jewelry that I stole from him and said I gave to
Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him Desdemona. I can’t let that happen. If Cassio
As gifts to Desdemona. survives,he’s so handsome and well-spoken that
It must not be. If Cassio do remain he makes me look ugly. And besides, the Moor
20 He hath a daily beauty in his life might tell him about my lies about him.—That
That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor would be very dangerous for me. No, he’s got to
May unfold me to him—there stand I in much peril. die. Let it be so. I hear him coming.
No, he must die. But so, I hear him coming.

RODERIGO RODERIGO
I know his gait, ’tis he.—Villain, thou diest! I know the sound of his walk.—Die, villain!
Thrusts at CASSIO RODERIGO thrusts his sword at CASSIO.
CASSIO CASSIO
That thrust had been mine enemy indeed That thrust might really have hurt me if I didn’t
25 But that my coat is better than thou know’st have this armor on under my cloak. Now let’s see
I will make proof of thine. what you’ve got on.
Draws, and wounds RODERIGO CASSIOdraws his sword and stabs Roderigo.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Oh, I am slain! Oh, I’m dead!
IAGO from behind wounds CASSIO in the legs, exits From behind, IAGO stabs CASSIO in the leg and
then exits.
CASSIO CASSIO
I am maimed for ever. Help, ho! Murder! Murder! I’ll be crippled forever! Help! Murder! murder!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
The voice of Cassio. Iago keeps his word. That’s Cassio’s voice. Iago has kept his word.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Oh, villain that I am! Oh, what a villain I am!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
30 It is even so. That’s the truth.
CASSIO CASSIO
Oh, help, ho! Light! A surgeon! Help me! Get some light! Get me a surgeon!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
'Tis he. Oh, brave Iago, honest and just, It’s him! Brave Iago, how honest and trustworthy
That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong! you are! You even went as far as murder to help
your friend in his misfortune. You teach me how I
should act.

Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead, Whore, your lover’s dead now, and you’ll be
35 And your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come. going to hell soon. I’m coming, slut! I’ve shut the
For, of my heart, those charms, thine eyes, are memory of your beautiful eyes out of my heart.
blotted. You’ve already stained our sheets with your lust;
Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust’s blood be now I’ll stain them with your whore’s blood.
spotted.
Exit OTHELLO exits.
Enter LODOVICO and GRATIANO LODOVICO and GRATIANO enter.
CASSIO CASSIO
What, ho! No watch? No passage? Murder! Murder! Help! Isn’t there a guard around? No one passing
by? Murder! Murder!
GRATIANO GRATIANO
'Tis some mischance, the cry is very direful. Something’s wrong, the man sounds panicked.
CASSIO CASSIO
40 Oh, help! Oh, help!
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Hark! Listen!
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Oh, wretched villain! I’ve acted like such a villain!
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Two or three groan. 'Tis heavy night, Two or three men are groaning. But it’s dark out,
These may be counterfeits. Let’s think ’t unsafe and it could be a trap. It’s not safe to go near
45 To come in to the cry without more help. them till we get more help.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Nobody come? Then shall I bleed to death. Nobody’s coming? I’ll bleed to death.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Hark! Look!
GRATIANO GRATIANO
Here’s one comes in his shirt, with light and Here’s someone coming in his pajamas, with a
weapons. candle and weapons.

IAGO IAGO
Who’s there? Whose noise is this that ones on Who’s there? Who’s shouting “murder”?
murder?

LODOVICO LODOVICO
50 We do not know. We don’t know.
IAGO IAGO
Do not you hear a cry? Didn’t you hear someone shouting?
CASSIO CASSIO
Here, here! For heaven’s sake, help me! I’m here, here! For heaven’s sake, help me!
IAGO IAGO
What’s the matter? What’s the matter?
GRATIANO GRATIANO
(to LODOVICO) This is Othello’s ancient, as I take it. (to LODOVICO) That’s Othello’s ensign, I think.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
The same indeed, a very valiant fellow. It is. He’s a good man.
IAGO IAGO
(to CASSIO) What are you here that cry so (to CASSIO) Who’s shouting so loudly?
grievously?
CASSIO CASSIO
55 Iago? Oh, I am spoiled, undone by villains! Is that you, Iago? I’m here, I’ve been destroyed
Give me some help. by villains! Help me.
IAGO IAGO
Oh, me, lieutenant! What villains have done this? Oh, lieutenant! What villains did this to you?
CASSIO CASSIO
I think that one of them is hereabout, I think one of them is nearby and can’t get away.
And cannot make away.
IAGO IAGO
Oh, treacherous villains!— The treacherous criminals!—
60 (to LODOVICO and GRATIANO) (to LODOVICO andGRATIANO) Who’s there?
What are you there? Come in, and give some help. Come here and help!
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Oh, help me there! Somebody help me over here!
CASSIO CASSIO
That’s one of them. That’s one of them.
IAGO IAGO
O murd'rous slave! O villain! (to RODERIGO) Murderer! Villain!
Stabs RODERIGO IAGO stabs RODERIGO.

RODERIGO RODERIGO
O damned Iago! O inhuman dog! Damned Iago! You inhuman dog!
IAGO IAGO
65 Kill men i' th' dark! Where be these bloody thieves? Killing men in the dark? Where are these
How silent is this town!—Ho! murder! murder!— murderers? This is such a quiet, sleepy town!—
What may you be? Are you of good or evil? Murder, murder!—Who’s that coming? Are you
good or evil?
LODOVICO LODOVICO
As you shall prove us, praise us. Judge for yourself.
IAGO IAGO
Signior Lodovico? Signor Lodovico?
LODOVICO LODOVICO
70 He, sir. That’s me.
IAGO IAGO
I cry you mercy. Here’s Cassio hurt by villains. I beg your pardon. Cassio’s been wounded.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
Cassio! Cassio!
IAGO IAGO
How is ’t, brother! How are you doing, brother?
CASSIO CASSIO
My leg is cut in two. My leg’s been cut in two.
IAGO IAGO
75 Marry, heaven forbid! God forbid! Bring me some light, gentlemen, I’ll
Light, gentlemen, I’ll bind it with my shirt. bind the wound with my shirt.
BIANCA BIANCA
What is the matter, ho? Who is ’t that cried? What’s the matter? Who’s shouting?
IAGO IAGO
Who is ’t that cried? Who’s shouting?
BIANCA BIANCA
Oh, my dear Cassio! Oh, my dear Cassio! My sweet Cassio! Oh,
My sweet Cassio! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio! Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!
IAGO IAGO
80 O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect You notorious whore! Cassio, do you know who
Who they should be that have thus mangled you? might have stabbed you like this?

CASSIO CASSIO
No. No.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
I am sorry to find you thus. I have been to seek you. I’m sorry to find you like this. I’ve been looking all
over for you.
IAGO IAGO
Lend me a garter. So.—Oh, for a chair, Lend me your sash—Oh, if we only had a
85 To bear him easily hence! stretcher to carry him out of here!
BIANCA BIANCA
Alas, he faints! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio! He’s fainted! Oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!
IAGO IAGO
Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash Sir, I believe this piece of trash, Bianca, has
To be a party in this injury.— something to do with all this trouble.—Hang in
Patience awhile, good Cassio.—Come, come, there, Cassio.—Come here, bring the light. Do
90 Lend me a light. Know we this face or no? you recognize this face? Oh, no, it’s my friend
Alas, my friend and my dear countryman and countryman, Roderigo.—Yes, it’s Roderigo!
Roderigo! No—yes, sure! Yes, ’tis Roderigo.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
What, of Venice? What, Roderigo from Venice?
IAGO IAGO
Even he, sir. Did you know him? That’s the one, sir. Do you know him?
GRATIANO GRATIANO
95 Know him? Ay. Know him? Yes.
IAGO IAGO
Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon, Signor Gratiano, I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean
These bloody accidents must excuse my manners to ignore you—it’s just because of this bloody
That so neglected you. uproar.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
I am glad to see you. I’m glad to see you.
IAGO IAGO
How do you, Cassio?—Oh, a chair, a chair! How are you doing, Cassio?—Someone bring
me a stretcher!
GRATIANO GRATIANO
100 Roderigo! Roderigo!
IAGO IAGO
He, he, ’tis he. It’s him, it’s him.
A chair is brought in A stretcher is brought in.

Oh, that’s well said—the chair! Good—here’s the stretcher. Get somebody
Some good man bear him carefully from hence. strong to carry him out of here. I’ll get the
I’ll fetch the general’s surgeon.—(to BIANCA) For general’s surgeon. (to BIANCA) As for you,
you, mistress, ma'am, don’t bother. The man lying here was my
105 Save you your labor.—He that lies slain here, dear friend, Roderigo.—What was the problem
Cassio, between you?
Was my dear friend. What malice was between you?
CASSIO CASSIO
None in the world, nor do I know the man. There wasn’t any problem. I don’t even know
him.
IAGO IAGO
(to BIANCA) (to BIANCA) You’re pale?—Get Cassio out of
What, look you pale?—Oh, bear him out o' the air.— here.—You look awfully pale, Bianca.
CASSIO and RODERIGO are borne off CASSIO and RODERIGO are carried away.
Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?—Stay Do you see how afraid she is? Watch her, we’ll
110 you, good gentlemen.—Look you pale, mistress?— get the whole story. Keep an eye on her. Do you
Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.— see? The guilty speak volumes even when
Behold her well. I pray you, look upon her. they’re silent.
Do you see, gentlemen? Nay, guiltiness
Will speak, though tongues were out of use.
EMILIA EMILIA
Alas, what is the matter? What is the matter, What’s the matter? What’s the matter, husband?
husband?
IAGO IAGO
115 Cassio hath here been set on in the dark Cassio was attacked here in the dark by
By Roderigo and fellows that are ’scaped. Roderigo and men who escaped. He’s near
He’s almost slain, and Roderigo dead. death, and Roderigo’s dead already.
EMILIA EMILIA
Alas, good gentleman! Alas, good Cassio! Oh, no, good gentleman! Oh no, good Cassio!
IAGO IAGO
This is the fruits of whoring. Prithee, Emilia, This is what happens when you visit whores.
120 Go know of Cassio where he supped tonight.— Please, Emilia, ask Cassio where he was at
(to BIANCA) What, do you shake at that? dinner tonight.—(to BIANCA) What, does that
make you nervous?

BIANCA BIANCA
He supped at my house, but I therefore shake not. He ate at my house, but that doesn’t make me
nervous.
IAGO IAGO
Oh, did he so? I charge you, go with me. Oh, did he? I order you to come with me.
EMILIA EMILIA
Oh, fie upon thee, strumpet! Go to hell, you whore!
BIANCA BIANCA
125 I am no strumpet, but of life as honest I’m no whore. I’m as moral as you are.
As you that thus abuse me.
EMILIA EMILIA
As I! Fie upon thee! As moral as me! Damn you!
IAGO IAGO
Kind gentlemen, let’s go see poor Cassio dressed.— Gentlemen, let’s go make sure Cassio’s wounds
Come, mistress, you must tell ’s another tale. are properly dressed.—Come on, ma'am, you
Emilia, run you to the citadel can tell us another story. Emilia, go to the castle
130 And tell my lord and lady what hath happed.— and tell Othello and Desdemona what
Will you go on afore? happened.—Will you please go now? (to
(aside) himself) This is the night that’ll either make me or
This is the night break me.
That either makes me or fordoes me quite.
Act 5, Scene 2
DESDEMONA asleep in bed Enter OTHELLO with a DESDEMONA is asleep in bed. OTHELLOenters
light with a candle.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul. I have to do it, I have to do it. I have to keep my
Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars, reason in mind. I won’t say out loud what my
It is the cause. Yet I’ll not shed her blood, reason is, but I have to do it. But I won’t shed any
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow of her blood or scar that beautiful skin, whiter
5 And smooth as monumental alabaster. than snow and smooth as the finest marble. But
Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men. she’s got to die, or she’ll cheat on other men. Put
Put out the light, and then put out the light. out the light of the candle, and then put out the
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, light of her heart. If I extinguish the candle, I can
I can again thy former light restore light it again if I regret it. But once I kill you, you
10 Should I repent me. But once put out thy light, beautiful, fake woman, I do not know the magic
Thou cunning’st pattern of excelling nature, that could bring you back. When I’ve plucked this
I know not where is that Promethean heat rose, I can’t make it grow again; it will have no
That can thy light relume. When I have plucked thy choice but to wither and die. Let me smell you
rose while you’re still on the tree. (he kisses her) Oh,
15 I cannot give it vital growth again, that sweet breath almost convinces me not to kill
It must needs wither. I’ll smell thee on the tree. you and carry out justice. One more, one more
Oh, balmy breath, that dost almost persuade kiss. If you’re this beautiful when you’re dead, I’ll
Justice to break her sword! One more, one more. kill you and then love you afterward. (kissing
Be thus when thou art dead and I will kill thee her) One more, and this is the last. Such a sweet
20 And love thee after. (kissing her) One more, and kiss was never so deadly. I have to cry, but I have
that’s the last. to be cruel too. I’m acting like God in the Old
So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep, Testament—I have to punish the one I love.
But they are cruel tears. This sorrow’s heavenly, She’s waking up.
It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Who’s there? Othello? Who’s there? Othello?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ay, Desdemona. Yes, Desdemona.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
25 Will you come to bed, my lord? Will you come to bed, my lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Have you prayed tonight, Desdemon? Have you said your prayers tonight, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Ay, my lord. Yes, my lord.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
If you bethink yourself of any crime If you can think of any crime you haven’t
Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace, confessed, then pray for forgiveness right away.
30 Solicit for it straight.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Alack, my lord, what do you mean by that? Oh, my lord, what do you mean by that?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Well, do it, and be brief. I will walk by. Well, hurry up and confess. Be quick about it. I’ll
I would not kill thy unpreparèd spirit. wait over here. I don’t want to kill you before
No, heavens forfend, I would not kill thy soul! you’ve readied your soul. No, I don’t want to send
your soul to hell when I kill you.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
35 Talk you of killing? You’re talking about killing?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ay, I do. Yes, I am.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Then heaven Then heaven have mercy on me.
Have mercy on me!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Amen, with all my heart. Amen to that, from the bottom of my heart.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
If you say, I hope you will not kill me. If you really feel that way, then I hope you won’t
kill me.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Humh! Hmmph!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
40 And yet I fear you, for you’re fatal then You’re scaring me. You terrify me when you have
When your eyes roll so. Why I should fear I know not, that look in your eyes. I don’t know why I should
Since guiltiness I know not. But yet I feel I fear. be afraid, since I haven’t done anything wrong.
But I’m still afraid.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Think on thy sins. Think of your sins.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
They are loves I bear to you. My only sin was loving you too much.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
45 Ay, and for that thou diest. Yes, that’s why you have to die.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
That death’s unnatural that kills for loving. You’re wrong to kill me for loving you. Why are
Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? you chewing on your lower lip like that? You’re
Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. shaking with emotion. These are bad omens, but
These are portents, but yet I hope, I hope I hope, I hope, they don’t predict my future.
50 They do not point on me.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Peace, and be still. Quiet. Stay still.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I will so. What’s the matter? I will. What’s this all about?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
That handkerchief You gave that handkerchief, the one I loved and
Which I so loved and gave thee, thou gav’st gave to you, to Cassio.
To Cassio.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
55 No, by my life and soul! No, I swear by my life and soul! Bring him here
Send for the man and ask him. and ask him.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury. My sweet darling, don’t lie. You’re on your
Thou art on thy deathbed. deathbed.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Ay—but not yet to die! I am? But I’m not dying yet!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
60 Presently. Yes, right now. So confess your sin freely now.
Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin, Even if you swear you’re innocent of every
For to deny each article with oath accusation, you won’t change my mind or remove
Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception the thought that’s tormenting me. You’re going to
That I do groan withal. Thou art to die. die.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
65 Oh, heaven have mercy on me! Then heaven have mercy on me!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I say “amen.” Amen to that.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
And have you mercy too! I never did And you have mercy on me too! I never did
Offend you in my life, never loved Cassio anything wrong to you in my life. I never loved
But with such general warranty of heaven Cassio, except with the pure love that I feel for
As I might love. I never gave him token. humankind. I never gave him any token of
romantic love.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
70 By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in ’s hand. I saw him holding the handkerchief! You liar,
O perjured woman, thou dost stone my heart, you’re turning my heart to stone, and making me
And mak’st me call what I intend to do call what I’ll do murder, when I had been thinking
A murder, which I thought a sacrifice! of it as a sacrifice! I saw the handkerchief.
I saw the handkerchief.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
He found it then, He found it somewhere, then. I never gave it to
75 I never gave it him. Send for him hither, him. Tell him to come here. He’ll tell the truth.
Let him confess a truth.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
He hath confessed. He’s already done so.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
What, my lord? What, my lord?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
That he hath usèd thee. That he had sex with you.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
How? Unlawfully? What? Had sex with me?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ay. Yes.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
80 He will not say so. He wouldn’t say that.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
No, his mouth is stopped. Honest Iago No. He won’t say anything anymore. Honest
Hath ta'en order for ’t. Iago’s arranged that.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Oh! My fear interprets. What, is he dead? Oh, I’m scared. What, is he dead?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Had all his hairs been lives If he had as many lives as he’s got hairs on his
85 My great revenge had stomach for them all. head, I would’ve killed them all in revenge.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Alas, he is betrayed and I undone. Oh, he’s been betrayed, and I’ve been ruined.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Out, strumpet! weep’st thou for him to my face? What, you whore, are you crying for him right in
front of me?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Oh, banish me, my lord, but kill me not! Send me away, my lord, but don’t kill me!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Down, strumpet! Down, whore!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
90 Kill me tomorrow—let me live tonight! Kill me tomorrow—but let me live tonight.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Nay, if you strive— No, if you struggle with me—
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
But half an hour! Just half an hour!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Being done, there is no pause. While I’m doing this, I can’t pause for a moment.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
But while I say one prayer! Just let me say one prayer!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
95 It is too late. (he smothers her) It’s too late. (he smothers her)
EMILIA EMILIA
(within) My lord , my lord! What, ho! My lord, my lord! (offstage) My lord, my lord! Hello! My lord, my
lord!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What noise is this?—Not dead? Not yet quite dead? What’s that noise? Aren’t you dead yet? I know
I that am cruel am yet merciful, I’m cruel, but I’m merciful too. I don’t want you to
I would not have thee linger in thy pain. linger in pain.
100 So, so.
EMILIA EMILIA
(within) What, ho! My lord, my lord! (offstage) Hello! My lord, my lord!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Who’s there? Who’s there?
EMILIA EMILIA
(within) O good my lord, I would speak a word with (offstage) Oh my lord, I need to speak to you!
you!

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Yes, ’tis Emilia.—(to EMILIA) By and by.—She’s Yes, it’s Emilia.(to EMILIA)—Just a minute!—
dead.— She’s dead now.—Emilia’s probably come to tell
105 'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio’s death, me that Cassio’s been killed. The fight outside
The noise was high. Ha! No more moving? was loud. So! You’re not moving anymore? No,
Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were ’t good? you’re as still as a grave. Should I let her in? Is
I think she stirs again—No. What’s best to do? that a good idea? I think she’s moving again—
If she come in, she’ll sure speak to my wife— No. What should I do? If she comes in, she’ll try
110 My wife! my wife! what wife? I have no wife. to speak to my wife. My wife, my wife! What
Oh, insupportable! Oh, heavy hour! wife? I don’t have a wife. Oh, this is unbearable!
Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse Oh, the horror! There should be a huge eclipse of
Of sun and moon, and that th' affrighted globe the sun and the moon, now that Desdemona’s no
Should yawn at alteration. longer on this earth.
EMILIA EMILIA
(within) (offstage) Please, my lord. I need to speak with
I do beseech you you. Oh, my good lord!
115 That I may speak with you, O good my lord!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I had forgot thee—Oh, come in, Emilia. I’d forgotten about you—Emilia, wait a moment,
Soft, by and by. Let me the curtains draw. let me draw the curtains. (closes the bed
Where art thou? curtains) Where are you? (unlocks the door)
Unlocks the door. Enter EMILIA EMILIA enters.
What’s the matter with thee now? What’s the matter with you now?
EMILIA EMILIA
O my good lord, yonder’s foul murders done! Oh, my lord, terrible murders have been
committed over there!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
120 What, now? What? Just now?
EMILIA EMILIA
But now, my lord. Yes, just now, my lord.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
It is the very error of the moon, It’s because of the full moon. It comes too close
She comes more nearer earth than she was wont to the earth and drives men crazy.
And makes men mad.
EMILIA EMILIA
125 Cassio, my lord, hath killed a young Venetian Cassio’s killed a young Venetian named
Called Roderigo. Roderigo.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Roderigo killed? And Cassio killed! Roderigo’s been killed? And Cassio’s killed?
EMILIA EMILIA
No, Cassio is not killed. No, Cassio wasn’t killed.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Not Cassio killed! Then murder’s out of tune, Cassio’s not dead? Then the wrong man is dead,
And sweet revenge grows harsh. and sweet revenge has gone wrong.
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
130 Oh, falsely, falsely murdered! Oh, I’ve been murdered unfairly!
EMILIA EMILIA
Alas, what cry is that? Oh Lord, who’s that crying?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
That? What? That? What?
EMILIA EMILIA
Out and alas, that was my lady’s voice. Oh, no, that was my lady’s voice.
Opens the bedcurtains EMILIA opens the bedcurtains.
Help! Help, ho, help! O lady, speak again! Help! Help! Oh, lady, speak again.
135 Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak! Sweet Desdemona! Oh sweet mistress, speak!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
A guiltless death I die. I’m dying an innocent woman.
EMILIA EMILIA
Oh, who hath done this deed? Oh, who did this thing?
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Nobody. I myself. Farewell. No one. I did it myself. Give my love to my kind
Commend me to my kind lord. Oh, farewell! husband. Oh, goodbye!
Dies DESDEMONA dies.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Why, how should she be murdered? Why, how could she have been murdered?
EMILIA EMILIA
Alas, who knows? My God, who knows?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
140 You heard her say herself it was not I. You heard her say it wasn’t me.

EMILIA EMILIA
She said so. I must needs report the truth. Yes, she said that. I must go report what
happened.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
She’s like a liar gone to burning hell. She was lying even as she was going down to
'Twas I that killed her. hell. I did kill her.
EMILIA EMILIA
Oh, the more angel she, Then she was even more an angel, and you’re
145 And you the blacker devil! an even blacker devil!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
She turned to folly, and she was a whore. She cheated on me, and she was a whore.
EMILIA EMILIA
Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil. You slander her, you devil.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
She was false as water. She was fickle and unfaithful, like water.
EMILIA EMILIA
Thou art rash as fire, You’ve lost your mind to accuse her of cheating.
To say that she was false. Oh, she was heavenly She was utterly true to you!
true!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
150 Cassio did top her, ask thy husband else. Cassio had sex with her. Ask your husband if
Oh, I were damned beneath all depth in hell, you doubt me. If I didn’t have a good reason to
But that I did proceed upon just grounds do this, damn me to the very bottom of hell. Your
To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all. husband knew about everything.
EMILIA EMILIA
My husband! My husband!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Thy husband. Your husband.
EMILIA EMILIA
That she was false to wedlock? He said she was unfaithful?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
155 Ay, with Cassio. Had she been true, Yes, with Cassio. If she’d been faithful to me, I
If heaven would make me such another world never would have given her up, not even if God
Of one entire and perfect chrysolite, himself offered me a jewel as big as a planet in
I’d not have sold her for it. exchange for her.
EMILIA EMILIA
My husband? My husband.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ay, ’twas he that told me on her first. Yes, he’s the one who first told me about her.
160 An honest man he is, and hates the slime He’s an honest man who detests evil actions.
That sticks on filthy deeds.
EMILIA EMILIA
My husband! My husband?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
What needs this iterance, woman? I say thy Why do you keep repeating that, woman? I’m
husband. telling you, your husband.
EMILIA EMILIA
O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love! Oh, my mistress, a villain has made a mockery of
My husband say that she was false! your love! My husband said she was unfaithful!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
He, woman. Yes, him, woman. I said “your husband.”—Do
165 I say “thy husband”—dost understand the word? you understand that word? My friend, your
My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago. husband, the honest, honest Iago.
EMILIA EMILIA
If he say so, may his pernicious soul If he said that, then I hope his malicious soul rots
Rot half a grain a day! He lies to th' heart. in hell forever. He’s lying through his teeth! She
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. was too attached to her filthy marriage ever to do
a thing like that!
OTHELLO draws his sword OTHELLO draws his sword.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
170 Ha! Ha!
EMILIA EMILIA
Do thy worst. Go ahead, do your worst. Killing me won’t send
This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven you to heaven. You weren’t good enough for her.
Than thou wast worthy her.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Peace, you were best. You’d better shut up!
EMILIA EMILIA
Thou hast not half that power to do me harm I can endure far more pain than you could ever
175 As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt! give me! Oh, you idiot! You stupid fool! As dumb
As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed— as dirt! You’ve committed a terrible evil—I’m not
I care not for thy sword, I’ll make thee known afraid of your sword. I’ll tell everyone what you
did, even if it

Though I lost twenty lives.—Help! Help, ho! Help! costs me my life twenty times over.—Help, help,
The Moor hath killed my mistress! Murder, murder! help! The Moor’s killed my mistress! Murder,
murder!
Enter MONTANO, GRATIANO, and IAGO MONTANO, GRATIANO, and IAGO enter.
MONTANO MONTANO
180 What is the matter? How now, general? What’s the matter? What’s going on here,
general?
EMILIA EMILIA
Oh, are you come, Iago? You have done well, Oh, are you here, Iago? You’ve done a good job,
That men must lay their murders on your neck. that other men can attribute their murders to you!
GRATIANO GRATIANO
What is the matter? What’s the matter?
EMILIA EMILIA
(to IAGO) Disprove this villain, if thou be’st a man. (to IAGO) Tell this villain he’s wrong, if you’re
185 He says thou told’st him that his wife was false. man enough. He says you told him his wife
I know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain. cheated on him. I know you didn’t. You’re not
Speak, for my heart is full. that much of a villain. Speak, because I’m too
emotional to say any more.
IAGO IAGO
I told him what I thought, and told no more I told him what I thought. I didn’t tell him anything
Than what he found himself was apt and true. that didn’t make sense or ring true to him.
EMILIA EMILIA
190 But did you ever tell him she was false? But did you tell him she cheated on him?
IAGO IAGO
I did. I did.
EMILIA EMILIA
You told a lie, an odious, damnèd lie. Then you told a lie, a sick, wicked lie. I swear on
Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie. my soul it was a lie. You said she slept with
She false with Cassio! Did you say with Cassio? Cassio. Did you say Cassio?
IAGO IAGO
195 With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue. Yes, with Cassio. Now be quiet.
EMILIA EMILIA
I will not charm my tongue, I am bound to speak. I will not be quiet! I have to speak. My mistress
My mistress here lies murdered in her bed— here lies murdered in her bed—
ALL ALL
Oh, heavens forfend! No, heaven forbid!

EMILIA EMILIA
And your reports have set the murder on. And your lies caused this murder.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
200 Nay, stare not, masters, it is true, indeed. Don’t stand there gaping, everyone. It’s true.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
'Tis a strange truth. It may be true, but it’s unbelievable.
MONTANO MONTANO
Oh, monstrous act! Oh, what a horrible deed!
EMILIA EMILIA
Villainy, villainy, villainy! Evil, evil, evil! I can smell it! I suspected it earlier.
I think upon ’t, I think I smell ’t, Oh, villainy! I’ll kill myself out of grief! Oh, evil, evil!
I thought so then, I’ll kill myself for grief.
205 Oh, villainy, villainy!
IAGO IAGO
What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home. Are you crazy? I’m ordering you, go home.
EMILIA EMILIA
Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak. Good gentlemen, give me permission to speak. I
'Tis proper I obey him, but not now. know I ought to obey my husband, but not now.
Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home. Maybe I’ll never go home again, Iago!
OTHELLO OTHELLO
210 Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
EMILIA EMILIA
Nay, lay thee down and roar, Yes, go ahead and moan, because you killed the
For thou hast killed the sweetest innocent sweetest, most innocent woman who ever lived!
That e'er did lift up eye.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, she was foul!— She was filthy! I barely knew you, UncleGratiano.
I scarce did know you, uncle. There lies your niece, Here’s your niece lying here dead. I killed her
Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly with these hands. I know this looks horrible.
215 stopped.
I know this act shows horrible and grim.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
Poor Desdemon! I am glad thy father’s dead, Poor Desdemona! I’m glad your father isn’t alive
Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief to see this. Your marriage made him die of grief
Shore his old thread in twain. Did he live now, before his time. If he was alive now, this sight
would hurt

This sight would make him do a desperate turn, him terribly. It would make him curse the
220 Yea, curse his better angel from his side heavens and be damned to hell.
And fall to reprobation.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
'Tis pitiful, but yet Iago knows It’s sad, but Iago knows she had sex with Cassio
That she with Cassio hath the act of shame a thousand times. Cassio confessed it, and she
A thousand times committed. Cassio confessed it, pledged her love to him by giving him the
225 And she did gratify his amorous works handkerchief I’d given her. I saw it in his hand.
With that recognizance and pledge of love It was an old memento that my father gave to my
Which I first gave her. I saw it in his hand, mother.
It was a handkerchief, an antique token
My father gave my mother.
EMILIA EMILIA
Oh, heaven! Oh, heavenly powers! Oh, God! Dear God in heaven!
IAGO IAGO
230 Zounds, hold your peace. Damn it, shut your mouth.
EMILIA EMILIA
'Twill out, ’twill out.—I peace? No, the truth will come out—Me, shut my mouth?
No, I will speak as liberal as the north. Let heaven and men and devils tell me to shut
Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, me up. I’ll say what I have to say.
All, all cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.
IAGO IAGO
235 Be wise, and get you home. If you’re smart, you’ll go home.
Draws his sword IAGO draws his sword.
EMILIA EMILIA
I will not. I won’t.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
Fie! Your sword upon a woman? Shame on you! Drawing your sword on a
woman?
EMILIA EMILIA
O thou dull Moor! That handkerchief thou speak’st of Oh, you stupid Moor! I found that handkerchief
I found by fortune and did give my husband. by accident and gave it to my husband. He’d
240 For often, with a solemn earnestness— begged me to steal it many times.
More than indeed belonged to such a trifle—
He begged of me to steal it.

IAGO IAGO
Villainous whore! You evil whore!
EMILIA EMILIA
She give it Cassio? No, alas, I found it You think she gave it to Cassio? No, I found it
And I did give ’t my husband. and gave it to my husband.
IAGO IAGO
Filth, thou liest! You piece of filth, you’re lying!
EMILIA EMILIA
245 By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen.— I swear I’m not lying. (to OTHELLO) Oh, you
(to OTHELLO) murderous fool! How did you ever get such a
O murderous coxcomb! What should such a fool good wife?
Do with so good a wife?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Are there no stones in heaven Won’t heaven strike this Iago dead? You
But what serve for the thunder?—Precious villain! absolute villain!
He runs at IAGO IAGO stabs EMILIA OTHELLO runs at IAGO. IAGO stabs EMILIA.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
250 The woman falls! Sure he hath killed his wife. The woman’s falling down! He’s killed his wife!
EMILIA EMILIA
Ay, ay. Oh, lay me by my mistress' side. Yes, yes! Lay me next to my mistress.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
He’s gone, but his wife’s killed. He’s gone, and his wife’s dead.
MONTANO MONTANO
'Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon, He’s a wicked, horrible criminal. Take the Moor’s
Which I have recovered from the Moor. sword and guard the door from the outside. Kill
255 Come, guard the door without. Let him not pass, him rather than let him leave this room. I’m going
But kill him rather. I’ll after that same villain, after Iago. He’s a horrid criminal.
For ’tis a damnèd slave.
Exeunt MONTANO and GRATIANO MONTANO and GRATIANO exit.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
I am not valiant neither, I’m not that strong, if a puny nobody can grab my
But ever puny whipster gets my sword. sword. But why should my reputation for honor
But why should honor outlive honesty? last longer than my honor did? Let it all go.
260 Let it go all.
EMILIA EMILIA
What did thy song bode, lady? What did your song mean, lady? Can you hear
Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan. me? I’ll die like a swan. They sing when they die.
And die in music. (singing) Willow, willow, willow.—
(singing) Willow, willow, willow— Moor, she never cheated on you. She loved you,
Moor, she was chaste, she loved thee, cruel Moor. you cruel man. I swear on my soul I’m telling the
So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true. truth, and as I say this, I die.
265 So speaking as I think, alas, I die.
Dies EMILIA dies.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I have another weapon in this chamber, I’ve got another weapon in the room. It’s a
It was a sword of Spain, the ice-brook’s temper. Spanish sword, hardened in ice cold water and
Oh, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth. razor sharp. Here it is. Uncle, I’m coming out!
GRATIANO GRATIANO
(within) If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear. (offstage) If you try that, you’ll pay for it. You’ve
270 Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer. got no weapon, so you’ll have to suffer.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Look in upon me then and speak with me, Look in on me, and talk with me, or I’ll attack
Or, naked as I am, I will assault thee. even without a weapon.
Enter GRATIANO GRATIANO enters.
GRATIANO GRATIANO
What is the matter? What’s the matter?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Behold, I have a weapon. Look, I have a weapon, the best sword a soldier
A better never did itself sustain could have. I’ve fought my way through
275 Upon a soldier’s thigh. I have seen the day obstacles twenty times more terrifying than you
with this weapon. But

That with this little arm and this good sword who can control his fate? I’m not like that now.
I have made my way through more impediments Don’t be afraid, even though you see me with a
Than twenty times your stop. But, oh, vain boast! weapon. This is the end of my journey, the end
Who can control his fate? ’tis not so now. of my life. Are you backing away in fear? There’s
280 Be not afraid, though you do see me weaponed. no reason to be afraid. You could tap me with a
Here is my journey’s end, here is my butt, feather and I’d back away. Where would Othello
And very sea-mark of my utmost sail. go?—Oh, look at you! Such cruel luck! You’re as
Do you go back dismayed? ’tis a lost fear. pale as your nightgown! When we meet on
Man but a rush against Othello’s breast, Judgment Day, that look of yours will send me
285 And he retires. Where should Othello go?— from heaven to hell, where devils will grab me.
Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starred wench, You’re cold, cold, and you were never hot with
Pale as thy smock! When we shall meet at compt lust. Oh you damned villain! Whip me, you
This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven devils, so I don’t have to look at this heavenly
And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl, sight! Blow on me with hot winds, roast me in
290 Even like thy chastity. O cursed, cursed slave! lava, drown me in liquid fire! Oh, Desdemona!
Whip me, ye devils, Dead Desdemona! Oh, oh!
From the possession of this heavenly sight!
Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulfur,
Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire!—
295 Oh, Desdemona! Desdemona! dead! Oh! Oh!
Enter LODOVICO, MONTANO, CASSIO carried in a LODOVICO and MONTANO enter, followed
chair, and officers with IAGO, prisoner byCASSIO on a stretcher, and officers
with IAGO, prisoner.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Where is this rash and most unfortunate man? Where is that poor rash man?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
That’s he that was Othello. Here I am. You mean the man who used to be Othello?
Here I am.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Where is that viper? Bring the villain forth. Where’s that snake? Bring the villain forward.
IAGO is brought forward IAGO is brought forward.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
I look down towards his feet, but that’s a fable. I’m looking to see if you have cloven hooves like
300 If that thou be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee. the devil. But that’s just a fairy tale. If you are a
devil, I won’t be able to kill you.
Stabs IAGO OTHELLO stabs IAGO.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Wrench his sword from him. Take his sword away from him.
They take OTHELLO ’s sword They take OTHELLO ’s sword away.
IAGO IAGO
I bleed, sir, but not killed. I’m bleeding, but you didn’t kill me.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I am not sorry neither. I’d have thee live, I’m not sorry, either. I want you to live, since to
For in my sense ’tis happiness to die. me, death is happiness.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
O thou Othello, thou was once so good, Oh Othello, you were once so good, then you
305 Fall'n in the practice of a cursèd slave, were tricked by this villain. What can I say to
What shall be said to thee? you?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Why, anything. Say anything. Call me an honorable murderer if
An honorable murderer, if you will, you like. I did nothing out of hate, only out of
For naught I did in hate, but all in honor. honor.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
This wretch hath part confessed his villainy. This poor guy’s partly confessed his plan. Did
310 Did you and he consent in Cassio’s death? you plan Cassio’s death with him?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Ay. Yes.
CASSIO CASSIO
Dear general, I never gave you cause. Dear general, I never gave you any reason to
hate me.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
I do believe it, and I ask your pardon. I believe you, and I ask you to forgive me. Will
Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil you please make this half-devil say why he
315 Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body? tricked me and damned my soul?

IAGO IAGO
Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. Don’t ask me anything. You know what you
From this time forth I never will speak word. know. From this moment on, I’ll never say
another word.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
What, not to pray? What, not even to pray?
GRATIANO GRATIANO
Torments will ope your lips. Torture will make you talk.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
320 Well, thou dost best. Well, do your best.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Sir, you shall understand what hath befall'n, Sir, you’ll understand everything that has
Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter happened. I don’t think you know now. Here is a
Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo, letter we found in Roderigo’s pocket. And here’s
And here another. The one of them imports another. This one talks about how Roderigo
325 The death of Cassio to be undertook should kill Cassio.
By Roderigo.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Oh, villain! Oh, you villain!
CASSIO CASSIO
Most heathenish and most gross! Ungodly and monstrous!
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Now here’s another discontented paper Here’s another letter from his pocket, addressed
330 Found in his pocket too, and this, it seems, to Iago and full of complaints. We think he was
Roderigo meant to have sent this damnèd villain going to send it to Iago, but then Iago stepped in
But that, belike, Iago in the interim and answered his complaints by killing him.
Came in and satisfied him.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
O thou pernicious caitiff! Oh, you wicked scoundrel! Cassio, how did you
335 How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief get my wife’s handkerchief?
That was my wife’s?
CASSIO CASSIO
I found it in my chamber, I found it in my room, and Iago just confessed
And he himself confessed but even now that he put it there for his own purposes.
That there he dropped it for a special purpose
Which wrought to his desire.

OTHELLO OTHELLO
O fool! fool! fool! Oh, what a fool I am!
CASSIO CASSIO
340 There is besides in Roderigo’s letter Also, in his letter to Iago, Roderigo criticizes Iago
How he upbraids Iago, that he made him for telling him to get me angry while I was on
Brave me upon the watch, whereon it came guard duty, and get me demoted. And just now
That I was cast. And even but now he spake, he admitted it, even though he’d seemed to be
After long seeming dead—Iago hurt him, dead for a long while—Iago tricked him, Iago
345 Iago set him on. urged him to do it.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
(to OTHELLO) You must forsake this room and go (to OTHELLO)
with us. You’ll have to leave this room and come with us.
Your power and your command is taken off You’re stripped of your power and your
And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave, command, and Cassio will govern Cyprus. As for
350 If there be any cunning cruelty this slave, Iago, if we can think of any torture that
That can torment him much and hold him long, will hurt him a lot but keep him alive a long time,
It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest he’ll have it. You’ll remain a prisoner until we
Till that the nature of your fault be known bring your crimes to the Venetian government.—
To the Venetian state.—Come, bring him away. Okay, take him away.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Soft you, a word or two before you go. Wait. A word or two before you go. I’ve given the
355 I have done the state some service, and they state of Venice a bit of help in the past, and they
know ’t. know it. But enough about that. When you record
No more of that. I pray you, in your letters, these sad events in your letters, please describe
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, me exactly as I am. Don’t tone things down or
Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, exaggerate them out of hostility. If you’re being
360 Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak fair, you’ll have to describe me as someone who
Of one that loved not wisely, but too well. loved too much, but who wasn’t wise about it. I
Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, was not easily made jealous, but once I was
Perplexed in the extreme. Of one whose hand, tricked and manipulated, I worked myself into a
Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away frenzy. Describe me as a fool who threw away a
365 Richer than all his tribe. Of one whose subdued precious pearl with his own hands, like a silly
eyes, Indian who didn’t know what it was worth. As
Albeit unused to the melting mood, someone who was not emotional, but who then
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees cried a lot. Write all this
Their medicinal gum. Set you down this,

And say besides that in Aleppo once, down, and then say also that in Aleppo I once
Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk saw a Turk beating a Venetian, so I grabbed the
370 Beat a Venetian and traduced the state, Turk by the throat and hit him like this.
I took by the throat the circumcisèd dog,
And smote him, thus.
Stabs himself OTHELLO stabs himself.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
Oh, bloody period! Oh, what a bloody end to all this!
GRATIANO GRATIANO
All that is spoke is marred. Everything we’ve heard is bad.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
375 (to DESDEMONA) (to DESDEMONA) I kissed you before I killed
I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, you. Now, killing myself, I’m dying while I kiss
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss. you again.
Kisses DESDEMONA, dies OTHELLO kisses DESDEMONA and dies.
CASSIO CASSIO
This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon, I was afraid this would happen, because he was
For he was great of heart. a noble, brave man, but I didn’t think he had a
weapon.
LODOVICO LODOVICO
380 (to IAGO) (to IAGO) You bloodthirsty dog, you’re crueler
O Spartan dog, than sadness or hunger, crueler than the sea.

More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea, Look at these dead people on this bed. You did
Look on the tragic loading of this bed. all this. He makes me sick. Take him away.
This is thy work. The object poisons sight, Gratiano, take care of the house, and take the
Let it be hid.—Gratiano, keep the house Moor’s property. You’ve inherited everything.—
385 And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor, (to CASSIO) Governor, I leave it in your hands to
For they succeed on you.—To you, lord governor, punish this evil villain: just decide the time, the
Remains the censure of this hellish villain: place and the means of torture. And then carry it
The time, the place, the torture. Oh, enforce it! out! I have to go back to Venice, and tell them
Myself will straight aboard, and to the state about these sad events.
390 This heavy act with heavy heart relate.

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No Fear Shakespeare – Othello (by SparkNotes, transcription by Alex Woelffer) -1-

Original Text Modern Text

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 2

To love the Moor.

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 4

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 5

Patience, good sir. Please wait, sir.

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 6

Let loose on me the justice of the state

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 7

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Act 1, Scene 2, Page 2

Act 1, Scene 2, Page 3

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Act 1, Scene 2, Page 5

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 2

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 4

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 5

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 6

That I have passed. everything, from my boyhood up until the time

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 7

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tomorrow. Adieu. Goodbye.

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 15

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 16

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 2

35 With foul and violent tempest. the storm.

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 3

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'Tis truly so. Yes, it is.

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 10

Does challenge much respect.—Come, Desdemona,

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 11

other’s hands? Did you see that?

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 12

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Act 2, Scene 3, Page 2

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 3

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 4

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 5

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 6

It were an honest action to say something to the Moor.

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 7

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Act 2, Scene 3, Page 10