No Fear Shakespeare Othello

No Fear Shakespeare – Othello (by SparkNotes, transcription by Alex Woelffer) -1- Original Text
Modern Text
Act 1, Scene 1
Enter RODMERIGO and IAGO RODERIGO and IAGO enter.
RODERIGO wants to have things his own way, so he sidesteps
Tush! Never tell me. I take it much unkindly the issue with a lot of military talk and refuses their
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse request. “I’ve already chosen my lieutenant,” he
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. says. And who does he choose? A guy who knows
more about numbers then fighting! This guy from
IAGO Florence named Michael Cassio. He has a pretty
wife but he can’t even control her. And he’s definitely
'Sblood, but you’ll not hear me! If ever I did dream of
never commanded men in battle. He’s got no more
such a matter, abhor me.
hands-on knowledge of warfare than an old woman
— unless you count what he’s read in books,
RODERIGO
Thou told’st me
Thou didst hold him in thy hate.
IAGO
Despise me Act 1, Scene 1, Page 2
If I do not. Three great ones of the city
Wherein the toged consuls can propose As
10 masterly as he. Mere prattle without practice Is all
(In personal suit to make me his lieutenant)
his soldiership. But he, sir, had th' election And I, of
Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man
whom his eyes had seen the proof
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.
But he (as loving his own pride and purposes)
Evades them with a bombast circumstance 15
which any peace-lover can do. His military
Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,
understanding is all theory, no practice. But
And in conclusion
Cassio’s been chosen over me. My career is cut
Nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he, “I
short by some bookkeeper, even though the
have already chose my officer.”
30
And what was he? At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds Christian
20 and heathen, must be belee’d and calmed By debitor
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
and creditor. This counter-caster He (in good time)
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine
must his lieutenant be
(A fellow almost damned in a fair wife)
And I, bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient.
That never set a squadron in the field,
RODERIGO
Nor the division of a battle knows
25 35
More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric, By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.
RODERIGO IAGO
Come on, don’t tell me that. I don’t like it that you Why, there’s no remedy. 'Tis the curse of service.
knew about this, Iago. All this time I’ve thought you Preferment goes by letter and affection,
were such a good friend that I’ve let you spend my And not by old gradation, where each second
money as if it was yours. Stood heir to th' first. Now sir, be judge yourself, 40
IAGO Whether I in any just term am affined
Damn it, you’re not listening to me! I never general saw my fighting skills first-hand in
dreamed this was happening—if you find out I Rhodes and Cyprus. This accountant is now
did, you can go ahead and hate me. lieutenant, while I end up as the Moor’s flag
RODERIGO bearer.
You told me you hated him.
RODERIGO
IAGO By God, I’d rather be his executioner.
I do hate him, I swear. Three of Venice’s most IAGO
important noblemen took their hats off to him and And there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s the
asked him humbly to make me his lieutenant, the curse of military service. You get promoted when
second in command. And I know my own worth well someone likes you, not because you’re next in line.
enough to know I deserve that position. But he Now, you tell me: should I feel loyal to the Moor?
Modern Text
To love the Moor.

RODERIGO For when my outward action doth demonstrate
I would not follow him then. The native act and figure of my heart
IAGO 65
In compliment extern, ’tis not long after
O sir, content you.
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
I follow him to serve my turn upon him.
45 For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters RODERIGO
Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark What a full fortune does the Thick-lips owe If
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave That he can carry’t thus!
(doting on his own obsequious bondage) Wears out IAGO
his time much like his master’s ass 50 Call up her father.
For naught but provender, and when he’s old, 70
cashiered. Rouse him. Make after him, Poison his delight,
Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are Proclaim him in the streets. Incense her kinsmen, And,
Who, trimmed in forms and visages of duty, Keep yet though he in a fertile climate dwell, Plague him with
their hearts attending on themselves 55 flies. Though that his joy be joy Yet throw such changes
And, throwing but shows of service on their lords, Do of vexation on’t, 75
well thrive by them. And when they have lined their As it may lose some color.
coats,
RODERIGO
Do themselves homage. These fellows have some
Here is her father’s house, I’ll call aloud.
soul,
RODERIGO IAGO
If you don’t like him you should quit. Do, with like timorous accent and dire yell As
when, by night and negligence, the fire Is
IAGO
spied in populous cities.
No, calm down. I’m serving under him to take
advantage of him. We can’t all be masters, and not RODERIGO
all masters should be followed. Look at all the 80
devoted servants who work for their masters their What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!
whole lives for nothing but their food, and then when him to get what I want. If my outward appearance
they get old they’re terminated. They ought to be started reflecting what I really felt, soon enough I’d
whipped for being so stupid. But then there’s be wearing my heart on my sleeve for birds to peck
another kind of servant who looks dutiful and at. No, it’s better to hide it. I’m not who I appear to
devoted, but who’s really looking out for himself. By be.
pretending to serve their lords, these men get rich,
and when they’ve saved up enough they can be
their own masters. Guys like that have soul, and
that’s the kind of guy I am. Let me tell RODERIGO
Thick-lips sure is lucky if he can pull this off!
IAGO
Let’s shout up to Desdemona’s father, wake him,
pester him, spoil his happiness, spread rumors
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 3 about him in the streets, enrage his relatives, and
And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir, It irritate him endlessly. However real his happiness is,
is as sure as you are Roderigo, it will vanish in light of this.
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.
RODERIGO
you, as sure as your name’s Roderigo, if I were the Here’s her father’s house. I’ll call out.
Moor I wouldn’t want to be Iago. I may seem to love
IAGO
and obey him, but in fact, I’m just serving
Do it, and shout like the city’s on fire.
60
In following him, I follow but myself.
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end. RODERIGO
Hey, Brabantio! Signor Brabantio, hey!
Modern Text
IAGO IAGO
Awake! What, ho, Brabantio! Thieves! Thieves! Look to Wake up, Brabantio! Wake up! Thieves! Thieves!
your house, your daughter, and your bags! Thieves! Check on your daughter, your house, your money!
thieves! Thieves! Thieves!
Enter BRABANTIO, above BRABANTIO enters, above.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 4
85 Why, wherefore ask you this? going to break. It’s like half your soul’s
IAGO been ripped out. At this very minute
Zounds, sir, you’re robbed! For shame, an old black ram is having sex with
put on your gown. your little white lamb. Wake up, wake
Your heart is burst, you have lost half up, ring a bell and wake up all the
your soul. Even now, now, very now, snoring citizens. If you wait too long
an old black ram Is tupping your white you’ll have black grandchildren. Get
ewe. Arise, arise, up, I tell you!
Awake the snorting citizens with the BRABANTIO
bell Or else the devil will make a Are you crazy?
grandsire of you. Arise, I say! RODERIGO
90 BRABANTIO Do you recognize my voice, noble
What, have you lost your wits? lord? BRABANTIO
RODERIGO Not me. Who are you?
Most reverend signior, do you know RODERIGO
my voice? BRABANTIO My name’s Roderigo.
Not I. What are you? BRABANTIO
RODERIGO I told you not to hang around my
My name is Roderigo. house. I’ve already told you quite
BRABANTIO plainly that my daughter will never
95 marry you. Now you come here drunk
The worser welcome.
to make trouble and startle me out of a
I have charged thee not to haunt about
sound sleep?
my doors. In honest plainness thou
hast heard me say My daughter is not
for thee. And now in madness, Being
full of supper and distempering drafts, RODERIGO
Upon malicious knavery dost thou Sir, sir, sir—
come To start my quiet?
100 105 RODERIGO
Sir, sir, sir—
BRABANTIO
What’s the reason for this horrible
shouting? What’s the matter?
RODERIGO
BRABANTIO Sir, is everyone in your family at
What is the reason of this terrible home? IAGO
summons? What is the matter there? Are your doors locked?
RODERIGO BRABANTIO
Signior, is all your family within? Why are you asking me that?
IAGO IAGO
Are your doors locked? For God’s sake, sir, you’ve been
BRABANTIO robbed. Get dressed. Your heart’s
make this bitter to thee.
BRABANTIO
But thou must needs be sure BRABANTIO
My spirits and my place have in their power To You know I’m powerful enough to make you pay for
this.
RODERIGO RODERIGO
Modern Text
Patience, good sir. Please wait, sir.
110 120 In simple and pure soul I come to you RODERIGO

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

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 6 like this. But if you didn’t know about it, then you
Transported with no worse nor better guard But were wrong to get mad at us. I’d never play
with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, To the
gross clasps of a lascivious Moor,
125 130 135 If this be known to you and your know not this my manners tell me We
allowance, We then have done you have your wrong rebuke. Do not
bold and saucy wrongs. But if you believe That, from the sense of all
civility, beauty, wit, and fortunes In an daughter to do what she’s doing, then
I thus would play and trifle with your extravagant and wheeling stranger Of she’s rebelling against you. She’s
reverence. Your daughter (if you have here and everywhere. Straight satisfy throwing her life away on some
not given her leave) I say again, hath yourself. If she be in her chamber or stranger. Go ahead, see for yourself if
made a gross revolt, Tying her duty, your house, she’s in her bedroom. If she is, you
pranks on you. If you didn’t allow your can sue me for lying to you.
Modern Text
Let loose on me the justice of the state

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

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 7 find him, send the search party to the
Though I do hate him as I do hell pains,
Yet for necessity of present life
155
I must show out a flag and sign of love,
(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.
Sagittarius Inn. He and I will be there.
Exit IAGO exits.
Enter BRABANTIO, with servants and torches BRABANTIO enters with servants and torches.
160 165 How didst thou know ’twas she?—Oh, you saw her with the Moor?—Oh, who
she deceives me would want to be a father?—How did
Past thought!—What said she to you? you know it was her?—To think she
—Get more tapers, tricked me so easily!—What did she
Raise all my kindred. Are they married, say to you?—Get me more candles,
think you? RODERIGO and wake up all my relatives. Do you
think they’re married?
Truly, I think they are.
BRABANTIO
Oh, heaven, how got she out? Oh,
RODERIGO
treason of the blood!
Yes, I really think so.
Fathers, from hence trust not your
170 daughters' minds By what you see BRABANTIO
BRABANTIO
them act. Is there not charms By which Oh, heaven, how did she get out? My
It is too true an evil. Gone she is. own flesh and blood rebels against
the property of youth and maidhood
And what’s to come of my despisèd BRABANTIO me! Fathers, never trust your
time Is naught but bitterness. Now, daughters just because they act
It’s true. She’s gone. The rest of my
Roderigo, Where didst thou see her?
life will be nothing but bitterness. Now, obedient and innocent. Are there
—Oh, unhappy girl!— With the Moor,
Roderigo, where did you see her?— magic spells that can lead young
say’st thou?—Who would be a father?
Oh, that miserable wretch!—You say virgins astray? Have you ever heard
—
Modern Text
175 RODERIGO Call my brother.—Now I wish you’d

May be abused? Have you not read, I think I can discover him, if you please married her!—Some of you go one
Roderigo, Of some such thing? To get good guard and go along with way, some the other way.—Do you
RODERIGO me. know where we can find her and the
Yes, sir, I have indeed. of anything like that, Roderigo? Moor?
BRABANTIO RODERIGO
Call up my brother—Oh, would you RODERIGO I think I can find him. Get together a
had had her! Some one way, some Yes, sir, I have. group of armed men and follow me.
another. Do you know Where we may BRABANTIO
apprehend her and the Moor?
BRABANTIO
Lead the way. I’ll stop at every house. I’m
BRABANTIO
Pray you lead on. At every house I’ll call.
180 Roderigo. I will deserve your pains. guard the city at night.—Let’s go,
I may command at most.—Get respected enough that most of them Roderigo. I’ll reward you for your
weapons, ho! And raise some special will do what I say.—Get your troubles.
officers of might.— On, good weapons! And get the officers who Exeunt They exit
Act 1, Scene 2
Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and attendants with torches OTHELLO and IAGO enter, followed by attendants
with torches.
IAGO Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
Though in the trade of war I have slain men, IAGO
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' th' conscience I’ve killed many men in battle, but I still believe it’s
To do no contrived murder. I lack iniquity deeply wrong to murder someone. Sometimes I
Sometimes to do me service. Nine or ten times 5 worry I’m not cruel enough for this job. Nine or ten
I had thought t' have yerked him here under the ribs. times I wanted to stab him under the ribs.
OTHELLO
'Tis better as it is. OTHELLO
It’s better that you didn’t kill him.
IAGO
Nay, but he prated IAGO
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms But he kept chattering so foolishly, talking about you
Against your honor in such insulting and despicable terms, that it was
That, with the little godliness I have, hard for me to restrain myself. But please tell me,
10 sir, is your marriage secure? Brabantio is an
I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir, important man in this city, almost as powerful as the
Are you fast married? Be assured of this: duke himself. He’ll try to annul your marriage, or
That the Magnifico is much beloved else inflict whatever punishment the law and his
And hath in his effect a voice potential 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 Shall out- the Venetian government will count for more than his
tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know— 20 complaints will. No one knows this yet—and I don’t
like to brag, but I come from a royal family,
Modern Text
I shall promulgate. I fetch my life and being

From men of royal siege, and my demerits
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune IAGO
As this that I have reached. For know, Iago, 25 Those are the raisèd father and his friends.
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
I would not my unhousèd free condition
Put into circumscription and confine IAGO
For the sea’s worth. But look, what lights come yond? That’s her father and his friends, who’ve been
and I’m as noble as the woman I’ve married. And let
me tell you, Iago, if I didn’t love Desdemona as much
as I do, I’d never agree to get married and lose my
freedom at all. But look at those lights. Who’s
coming?
30 Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they? No, I must let them find me. My good
You were best go in. IAGO qualities, my legal status as
OTHELLO By Janus, I think no. Desdemona’s husband, and my
Not I, I must be found. roused out of bed. You’d better go innocence will protect me. Is it them?
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul inside. OTHELLO IAGO
I don’t think so.
OTHELLO The Duke does greet you, general,

Enter CASSIO, with officers and torches CASSIO enters And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
with officers and men carrying torches. Even on the instant.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
The servants of the Duke and my lieutenant? 35 What’s the matter, think you?
The goodness of the night upon you, friends!
CASSIO
What is the news?
Something from Cyprus as I may divine.
CASSIO
40
It is a business of some heat. The galleys
Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
This very night at one another’s heels,
And many of the consuls, raised and met, Are at
the Duke’s already. You have been hotly 45
called for.
When being not at your lodging to be found The
Senate hath sent about three several guests To
search you out.
OTHELLO
'Tis well I am found by you.
I will but spend a word here in the house
And go with you.
The servants of the Duke and my lieutenant?
Hello, everyone! What’s going on?
CASSIO
The Duke sends his regards. He needs to see
you right away.
OTHELLO
What do you think he wants?
CASSIO
Something about Cyprus. I think it’s important. The
warships have sent a dozen messages tonight, one
after the other, and many of the senators have been
awakened and are at the Duke’s already. They’re
very anxious for you to get there. When you weren’t
at home, the Senate sent out three different search
parties to find you.
OTHELLO
It’s good you found me. I’ll just speak a word or
two here in the house and then I’ll go with you.
Exit OTHELLO exits.

CASSIO CASSIO
Ancient, what makes he here? Ensign, what’s he doing in there?
Modern Text
50 CASSIO I don’t understand.

IAGO To who? IAGO
Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land IAGO He’s married.
carrack. If it prove lawful prize, he’s Marry, to— CASSIO
made for ever. CASSIO IAGO To whom?
I do not understand. Tonight he boarded a treasure ship. If
IAGO
IAGO he can keep it, he’ll be set forever.
To—
He’s married. CASSIO
Enter OTHELLO OTHELLO enters.
Come, captain, will you go? Are you ready?
OTHELLO Down with him, thief!
55 OTHELLO
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
Get him, he’s a thief!
They draw their swords Both sides draw their swords.

IAGO So opposite to marriage that she shunned
60 The wealthy curlèd darlings of our nation,
You, Roderigo! Come, sir, I am for you. Would ever have, t' incur a general mock,
OTHELLO Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom Of
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight.
them. IAGO
Good signior, you shall more command with years You, Roderigo! Come on, I’ll fight you.
Than with your weapons. OTHELLO
BRABANTIO Put away your swords. They’ll get rusty in the
O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my dew. Sir, your age and status inspire more
65 respect than your weapons do.
daughter?
Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her! BRABANTIO
For I’ll refer me to all things of sense, You evil thief, where have you hidden my daughter?
If she in chains of magic were not bound, You devil, you’ve put a spell on her! Anybody with
Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy, 70 eyes could tell you that a beautiful and happy young
girl like her, who’s refused to marry all of the obvious to everyone that you’ve tricked her, drugged
handsome young men of the city, wouldn’t run off her, or kidnapped her. That’s probably what
with a black thing like you unless she’d been happened, so I’m arresting you.— Arrest this man as
bewitched. You’re something to fear, not to love. It’s a practitioner of black magic.
Modern Text
75 OTHELLO
Judge me the world if ’tis not gross in sense That Just a minute. I don’t need anyone to tell me when
thou hast practiced on her with foul charms, Abused to fight. You’ve accused me of some serious
her delicate youth with drugs or minerals That crimes. Where do you want me to go to respond to
weakens motion. I’ll have ’t disputed on. 'Tis these charges?
probable and palpable to thinking.
80
I therefore apprehend and do attach thee For
an abuser of the world, a practicer Act 1, Scene 2, Page 5
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.—
Lay hold upon him. If he do resist, BRABANTIO
Subdue him at his peril! To prison, till fit time
Of law and course of direct session
OTHELLO
Call thee to answer.
Hold your hands,
Both you of my inclining and the rest. OTHELLO
85 What if I do obey?
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter. Whither will you that I go To
answer this your charge? BRABANTIO
Grab him. If he struggles, use force! To prison, until you’re called into court.
OTHELLO
What if I do what you say? How would I satisfy
90 about my side Upon some present the Duke then? His messengers are
business of the state To bring me to waiting here to take me to him
him? immediately, on pressing state
OFFICER business.
'Tis true, most worthy signior.
The Duke’s in council and your noble OFFICER
self, I am sure, is sent for. It’s true. The Duke’s in a meeting right
95 BRABANTIO now, and he’s sent for you too.
How? The Duke in council?
In this time of the night? Bring him BRABANTIO
away. Mine’s not an idle cause. The The Duke’s in a meeting? At this time
Duke himself, Or any of my brothers of of night? Bring him with us. The law’s
the state, on my side. The Duke and any of my
Cannot but feel this wrong as ’twere fellow senators will take this wrong as
their own. For if such actions may seriously as if it were their own. If we
100
How may the Duke be therewith have passage free, Bond-slaves and let crimes like this happen, slaves and
satisfied, Whose messengers are here pagans shall our statesmen be. heathens will be our rulers.
Exeunt They all exit.
Act 1, Scene 3
Enter DUKE, SENATORS, and OFFICERS The DUKE enters with SENATORS andOFFICERS.
DUKE Indeed, they are disproportioned.
There’s no composition in this news That My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
gives them credit. DUKE
FIRST SENATOR These reports are inconsistent. You can’t trust
them. It’s true, they’re inconsistent. My letters say there are
FIRST SENATOR a hundred and seven ships.
Modern Text
5 SECOND SENATOR SECOND SENATOR

And mine, two hundred. And mine say two hundred. But often
But though they jump not on a just in these cases, reports are just
account— As in these cases, where estimates. The important thing is that
the aim reports 'Tis oft with difference they all say a Turkish fleet is
—yet do they all confirm A Turkish approaching Cyprus.
fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus. DUKE
Nay, it is possible enough to judgment. DUKE
I do not so secure me in the error, Yes, we get the idea. The
10 15
But the main article I do approve inconsistency doesn’t make me think
In fearful sense. that the reports are all wrong. I have
SAILOR no doubt about what they’re basically
(within) saying, and it’s frightening.
What, ho, what, ho, what, ho! SAILOR
OFFICER (offstage) Hello! Hey, hello!
A messenger from the galleys.
DUKE OFFICER
DUKE
And mine say a hundred and forty. It’s a messenger from the warships.
And mine a hundred and forty.
DUKE may he with more facile question bear it, For that
Now, what’s the business? SAILOR it stands not in such warlike brace
Enter SAILOR A SAILOR enters. DUKE But altogether lacks th' abilities
That Rhodes is dressed in. If we make thought of this
30
We must not think the Turk is so unskillful
Why are you here? To leave that latest which concerns him first,
SAILOR Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes, So To wake and wage a danger profitless.
was I bid report here to the state By Signior DUKE
Angelo. Nay, in all confidence, he’s not for Rhodes.
Act 1, Scene 3, Page 2 OFFICER

35
DUKE Here is more news.
Signor Angelo told me to come here and tell you What do you think about this change?
that the Turkish fleet is heading for Rhodes, not FIRST SENATOR
Cyprus. They can’t have changed; there’s no way this could
be true. It’s a trick to confuse us. Think about how
important Cyprus is to the Turks, and remember that
they could capture Cyprus more easily, since it isn’t
DUKE as well protected as Rhodes is. If we keep these
20 things in mind, we can’t possibly imagine that the
How say you by this change? Turks would be so incompetent as to put off for last
what they want to achieve first, setting aside
FIRST SENATOR
something easy and profitable to do something
This cannot be,
dangerous and pointless.
By no assay of reason. 'Tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
Th' importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
And let ourselves again but understand
25 DUKE
That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes So No, I think we can be confident that the Turks
aren’t really headed for Rhodes. OFFICER
Here’s some more news coming in.
Enter a MESSENGER A MESSENGER enters.
MESSENGER MESSENGER
Modern Text
The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, No, he’s in Florence.

Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, DUKE
Have there injointed them with an after fleet. FIRST Write to him immediately. Hurry.
SENATOR FIRST SENATOR
Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess? Here come Brabantio and the brave Moor.
BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, CASSIO, IAGO,RODERI
MESSENGER GO and the officers enter.
40
DUKE
Of thirty sail. And now they do re-stem
5
Their backward course, bearing with frank
Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
appearance
0
Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano,
Against the general enemy Ottoman—
Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
(to BRABANTIO) I did not see you. Welcome, gentle
45
signior.
With his free duty recommends you thus,
We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.
And prays you to believe him.
Sir, the Turks sailed to Rhodes, where they joined BRABANTIO
with another fleet. So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me.
5
FIRST SENATOR Neither my place nor aught I heard of business
That’s just what I thought. How many, can you 5
guess? Hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the general
care
MESSENGER
Take hold on me, for my particular grief
Thirty ships. Now they’ve turned around and are
Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature
clearly heading for Cyprus. Signor Montano, your
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
brave and loyal servant, gives you this information
6
and asks you to send reinforcements to relieve him.
And it is still itself.
0
DUKE
Why, what’s the matter?
Act 1, Scene 3, Page 3 BRABANTIO
My daughter! Oh, my daughter!
DUKE
'Tis certain then for Cyprus. ALL
Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town? Dead?
FIRST SENATOR BRABANTIO
He’s now in Florence. Ay, to me.
Brave Othello, I have to send you right away to fight
DUKE
the Turks, our great enemy.—(toBRABANTIO) Oh, I
Write from us to him. Post-post-haste, dispatch. didn’t see you there. Welcome, sir. I could have used
FIRST SENATOR your wisdom and help tonight.
Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor. Enter
BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, CASSIO, IAGO,ROD BRABANTIO
ERIGO, and officers I could have used yours as well. Forgive me, your
DUKE grace. I didn’t get out of bed and come here in the
dead of night because I heard about the war or
because I was worried about the city’s defense. I
DUKE have a personal problem so painful and gut
Then it’s certain they’re heading for Cyprus. Is wrenching that it overwhelms everything else.
Marcus Luccicos in town?
FIRST SENATOR
DUKE FIRST SENATOR
Why, what’s the matter? Is she dead?
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
It’s my daughter! Oh, my daughter! She’s dead to me. She’s been tricked and stolen
Modern Text
She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted By OTHELLO

spells and medicines bought of mountebanks. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
80
My very noble and approved good masters, That I
Act 1, Scene 3, Page 4 have ta'en away this old man’s daughter, It is
most true. True, I have married her.
65 For nature so prepost'rously to err,
The very head and front of my offending
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
Sans witchcraft could not.
85
DUKE And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace, For
Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding since these arms of mine had seven years' pith Till
Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself now some nine moons wasted, they have used Their
from me, enchanted by black magic spells. She dearest action in the tented field,
must’ve And little of this great world can I speak,
the sentence as you see fit, and impose the death
penalty if you choose to, even if the criminal were my
own son.
been tricked or drugged, because there’s no way
she could have made this mistake on her own. BRABANTIO
I humbly thank you, sir. Here is the man, the
DUKE Moor. It seems you had your own reasons for
summoning him here.
Whoever tricked your daughter and stole her from
you will pay for it. And you yourself will determine
70 ALL
And you of her, the bloody book of law We’re sorry to hear this.
You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, DUKE
After your own sense, yea, though our proper son (to OTHELLO) What do you have to say for
Stood in your action. yourself?
BRABANTIO BRABANTIO
Humbly I thank your grace. Nothing, but this is true.
Here is the man, this Moor, whom now it seems,
OTHELLO
75
Your special mandate for the state affairs Noble, honorable gentlemen whom I serve: it’s true
that I’ve taken this man’s daughter from him and
Hath hither brought.
married her. But that’s my only offense. There’s
ALL nothing more. I’m awkward in my speech and I’m not
We are very sorry for’t. a smooth talker. From the time I was seven years
DUKE old until nine months ago I’ve been fighting in
(to OTHELLO)What, in your own part, can you say to battles. I don’t know much about the world apart
this? from fighting. So I won’t do myself much good by
BRABANTIO speaking in my own defense. But if you’ll let me, I’ll
tell you the plain
Nothing, but this is so.

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

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 6 And let her
speak of me before her father.
120 Fetch Desdemona hither. DUKE
If you do find me foul in her report OTHELLO Bring Desdemona here.
The trust, the office I do hold of you, Ancient, conduct them. You best know OTHELLO
Not only take away, but let your the place. Iago, bring Desdemona here. You
sentence Even fall upon my life. about me, then you can sentence me know where she is.
DUKE to death.
Exeunt IAGO and attendants IAGO and attendants exit.
125 And till she come, as truly as to heaven I do In the meantime I’ll tell you all, as honestly as I
confess the vices of my blood So justly to confess my sins to God, how I wooed this beautiful
your grave ears I’ll present How I did thrive lady, and how she came to love me.
in this fair lady’s love And she in mine.
DUKE
Say it, Othello. DUKE
OTHELLO Tell us, Othello.
OTHELLO
130
Her father loved me, oft invited me,
Still questioned me the story of my life
From year to year, the battles, sieges,
fortunes,
Her father loved me and used to invite
me to his house often, continually
asking me about my life and all the
battles I’ve fought. I told him
Modern Text
135 140 145 Of being taken by the insolent foe land, and near-catastrophes and
And sold to slavery, of my redemption dangerous adventures I’ve been
thence And portance in my traveler’s through. I told him how I was captured
history. Wherein of antres vast and and sold as a slave, how I bought my
deserts idle, Rough quarries, rocks, freedom, and how I wandered through
That I have passed. hills whose heads touch heaven caves and deserts. I was able to tell
I ran it through, even from my boyish It was my hint to speak—such was my him about cannibals who eat each
days, To th' very moment that he bade process— And of the Cannibals that other, and men with heads growing
me tell it, Wherein I spoke of most each others eat, below their shoulders. When I talked
disastrous chances, Of moving everything, from my boyhood up until about all these things, Desdemona
accidents by flood and field, Of hair- the time when I was talking to him. I used to listen attentively. If she had to
breadth ’scapes i' th' imminent deadly told him about unfortunate disasters, go do some household chore, I
breach, hair-raising adventures on sea and on noticed that she’d always come back
quickly to hear more of my stories.
When I was relaxing, she’d pull me aside and ask

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 7 to hear some part of a story she had missed. Her
The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads Grew eyes would fill with tears at the bad things I went
beneath their shoulders. These things to hear Would through in my younger years. When my
Desdemona seriously incline.
But still the house affairs would draw her hence,
150 155 160 165 170 When I did speak of some distressful only is the witchcraft I have used. Here
stroke That my youth suffered. My comes the lady. Let her witness it.
story being done She gave me for my stories were done, she’d sigh and tell
pains a world of sighs. She swore, in me how strangely wonderful and sad
faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing my life had been. She said she
Which ever as she could with haste strange, wished she hadn’t heard it, but she
dispatch, She’d come again, and with 'Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful. also wished there was a man like me
a greedy ear Devour up my discourse, She wished she had not heard it, yet for her. She thanked me and told me
which I, observing, Took once a pliant she wished That heaven had made her that if a friend of mine had a story like
hour and found good means To draw such a man. She thanked me mine to tell, she’d fall in love with him.
from her a prayer of earnest heart That And bade me, if I had a friend that I took the hint and spoke to her. She
I would all my pilgrimage dilate, loved her, I should but teach him how said she loved me for the dangers I’d
Whereof by parcels she had to tell my story And that would woo survived, and I loved her for feeling
something heard But not intentively. I her. Upon this hint I spake. She loved such strong emotions about me.
did consent, me for the dangers I had passed, And I That’s the only witchcraft I ever used.
And often did beguile her of her tears loved her that she did pity them. This Here comes my wife now. She’ll
confirm everything.
DUKE Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, and attendants

DESDEMONA, IAGO, and attendants enter. DUKE
175 Men do their broken weapons rather own daughter over. Brabantio, I urge
I think this tale would win my daughter use Than their bare hands. you to make the best of this. Try to
too. Good Brabantio. Take up this I think a story like that would win my accept what’s happened.
mangled matter at the best.
Modern Text
180 do learn me DESDEMONA

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

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 9 To mourn a
mischief that is past and gone
205 210 215 Is the next way to draw new mischief
on. What cannot be preserved when
fortune takes, Patience her injury a
mock'ry makes.
The robbed that smiles steals bears both the sentence and the BRABANTIO
something from the thief, sorrow That, to pay grief, must of poor So if the Turks steal Cyprus from us, it
He robs himself that spends a bootless patience borrow. These sentences to won’t be bad as long as we keep
grief. BRABANTIO sugar or to gall, smiling. It’s easy to accept platitudes
his losses is superior to the thief who like that if you haven’t lost anything.
So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile,
robbed him, but if he cries he’s just But I’ve lost something precious, and I
We lose it not, so long as we can
wasting time. have to put up with the platitude as
smile. He bears the sentence well that
well as suffering my loss. Talk is
nothing bears But the free comfort
cheap. I’ve never heard of someone
which from thence he hears. But he
feeling better because of someone
Modern Text
220 225 preparation makes for Cyprus. go ahead and get back to your state
Othello, the fortitude of the place is affairs.
best known to you, and though we
have there a substitute of most
allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a DUKE
sovereign mistress of effects, throws a
The Turks are heading for Cyprus with
more safer voice on you. You must
a powerful fleet. Othello, you
therefore be content to slubber the
understand better than anyone how
gloss of your new fortunes with this
the defenses for Cyprus work. Even
more stubborn and boist'rous
though we have a very good officer in
expedition.
charge there already, everyone says
OTHELLO you’re the better man for the job. So
The tyrant custom, most grave I’ll have to ask you to put a damper on
senators, Hath made the flinty and your marriage celebrations and take
Being strong on both sides, are steel couch of war My thrice-driven part in this dangerous expedition.
equivocal. But words are words. I bed of down. I do agnize A natural and OTHELLO
never yet did hear That the bruised prompt alacrity
I’ve gotten used to the hardships of a
I find in hardness, and do undertake military life. I rise to the occasion
heart was piercèd through the ears. I
These present wars against the when faced with difficulties. I will take
humbly beseech you, proceed to th'
Ottomites. Most humbly therefore charge of this war against the Turks.
affairs of state. DUKE
bending to your state, But I humbly ask you to make
The Turk with a most mighty
else’s words. Please, I’m asking you, appropriate arrangements for my wife,
giving her a place to live and people to keep her

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 10 I
crave fit disposition for my wife.
230 245 250 Nor would I there reside,
To put my father in impatient thoughts
By being in his eye. Most gracious
Duke, To my unfolding lend your
prosperous ear And let me find a
Due reference of place and exhibition, charter in your voice, T' assist my
With such accommodation and besort simpleness.
As levels with her breeding. DUKE
DUKE What would you, Desdemona?
235 240 Why, at her father’s. DESDEMONA
BRABANTIO That I did love the Moor to live with
I’ll not have it so. him, My downright violence and storm
OTHELLO of fortunes May trumpet to the world.
Nor I. My heart’s subdued Even to the very
quality of my lord. I saw Othello’s
DESDEMONA
visage in his mind,
And to his honors and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
So that, dear lords, if I be left behind A
moth of peace and he go to the war,
company that suit her high rank.
DUKE
She can stay at her father’s house.
BRABANTIO
I won’t allow it.
OTHELLO
Neither will I.
DESDEMONA
And I wouldn’t stay there. I don’t want
to upset my father by being in his
house. Dear Duke, please listen to
what I have to say.
DUKE
What do you want to do, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA
When I fell in love with Othello I made
up my mind that I wanted to live with
him. You can see how much I wanted
to be with him by how violently I threw
away my old life. I feel like I’m a part
of him now, and that means I’m part of
a soldier. I saw Othello’s true face
when I saw his mind. I gave my whole
life to him because of his honor and
bravery. If I were left at home
uselessly while he went off to war,
then I’m
Modern Text
255 Let her have your voice. without him. Let me go with him.
The rites for which I love him are bereft Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore OTHELLO
me, And I a heavy interim shall support beg it not To please the palate of my Please allow her to do this. I’m not
By his dear absence. Let me go with appetite, asking to have her near me for sex—
him. OTHELLO separated from my husband in his I’m too old for that, and my sexual
natural element. I’d be miserable
urges are dead. I want this because she wants it—

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 11 I love her for her mind. And I’d never want
Nor to comply with heat the young affects In
my defunct and proper satisfaction,
260 265 instrument, That my disports corrupt choose to lounge around in bed with
and taint my business, Let housewives my loved one instead of going off to
make a skillet of my helm And all war, then you can let a housewife use
indign and base adversities my helmet as a frying pan. My
Make head against my estimation. reputation would be disgraced if I ever
DUKE acted like that.
Be it as you shall privately determine,
270 Either for her stay or going. Th' affair
cries haste And speed must answer it.
DUKE
FIRST SENATOR You can decide that privately. I don’t
You must away tonight. care whether she stays or goes.
What’s important is the urgency of this
OTHELLO
mission. You’ve got to act fast.
With all my heart.
FIRST SENATOR
DUKE
You’ll have to leave tonight.
At nine i' th' morning here we’ll meet
again. Othello, leave some officer OTHELLO
275 280 behind With all my heart, I’ll go right away.
And he shall our commission bring to DUKE
you, And such things else of quality We’ll meet again at nine in the
and respect As doth import you. morning. Othello, have one of your
OTHELLO officers stay behind to bring you your
So please your grace, my ancient. commission and whatever else is
A man he is of honesty and trust. important to you.
But to be free and bounteous to her To his conveyance I assign my wife,
mind, And heaven defend your good With what else needful your good OTHELLO
souls, that you think I will your serious grace shall think To be sent after me. My lord, my ensign is an honest and
and great business scant When she is you to think that I’d neglect my serious trustworthy man. He’ll accompany my
with me. No, when light-winged toys Of official duties while she was there with wife, and bring whatever else you
feathered Cupid seel with wanton me. If I ever let love blind me so that I think I might need.
dullness My speculative and officed
DUKE
All right, then. Good night, everyone.—
DUKE (toBRABANTIO) Sir, if goodness is beautiful, your
Let it be so. son-in-law is beautiful, not black.
Good night to every one.—(to BRABANTIO)
And, noble signior,
285
If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
FIRST SENATOR FIRST SENATOR
Modern Text
Adieu, brave Moor. Use Desdemona well. Goodbye, black Moor. Treat Desdemona well.
290 295 My life upon her faith!—Honest Iago, The DUKE, BRABANTIO,
My Desdemona must I leave to thee. CASSIO,SENATORS, and officers
I prithee, let thy wife attend on her, exit.
And bring them after in the best OTHELLO
advantage. Come, Desdemona, I have I’d bet my life she’d never lie to me.
BRABANTIO but an hour Iago, I’m leaving my dear Desdemona
Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to Of love, of worldly matter and with you. Have your wife attend to her,
see. She has deceived her father, and direction, and bring them along as soon as you
may thee. Exeunt DUKE, To spend with thee. We must obey the can. Come on, Desdemona, I’ve only
BRABANTIO, CASSIO,SENATORS, time. got an hour of love to spend with you,
BRABANTIO
and officers to tell you what you need to do. We’re
Keep an eye on her, Moor. She lied to on a tight schedule.
OTHELLO me, and she may lie to you.
RODERIGO Iago. Iago.

IAGO IAGO
Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA OTHELLO and
DESDEMONA exit. RODERIGO
300 Why, go to bed, and sleep. What do you think I should do? IAGO
What say’st thou, noble heart? RODERIGO Go to bed, and sleep.
RODERIGO I will incontinently drown myself. RODERIGO
What will I do, think’st thou? IAGO What do you have to say, noble I’m going to go drown myself.
friend? RODERIGO
that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 13 would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I
IAGO would change my humanity with a baboon.
If thou dost I shall never love thee after. Why, thou RODERIGO
silly gentleman!
RODERIGO
It is silliness to live when to live is torment, and then IAGO
have we a prescription to die when death is our If you do that, I’ll never respect you again. Why,
physician. you silly man!
IAGO RODERIGO
Oh, villainous! I have looked upon the world for four It’s silly to live when life is torture. The only cure is
times seven years, and since I could distinguish death.
betwixt a benefit and an injury I never found man
IAGO myself out of love for some woman I can’t have.
Oh, how stupid! I’ve been alive for twenty-eight
years, and I’ve never met a man who knew what
was good for him. I’d rather be a baboon than kill RODERIGO
305 nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and Can’t help it? Nonsense! What we are
What should I do? I confess it is my weed up thyme, supply it with one is up to us. Our bodies are like
shame to be so fond, but it is not in gender of herbs or distract it with many gardens and our willpower is like the
my virtue to amend it. IAGO — either to have it sterile with gardener. Depending on what we
Virtue? A fig! 'Tis in ourselves that we idleness, or manured plant—weeds or lettuce, or one kind of
are thus or thus. Our bodies are our What should I do? I know it’s foolish to herb rather than a variety, the garden
gardens, to the which our wills are be so much in love, but I can’t help it. will either be barren and useless, or
gardeners. So that if we will plant IAGO rich and productive. If
Modern Text
with industry—why, the power and corrigible RODERIGO

authority of this lies in our wills. If the balance of our we didn’t have rational minds to counterbalance our
lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of emotions and desires, our bodily urges would take
sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures over. We’d end up in ridiculous situations.
would conduct us to most prepost'rous conclusions. Thankfully, we have reason to cool our raging lusts.
But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our In my opinion, what you call love is just an offshoot
carnal stings, our unbitted lusts. Whereof I take this of lust.
that you call love to be a sect or scion.
RODERIGO
It cannot be. RODERIGO
IAGO I don’t believe it.
It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of IAGO
the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats You feel love because you feel lust and you have
and blind puppies! I have professed me thy friend, no willpower. Come on, be a man. Drown yourself?
and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of Drowning is for cats or blind puppies— don’t drown
perdurable toughness. yourself! I’ve told you I’m your friend, and I’ll stick
by you.

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

I am changed. No more talk about killing yourself,
IAGO okay?
Go to, farewell. Put money enough in RODERIGO
your purse. RODERIGO I’ve changed my mind about that.
I’ll sell all my land. IAGO

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

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

THIRD GENTLEMAN prays the Moor be safe. For they were parted
News, lads, Our wars are done! THIRD GENTLEMAN
The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks, I’ve got news, boys, the war’s over! This terrible
That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice Hath storm has smashed the Turks so badly that their
seen a grievous wreck and sufferance 25 plans are ruined. One of our ships has reported that
On most part of their fleet. it saw most of their fleet shipwrecked.
MONTANO
How? Is this true? MONTANO
THIRD GENTLEMAN What? Is this true?
The ship is here put in, THIRD GENTLEMAN
A Veronesa. Michael Cassio, The ship’s sailing into harbor now; it’s from Verona.
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello, Michael Cassio, lieutenant of the Moor Othello, has
Is come on shore. The Moor himself at sea 30 arrived on shore. The Moor himself is still at sea.
And is in full commission here for Cyprus. He’s been commissioned to come 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.
THIRD GENTLEMAN THIRD GENTLEMAN
But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort Cassio brings good news about the Turkish
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly And defeat, but he’s worried about the Othello’s safety.
The two of them were separated during
Modern Text
35 With foul and violent tempest. the storm.

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

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

Modern Text
MONTANO tire the ingener.

But good lieutenant, is your general wived? MONTANO
CASSIO Good lieutenant, is your general married?
Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid CASSIO
6 Yes, and he’s very lucky to have married the woman
That paragons description and wild fame, he did. His wife defies description. She’s God’s
5 masterpiece, and she’d exhaust whoever tried to do
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, her justice while praising her.
And in th' essential vesture of creation Does
Enter SECOND GENTLEMAN The SECOND GENTLEMAN enters. How now? Who
has put in? Who’s arrived in the harbor?
SECOND GENTLEMAN se'nnight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello guard, And
7 swell his sail with thine own powerful breath, That he
'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general. may bless this bay with his tall ship, Make love’s
0 quick pants in Desdemona’s arms, 8
CASSIO Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits
He’s had most favorable and happy speed. 5
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds, And bring all Cyprus comfort!
The guttered rocks and congregated sands, Traitors Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGOwit
ensteeped to enclog the guiltless keel, 7 h attendants
As having sense of beauty, do omit SECOND GENTLEMAN
5 A man named Iago, the general’s ensign.
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona. CASSIO
MONTANO He made good time. You see how the storm, the
What is she? jagged rocks, and the sand banks that trap ships all
CASSIO appreciate a beautiful woman. They let the heavenly
She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain, Desdemona arrive safe and sound.
8
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,
0
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts A
MONTANO DESDEMONA, IAGO, RODERIGO and EMILIAenter .
Who’s that?
CASSIO
She’s the one I was talking about, the general’s wife.
The brave Iago was put in charge of bringing her here, Oh, behold,
and he’s arrived a week sooner than we expected. The riches of the ship is come on shore! You
Dear God, please protect Othello and help him arrive men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
here safely, so he and Desdemona can be in each
other’s arms, and Othello can cheer us up and bring
comfort to Cyprus. Look, the precious Desdemona has arrived on
shore. We should all kneel before her, men of
Cyprus! Greetings, my lady, and may God
90 95 DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
I thank you, valiant Cassio. Thank you, brave Cassio. Is there any
What tidings can you tell me of my news about my husband?
lord? CASSIO CASSIO
He is not yet arrived. Nor know I aught He hasn’t arrived yet. As far as I know,
But that he’s well and will be shortly he’s okay and will arrive here soon.
here. DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Hail to thee, lady, and the grace of Oh, but I fear. How lost you company? Oh, but I’m worried. How did you two
heaven, Before, behind thee, and on always be with you. get separated?
every hand, Enwheel thee round!
Modern Text
100 SECOND GENTLEMAN (offstage) A sail! A sail!

CASSIO They give this greeting to the citadel. CASSIO
The great contention of the sea and This likewise is a friend. Listen, they’ve spotted another ship!
skies Parted our fellowship— CASSIO A shot A gunshot is heard. SECOND
A VOICE See for the news.
(within) A sail, a sail! GENTLEMAN
CASSIO
The storm separated us. They fired a greeting shot too, so this
CASSIO
is also a friendly ship.
But, hark! a sail.
A VOICE CASSIO
Go find out the news.
Exit a SECOND GENTLEMEN SECOND GENTLEMAN exits.
105 Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, Ensign Iago, welcome.—And welcome
Good ancient, you are welcome.— That I extend my manners. 'Tis my to you, too, madam. (he kisses
Welcome, mistress. breeding That gives me this bold show EMILIA) Don’t be upset that I kissed
(kisses EMILIA) of courtesy. your wife hello, Iago. It’s a courtesy
where I come from.
IAGO
If she gave you as much lip as she gives me,
IAGO
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
110 115 120 IAGO
As of her tongue she oft bestows on In faith, too much.
me, You’ll have enough. I find it still, when I have leave to
DESDEMONA sleep.
Alas, she has no speech! Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart DESDEMONA IAGO
And chides with thinking. Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer! Come on, come on. You women are all
EMILIA IAGO the same. You’re as pretty as pictures
You have little cause to say so. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk. when you’re out in public, but in your
you’d be sick of her by now. own houses you’re as noisy as
IAGO
jangling bells. In your own kitchens
Come on, come on. You are pictures you act like wildcats. You make
out of door, bells in your parlors, wild- DESDEMONA yourselves sound like saints when
cats in your kitchens, saints in your On the contrary, she’s a soft-spoken
you’re complaining about something,
injuries, devils being offended, players woman. IAGO but you act like devils when someone
in your housewifery, and housewives
No, she talks too much. She’s always offends you. You don’t take your jobs
in your beds.
talking when I want to sleep. I admit as housewives seriously, and you’re
that in front of you, my lady, she shameless hussies in bed.
keeps a bit quiet. But she’s scolding DESDEMONA
me silently. Shame on you, you slanderer!
IAGO
EMILIA No, it’s true, or if it’s not, I’m a villain.
You have no reason to say that. You wake
Modern Text
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
130 135
140 145
For I am nothing, if not critical.
DESDEMONA
Come on, assay. There’s one gone to the harbor?
IAGO
Ay, madam.
DESDEMONA
I am not merry, but I do beguile
The thing I am by seeming otherwise.
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
IAGO
I am about it, but indeed my invention
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze, It plucks out brains and all. But my Muse labors And thus she is
delivered:
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
The one’s for use, the other useth it.
DESDEMONA
Well praised! How if she be black and witty?
IAGO
If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
She’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit. DESDEMONA
Worse and worse!
EMILIA
How if fair and foolish?
IAGO
She never yet was foolish that was fair,
For even her folly helped her to an heir.
DESDEMONA
These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i' th' alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her That’s foul
and foolish?
IAGO
There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto, But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
nature.
DESDEMONA
Come on, just try.—By the way, has someone gone down to the harbor?
IAGO
Yes, madam.
DESDEMONA
I’m not as happy as I seem. I’m just trying not to show how worried I am about Othello’s safety. Come on, what
would you say about me? IAGO
I’m trying to think of something, but I’m not good at inventing clever things. It takes time. Ah, I’ve got it. If a woman is
pretty and smart, she uses her good looks to get what she wants.
DESDEMONA
Very clever! But what if the woman is smart but ugly?
IAGO
Even if she’s ugly, she’ll be smart enough to find a guy to sleep with her.
DESDEMONA
This is getting worse and worse!
EMILIA
What if she’s pretty but stupid?
IAGO
No pretty woman is stupid, because her stupidity will make her more attractive to men. DESDEMONA
These are stupid old jokes that men tell each other in bars. What horrible thing do you have to say about a woman
who’s both ugly and stupid? IAGO
No matter how ugly or stupid the woman is, she plays the same dirty tricks that the smart and pretty ones do.
Modern Text
150 155 never was so frail IAGO

To change the cod’s head for the A woman who was beautiful but never
salmon’s tail, She that could think and proud, who could speak well but knew
ne'er disclose her mind, See suitors when to be quiet, who dressed well
following and not look behind, She was but was never overdressed, who had
a wight, if ever such wights were— self-restraint even when she could get
DESDEMONA what she wanted, a woman who never
To do what? took revenge, who overlooked it when
160 people hurt her, who was too wise to
IAGO
DESDEMONA do anything stupid, who could think
To suckle fools and chronicle small without revealing her thoughts, and
Oh, heavy ignorance! Thou praisest
beer. DESDEMONA who could refrain from flirting with men
the worst best. But what praise
couldst thou bestow on a deserving Oh, most lame and impotent in love with her, that kind of woman, if
woman indeed, one that in the conclusion! Do not learn of him, she ever existed, would—
authority of her merit did justly put on Emilia, though he be thy husband. DESDEMONA
the vouch of very malice itself? How say you, Cassio? Is he not a Would do what?
most profane and liberal counselor?
IAGO
IAGO CASSIO Would raise babies and clip coupons.
She that was ever fair and never He speaks home, madam. You may
DESDEMONA
proud, relish him more in the soldier than in
Oh, that’s pathetic! Don’t listen to him,
Had tongue at will and yet was never the scholar.
Emilia, even though he’s your
loud, Never lacked gold and yet went DESDEMONA
husband. What do you think about
never gay, Fled from her wish and yet You don’t know a thing! You give your
him, Cassio? Isn’t he a horrible man?
said “Now I may,” She that being best praise to the worst women. But
angered, her revenge being nigh, how would you praise a truly good
Bade her wrong stay and her woman, someone who had no reason CASSIO
displeasure fly, She that in wisdom to worry about what anyone said about He speaks bluntly, madam. He’s more
her? of a soldier than a wise man.
IAGO and excellent courtesy! ’tis so, indeed. Yet again

CASSIO takes DESDEMONA'S hand CASSIO takes your fingers to your lips? Would they were clyster
DESDEMONA'S hand. IAGO pipes for your sake!—
(to himself) He’s taking her hand. That’s right, go
(aside) He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said,
ahead and whisper together. This is all I need to
whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as
get Cassio. Yes, keep smiling at her, Cassio. Your
great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do, I will
fine manners around women will be your downfall.
gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true, 'Tis
Oh, I’m sure you’re saying something very clever.
so, indeed.
Act 2, Scene 1, Page 9 If you lose your job because of little flirtations like
this, you’ll wish you hadn’t been so courteous with
If such tricks as these strip you out of your
her. Oh, how nice, you’re kissingyour own hand,
lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed
one finger at a time? I wish those fingers were
your three fingers so oft, which now again you are
enema tubes!—
most apt to play the sir in. Very good, well kissed,
Trumpet within A trumpet plays offstage.

165 The Moor! I know his trumpet. That’s the Moor! I recognize his trumpet. CASSIO CASSIO
Modern Text
'Tis truly so. Yes, it is.

DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Let’s meet him and receive him. CASSIO Let’s go greet him when he lands. CASSIO
Lo, where he comes! Look, here he comes.
OTHELLO My beautiful warrior!

Oh my fair warrior! DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Enter OTHELLO and attendants OTHELLO enters with
attendants. OTHELLO
170 175 death, And let the laboring bark climb But I’m overjoyed! My love, if the calm
hills of seas Olympus-high, and duck after the storm could always be this
again as low As hell’s from heaven! If it wonderful, I’d want the wind to blow
were now to die, 'Twere now to be until it waked the dead, and whipped
most happy, for I fear My soul hath her up waves as tall as mountains! If I
content so absolute died right now I’d be completely
That not another comfort like to this happy, since I’ll probably never be as
Succeeds in unknown fate. happy as this again in my life.
180 DESDEMONA
My dear Othello! The heavens forbid
OTHELLO But that our loves and comforts should
It gives me wonder great as my increase, Even as our days do grow.
content To see you here before me. My darling Othello! DESDEMONA
Oh, my soul’s joy! If after every OTHELLO God willing, our love and our
tempest come such calms, May the I’m amazed you got here before me. happiness will only increase as we get
winds blow till they have wakened older.
OTHELLO
Amen to that! I can’t talk about my happiness
OTHELLO anymore. It’s too much. I hope these kisses I’m
Amen to that, sweet powers! about to give you are the closest we ever come to
I cannot speak enough of this content. fighting.(they kiss)
It stops me here, it is too much of joy.
And this, and this, the greatest discords be (kissing
her) IAGO
That e'er our hearts shall make!
IAGO
185 (aside) prattle out of fashion, and I dote
Oh, you are well tuned now, In mine own comforts.—I prithee, good
But I’ll set down the pegs that make Iago, Go to the bay and disembark my
this music, As honest as I am. coffers. Bring thou the master to the
OTHELLO citadel.
Come, let us to the castle. He is a good one, and his worthiness
(to himself) Oh, you’re happy now, but
News, friends! Our wars are done, the
I’ll ruin your happiness, for all my
Turks are drowned.
supposed honesty.
190 195 How does my old acquaintance of this
isle?— Honey, you shall be well
desired in Cyprus, I have found great
love amongst them. O my sweet, I OTHELLO
Let’s go up to the castle. Good news, been very good to me here. Oh, my captain to the castle. He’s a good man.
friends. The war’s over and the Turks dear, I’m blabbing on and on because —Let’s go, Desdemona. I’ll say it
are drowned. How are my old friends I’m so happy.— Iago, would you be again: I’m so happy to see you here in
from this island doing?— Honey, they’ll good enough to go get my trunks from Cyprus!
love you here in Cyprus. They’ve the ships? And bring the ship’s
Modern Text
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 brave,
being in love have then a nobility in their natures listen to me. Lieutenant Cassio will be on guard duty
more than is native to them, list me. The lieutenant 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 and counterfeit advantages, though Othello
With him? Why, ’tis not possible. true advantage never present itself. A isn’t any of those things. Since he
IAGO devilish knave. Besides, the knave is doesn’t have these advantages to
Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be handsome, young, and hath all those make him attractive to her, she’ll get
instructed. Mark me with what requisites in him that folly and green sick of him until he makes her want to
violence she first loved the Moor, but minds look after. A pestilent complete puke. She’ll start looking around for a
for bragging and telling her fantastical knave, and the woman hath found him second
lies. To love him still for prating? Let already. choice. Now, if that’s true—and it’s
not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye RODERIGO obviously true—who’s in a better
must be fed, and what delight shall I cannot believe that in her. She’s full position than Cassio? He’s a smooth
she have to look on the devil? When of most blessed condition. talker, and uses sophistication
the blood is made dull with the act of IAGO and fine manners to hide his lust.
sport, there should be a game to Nobody’s as crafty as he is. Besides,
Blessed fig’s-end! The wine she drinks
inflame it and to give satiety a fresh he’s young and handsome, and he’s
is made of grapes. If she had been
appetite, loveliness in favor, sympathy got all the qualities that naïve and silly
blessed, she would never have loved
in years, manners and beauties. All girls go for. He’s a bad boy, and
the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou
which the Moor is defective in. Now Desdemona’s got her eye on him
not see her paddle with the palm of his
for want of these required already.
hand? Didst
conveniences, her delicate tenderness
not mark that?
will find itself abused, begin to heave With Cassio? That’s impossible.
the gorge, disrelish and abhor the
Moor. Very nature will instruct her in it IAGO
and compel her to some second Be quiet and listen to me. Remember
choice. Now sir, this granted—as it is how she fell madly in love with the
a most pregnant and unforced Moor because he bragged and told
position—who stands so eminent in her made-up stories? Did you expect RODERIGO
I can’t believe that. She’s not that kind
the degree of this fortune as Cassio her to keep on loving him for his
does? A knave very voluble, no chattering? You’re too smart to think of woman. She’s very moral.
further conscionable than in putting on that. No, she needs someone nice- IAGO
the mere form of civil and humane looking. Othello’s ugly, what pleasure Like hell she is! She’s made of the
seeming, for the better compassing of could she find in him? same flesh and blood as everyone
his salt and most hidden loose Lovemaking gets boring after a while. else. If she were so moral, she would
affection. Why, none, why, none! A To keep things hot, she’ll need to see never have fallen in love with the
slipper and subtle knave, a finder of someone with a handsome face, Moor in the first place. Good lord! Did
occasions that has an eye, can stamp someone close to her in age, you notice how she and Cassio were
someone who looks and acts like her. fondling each
Modern Text
other’s hands? Did you see that?
205 210
RODERIGO
Yes, that I did, but that was but courtesy.
IAGO
Lechery, by this hand, an index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with
their lips that their breaths embraced together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo! When these mutabilities so marshal
the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, th' incorporate conclusion. Pish! But, sir, be you ruled
by me. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you tonight for the command, I’ll lay ’t upon you. Cassio knows you
not. I’ll not be far from you. Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his
discipline, or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favorably minister.
RODERIGO
Well.
IAGO
Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may. For even out of that
will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting
of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them, and
the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity. RODERIGO
I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity. IAGO
I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel. I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
RODERIGO
Adieu.
RODERIGO
Yes, I did. But that wasn’t romantic, it was just polite manners.
IAGO
They were lusting after each other. You could tell by how they were acting that they’re going to be lovers. They were
so close that their breath was mingling. When two people get that intimate, sex will soon follow. Disgusting! But listen
to me; let me guide you. I brought you here from Venice. Be on guard duty tonight. I’ll put you in charge. Cassio
doesn’t know you. I’ll be nearby. Make Cassio angry somehow, either by speaking too loud, or insulting his military
skills, or however else you want.
RODERIGO
All right.
IAGO
He’s hot-tempered, and he might try to hit you with his staff. Try to get him to do that. That’ll allow me to stir up
public sentiment against him here in Cyprus. I’ll get them so riled up that they’ll only calm down when Cassio’s fired.
To get what you want, you need to get Cassio out of the way. If you don’t do that, things are hopeless for you.
RODERIGO
I’ll do it, if you help me out.
IAGO
I promise I will. Meet me in a little while at the citadel. I need to get Othello’s things from the ship. Goodbye.
RODERIGO
Goodbye.
Exit RODERIGO exits.
215 loving, noble nature, And I dare think too. I can’t stand the Moor, but I have
IAGO he’ll prove to Desdemona A most dear to admit that he’s a reliable, loving,
That Cassio loves her, I do well husband. Now, I do love her too, and good-natured man. He’d probably
believe ’t. That she loves him, ’tis apt IAGO be a good husband to Desdemona. I
and of great credit. The Moor, howbeit I think Cassio really does love her, and love her too, not simply out of lust, but
that I endure him not, Is of a constant, it’s perfectly likely that she loves him also to
Modern Text
220 225 230 235 peradventure I stand accountant for as mineral, gnaw my inwards, And
great a sin— But partly led to diet my nothing can or shall content my soul
revenge, Till I am evened with him, wife for wife.
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor
Hath leaped into my seat. The thought At least into a jealousy so strong
Not out of absolute lust—though whereof Doth, like a poisonous That judgment cannot cure. Which
thing to do, If this poor trash of Venice, yet confused. Knavery’s plain face is out my plan, I’ll have power over
whom I trace For his quick hunting, never seen till used. Cassio. I’ll say bad things about him
stand the putting on, I’ll have our feed my revenge. I have a feeling the to the Moor. I have a feeling Cassio
Michael Cassio on the hip, Abuse him Moor slept with my wife. That thought seduced my wife as well. I’ll make the
to the Moor in the right garb (For I fear keeps gnawing at me, eating me up Moor thank me, love me, and reward
Cassio with my night-cape too) Make inside. I won’t be satisfied until I get me, even though the joke will be on
the Moor thank me, love me, and even with him, wife for wife. If I can’t him the whole time. I’ve got a good
reward me For making him egregiously do that, I can at least make the Moor plan, though I haven’t worked out the
an ass so jealous that he can’t think straight. details yet. You can never see the end
And practicing upon his peace and If that piece of Venetian trash of an evil plan until the moment
quiet Even to madness. 'Tis here, but Roderigo can do what I need to carry comes.
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 mere been informed that the Turkish fleet has been
perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into completely destroyed, invites every man to celebrate
triumph: some to dance, some to make bonfires, each our victory. Some of you dance, some of you make
man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him. For bonfires, and every man celebrate in whatever way he
besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his likes to. For besides the good news, we are also
nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. celebrating his marriage. That’s the end of the
All offices are open, and there is full liberty of feasting announcement. There will be a feast from five o'clock
from this present hour of five till the bell have told eleven. until eleven. God bless the island of Cyprus and our
Bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello! noble general Othello!
Exit The HERALD exits.
Act 2, Scene 3
Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Iago is most honest.
attendants OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO and
OTHELLO attendants enter.
Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight. OTHELLO
Let’s teach ourselves that honorable stop Good Michael, keep a careful eye on the guards
Not to outsport discretion. tonight. Let’s exercise restraint and not let the party
get too wild.
CASSIO
Iago hath direction what to do, CASSIO
5 Iago has orders what to do. But I’ll see to it
But notwithstanding with my personal eye personally anyway.
Will I look to ’t.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Iago’s a good man. Goodnight, Michael. Come
Modern Text
Michael, good night. Tomorrow with your earliest The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue:
Let me have speech with you.— That profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.
Come, my dear love, Good night.
10 talk to me tomorrow as early as you can.—Come
with me, my dear love. Now that the wedding’s over, marriage. Good night, everyone.
we can have the pleasure of consummating our
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. Yes, she’s pretty. But she’s modest and ladylike
IAGO too.
Not this hour, lieutenant, ’tis not yet ten o' the clock. IAGO
Our general cast us thus early for the love of his 20
Desdemona—who let us not therefore blame. He hath And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?
not yet made wanton the night with her, and she is
sport for Jove. CASSIO
CASSIO She is indeed perfection.
15 IAGO
She’s a most exquisite lady. Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I
IAGO have a stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of
And, I’ll warrant her, full of game. Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the
CASSIO health of black Othello.
Hello, Iago. It’s time for us to stand guard. CASSIO
IAGO Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy
Not yet, lieutenant. It’s not even ten o'clock. The brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would
general got rid of us early tonight so he could be invent some other custom of entertainment. IAGO
with Desdemona.—I can’t blame him. He hasn’t Oh, they are our friends. But one cup. I’ll drink for
spent the night with her yet, and she’s beautiful you.
enough to be Jove’s lover.
CASSIO
CASSIO 25
She’s an exquisitely beautiful lady. I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily
IAGO qualified too, and behold what innovation it makes
And I bet she’s good in bed too. And when she speaks, doesn’t her voice stir up
passion?
CASSIO
Act 2, Scene 3, Page 2 She’s a perfect woman, it’s true.
CASSIO IAGO
Indeed she’s a most fresh and delicate creature. Well, good luck to them tonight in bed! Come with
us, lieutenant. I’ve got a jug of wine, and these two
IAGO
Cyprus gentlemen want to drink a toast to the black
What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to Othello.
provocation.
CASSIO
CASSIO Not tonight, Iago. I’m not much of a drinker. I wish
An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest. there was less social pressure to drink.
IAGO IAGO
Oh, but these are our friends. Just one glass. I’ll do
most of the drinking for you.
CASSIO
CASSIO
I’ve already had a glass of wine tonight, watered
Yes, she’s young and tender. down, but look how drunk I am. I’m not a heavy
IAGO
And such pretty eyes! Like an invitation.
Modern Text
here. I am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task IAGO

my weakness with any more. What, man, ’tis a night of revels! The gallants desire it.
CASSIO IAGO
Where are they? What are you talking about, man? Tonight is for
IAGO celebrating! The gentlemen are waiting. CASSIO
Here at the door. I pray you call them in. Where are they?
CASSIO IAGO
I’ll do ’t, but it dislikes me. By the door. Please invite them in.
drinker. I wouldn’t dare drink much more than that. CASSIO
I’ll do it, but I don’t like it.
Exit CASSIO exits.

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

Modern Text
CASSIO potent in potting. Your Dane, your German, and your

55 swag-bellied Hollander—Drink, ho!—are nothing to
Fore heaven, an excellent song. your English.
IAGO CASSIO
I learned it in England where indeed they are most
Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking? asking for refills.
IAGO CASSIO
Why, he drinks you with facility your Dane dead drunk; Let’s drink to our general!
he sweats not to overthrow your Almain. He gives your MONTANO
Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle can be filled. Hear, hear! I’ll drink as much as you do!
CASSIO IAGO
To the health of our general! Oh, sweet England!
MONTANO (he sings)
60 King Stephen was a good king, and his pants
I am for it, lieutenant, and I’ll do you justice. were very cheap,
IAGO But he thought his tailor overcharged him, so
Oh, sweet England! he called him a peasant.
(sings) And that was a man of noble rank, much higher
King Stephen was a worthy peer, than you are.
His breeches cost him but a crown, So be happy with your worn-out cloak,
He held them sixpence all too dear, Since pride is ruining the nation.
65 More wine!
With that he called the tailor lown. CASSIO
He was a wight of high renown, God, that song’s even better than the other one.
And thou art but of low degree, IAGO
'Tis pride that pulls the country down,
Do you want to hear it again?
Then take thine auld cloak about thee.
70 CASSIO
Some wine, ho! No, because we shouldn’t be doing that—stuff. Oh
well, God’s in charge, and some people have to go
CASSIO
to heaven, while other people have to go to hell.
Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.
IAGO
IAGO
That’s true, lieutenant.
Will you hear ’t again?
CASSIO
No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that Act 2, Scene 3, Page 5
does those things. Well, heaven’s above all, and
CASSIO
there be souls must be saved, and there be souls
must not be saved. For mine own part, no offence to the general nor any
man of quality, I hope to be saved.
IAGO
75
It’s true, good lieutenant. IAGO
CASSIO And so do I too, lieutenant.
My God, what a great song! CASSIO
IAGO Ay, but (by your leave) not before me. The lieutenant
I learned it England, where they have a talent for
drinking. The Danes, the Germans, and the Dutch
—come on, drink, drink!—are nothing compared to CASSIO
the English. Speaking for myself—and no offense to the
general or anyone else—I hope I’m going to
CASSIO
heaven.
Are Englishmen really such heavy drinkers?
IAGO
IAGO
Me too, lieutenant.
They drink Danes under the table, and it takes
them no effort at all to out-drink Germans. And CASSIO
the Dutch are vomiting while the English are Okay, but please not before me. The lieutenant
Modern Text
is to be saved before the ancient. Let’s have no more can stand well enough, and I speak well enough.
of this, let’s to our affairs.—Forgive us our sins!—
Gentlemen, let’s look to our business. Do not think,
gentlemen, I am drunk. This is my ancient, this is my
ALL
right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunk now. I
Excellent well!
CASSIO CASSIO
80 Yes, very well. So don’t think that I’m drunk.
Why, very well then. You must not think then that I
am drunk.
has to get to heaven before the ensign. But let’s
stop this drinking and get down to business.— God MONTANO
forgive our sins!—Gentlemen, let’s get down to Exit CASSIO exits. MONTANO
business. By the way, I don’t want anyone thinking To th' platform, masters. Come, let’s set the watch.
I’m drunk. This is my ensign. This is my right hand, Let’s go to the platform where we’ll stand guard.
and this is my left hand. Come on.
I’m not drunk. I can stand well enough, and I can
speak just fine.
IAGO
ALL Exit GENTLEMEN GENTLEMEN exit. IAGO
Yes, you’re speaking very well.
85 Will shake this island. much, and it’ll be bad for Cyprus
You see this fellow that is gone before, MONTANO eventually.
He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
But is he often thus?
And give direction. And do but see his You see that man who just left? He’s a
vice, 'Tis to his virtue a just equinox, good soldier, good enough to be
The one as long as th' other. 'Tis pity Caesar’s right-hand man. But he has
MONTANO
of him. I fear the trust Othello puts him a serious weakness. It’s too bad. I’m
But is he often like this?
in On some odd time of his infirmity worried that Othello trusts him too
IAGO
Act 2, Scene 3, Page 6 IAGO
90 95 double set If drink rock not his cradle. He drinks like this every night before
MONTANO he goes to sleep. He’d stay up all
It were well night and all day if he didn’t drink
The general were put in mind of it. himself to sleep.
Perhaps he sees it not, or his good MONTANO
nature Prizes the virtue that appears in The general should be informed about
Cassio And looks not on his evils. Is this. Maybe he’s never noticed, or he
'Tis evermore the prologue to his not this true? only wants to see Cassio’s good side.
sleep. He’ll watch the horologe a Don’t you think so?
IAGO (speaking so that only RODERIGO can hear)

(aside) How now, Roderigo? I pray you, after the Hello, Roderigo. Please, follow the lieutenant.
lieutenant, go! Hurry! Go!
Exit RODERIGO RODERIGO exits. MONTANO
MONTANO
Enter RODERIGO RODERIGO enters. IAGO
100 own second With one of an ingraft man with such a deep-rooted drinking
And ’tis great pity that the noble Moor infirmity. problem as his second-in-command.
Should hazard such a place as his And it’s too bad that the Moor chose a We should definitely say
Modern Text
105 Not I, for this fair island. IAGO
It were an honest action to say I do love Cassio well, and would do I wouldn’t say anything, not if you gave
So to the Moor. much To cure him of this evil— me the whole island for doing so. I
IAGO something to the Moor. respect Cassio and I’d like to help
cure his alcoholism—
IAGO What’s that noise?

But, hark! What noise?
Cry within “Help! help!” A voice offstage calls “Help! Help!”
IAGO
Enter CASSIO, pursuing RODERIGO CASSIO enters, chasing RODERIGO. Act 2,
Scene 3, Page 7
110 115 RODERIGO To think that fool had the nerve to try
Beat me? to teach me manners! I’ll beat him
CASSIO until the welts look like basket-weave!
Dost thou prate, rogue? (strikes him) RODERIGO
MONTANO You’ll beat me?
Nay, good lieutenant! I pray you, sir, CASSIO
hold your hand.(stays him) Are you talking, you villain?(he hits
CASSIO RODERIGO) MONTANO
Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you o'er the No, don’t hit him, lieutenant! Please,
mazzard. MONTANO sir, restrain yourself. (he restrains
CASSIO)
Come, come, you’re drunk.
CASSIO
CASSIO CASSIO
Let me go, or I’ll knock you on the
Zounds! You rogue! You rascal! Drunk?
CASSIO head. MONTANO
MONTANO Damn you, you villain, you rascal! Come on, you’re drunk.
What’s the matter, lieutenant?
MONTANO CASSIO
CASSIO What’s the matter, lieutenant? Drunk?
A knave teach me my duty?
CASSIO
I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.
IAGO They fight MONTANO and CASSIO fight. IAGO

(aside to RODERIGO) (speaking so that only RODERIGO can hear) Go tell
Away, I say, go out, and cry a mutiny.— everyone there’s a riot.—
Exit RODERIGO RODERIGO exits.
120 Montano— Help, masters!—Here’s a Help— Lieutenant—sir, Montano—

Nay, good lieutenant! Alas, gentlemen goodly watch indeed! Help, men!—The night guard is
— Help, ho!— Lieutenant—sir, No, lieutenant—God, gentlemen— coming!
Bell rings Someone rings a bell.

Who’s that which rings the bell?—Diablo, ho! The ashamed for ever.
town will rise. Fie, Fie, lieutenant, You’ll be Who’s sounding that alarm? The whole town will riot!
God, lieutenant, please stop! You’ll be ashamed of this forever!
Enter OTHELLO and attendants OTHELLO enters with attendants.
Modern Text
125 Hold, for your lives! OTHELLO

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

Swords out, and tilting one at other’s breasts In
opposition bloody. I cannot speak know what could have started this. I’d rather have
Any beginning to this peevish odds, lost my legs in battle than be a part of this!
150
155 160
Those legs that brought me to a part of it. OTHELLO
How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
CASSIO
I pray you pardon me, I cannot speak. OTHELLO
Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil. The gravity and stillness of your youth The world hath noted, and your name
is great In mouths of wisest censure. What’s the matter That you unlace your reputation thus And spend your rich
opinion for the name Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it. MONTANO
Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.
OTHELLO
How did you manage to lose your self-control like this, Michael?
CASSIO
Please, excuse me, sir. I can’t speak.
OTHELLO
Montano, you’re supposed to be calm and collected. You’re famous for it. Wise people respect you. What in the
world made you risk your reputation like this and become a street brawler? Tell me.
MONTANO
Othello, I’ve been seriously hurt. Your officer
Modern Text
165 170 sometimes a vice, And to defend attacked me.

ourselves it be a sin
When violence assails us.
OTHELLO
Now, by heaven,
My blood begins my safer guides to OTHELLO
rule, And passion, having my best All right, now I’m starting to lose my
judgment collied, Assays to lead the cool. By God, if you don’t tell me what
Your officer Iago can inform you, way. If I once stir, happened you’ll all suffer. Tell me how
While I spare speech, which Iago can tell you what happened. I this fight began, who started it.
something now offends me, should save my breath, since it hurts Whoever is guilty, even if he were my
Of all that I do know. Nor know I aught to talk. I didn’t do anything wrong that twin brother, I swear I’m through with
By me that’s said or done amiss this I know of, unless it was a sin to him. We’re in a town that’s just
night, Unless self-charity be defend myself when someone
avoided a war, everyone’s still on edge, and

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 10 you’re getting into private fights while you’re
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you Shall supposed to be on guard duty? That’s
sink in my rebuke. Give me to know How this unbelievably bad. Iago, who started it?
foul rout began, who set it on, And he that is
approved in this offence,
175 180 Though he had twinned with me, both IAGO
at a birth, Shall lose me. What, in a Touch me not so near.
town of war Yet wild, the people’s I had rather have this tongue cut from
hearts brimful of fear, To manage my mouth Than it should do offence to
private and domestic quarrel? In night, Michael Cassio. Yet I persuade myself
and on the court and guard of safety? to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong
'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began ’t? him. This it is, general: Montano and
MONTANO myself being in speech, There comes
If partially affined or leagued in office a fellow crying out for help And Cassio
185 190 195 200 Thou dost deliver more or less than following him with determined sword
truth Thou art no soldier. To execute upon him. Sir, this
gentleman Steps in to Cassio and
entreats his pause, Myself the crying MONTANO sword out, trying to kill the guy. This
fellow did pursue, I know you’re close to Cassio, but if gentleman stopped Cassio and told
Lest by his clamor—as it so fell out— you diverge from the truth in any way, him to put away his sword. I followed
The town might fall in fright. He, swift you’re not a true soldier. the guy who was crying for help, to
of foot, Outran my purpose, and I IAGO keep him from scaring the public. But
returned then rather For that I heard You’re hitting close to home there. I’d he was fast and outran me. When I
the clink and fall of swords And Cassio rather cut my tongue out of my mouth got back, I heard the swords clinking
high in oath, which till tonight I ne'er than say anything bad about Michael and Cassio swearing. I’d never heard
might say before. When I came back— Cassio. But I don’t think it’ll hurt him to him swear before. They were nearly
For this was brief— I found them close tell the truth. This is what happened, killing each other, as you saw when
together At blow and thrust, even as General. Montano and I were talking you pulled them apart. I can’t tell you
again they were When you yourself did when a man came running, crying for anything else.
part them. help. Cassio was chasing him with his
More of this matter cannot I report.
Modern Text
205 210 Cassio, I believe, received From him and strikes out in rage. Cassio was
that fled some strange indignity Which wrong to hurt Montano, who was only
patience could not pass. trying to help him, but I’m sure the guy
OTHELLO who ran away must have offended
I know, Iago, Cassio in some terrible way, and
Thy honesty and love doth mince this Cassio couldn’t let it pass. OTHELLO
matter, Making it light to Cassio. Iago, I know you’re fond of Cassio and
But men are men, the best sometimes Cassio, I love thee But never more be are downplaying this for his benefit.
forget. Though Cassio did some little officer of mine.— Cassio, I love you, but you’re never
wrong to him, As men in rage strike But nobody’s perfect, and even the again going to be one of my officers.
those that wish them best, Yet surely best man sometimes loses control —
Enter DESDEMONA, attended DESDEMONA enters with attendants.
215 All’s well, sweeting, from. DESDEMONA

Look, if my gentle love be not raised Come away to bed.—(to MONTANO) What’s the matter, dear?
up! I’ll make thee an example. Sir, for your hurts OTHELLO
DESDEMONA Myself will be your surgeon. Lead him Everything’s fine, now, sweetheart. Go
What’s the matter, dear? off.
back to bed.— (to MONTANO) I’ll see
Look, you’ve woken my wife! I’ll make
OTHELLO to it personally that your wounds are
you an example for the others to learn
treated. Lead him off.
MONTANO is led off MONTANO is carried off.
220 the soldiers' life To have their balmy Desdemona. Unfortunately, it’s part of
Iago, look with care about the town slumbers waked with strife. the soldier’s life to be woken up by
And silence those whom this vile brawl Iago, go and calm down the trouble.
distracted.— Come, Desdemona, ’tis townspeople.— Come with me,
IAGO CASSIO and IAGO exits. IAGO

Exeunt all but IAGO and CASSIO Everyone except
225 What, are you hurt, lieutenant? CASSIO

Ay, past all surgery. Marry, heaven forbid! Yes, but no doctor can help me. IAGO
IAGO Are you hurt, lieutenant? CASSIO Oh I hope that’s not true!
than in malice, even so as one would beat his

CASSIO
Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my CASSIO
reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, My reputation, my reputation! I’ve lost my
and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation, the longest-living and truest part of
reputation! myself! Everything else in me is just animal-like.
IAGO Oh, my reputation, Iago, my reputation! 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 than
in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false your reputation. A reputation is a useless and fake
imposition, oft got without merit and lost without quality that others impose on us. You haven’t lost it
deserving. You have lost no reputation at all unless unless you think you have. There are lots of ways
you repute yourself such a loser. What, man, there to get on the general’s good side again. You’ve
are ways to recover the general again. You are but been discharged because he’s angry, and because
now cast in his mood, a punishment more in policy he’s obliged to do so for policy reasons, not
because he dislikes you. He’s
Modern Text
230 I know not. senselessly? Squabbling?

offenseless dog to affright an IAGO Swaggering? Swearing? Ranting and
imperious lion. Sue to him again and raving to my own shadow! Oh, wine is
Is ’t possible?
he’s yours. the devil!
CASSIO
CASSIO
I remember a mass of things, but
I will rather sue to be despised than to IAGO
nothing distinctly. A quarrel, but
deceive so good a commander with Who were you chasing with your
nothing wherefore. Oh, that men
so slight, so drunken, and so
should put an enemy in their mouths to sword? What did he do to you?
indiscreet an officer. Drunk? And
steal away their brains! That we CASSIO
speak parrot?
should, with joy, pleasance revel and I don’t know.
And squabble? Swagger? Swear? And
applause, transform ourselves into IAGO
discourse fustian with one’s own
beasts! Is that possible?
shadow? O thou invisible spirit of
got to beat up the weak to frighten the
wine, if thou hast no name to be CASSIO
strong. Go to him, petition him. He’ll
known by, let us call thee devil! I remember a jumble of impressions,
change his mind. CASSIO
IAGO but nothing distinctly. I remember a
I’d rather ask him to hate me than ask fight, but not why we were fighting. Oh
What was he that you followed with
such a good commander to accept God, why do men drink and lose their
your sword? What had he done to
such a worthless, drunk, stupid officer minds? Why do we party until we’re
you?
as myself. Drunk? Babbling like animals?
CASSIO
IAGO
You seem all right now. How did you get better?
IAGO
Why, but you are now well enough. How came you CASSIO
thus recovered? My drunkenness went away when anger took over.
CASSIO One weakness led to another, to make me hate
It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place myself.
to the devil wrath. One unperfectness shows me IAGO
another, to make me frankly despise myself. IAGO
235 IAGO had a whole bunch of mouths, I
Come, you are too severe a moraler. Come, come, good wine is a good wouldn’t be able to answer that. I was
As the time, the place, and the familiar creature, if it be well used. a reasonable man, then I became a
condition of this country stands, I Exclaim no more against it. And, good fool, and finally a beast! Oh, how
could heartily wish this had not lieutenant, I think you think I love you. strange! Every glass of liquor is
befallen. But since it is as it is, mend it damned, and the devil’s the main
for your own good. ingredient!
CASSIO
CASSIO I have well approved it, sir. I drunk! IAGO
I will ask him for my place again, he Come on, you’re being too hard on Come on now, wine is good for you, if
shall tell me I am a drunkard. Had I as yourself. I wish none of this had you know how to use it. Don’t say
many mouths as Hydra, such an happened, given the situation here, anything bad about wine anymore.
answer would stop them all. To be now and your rank. But since this has Lieutenant, I think you know I’m your
a happened, you should fix it for your friend.
sensible man, by and by a fool, and own good. CASSIO CASSIO
presently a beast! Oh, strange! Every
I’ll ask him for my position back again, I know that, sir. Imagine, me, a drunk!
inordinate cup is unblessed and the
and he’ll tell me I’m a drunk. Even if I
ingredient is a devil.
Modern Text
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 what
tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now to do. Othello’s wife has a lot of influence now. He’s
the general. I may say so in this respect, for that he completely devoted to her. Go open your heart to
hath devoted and given up himself to the her. Ask her to help you get back your position. She
contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts is so generous, kind, and ready to help that she
and graces. Confess yourself freely to her, thinks it’s wrong not to do everything she can, even
importune her help to put you in your place again. more than she is asked to do. Ask her to help you
She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a heal the rift between her husband and you. I’d bet
disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to my lucky stars your problem will be forgotten, and
do more than she is requested. This broken joint your relationship will be stronger than ever.
between you and her husband entreat her to splinter,
and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this
crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was
before.

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

That she repeals him for her body’s And out of her own goodness make And that’s how I’ll turn her good
lust. And by how much she strives to the net That shall enmesh them all. intentions into a big trap to snag them
do him good She shall undo her credit tries to help Cassio, the more she’ll all.
with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue
Enter RODERIGO RODERIGO enters.

How now, Roderigo! Hello, Roderigo!
275 280 285 have been tonight exceedingly well but by degrees? Thou know’st we work
cudgeled, and I think the issue will be I by wit and not by witchcraft, And wit
shall have so much experience for my depends on dilatory time.
pains. And so, with no money at all Does’t not go well? Cassio hath
and a little more wit, return again to beaten thee. And thou, by that small
RODERIGO Venice. hurt, hath cashiered Cassio. Though
I do follow here in the chase not like a IAGO other things grow fair against the sun,
hound that hunts, but one that fills up How poor are they that have not Yet fruits that blossom first will first be
the cry. My money is almost spent, I patience! What wound did ever heal ripe. Content thyself awhile. In troth,
’tis morning. Pleasure and action make little more wisdom, I’m going back to intelligent planning takes time. Aren’t
the hours seem short. Retire thee, go Venice. things going well? Cassio’s beaten
where thou art billeted. you up, but with that tiny sacrifice on
Away, I say, thou shalt know more your part, you got Cassio discharged!
hereafter. Nay, get thee gone. IAGO If we’re patient, we’ll be rewarded with
RODERIGO the fruits of our labors. My God, it’s
You’re a poor man if you’re this
I’m totally worn out. My chase is too morning. All this excitement has made
impatient! If you get hurt, does your
much for me. I’ve spent most of my the time fly by. Go back to where
wound heal immediately? No, it heals
money, and tonight I got beaten up. gradually. We achieve things with our you’re staying and go to sleep. Go on,
The upshot is that I’ve got a little more intelligence, not by magic, and I’m telling you. You’ll understand better
experience. So with no money, but a later. Go.
Exit RODERIGO RODERIGO exits.
290 that’s the way. Dull not device by talking to Desdemona, so he’ll see
Two things are to be done: coldness and delay. them
My wife must move for Cassio to her Now two things still need to be done. together. Yes, that’s the way I’ll do it.
mistress. I’ll set her on. My wife has to help make Desdemona Let’s not ruin a brilliant plan by being
Myself, the while, to draw the Moor take Cassio’s side. I’ll put her on that. slow to act.
apart And bring him jump when he And I need to take the Moor aside Exit IAGO exits.
may Cassio find Soliciting his wife. Ay, right at the moment when Cassio’s
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
Modern Text
general.” general in a good mood.

They play. Enter CLOWN The MUSICIANS play. The CLOWN enters.
CLOWN make no more noise with it.
Why masters, have your instruments been in Naples, MUSICIAN
that they speak i' th' nose thus? 10
MUSICIAN Well, sir, we will not.
How, sir? How? CLOWN
Your instruments all have a nasal twang. Have
CLOWN
they been to Naples?
5
Are these, I pray you, wind instruments? MUSICIAN
MUSICIAN Excuse me?
Ay, marry, are they, sir. CLOWN
CLOWN Are these wind instruments?
Oh, thereby hangs a tail. MUSICIAN
MUSICIAN Yes, they are.
Whereby hangs a tale, sir? CLOWN
CLOWN Oh, there’s the problem.
Marry sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, MUSICIAN
masters, here’s money for you, and the general so What’s the problem?
likes your music that he desires you, for love’s sake, to CLOWN
Anyone full of hot air is a problem. But here’s some CASSIO
money. The general likes your music a lot, but he Exeunt MUSICIANS The MUSICIANS exit. CASSIO
asks you to stop playing now. Dost thou hear, my honest friend?
CLOWN
MUSICIAN 15
Well, we’ll stop, then. No, I hear not your honest friend, I hear you.
CASSIO
Act 3, Scene 1, Page 2 Prithee, keep up thy quillets. There’s a poor piece of
gold for thee. If the gentlewoman that attends the
CLOWN general’s wife be stirring, tell her there’s one Cassio
If you have any music that may not be heard, to ’t entreats her a little favour of speech. Wilt thou do this?
again. But, as they say, to hear music the general CLOWN
does not greatly care. She is stirring, sir. If she will stir hither, I shall seem to
MUSICIAN notify unto her.
We have none such, sir. Do you hear, my friend?
CLOWN CLOWN
Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away. Go, No, I don’t hear your friend. I hear you.
vanish into air, away! CASSIO
Please don’t play games.
(CASSIO givesCLOWN money). There’s a bit of gold
CLOWN for you. When the woman taking care of the
If you’ve got any music that can’t be heard, then general’s wife wakes up, could you please tell her
play that. But as I said, the general isn’t really in that Cassio asks to speak with her?
the mood to hear music now.
CLOWN
MUSICIAN She’s awake, sir. If she feels like coming over
We don’t have any music that can’t be heard. here, I’ll give her your message.
CLOWN
Then pack up your instruments and go away. Go!
Exit CLOWN The CLOWN exits.
In happy time, Iago. Good to see you, Iago.
Modern Text
20 Before we parted. I have made bold, CASSIO

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

With Cassio’s suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio, Enter OTHELLO and IAGO OTHELLO and IAGO enter.
For thy solicitor shall rather die EMILIA
Than give thy cause away. Madam, here comes my lord. CASSIO
a conference table for discussing your problem— he
won’t be able to get away from it. I’ll bring up your Madam, here comes your husband. CASSIO
name at every moment. So cheer up. I’m your
advocate, and I’d rather die than give up on you.
30 35 OTHELLO OTHELLO
What dost thou say?
IAGO
Nothing, my lord, or if—I know not
what. OTHELLO
Madam, I’d better leave now.
DESDEMONA
Why not stay and hear me talk to him? 40
Was not that Cassio parted from my
CASSIO
wife? IAGO
No, madam. I’m very uncomfortable,
Madam, I’ll take my leave. and that Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot
DESDEMONA won’t help my case. think it That he would steal away so
Why, stay and hear me speak. guilty-like Seeing you coming.
DESDEMONA
CASSIO Well, do whatever you think best. OTHELLO
I do believe ’twas he.
Madam, not now. I am very ill at ease, Exit CASSIO CASSIO exits. IAGO Wasn’t that Cassio leaving my wife?
Unfit for mine own purposes. Hey! I don’t like that.
IAGO
DESDEMONA OTHELLO Cassio, my lord? No, I don’t think so.
Well, do your discretion. What did you say? He wouldn’t sneak away looking so
IAGO guilty when he saw you coming.
IAGO Nothing, my lord, or if I did—I don’t OTHELLO
Ha! I like not that. know what. I really think it was him.
DESDEMONA
What’s this, my lord? I was talking to a petitioner
DESDEMONA here just now, someone who’s suffering from your
How now, my lord? anger.
I have been talking with a suitor here, A man OTHELLO
that languishes in your displeasure. Who do you mean?
OTHELLO DESDEMONA
Who is ’t you mean? Your lieutenant, Cassio. Oh, if I’ve got any
DESDEMONA
Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
45 50 you His present reconciliation take. Went he hence now?
For if he be not one that truly loves influence over you at all, please patch
you, That errs in ignorance and not in things up with him. In my judgment,
cunning, I have no judgment in an this man truly loves you, and his
honest face. I prithee, call him back. mistake was innocent rather than
If I have any grace or power to move OTHELLO wicked. Please call him and tell him to
come back here. OTHELLO Was that him just now?
Modern Text
DESDEMONA I meet the captains at the citadel.

Ay, sooth, so humbled DESDEMONA
That he hath left part of his grief with me To Yes. He feels so bad and humble that I feel bad
suffer with him. Good love, call him back. along with him. My love, call him back in here.
OTHELLO
55 OTHELLO
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 the
captains at the citadel.
DESDEMONA
Act 3, Scene 3, Page 4 DESDEMONA
60 OTHELLO
Why, then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn. On I will deny thee nothing!
Tuesday noon, or night, or Wednesday morn. I Well then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morning. Or
prithee name the time, but let it not Tuesday noon or at night, or Wednesday morning.
Exceed three days. In faith, he’s penitent, And Please just name a time, but don’t wait more than
yet his trespass, in our common reason 65 three days. He’s very sorry. His mistake was hardly
(Save that, they say, the wars must make example worth punishing him for in the first place—though in
Out of her best) is not, almost, a fault wartime it is sometimes necessary to make
T' incur a private check. When shall he come? examples out of even the best soldiers. So when
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul should he come? Tell me, Othello. I can’t imagine
What you would ask me that I should deny 70 you asking me for something and me telling you no
Or stand so mamm'ring on. What? Michael Cassio or standing there muttering. Michael Cassio came
That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time, with you when you were trying to win my love.
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, Sometimes I’d criticize you to him, and he’d defend
Hath ta'en your part, to have so much to do To you. And now I have to make this big fuss about
bring him in? Trust me, I could do much— bringing him back? I swear, I could do so much—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
75 Please, no more. He can come whenever he
Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will, I wants. I won’t refuse you anything.
will deny thee nothing. DESDEMONA
DESDEMONA Don’t act like you’re doing me a favor! This is like if I
Why, this is not a boon, asked you to wear your gloves when it’s cold
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves, Or outside, or eat nutritious food, or do something that’s
feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm, Or good for you. If I ever have to ask you for something
sue to you to do a peculiar profit that will put your luck to the test, it’ll be something
80 difficult and terrible.
To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed It
shall be full of poise and difficult weight And OTHELLO
fearful to be granted. I won’t deny you anything! But in return, please,
Modern Text
Whereon I do beseech thee, grant me this, 85

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

OTHELLO OTHELLO
Modern Text
Honest, ay, honest. Honest, yes, honest.
110 115 120 “Indeed?” were thinking something too horrible

And didst contract and purse thy brow to say out loud. You’re thinking
together As if thou then hadst shut up something. Just a minute ago I heard
in thy brain Some horrible conceit. If you say you didn’t like it when Cassio
thou dost love me Show me thy left my wife. What didn’t you like? And
thought. when I told you he was involved the
IAGO whole time I was trying to get
My lord, you know I love you. Desdemona, you were like, “Oh,
really?” And then you frowned and
OTHELLO wrinkled up your foreheard as if you
I think thou dost. were imagining something horrible. If
125 130 And for I know thou 'rt full of love and you’re my friend, tell me what you’re
honesty And weigh’st thy words before thinking.
thou giv’st them breath,
Therefore these stops of thine fright
me the more. For such things in a false
disloyal knave Are tricks of custom, but IAGO
in a man that’s just They are close My lord, you know I’m your friend.
dilations, working from the heart, That OTHELLO
IAGO passion cannot rule. I think you are. And I know you’re full
My lord, for aught I know. IAGO of love and honesty, and you think
OTHELLO For Michael Cassio, carefully before you speak. That’s why
I dare be sworn, I think, that he is these pauses of yours frighten me. If
What dost thou think?
some fool were withholding things from
IAGO honest. OTHELLO me, I wouldn’t think twice about it. If
Think, my lord? I think so too. some lying, cheating villain acted like
OTHELLO IAGO that, it would just be a trick. But when
“Think, my lord?” Alas, thou echo’st As far as I know, sir. an honest man acts like that, you
me As if there were some monster in OTHELLO know he’s wrestling with bad thoughts
thy thought Too hideous to be shown. What are you thinking? and can’t help it.
Thou dost mean something. IAGO IAGO
I heard thee say even now thou lik’st Thinking, my lord? As for Michael Cassio, I think it would
not that When Cassio left my wife. be safe for me to swear that he’s
What didst not like? And when I told OTHELLO honest.
thee he was of my counsel Of my “Thinking, my lord?” My God, you keep
OTHELLO
whole course of wooing, thou cried’st repeating everything I say as if you
I think so too.
IAGO
People should be what they appear to be. If
IAGO they’re not honest, they shouldn’t look like they
Men should be what they seem, are!
Or those that be not, would they might seem none! OTHELLO
Absolutely, people should be what they appear to
OTHELLO be.
Certain, men should be what they seem. IAGO
In that case, I think Cassio’s an honest man.
IAGO OTHELLO
Why then I think Cassio’s an honest man.
OTHELLO
135 I prithee speak to me as to thy No, I think there’s more to this than
Nay, yet there’s more in this. thinkings, you’re letting on. Please tell me what
you’re thinking—even
Modern Text
140 145 apprehensions surely I’m not obligated to reveal my

Keep leets and law-days and in deepest thoughts—even slaves aren’t
sessions sit With meditations lawful? expected to do that. You want me to
OTHELLO say what I’m thinking? What if my
Thou dost conspire against thy friend, thoughts are disgusting and wrong?
Iago, If thou but think’st him wronged Even good people think horrible things
and mak’st his ear A stranger to thy sometimes. Who is so pure that they
thoughts. never think a bad thought?
IAGO
150 155 I do beseech you, OTHELLO
Though I perchance am vicious in my You’re not being a good friend, Iago, if
guess, As, I confess, it is my nature’s you eventhink your friend has been
plague wronged and you don’t tell him about
To spy into abuses, and oft my it.
As thou dost ruminate, and give thy jealousy Shapes faults that are not, IAGO
worst of thoughts that your wisdom, From one that so Please don’t ask me to tell you. I might
The worst of words. imperfectly conceits, be completely wrong. I have a bad
IAGO Would take no notice, nor build tendency to be suspicious of people
Good my lord, pardon me, yourself a trouble Out of his scattering and to look too closely into what
Though I am bound to every act of and unsure observance. It were not for they’re doing. Often I imagine crimes
duty your quiet nor your good, that aren’t really there. You would be
I am not bound to that all slaves are your worst suspicions. wise to ignore my weak guesses and
free to. Utter my thoughts? Why, say imaginary suspicions, and don’t worry
they are vile and false, As where’s that yourself about the meaningless things
palace whereinto foul things I’ve noticed. For me to tell you my
IAGO
Sometimes intrude not? Who has that thoughts would only destroy your
Please don’t make me do that, sir. I
breast so pure Wherein uncleanly peace of mind, and
have to obey all your orders, but
it wouldn’t be wise, honest, or responsible for me to

Act 3, Scene 3, Page 8 tell them.
Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom OTHELLO
To let you know my thoughts. What are you talking about?
OTHELLO IAGO
What dost thou mean?
IAGO
160 165 name Robs me of that which not nothing: it’s yours, it’s mine, and it’ll
enriches him And makes me poor belong to thousands more. But if you
indeed. steal my reputation, you’re robbing me
OTHELLO of something that doesn’t make you
I’ll know thy thoughts. richer, but makes me much poorer.
Good name in man and woman, dear
IAGO
my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their
souls. You cannot, if my heart were in your
OTHELLO
Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis hand, Nor shall not, whilst ’tis in my I’m going to find out what you’re
something, nothing: custody.
A good reputation is the most valuable thinking. IAGO
'Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been
thing we have—men and women You can’t find that out, even if you held
slave to thousands.
alike. If you steal my money, you’re my heart in your hand you couldn’t
But he that filches from me my good
just stealing trash. It’s something, it’s
make me tell you. And as long my heart’s inside my body, you never will.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Modern Text
Ha! What?
170 175 his fate, loves not his wronger, But, oh, the victims it devours. The man who
what damnèd minutes tells he o'er knows his wife is cheating on him is
Who dotes, yet doubts— suspects, yet happy, because at least he isn’t friends
soundly loves! with the man she’s sleeping with. But
think of the unhappiness of a man
OTHELLO who worships his wife, yet doubts her
Oh, misery! faithfulness. He suspects her, but still
loves her.
IAGO
OTHELLO
Poor and content is rich, and rich
enough, But riches fineless is as poor Oh, what misery!
180 as winter To him that ever fears he IAGO
IAGO shall be poor. Good heaven, the souls The person who’s poor and contented
Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! of all my tribe defend From jealousy! is rich enough. But infinite riches are
It is the green-eyed monster which IAGO nothing to someone who’s always
doth mock The meat it feeds on. That Beware of jealousy, my lord! It’s a afraid he’ll be poor. God, help us not
cuckold lives in bliss Who, certain of green-eyed monster that makes fun of be jealous!
OTHELLO
Why are you telling me this? Do you think I would
OTHELLO live a life of jealousy, tormented by new suspicions
Why, why is this? every hour? No. If there’s any doubt, there is no
Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy, doubt. I might as well be a goat if I
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No! To be once in doubt
185 190 195 more but this: Away at once with love these just make her better. And I’m
or jealousy! not going to start feeling inferior. She
IAGO had her eyes wide open when she
I am glad of this, for now I shall have chose me. No, Iago, I’ll have to see
reason To show the love and duty that some real evidence before I start
I bear you With franker spirit. suspecting her of anything bad, and
Therefore, as I am bound, Receive it when I suspect her, I’ll look for proof,
200 205 from me. I speak not yet of proof. Look and if there’s proof, that’s when I’ll let
to your wife, observe her well with go of my love and my jealousy.
Cassio. Wear your eyes thus, not IAGO
jealous nor secure. I would not have I’m glad to hear you say that. Now I
your free and noble nature Out of self- can show you my devotion and my
Is to be resolved. Exchange me for a bounty be abused. Look to ’t. I know duty with more honesty. So please
goat When I shall turn the business of our country disposition well. listen to me. I’m not talking about
my soul To such exsufflicate and In Venice they do let God see the proof yet. Watch your wife. Watch how
blowed surmises, Matching thy pranks They dare not show their she is with Cassio. Just watch—don’t
inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous husbands. Their best conscience be either completely suspicious or
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves Is not to leave ’t undone, but keep’t completely trustful. I wouldn’t want to
company, Is free of speech, sings, unknown. see you taken advantage of because
plays, and dances. Where virtue is, ever let myself become obsessed with you’re such an open and trusting guy.
these are more virtuous. Nor from the kind of suspicions you’re implying. Watch out! I know the people of
mine own weak merits will I draw The If you say my wife is beautiful, eats Venice well. They let God see things
smallest fear or doubt of her revolt, For well, loves good company, speaks they wouldn’t show their husbands.
she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago, freely, sings, plays music, and dances They don’t avoid doing things that are
I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, well, you’re not making me jealous. wrong, they just try not to get caught.
prove, And on the proof there is no When a woman is virtuous, talents like
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Modern Text
210 Dost thou say so? Do you really think so?
215 your pardon IAGO

For too much loving you. Well, there you go. She was so young,
OTHELLO but she deceived her father so
I am bound to thee forever. thoroughly he thought it was
witchcraft! But I’m sorry I’ve blurted all
IAGO this out. I beg your pardon for loving
I see this hath a little dashed your you too much.
spirits. OTHELLO
Not a jot, not a jot.
IAGO OTHELLO
220 225 230 Trust me, I fear it has. I’m indebted to you forever.
I hope you will consider what is spoke IAGO
Comes from my love. But I do see You seem a little depressed about this.
you’re moved. I am to pray you not to
OTHELLO
strain my speech
To grosser issues nor to larger reach Not at all, not at all.
Than to suspicion. IAGO
IAGO OTHELLO Really, I’m afraid you are. I hope you
She did deceive her father, marrying I will not. remember that I said all this because I
you, And when she seemed to shake love you. But I see you’re troubled.
IAGO Please don’t take what I said more
and fear your looks, She loved them
most. Should you do so, my lord, seriously than it deserves to be taken.
My speech should fall into such vile
OTHELLO success Which my thoughts aimed not
And so she did. at. Cassio’s my worthy friend—
IAGO My lord, I see you’re moved. OTHELLO
Why, go to then. IAGO I won’t.
She that, so young, could give out She lied to her father to marry you. IAGO
such a seeming, To seel her father’s And when she pretended to be afraid If you take it too seriously, it’ll have
eyes up close as oak, He thought of you, she loved you the most. bad effects that I didn’t want it to
’twas witchcraft. But I am much to OTHELLO have. Cassio’s a good friend of mine
blame. I humbly do beseech you of That’s right, she did. —My lord, I can see you’re upset.
Long live she so. And long live you to think so.
OTHELLO OTHELLO
No, not much moved. And yet how nature, erring from itself—
I do not think but Desdemona’s honest.
IAGO IAGO
Ay, there’s the point. As, to be bold with you, I hope she never does! And I hope you keep on
thinking she wouldn’t.
OTHELLO
OTHELLO But still, it’s true that good things can go bad,
No, not too upset. I’m sure Desdemona would away from their true natures—
never cheat on me.
IAGO
IAGO That’s the point I’m trying to make. If I can be
Modern Text
235 240 Distinctly speak of her, though I may have drawn her to—Ugh! You can
fear Her will, recoiling to her better almost smell the dark and ugly desires
judgment, May fall to match you with inside her, the unnatural thoughts—
her country forms, And happily repent. But—I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to refer
OTHELLO to her specifically just now. I only
Farewell, farewell. worry that she might snap back to her
If more thou dost perceive, let me natural taste in men one day, and
know more. Set on thy wife to observe. compare you unfavorably to other
245 Italians. OTHELLO
Leave me, Iago. IAGO
Goodbye, goodbye. If you see
My lord, I take my leave. (going)
anything else, let me know. Tell your
OTHELLO wife to watch her. Leave me alone
(aside) Why did I marry? This honest now, Iago.
creature doubtless
IAGO
Sees and knows more, much more,
My lord, I’ll say goodbye now.
than he unfolds. IAGO (beginning to exit)
(returns) My lord, I would I might OTHELLO
entreat your honor To scan this thing (to himself) Why did I ever get
250 255 no farther. Leave it to time. Although married? I’m sure this good and
’tis fit that Cassio have his place, For honest man sees and knows more,
sure, he fills it up with great ability, much more, than he’s telling me.
Yet, if you please to hold him off
IAGO
awhile, You shall by that perceive him
Not to affect many proposèd matches and his means. Note if your lady strain (returning) My lord, please don’t think
Of her own clime, complexion, and about this any more. Time will tell. It’s
his entertainment
degree, Whereto we see in all things frank with you, she veered away from right for Cassio to have his
nature tends— Foh! One may smell in her own nature in turning down all lieutenancy back—he’s very talented.
such a will most rank, Foul But keep him away for a while, and
those young men from her own
disproportions, thoughts unnatural. But country, with her skin color, with her you’ll see how he goes about getting it
—pardon me—I do not in position back. Notice whether your wife insists
status—everything her nature would
on your
giving it back to him. That will tell you a lot. But in

Act 3, Scene 3, Page 12 the meantime, just assume that I’m paranoid—as
With any strong or vehement importunity. I’m pretty sure I am—and keep thinking she’s
Much will be seen in that. In the meantime,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears—
260 265 And hold her free, I do beseech your innocent, please.
honor. OTHELLO
Fear not my government. OTHELLO
IAGO Don’t worry about how I handle it.
I once more take my leave. IAGO
I’ll say goodbye once more.
OTHELLO Exit IAGO exits. OTHELLO
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty And This Iago is extremely honest and
knows all quantities, with a learnèd good, and he knows a lot about
spirit, Of human dealings. If I do prove human behavior. If it turns out that
As worthy cause I have to fear I am— her haggard, she really is running around on me, I’ll
send her down the wind To prey at fortune. heart. Maybe because I’m black, and I
Haply, for I am black And have not don’t have nice manners like courtiers
those soft parts of conversation That do, or because I’m getting old—but
chamberers have, or for I am declined that’s not much—She’s gone, and I’ve
Into the vale of years—yet that’s not been cheated on. I have no choice but
270 much— She’s gone, I am abused, and to hate her. Oh what a curse marriage
Though that her jesses were my dear my relief Must be to loathe her. Oh, is! We think our beautiful wives belong
heartstrings, I’d whistle her off and let curse of marriage to us, but their desires are free! I’d
her away, even though it’ll break my rather be a toad in a moldy basement
Modern Text
275 280 the vapor of a dungeon Than keep a she comes.

corner in the thing I love than to have only a part of someone I
For others' uses. Yet ’tis the plague to love, sharing the rest of her with
great ones, Prerogatived are they less others. This is the plague of important
than the base. 'Tis destiny men—our wives betray us more than
That we can call these delicate unshunnable, like death. those of poor men. It’s our destiny,
creatures ours And not their appetites! Even then this forkèd plague is fated to like death. We are destined to be
I had rather be a toad And live upon us When we do quicken. Look where betrayed when we are born. Oh, here
she comes.
Enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA DESDEMONA and EMILIA enter.

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

Act 3, Scene 3, Page 14 Othello told her she should always keep it with
Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token her) that she always keeps it near her to kiss it
(For he conjured her she should ever keep it) That
she reserves it evermore about her
305 do with it Heaven knows, not I. Heaven knows what he’s going to do
To kiss and talk to. I’ll have the work and talk to it. I’ll copy the embroidery with it. I only try to satisfy his whims.
ta'en out And give ’t Iago. What he will pattern and then give it to Iago.
Modern Text
I nothing but to please his fantasy.

310 A thing for me? It is a common thing— Don’t snap at me. I’ve got something
for you. IAGO
EMILIA You’ve got something for me? It’s a
Ha? commonthing—
IAGO EMILIA
To have a foolish wife. What?
EMILIA IAGO
Oh, is that all? What will you give me —to have a stupid wife.
now For the same handkerchief?
EMILIA
IAGO Oh, is that so? And what would you
315 320 What handkerchief? give me for the handkerchief?
EMILIA IAGO
What handkerchief? What handkerchief?
Why, that the Moor first gave to EMILIA
Desdemona, That which so often you What handkerchief? The one the Moor
did bid me steal. IAGO gave to Desdemona, which you asked
Hast stolen it from her? me to steal so many times.
EMILIA IAGO
IAGO No, but she let it drop by negligence You stole it from her?
How now! What do you here alone? And, to th' advantage, I being here, EMILIA
took ’t up. Look, here it is.
No, actually. She dropped it carelessly,
EMILIA IAGO
and, seizing the opportunity, since I
Do not you chide. I have a thing for What’s going on? What are you doing was here, I picked it up. Look, here it
here alone? is.
you. IAGO
EMILIA
IAGO
Good girl, give it to me.
IAGO EMILIA
A good wench, give it me. And what are you going to do with it? Why did
EMILIA
What will you do with ’t, that you have been so
325 330 earnest IAGO
To have me filch it? Why, what is that to you?
EMILIA I have use for it. Go, leave me. If you don’t need it for some important
If it be not for some purpose of import, you want it so much that you begged reason, then give it back to me. Poor
Give ’t me again. Poor lady, she’ll run me to steal it? lady, she’ll go crazy when she sees
mad When she shall lack it. IAGO it’s missing.
IAGO What’s it to you? IAGO
Be not acknown on ’t, EMILIA Don’t admit to knowing anything about
it. I need it. Now go, leave me.
I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin And let him find it. I’ll leave this handkerchief at Cassio’s house and let him
Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong find it.To a jealous man, a meaningless
Exit EMILIA EMILIA exits. little thing like this looks like absolute proof. This
Modern Text
335 the first are scarce found to distaste, infected with my poisonous
As proofs of holy writ. This may do But with a little act upon the blood suggestions. Ideas can be like
something. The Moor already changes Burn like the mines of sulfur. poisons. At first they hardly even taste
with my poison. Dangerous conceits handkerchief may be useful to me. The bad, but once they get into your blood
are in their natures poisons Which at Moor’s mind has already become they start burning like hot lava.
I did say so. drugs or sleeping pills will

Enter OTHELLO OTHELLO enters. Here he comes. No
340 OTHELLO OTHELLO
Look, where he comes. Not poppy nor Ha! Ha! False to me? Argh! She’s cheating on me?
mandragora Nor all the drowsy syrups
IAGO IAGO
of the world,
Why, how now, general? No more of Oh, general, please, no more of that!
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet that.
sleep Which thou owedst yesterday. ever give you the restful sleep that you
had last night.
OTHELLO
Act 3, Scene 3, Page 16 OTHELLO
345 350 He that is robbed, not wanting what is whore,
stol'n, Let him not know’t, and he’s not Get lost! You’ve tortured me with these
robbed at all. IAGO thoughts. It is better to be tricked
I am sorry to hear this. completely than to only suspect a
little.
OTHELLO
I had been happy if the general camp, IAGO
Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet What’s with you, my lord?
body, So I had nothing known. Oh, OTHELLO
now forever Farewell the tranquil mind! I had no idea she was cheating on me.
355 360 365 Farewell content! Farewell the plumèd I never saw it or suspected it, so it
troops and the big wars That makes never hurt me. I slept well, ate well,
ambition virtue! Oh, farewell! Farewell and was happy. I never saw Cassio’s
the neighing steed and the shrill trump, kisses on her lips. A man who’s
The spirit-stirring drum, th' ear-piercing robbed, but doesn’t miss what’s
Avaunt! Be gone! Thou hast set me on fife, The royal banner, and all quality, stolen, isn’t robbed at all.
the rack. I swear ’tis better to be much Pride, pomp, and circumstance of
abused Than but to know ’t a little. glorious war! And O you mortal
engines, whose rude throats The IAGO
IAGO immortal Jove’s dead clamors
How now, my lord! I’m sorry to hear this.
counterfeit,
OTHELLO Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone. OTHELLO
What sense had I in her stol'n hours of IAGO I would’ve been happy if the whole
lust? I saw ’t not, thought it not, it army had had sex with her, the
Is ’t possible, my lord? lowest-ranking grunts and all, as long
harmed not me. I slept the next night
well, fed well, was free and merry. OTHELLO as I didn’t know anything about it. Oh,
I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a goodbye to my peace of mind!
Goodbye to my happiness! Goodbye banners, and all those proud displays IAGO
to the soldiers and to the wars that and pageantry of war! And you deadly Is this possible, my lord?
make men great! Goodbye! Goodbye cannons that roar like thunderbolts OTHELLO
to the horses and the trumpets and the thrown by the gods, goodbye! Othello’s You villain, you’d better be able to
drums, the flute and the splendid career is over. prove my
Modern Text
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
375 380 to damnation add Greater than that. OTHELLO
IAGO If you’re slandering her just to torture
Oh, grace! Oh, heaven forgive me! me, then it’ll be no use to pray for
Are you a man? Have you a soul or mercy or say you’re sorry. You might
sense? God buy you, take mine office. as well go ahead and commit every
O wretched fool That lov’st to make unspeakable crime you can think of,
thine honesty a vice! O monstrous because there’s nothing you could that
world! Take note, take note, O world, would top what you’ve already done!
385 390 To be direct and honest is not safe. IAGO
I thank you for this profit, and from Oh, heaven help me! Aren’t you a
hence I’ll love no friend, sith love rational human being? Don’t you have
breeds such offence. any sense at all? Goodbye. I resign
my official position. I’m such an idiot
OTHELLO for always telling the truth! What a
Nay, stay. Thou shouldst be honest. horrible world we live in! Listen, pay
attention, everybody. It’s not safe to
IAGO
be straightforward and honest. I’m
I should be wise, for honesty’s a fool
glad you’ve taught me this valuable
And loses that it works for.
lesson. From now on, I’ll never try to
help a friend when it hurts him so
OTHELLO much to hear the truth. OTHELLO
395 400 By the world, No, stop. You should always be
I think my wife be honest and think she
honest. IAGO
is not. I think that thou art just and
think thou art not. I’ll have some proof. I should always be wise. Honesty’s
Her name, that was as fresh As Dian’s stupid, it makes me lose my friends
That the probation bear no hinge nor visage, is now begrimed and black As even when I’m trying to help them.
loop To hang a doubt on, or woe upon mine own face. If there be cords or OTHELLO
thy life! IAGO knives, Poison, or fire, or suffocating I swear, I think my wife’s faithful, and I
My noble lord— streams, think she’s not. I think you’re
I’ll not endure it. Would I were trustworthy one minute and then not
OTHELLO
satisfied! the next. I need proof! Her reputation
If thou dost slander her and torture me, of a doubt. If you can’t, your life is
was as pure as the snow, but now it’s
Never pray more. Abandon all worthless! as dirty and black as my own face. As
remorse. On horror’s head horrors
long as there are ropes, knives,
accumulate,
IAGO poison, fire, or streams to drown in , I
Do deeds to make heaven weep, all
My noble lord— won’t stand for this. Oh, how I wish I
earth amazed, For nothing canst thou
knew the truth!
IAGO
I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion. I IAGO
do repent me that I put it to you. I see you’re all eaten up with emotion. I’m sorry I
said anything. You want proof?
Modern Text
You would be satisfied?
405 IAGO Desdemona, let’s be careful and hide

I do not like the office. our love,” in his sleep. And then he
But, sith I am entered in this cause so grabbed my hand and said, “Oh, my
far, Pricked to ’t by foolish honesty and darling!” and
love, I will go on. I lay with Cassio
lately
And, being troubled with a raging
tooth, I could not sleep. There are a
kind of men So loose of soul that in
410 415 their sleeps will mutter
OTHELLO
Want? Yes, I want it, and I’ll get it.
IAGO
But how? How will you get proof? Are
you going to hide and watch them
having sex?
OTHELLO
420 425
Death and damnation! Oh!
IAGO
I think it would be very hard to arrange
for them to have sex while you
OTHELLO watched. If anyone sees them in bed
Would? Nay, and I will. together besides themselves, I guess
we could damn them then. So what
IAGO
can we do? What can I say? What
And may, but how? How satisfied, my
proof is there? It’d be impossible for
lord? Would you, the supervisor,
you to watch them, even if they were
grossly gape on, Behold her topped?
as horny as animals in heat and as
OTHELLO stupid as drunks. But if you would be
Death and damnation! Oh! willing to accept circumstantial
IAGO evidence as proof, we can get that.
It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
To bring them to that prospect. Damn
them then, If ever mortal eyes do see OTHELLO
them bolster More than their own! Give me one good reason to think
What then? How then? What shall I she’s cheating on me.
say? Where’s satisfaction? It is
IAGO
impossible you should see this,
I don’t like what you’re asking me to
Were they as prime as goats, as hot
do. But since I’ve gotten myself
as monkeys, As salt as wolves in
involved this far, because I’m so
pride, and fools as gross As ignorance
stupidly honest and because I like you
made drunk. But yet, I say, If
so much, I’ll keep going. I recently
imputation and strong circumstances shared a bed with Cassio, and I
Which lead directly to the door of truth couldn’t sleep because of a raging
Will give you satisfaction, you may toothache. Well, some people talk in
have ’t. OTHELLO their sleep, and Cassio is one of them.
Give me a living reason she’s disloyal. I heard him saying, “Sweet
kissed me hard, as if he were trying to suck my lips
Act 3, Scene 3, Page 19 off. Then he put his leg over mine, and sighed and
Their affairs. One of this kind is Cassio. In sleep kissed me, and said, “Damn fate for
I heard him say “Sweet Desdemona, Let us be
wary, let us hide our loves.”
430 435 lips, lay his leg OTHELLO
Over my thigh, and sigh, and kiss, and Oh, that’s monstrous! Monstrous!
then Cry “Cursed fate that gave thee to IAGO
the Moor!” OTHELLO No, it was just a dream.
Oh, monstrous! Monstrous!
And then, sir, would he gripe and wring
IAGO
my hand, Cry “O sweet creature!” and
then kiss me hard, As if he plucked up Nay, this was but his dream.
giving you to the Moor!”
kisses by the roots That grew upon my
Modern Text
440 445 I know not that, but such a IAGO

handkerchief— I am sure it was your If it’s the same one, or any one that
wife’s—did I today See Cassio wipe belongs to her, then together with the
his beard with. other evidence it’s pretty strong.
OTHELLO
If it be that—
IAGO
If it be that, or any that was hers,
It speaks against her with the other
proofs.
OTHELLO
But it shows that something has
already happened.
450 IAGO
OTHELLO It’s a reason for suspicion, even
But this denoted a foregone though it’s just a dream. And it might
conclusion.
back up other evidence that may
seem too flimsy.
IAGO OTHELLO
'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a I’ll tear her to pieces!
dream. And this may help to thicken
other proofs That do demonstrate IAGO
thinly. No, be reasonable. We don’t have any
proof yet. She might still be faithful.
OTHELLO
Just tell me this: have you ever seen
I’ll tear her all to pieces!
her holding a handkerchief with an
IAGO embroidered strawberry pattern on it?
Nay, yet be wise, yet we see nothing OTHELLO
done, She may be honest yet. Tell me Yes, I gave her one like that. It was my
but this, Have you not sometimes seen first gift to her.
a handkerchief Spotted with
IAGO
strawberries in your wife’s hand?
I don’t know about that, but I saw a
OTHELLO
handkerchief like that today. I’m sure
I gave her such a one, ’twas my first
gift. it belongs to your wife, and I saw
Cassio use it to wipe his beard.
OTHELLO
IAGO
If it’s the same one—
OTHELLO
Oh, I’d kill that bastard Cassio forty thousand
OTHELLO times if I could! Killing him once is not enough
Oh, that the slave had forty thousand lives! revenge. Now I see it’s true. Oh, Iago, all the
One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.
Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago,
455 460 of aspics' tongues! vengeance! Get out of my heart, love!
IAGO My heart feels like it’s full of
Yet be content. poisonous snakes!
OTHELLO
Oh, blood, blood, blood!
IAGO
IAGO
Calm down—
Patience, I say. Your mind may
change. OTHELLO
I want blood!
OTHELLO IAGO
Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic sea, Be patient, I’m telling you. You may
Whose icy current and compulsive change your mind later.
course Ne'er keeps retiring ebb but OTHELLO
465 keeps due on To the Propontic and the Never, Iago. My thoughts of revenge
All my fond love thus do I blow to Hellespont, are flowing through me like a violent
heaven. 'Tis gone. Even so my bloody thoughts with river, never turning back to love, only
Arise, black vengeance, from the violent pace flowing toward full revenge that’ll
hollow hell! Yield up, O love, thy crown love I felt is gone, vanished in the swallow them up. I swear to God I’ll
and hearted throne To tyrannous hate! wind. Welcome, hatred and get revenge. (he kneels)
Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, For ’tis
Modern Text
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,
470 475 IAGO What bloody business ever.
Do not rise yet.
Witness, you ever-burning lights
above, You elements that clip us round IAGO
about, Witness that here Iago doth Don’t get up yet. Let heaven be my
give up witness—I’m putting my mind, my
The execution of his wit, hands, heart, heart, and my hands in Othello’s
In the due reverence of a sacred vow I To wronged Othello’s service. Let him control. Let him command me, and I’ll
here engage my words. (he kneels) command, And to obey shall be in me do whatever he asks, no matter how
remorse, violent.
OTHELLO
I accept your devotion with my deepest love. I’ll
OTHELLO put you to the test right away. Within the next
I greet thy love
Not with vain thanks but with acceptance bounteous,
480 485 And will upon the instant put thee to ’t. live. OTHELLO
Within these three days let me hear Damn her, lewd minx! Oh, damn her,
thee say That Cassio’s not alive. damn her! Come, go with me apart. I
IAGO will withdraw To furnish me with some
My friend is dead, swift means of death For the fair devil.
'Tis done at your request. But let her Now art thou my lieutenant. IAGO
I am your own for ever. My friend Cassio is dead. It’s done, me. I’m going inside to think up some
three days I want to hear you tell me because you request it. But let her live. way to kill that beautiful devil. You’re
that Cassio’s dead. OTHELLO my lieutenant now.
Damn her, the wicked whore! Oh, IAGO
IAGO damn her, damn her! Come away with I’m yours forever.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 3, Scene 4
Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, and CLOWN DESDEMONA, EMILIA and the CLOWN enter.
DESDEMONA To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I lie.
Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies? DESDEMONA
Excuse me, do you know which room Lieutenant
Cassio lies in?
CLOWN
I dare not say he lies anywhere. CLOWN
I wouldn’t dare say he lies anywhere.
DESDEMONA
Why, man? DESDEMONA
Why do you say that?
CLOWN
He’s a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies, ’tis CLOWN
stabbing. He’s a soldier. If I accused a soldier of lying, he’d
stab me.
DESDEMONA
5 DESDEMONA
Go to. Where lodges he? Oh, come on. Where does he sleep?
CLOWN CLOWN
Telling you where he’s sleeping is like telling you
Modern Text
where I’m lying.

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

DESDEMONA EMILIA
Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia? I don’t know, madam.
DESDEMONA
EMILIA Believe me, I’d rather have lost a purse full of
I know not, madam. gold coins. This would be enough to make my
DESDEMONA husband suspect me, if he wasn’t so free of
15 jealousy.
Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse Full
of crusadoes. And but my noble Moor Is true of EMILIA
mind and made of no such baseness As jealous He’s not jealous?
creatures are, it were enough To put him to ill DESDEMONA
thinking.
Who, him? I think all tendencies to jealousy were
EMILIA burned out of him by the sun of his native land.
20 EMILIA
Is he not jealous?
Look, here he comes.
DESDEMONA
Who, he? I think the sun where he was born
Drew all such humors from him. DESDEMONA
I will not leave him now till Cassio
EMILIA
Enter OTHELLO OTHELLO enters. DESDEMONA
Look where he comes.
DESDEMONA
Where could I have lost that handkerchief,
Emilia? I won’t leave him alone until he gives Cassio his
25 How do you, Desdemona? I’m fine, my lady.—(to himself) Oh, it’s
Be called to him.—How is ’t with you, DESDEMONA so hard to pretend!—How are you,
my lord? OTHELLO Well, my good lord. Desdemona?
Well, my good lady.—(aside) Oh, job back.—How are you, my lord?
hardness to dissemble!— OTHELLO DESDEMONA
I’m fine, my lord.
Modern Text
OTHELLO
Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady.
DESDEMONA Much castigation, exercise devout,
It hath felt no age nor known no sorrow. For here’s a young and sweating devil here,
OTHELLO fast and pray to stave off temptations. Someone

30 with a young sweating hand like this one is bound
This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart. Hot, hot, 35
and moist. This hand of yours requires A sequester That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, A
from liberty, fasting, and prayer, frank one.
OTHELLO
DESDEMONA
Give me your hand. Your hand’s moist, my lady.
You may indeed say so,
DESDEMONA For ’twas that hand that gave away my heart.
It’s moist because it’s still young and OTHELLO
inexperienced.
A liberal hand. The hearts of old gave hands,
OTHELLO But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.
It says you’re fertile, and you’ve got a giving heart.
Hot, hot and moist. With a hand like this you need
to
DESDEMONA
40 OTHELLO
I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise. This hand gives itself away very freely. In the old
days, people used to give their hearts to each other
OTHELLO when they joined their hands in marriage. But these
What promise, chuck? days, people give each other their hands without
their hearts.
DESDEMONA
I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you. DESDEMONA
I don’t know about that. Now, don’t forget, you
OTHELLO
promised me something.
I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me.
OTHELLO
Lend me thy handkerchief.
What did I promise, my dear?
DESDEMONA
DESDEMONA
Here, my lord.
I sent for Cassio to come talk with you.
OTHELLO
OTHELLO
45
That which I gave you. I have a bad cold that’s bothering me. Lend me
your handkerchief.
DESDEMONA
I have it not about me. DESDEMONA
Here, my lord.
OTHELLO
Not? OTHELLO
DESDEMONA No, the one I gave you.
No, indeed, my lord. DESDEMONA
OTHELLO I don’t have it with me.
That’s a fault. That handkerchief OTHELLO
Did an Egyptian to my mother give, You don’t?
She was a charmer and could almost read DESDEMONA
to act up sooner or later. It’s a nice hand, an open No, my lord.
one.
OTHELLO
DESDEMONA That’s not good. An Egyptian woman gave that
You’re right to say that. This was the hand that handkerchief to my mother. She was a witch, and
gave you my heart. she could

Modern Text
The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept her prophetic fury sewed the work.
50 The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk, 65
it And it was dyed in mummy which the skillful
'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father Conserved of maidens' hearts.
Entirely to her love, but if she lost it DESDEMONA
Or made gift of it, my father’s eye Indeed? Is ’t true?
Should hold her loathèd and his spirits should hunt
OTHELLO
55
Most veritable, therefore look to ’t well.
After new fancies. She, dying, gave it me
And bid me, when my fate would have me wived, DESDEMONA
To give it her. I did so, and take heed on ’t, Make it Then would to Heaven that I had never seen ’t!
a darling like your precious eye. OTHELLO
To lose ’t or give ’t away were such perdition Ha! Wherefore?
As nothing else could match.
DESDEMONA
DESDEMONA 70
Is ’t possible? Why do you speak so startingly and rash?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
60 Is ’t lost? Is ’t gone? Speak, is ’t out o' th' way?
'Tis true. There’s magic in the web of it.
DESDEMONA
A sibyl, that had numbered in the world
The sun to course two hundred compasses, In Bless us!
almost read people’s thoughts. She told my mother
that as long as she kept it with her, my father would I wish I had never seen it!
love and desire her. But if she lost it or gave it away, OTHELLO
my father would start hating her and looking at other Ha! Why?
women. When she was dying she gave it to me and
told me to give it to my wife when I got married. I did. DESDEMONA
So pay attention. Treat it as something precious. Why are you yelling at me so angrily?
Losing it or giving it away would be an unspeakable OTHELLO
loss, a loss like none other. Is it lost? Is it gone? Tell me, is it missing?
DESDEMONA
God help me!
DESDEMONA
Is that possible?
OTHELLO
Yes, it’s true. There’s magic in its fabric. A two OTHELLO
hundred-year-old witch sewed it while she was in a Say you?
fevered trance. The silk came from sacred
DESDEMONA
silkworms, and it was dyed with fluid made from
It is not lost, but what and if it were?
embalmed virgins' hearts.
OTHELLO
DESDEMONA
Really? Is that true? OTHELLO
What do you have to say for yourself?
OTHELLO
It’s absolutely true, so take good care of it. DESDEMONA
DESDEMONA It’s not lost, but what if it were?
OTHELLO
75 DESDEMONA OTHELLO
How! Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now. Then bring it here. Let me see it.
DESDEMONA This is a trick to put me from my suit. DESDEMONA
I say, it is not lost. What do you mean? I could, sir. But I don’t want to now.
OTHELLO DESDEMONA This is just a trick to take my mind off
Fetch ’t, let me see ’t. I’m telling you, it’s not lost. what I’m asking you for.
Modern Text
Pray you, let Cassio be received again. Please hire Cassio again.
OTHELLO EMILIA
80 Is not this man jealous?
Fetch me the handkerchief—my mind misgives. OTHELLO
Bring me the handkerchief—My mind is full of
DESDEMONA doubt.
Come, come, DESDEMONA
You’ll never meet a more sufficient man. Come on. You know you’ll never find a more
OTHELLO capable man.
The handkerchief! OTHELLO
The handkerchief!
DESDEMONA
A man that all his time DESDEMONA
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love, 85 He’s counted on your friendship for his success.
Shared dangers with you— He’s shared dangers with you—
OTHELLO
The handkerchief! OTHELLO
DESDEMONA The handkerchief!
In sooth, you are to blame. DESDEMONA
OTHELLO Really, I don’t think you’re behaving very well.
Away! OTHELLO
Damn it!
Exit OTHELLO exits. EMILIA 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man.
And you say he’s not jealous? They are all but stomachs, and we all but food. To
eat us hungerly, and when they are full, 95
They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband!
Act 3, Scene 4, Page 6 some magic in that handkerchief. I’m miserable
that I lost it.
DESDEMONA
EMILIA
I ne'er saw this before.
Men are all the same, but it takes longer than a year
or two to see how bad they are. They’re like
stomachs and we’re just the food. They eat us up
DESDEMONA
hungrily, and when they’re full, they vomit us up.
I never saw him like this before. There must be Look, here comes Cassio and my husband.
90
Sure, there’s some wonder in this handkerchief, I
am most unhappy in the loss of it. IAGO
EMILIA Enter CASSIO and IAGO IAGO and CASSIO enter. IAGO
100 105 you That by your virtuous means I may Hello, Cassio. How are you?
again Exist, and be a member of his CASSIO
love Nothing, madam. Just my earlier
Whom I, with all the office of my heart request. I’m begging you to help me
Entirely honor. I would not be delayed. get back on his good side. I’m
There is no other way. 'Tis she must If my offence be of such mortal kind devoted to him with all my heart. I can’t
do ’t, And, lo, the happiness! Go and That nor my service past, nor present wait any longer. If my wrongdoing was
importune her. sorrows, Nor purposed merit in futurity, so serious that I can’t get back into his
Can ransom me into his love again, good graces either by my past
DESDEMONA There’s no other way. She’s the one service, or my present situation, or the
How now, good Cassio, what’s the who’s got to do it. And what luck, promise of devoted service in the
she’s here! Go ahead and ask her. future, just knowing that would help
news with you? CASSIO
DESDEMONA me. Then I could stop wondering, and
Madam, my former suit. I do beseech
find some other career.
Modern Text
But to know so must be my benefit.

So shall I clothe me in a forced content,
110 alms.
And shut myself up in some other course, To fortune’s
DESDEMONA
I’m sorry, dear Cassio, but now is not the right
DESDEMONA time to bring up your case. My husband’s not
Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio, himself. If his face changed as much as his
My advocation is not now in tune. personality has, I wouldn’t recognize him. God
My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him
Were he in favor as in humor altered.
115 120 125 Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice
So help me every spirit sanctified you. IAGO
As I have spoken for you all my best
Is my lord angry?
And stood within the blank of his
displeasure For my free speech. You EMILIA
must awhile be patient. What I can do I He went hence but now,
will, and more I will
And certainly in strange unquietness. knows I have done my best to argue IAGO
IAGO for you, and made him angry at me for Can he even get angry? It’s hard to
being so aggressive. You’ll just have believe. I’ve seen him stay calm when
Can he be angry? I have seen the
to be patient for a little while. I’ll do cannons were blowing his soldiers to
cannon When it hath blown his ranks
what I can, more than I’d do for myself. bits, even killing his own brother
into the air And, like the devil, from his
Let that be enough for you. without him batting an eyelid—is he
very arm Puffed his own brother—and
really upset? It must be about
is he angry? Something of moment
IAGO something important. I’ll go talk to
then, I will go meet him. There’s matter
Is Othello angry? him. If he’s angry, there must be
in ’t indeed, if he be angry.
something seriously wrong.
EMILIA
DESDEMONA
DESDEMONA He just left, clearly upset about
something. Please, do so.
I prithee, do so.
Something, sure, of state, from Venice,

Exit IAGO IAGO exits. There must be some political news
130 135 140 are their object. 'Tis even so, For let or some dangerous plot here in Cyprus
our finger ache and it endues has ruined his good mood. Men
Our other healthful members even to always get angry about little things
that sense Of pain. Nay, we must think when they’re really worried about
men are not gods, Nor of them look for bigger ones. That’s the way it goes.
Either from Venice, or some such observances As fit the bridal. When our finger hurts, it makes the
unhatched practice Made Beshrew me much, Emilia, I was, rest of the body hurt too. We shouldn’t
demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, unhandsome warrior as I am, expect men to be perfect, or for them
Hath puddled his clear spirit, and in Arraigning his unkindness with my to be as polite as on the weddingday.
such cases Men’s natures wrangle soul, But now I find I had suborned the Oh, Emilia, I’m so inexperienced that I
with inferior things, Though great ones witness, And he’s indicted falsely. thought he was being unkind, but
actually I was judging him harshly.
EMILIA
I hope to God it’s something political, like you
EMILIA
Pray heaven it be
Modern Text
145 150 But jealous souls will not be answered DESDEMONA

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

Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA DESDEMONA and BIANCA
EMILIA exit. Enter BIANCA BIANCA enters. BIANCA Hello, Cassio!
Save you, friend Cassio!

CASSIO
CASSIO Why are you so far from home? How are you, my
What make you from home? pretty Bianca? To tell you the truth, I was just going
How is ’t with you, my most fair Bianca? to your house.
BIANCA
160 165 170 BIANCA
Oh, Cassio, where did you get this?
This is a gift from another woman, a
new lover! Now I know why you’ve
been staying away from me. Has it
come to this? Well, well.
CASSIO
And I was going to your lodging, Oh, come on, woman. Stop jumping to
Cassio. What, keep a week away? silly conclusions. Now you’re jealous,
Seven days and nights? Eight score thinking that
eight hours? And lovers' absent hours
More tedious than the dial eightscore
times! Oh weary reckoning!
CASSIO
Pardon me, Bianca,
I have this while with leaden thoughts
been pressed, But I shall, in a more
continuate time,
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet
Bianca, (giving her DESDEMONA’s
handkerchief) Take me this work out.
BIANCA
O Cassio, whence came this?
This is some token from a newer
friend! To the felt absence now I feel a
cause.
Is ’t come to this? Well, well.
CASSIO
Go to, woman,
Throw your vile guesses in the devil’s
teeth
And I was just going to yours. You’ve
kept away from me for a week? Seven
days and seven nights? A hundred
and sixty-eight hours? And lovers'
hours are a hundred and sixty times
longer than normal ones! What a
tedious wait! CASSIO
I’m sorry, Bianca. All this time I’ve
been depressed and had problems on
my mind. When I get some free time
I’ll make it up to you.(he gives her
DESDEMONA ’s handkerchief)Sweet
Bianca, would you copy this
embroidery pattern for me?
Modern Text
175 180 BIANCA BIANCA

Why, whose is it? Well, whose is it?
CASSIO CASSIO
I know not neither, I found it in my I don’t even know. I found it in my
chamber. I like the work well. Ere it be room. It’s pretty. Someone is certainly
demanded, As like enough it will, I looking for it, and I’ll have to give it
would have it copied. Take it and do ’t, back. So I’d like it copied. Take it and
and leave me for this time. do that for me, and leave me alone for
a while.
From whence you have them. You are BIANCA BIANCA
jealous now That this is from some Leave you! Wherefore? Leave you alone! Why?
mistress, some remembrance. this is from some mistress of mine, but
No, in good troth, Bianca. I swear it’s not, Bianca.
CASSIO
I’m waiting here for the general, and I don’t want
CASSIO him to see me with a woman.
I do attend here on the general
And think it no addition, nor my wish, BIANCA
To have him see me womaned. And why’s that?
BIANCA CASSIO
Why, I pray you?
CASSIO
185 190 But that you do not love me. But you don’t love me. Please, just
I pray you bring me on the way a little walk with me a little ways, and tell me
And say if I shall see you soon at if I’ll see you later
night. CASSIO tonight.
'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, CASSIO
For I attend here. But I’ll see you soon. I can only walk a little way with you,
BIANCA since I’m waiting here. But I’ll see you
'Tis very good. I must be soon.
circumstanced. BIANCA
Not that I love you not. It’s not because I don’t love you. All right, have it your way. I have to
BIANCA BIANCA 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 An hour Maybe she was just naked in bed with him for an hour
or more, not meaning any harm? or so, but they didn’t do anything.
Modern Text
OTHELLO You can’t see a reputation. A lot of people don’t

5 even deserve the reputations they have. But a
Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm! handkerchief—
It is hypocrisy against the devil. OTHELLO
They that mean virtuously, and yet do so, God, I wish I could forget about the handkerchief!
The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.20
Thou saidst—Oh, it comes o'er my memory, As
doth the raven o'er the infectious house,
Boding to all—he had my handkerchief. IAGO
IAGO Ay, what of that?
So they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip. OTHELLO
10 That’s not so good now.
But if I give my wife a handkerchief—
IAGO
What if I had said I had seen him do you wrong? 25
OTHELLO Or heard him say—as knaves be such abroad,
What then? Who having, by their own importunate suit, Or
IAGO voluntary dotage of some mistress,
Why then ’tis hers, my lord, and, being hers, Convincèd or supplied them, cannot choose
She may, I think, bestow ’t on any man. But they must blab—
OTHELLO OTHELLO
She is protectress of her honor too. Hath he said any thing?
15 IAGO
May she give that? 30
OTHELLO He hath, my lord, but be you well assured No
Naked in bed together, but without doing anything? more than he’ll unswear.
Come on, Iago. That would be like playing a trick on
the devil: they’d make him think they’re going to OTHELLO
commit adultery, but then back off. Anyone who What hath he said?
acted like that would be letting the devil tempt them, IAGO
and tempting God to condemn them. Why, that he did—I know not what he did.
IAGO What you told me it haunts me like a nightmare—
he’s got my handkerchief!
As long as they didn’t do anything, it would only be
a minor sin. But if I gave my wife a handkerchief—
OTHELLO IAGO
Then what? Yes, what about it?
IAGO OTHELLO
Then it’s hers. And if it’s hers, I guess she can That’s not good.
give it to any man she wants. IAGO
OTHELLO What if I’d said I saw him do something to hurt
Her reputation is also her own. Can she give that you? Or heard him say something about it. You
away too? know there are jerks out there who have to brag
about bedding some woman.—

OTHELLO
IAGO
Has he said anything?
Her honor is an essence that’s not seen,
They have it very oft that have it not. IAGO
But for the handkerchief— Yes, but he’d deny it all.
OTHELLO
By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. OTHELLO
What did he say?
IAGO
IAGO He said he did—I don’t know.
Modern Text
OTHELLO With her, on top of her—however you want to say it.

What? what? OTHELLO
IAGO In bed with her? On top of her? I would have
Lie— thought people were telling lies about her rather
OTHELLO than believe he was lying on her. My God, it’s
With her? nauseating! Handkerchief—confessions—
handkerchief! I’ll kill him first, and then let him
confess—I’m trembling with rage. I wouldn’t be
Act 4, Scene 1, Page 3 trembling like this if I didn’t know deep down this
was all true. Noses, ears, lips. Is it possible? Tell
IAGO me the truth—Handkerchief—Damn it!
With her, on her, what you will.
IAGO
OTHELLO (falls in a trance) (he falls into a trance) IAGO
Lie with her? lie on her? We say “lie on her” when
35
they belie her! Lie with her—that’s fulsome. Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are
Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To caught,
confess, and be hanged for his labor. First to be
And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, All
hanged, and then to confess—I tremble at it. Nature
guiltless, meet reproach.—What, ho! My lord! My
would not invest herself in such shadowing passion
lord, I say! Othello!
without some instruction. It is not words that shake
Keep working, poison! This is the way to trick
me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is ’t possible?
gullible fools. Many good and innocent women are
Confess!—Handkerchief!—Oh, devil!—
punished for reasons like this.—My lord? My lord,
OTHELLO
Othello!
He what?
IAGO
He was in bed with—
OTHELLO
With her? CASSIO
How now, Cassio! Hey, Cassio!
IAGO
CASSIO
40 45 This is his second fit. He had one IAGO

yesterday. CASSIO Othello’s having some kind of epileptic
Rub him about the temples. fit. This is his second fit like this. He
had one yesterday. CASSIO
IAGO
Rub his temples.
No, forbear.
The lethargy must have his quiet IAGO
course. If not, he foams at mouth and No, don’t. This fit has to run its course.
by and by Breaks out to savage If you interrupt it, he’ll foam at the
What’s the matter? madness. Look, he stirs. Do you mouth and go crazy. Look, he’s
IAGO withdraw yourself a little while, moving. Why don’t you go away for a
My lord is fall'n into an epilepsy. What’s the matter? bit? He’ll get
better right away. When he leaves, it’s very

Act 4, Scene 1, Page 4 important that I talk to you.
He will recover straight. When he is gone I
would on great occasion speak with you.
Exit CASSIO CASSIO exits.
How is it, general? Have you not hurt your head? What happened, general? Did you hit your head?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Modern Text
50 Dost thou mock me? Are you making fun of me?

IAGO And laid good ’scuses upon your ecstasy,
I mock you not, by heaven. IAGO
Would you would bear your fortune like a man! Making fun of you? No, I swear! I wish you could
OTHELLO face your bad news like a man!
A hornèd man’s a monster and a beast. OTHELLO

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

70 But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
Bade him anon return and here speak with me, The at you. I’ll make him tell me the whole story again—
which he promised. Do but encave yourself, And where, how often, how long ago—and when he
mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns That plans to sleep with your wife in the future. I’m telling
dwell in every region of his face. you, just watch his face. But stay calm, and don’t
For I will make him tell the tale anew get carried away by rage, or I’ll think you’re not a
75 man.
Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
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 Do you hear what I’m saying, Iago? I’ll be very
Dost thou hear, Iago? patient, but—do you hear me?—I’m not done with
80 him yet
I will be found most cunning in my patience,
IAGO
But—dost thou hear?—most bloody.
That’s fine, but for now keep your cool. Will you go
IAGO hide?
That’s not amiss,
OTHELLO withdraws OTHELLO hides.
Modern Text
Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, hears of her, cannot refrain

A huswife that by selling her desires From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.
85 Now I’ll ask Cassio about Bianca, a prostitute who
Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature That sells her body for food and clothes. She’s crazy
dotes on Cassio, as ’tis the strumpet’s plague To about Cassio. That’s the whore’s curse, to seduce
beguile many and be beguiled by one. He, when he many men, but to be seduced by one. Whenever he
talks about her he can’t stop laughing.

90 As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad. And his And when he laughs, Othello will go crazy. In his
unbookish jealousy must construe Poor Cassio’s ignorant jealousy, he’ll totally misunderstand
smiles, gestures, and light behavior Quite in the Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and jokes.—How are
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 IAGO The poor thing!
I never knew woman love man so. OTHELLO
He’s laughing already!
CASSIO IAGO
Alas, poor rogue, I think indeed she I never knew a woman who loved a
loves me. OTHELLO man so much.
Now he denies it faintly, and laughs it CASSIO
out. IAGO The poor thing, I really think she loves
Do you hear, Cassio? me. OTHELLO
OTHELLO Now he denies it a bit, and tries to
Now he importunes him laugh it off. IAGO
100 105 To tell it o'er. Go to, well said, well Have you heard this, Cassio?
said. IAGO OTHELLO
She gives it out that you shall marry He’s asking him to tell the story again.
her. Do you intend it? Go on, tell it.
CASSIO IAGO
Ha, ha, ha! She says you’re going to marry her.
OTHELLO Are you?
Do ye triumph, Roman? Do you
triumph? CASSIO
Ha, ha, ha!
CASSIO OTHELLO
I marry her! What? A customer? Are you laughing because you’ve
Whose want even kills me. Prithee bear some charity to my wit. won? Do you think you’ve won?
Do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, CASSIO
IAGO ha, ha!
Me, marry her? That whore? Please
Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure me lieutenant. I’m dying to have that give me a little credit! I’m not that
on ’t. Now if this suit lay in Bianca’s title back again.
stupid. Ha, ha, ha!
power IAGO
How quickly should you speed! Just keep asking Desdemona, and it’ll
CASSIO be yours. If it was up to Bianca to get
Alas, poor caitiff! you your job back, you’d have had it
already!
OTHELLO
Look how he laughs already! CASSIO
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Modern Text
110 So, so, so, so! They laugh that win! So, so, so, so! The winner’s always got the last laugh, hasn’t he?
115 120 my promise. If it’s not true, you can call me a villain.
OTHELLO
OTHELLO Have you given me bastard children to
Iago beckons me. Now he begins the raise? All right, then.
story.
CASSIO
The little monkey must have started
CASSIO that rumor herself. She thinks I’ll
She was here even now. She haunts marry her because she loves me.
me in every place. I was the other day She’s just flattering herself. I never
talking on the sea-bank with certain promised her anything.
Venetians, and thither comes the OTHELLO
bauble and, by this hand, she falls me Iago is gesturing for me to come
thus about my neck— OTHELLO closer. Now he’s telling the story.
Crying “O dear Cassio!” as it were. His CASSIO
gesture imports it.
She was here just now. She hangs
CASSIO around me all the time. I was talking
So hangs and lolls and weeps upon to some Venetians down by the shore,
me, so shakes, and pulls me! Ha, ha, and the fool showed up. I swear to
ha! you, she put her arms around me like
this— OTHELLO
IAGO OTHELLO Saying, “Oh, Cassio,” it seems, judging
Why the cry goes that you shall marry Now he tells how she plucked him to by his gestures.
her.
my chamber. Oh, I see that nose of CASSIO
yours, but not that dog I shall throw it She hangs around me and dangles
CASSIO to. from my neck and cries, shaking me
Prithee say true! CASSIO and pulling at me. Ha, ha, ha!
IAGO Well, I must leave her company. OTHELLO
I am a very villain else. IAGO Now he’s saying how she took him into
OTHELLO Before me! Look, where she comes. our bedroom. Oh, I can see your nose
Have you scored me? Well. IAGO now. But I can’t see the dog I’m going
I swear, there’s a rumor going around to throw it to. CASSIO
CASSIO that you’ll marry her.
I have to get rid of her.
This is the monkey’s own giving out. CASSIO IAGO
She is persuaded I will marry her, out You’re kidding! Look out, here she comes.
of her own love and flattery, not out of IAGO
Enter BIANCA BIANCA enters.
CASSIO CASSIO
'Tis such another fitchew. Marry, a perfumed one.— What It’s a whore like all the others, stinking of cheap
do you mean by this haunting of me? perfume.—Why are you always hanging around me?
BIANCA BIANCA
Modern Text
125 Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you not, come when you are next prepared for.
mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even Damn you! What did you mean by giving me this
now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the handkerchief? I was an idiot to take it! You want me
work? A likely piece of work, that you should find it in to copy the embroidery pattern? That was a likely
your chamber, and not know who left it there! This is story, that you found it in your room and didn’t know
some minx’s token, and I must take out the work? who it belonged to. This is a love token from some
There, give it your hobby-horse. Wheresoever you other slut, and you want me to copy its pattern for
had it, I’ll take out no work on ’t. you? Give it back to her, I 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
can. If you don’t want to, then good riddance.
130 Go after her, go. 135

IAGO CASSIO Well, I may chance to see you, for I
After her, after her. would very fain speak with you.
Actually, I should. She’ll scream in the
CASSIO streets if I don’t. CASSIO
I must, she’ll rail in the street else. IAGO Prithee come, will you?
Will you be having dinner with her IAGO
IAGO tonight? CASSIO Go to! Say no more.
Will you sup there? Well, maybe I’ll see you there. I’d
Yes, I will. really like to speak with you.
CASSIO
IAGO CASSIO
Yes, I intend so.
Please come. Will you?
IAGO
Exit BIANCA exits. IAGO IAGO
Don’t talk anymore, go after her.
Exit CASSIO CASSIO exits.

140
OTHELLO
(advancing) How shall I murder him,
Iago?
IAGO
Did you perceive how he laughed at
his vice?
OTHELLO
O Iago!
IAGO
And did you see the handkerchief?
OTHELLO
Was that mine?
IAGO
Yours by this hand. And to see how he
prizes the foolish woman your wife!
She gave it him, and he
OTHELLO
(coming forward) How should I murder
him, Iago?
IAGO
Did you see how he laughed about
sleeping with her?
OTHELLO
Oh Iago!
IAGO
And did you see the handkerchief?
OTHELLO
Was it mine?
IAGO
It was yours, I swear. And do you see
how much your foolish wife means to
him? She gave it to
Modern Text
hath given it his whore. him, and he gave it to his whore.
145 Nay, that’s not your way. Yes, let her die and rot and go to hell
OTHELLO OTHELLO tonight. She won’t stay alive for long.
I would have him nine years a-killing. A Hang her! I do but say what she is. So No, my heart’s turned to stone—when
fine woman! A fair woman! A sweet delicate with her needle, an admirable I hit it, it hurts my hand. Oh, the world
woman! musician. Oh, she will sing the never saw a sweeter creature. She
savageness out of a bear! Of so high could be married to an emperor, and
IAGO and plenteous wit and invention! he’d be like her slave!
Nay, you must forget that. IAGO IAGO
OTHELLO She’s the worse for all this. But that’s not how you’re going to be.
Ay, let her rot and perish and be OTHELLO OTHELLO
damned tonight, for she shall not live. I wish I could keep killing him for nine Damn her, I’m just describing her
No, my heart is turned to stone. I years straight. Oh, she’s a fine truthfully! She’s so good at sewing,
strike it and it hurts my hand. Oh, the woman! A fair woman! A sweet and a wonderful musician. Oh, she
world hath not a sweeter creature, she woman! could sing a wild bear to sleep! Oh,
might lie by an emperor’s side and IAGO she’s so witty and creative!
command him tasks. No, you have to forget all that now. IAGO
OTHELLO All the worse that she stooped this low,
IAGO then.
OTHELLO
OTHELLO
Oh, a thousand thousand times—and then of so OTHELLO
gentle a condition! Oh, a thousand times worse, a thousand times—
IAGO and what a sweet personality she has! IAGO
Ay, too gentle. Yes, a little too sweet.
OTHELLO
150 155
Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
IAGO
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend, for if it touch not you it comes near nobody.
OTHELLO
I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me?
IAGO
Oh, ’tis foul in her.
OTHELLO
With mine officer!
IAGO
That’s fouler.
OTHELLO
Get me some poison, Iago, this night. I’ll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind
again—This night, Iago!
Yes, that’s for sure. Oh, it’s dreadful, dreadful, Iago!
IAGO
If you still feel so affectionate toward her, then why not give her permission to cheat on you? If it doesn’t bother you,
it won’t bother anyone else. OTHELLO
I’ll chop her into pieces. How could she cheat on me?
IAGO
Oh, it’s horrible of her.
OTHELLO
And with my own officer!
IAGO
That’s worse.
OTHELLO
Get me some poison tonight, Iago. I won’t argue with her, so her beautiful body won’t disarm me.—Tonight, Iago.
IAGO IAGO
Modern Text
160 And for Cassio, let me be his OTHELLO

Do it not with poison. Strangle her in undertaker. You shall hear more by Good, good, I like that—it’s only fair!
her bed, even the bed she hath midnight. Very good! IAGO
contaminated.
OTHELLO And let me kill Cassio. You’ll hear
OTHELLO Excellent good. more from me by midnight.
Good, good, the justice of it pleases! Don’t do it with poison. Strangle her in
OTHELLO
Very good! IAGO her bed, the same bed she’s
contaminated. Excellent, good.
A trumpet within A trumpet sounds offstage.

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

Welcome to Cyprus. What’s new, cousin Lodovico? (reading) “Don’t fail to do this, since
IAGO you’ll—”

Modern Text
175 LODOVICO Indeed!

He did not call, he’s busy in the paper. DESDEMONA
Is there division ’twixt my lord and My lord?
Cassio? DESDEMONA OTHELLO
A most unhappy one. I would do much I am glad to see you mad.
T' atone them, for the love I bear to
Cassio. OTHELLO DESDEMONA
Fire and brimstone! Why, sweet Othello—
DESDEMONA OTHELLO
My lord? (striking her) Devil!
OTHELLO DESDEMONA
Are you wise? I have not deserved this.
180 185 DESDEMONA LODOVICO
What, is he angry? He didn’t say anything, he’s reading.
LODOVICO So there’s a rift between Othello and
Maybe the letter moved him, Cassio?
For, as I think, they do command him DESDEMONA
home, Deputing Cassio in his Yes, unfortunately. I’d do anything to
government. DESDEMONA bring them back together, since I
Trust me, I am glad on ’t. really care for Cassio. OTHELLO
OTHELLO Damn it all!
DESDEMONA Cassio governor in his place. I’m glad you’re insane enough to admit
Excuse me, my lord? DESDEMONA it in front of me.
OTHELLO I’m happy about that. DESDEMONA
Are you in your right mind? OTHELLO Why, sweet Othello—
DESDEMONA Oh, are you really! OTHELLO
Is he angry? DESDEMONA (striking her) You devil!
LODOVICO My lord? DESDEMONA
Maybe the letter upset him. I think they OTHELLO I haven’t done anything to deserve
want him to go home and appoint this!
LODOVICO
Act 4, Scene 1, Page 13 LODOVICO
190 195 Oh, devil, devil! much. You should apologize. She’s
If that the earth could teem with crying.
woman’s tears, Each drop she falls OTHELLO
would prove a crocodile. Out of my Oh, you devil, you devil! You can cry
sight! all day and all night, and I still won’t
DESDEMONA believe you’re sad. Get out of my
I will not stay to offend you. sight!
LODOVICO
My lord, this would not be believed in DESDEMONA
Truly, an obedient lady.
Venice, Though I should swear I saw
I do beseech your lordship, call her I wouldn’t want to stay here and make
’t. 'Tis very much. Make her amends, back.
she weeps. you angry. LODOVICO
My lord, no one will believe this in
Venice, even though I’d swear I saw it She’s obedient—a fine lady. Please,
with my own eyes. That was too my lord, call her back.
OTHELLO
Modern Text
200 What would you with her, sir? My lord?

LODOVICO OTHELLO
Who, I, my lord? What do you want with her, sir?
OTHELLO LODOVICO
Ay, you did wish that I would make her Who, me?
turn. Sir, she can turn, and turn, and OTHELLO
yet go on, And turn again. And she can Yes, you asked me to call her back.
weep, sir, weep. And she’s obedient, See how well she can turn? She can
as you say, obedient, Very obedient.— turn and turn, and then turn on you
205 210
Proceed you in your tears.— again. And she can cry, sir—oh, how
Concerning this, sir—Oh, well-painted she can cry! And she’s obedient, as
passion!— I am commanded home.— you say, obedient. Very obedient—
Get you away, I’ll send for you anon.— keep crying.— Concerning this—oh,
Sir, I obey the mandate And will return what fake emotion!—I am being
OTHELLO
to Venice.—Hence, avaunt! ordered home—Get away from me, I’ll
Mistress!
OTHELLO send for you later.—Sir, I’ll obey the
DESDEMONA Madam! order and return to Venice. Get away
My lord?
DESDEMONA from me, you witch!
OTHELLO
Exit DESDEMONA DESDEMONA exits.

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

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

Modern Text
OTHELLO She says all the right things, but the dumbest brothel-
Bid her come hither. Go. keeper would tell the same story. Desdemona’s a
OTHELLO tricky whore with a closet full of awful secrets, but still
Tell her to come here. Go. she’ll kneel and pray like an honest woman. I’ve seen
Exit EMILIA EMILIA exits. her do it.
She says enough, yet she’s a simple bawd That cannot
say as much. This is a subtle whore, A closet, lock and DESDEMONA
key, of villainous secrets. And yet she’ll kneel and pray, Enter DESDEMONA with EMILIA DESDEMONA and
I have seen her do ’t. EMILIA enter. DESDEMONA
25 30 OTHELLO any body come. Your mystery, your
Pray, chuck, come hither. mystery! Nay, dispatch!
DESDEMONA My lord, what do you want?
What is your pleasure? OTHELLO
OTHELLO Please, dear, come here.
Let me see your eyes. DESDEMONA
Look in my face. What can I do for you?
DESDEMONA OTHELLO
What horrible fancy’s this? Let me see your eyes. Look at my
face.
OTHELLO
(to EMILIA) Some of your function,
mistress, Leave procreants alone and DESDEMONA
My lord, what is your will? shut the door. Cough or cry “hem” if
What horrible thing are you imagining? (to EMILIA) Go do what you do best, behind you. If somebody comes, give
OTHELLO madam. Leave us alone for our a shout. That’s your job, your job. Go
hanky-panky, and shut the door on, hurry!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
Exit EMILIA EMILIA exits. DESDEMONA I’m your wife, your true and loyal wife.
Upon my knee, what doth your speech import? I OTHELLO
understand a fury in your words, Go ahead, swear to that, so you’ll be damned to
35 hell for lying. Otherwise the devils will mistake you
But not the words.
for an angel and be too scared to grab you.
OTHELLO 40
Why, what art thou? damned,
I’m begging you on my knees to tell me what your Swear thou art honest!
words mean. I can tell you’re furious, but I don’t
DESDEMONA
understand what you’re saying.
Heaven doth truly know it.
OTHELLO
OTHELLO
Why? Who are you?
Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.
DESDEMONA
Act 4, Scene 2, Page 3 To whom, my lord? With whom? How am I false?
Go ahead, make sure you damn yourself by
DESDEMONA
swearing you’ve been faithful to me.
Your wife, my lord. Your true and loyal wife.
DESDEMONA
OTHELLO Heaven knows I am.
Come, swear it, damn thyself. OTHELLO
Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves
Heaven knows you’re as unfaithful as hell.
Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double
DESDEMONA
Unfaithful, my lord? With whom? How am I
unfaithful?
OTHELLO OTHELLO
Modern Text
Ah, Desdemona, away, away, away! Leave me alone, Desdemona, go away!

DESDEMONA If God had decided to treat me like Job, making me
Alas the heavy day, why do you weep? 45 sick and covered with sores, reducing me to abject
Am I the motive of these tears, my lord? If poverty, selling me into slavery and destroying all my
haply you my father do suspect hopes, I would have found some way to accept it
An instrument of this your calling back, Lay not with patience. But instead He’s made me a
your blame on me. If you have lost him, Why, I laughingstock for everyone in our time to point at
have lost him too. and scorn! Even that I could put up with. But instead,
OTHELLO my wife, who’s supposed to
Had it pleased heaven
50
To try me with affliction, had they rained All kinds
of sores and shames on my bare head, Steeped The fixèd figure for the time of scorn
me in poverty to the very lips, To point his slow and moving finger at! Yet could
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes, I I bear that too, well, very well. But there where I
should have found in some place of my soul 55 have garnered up my heart,
A drop of patience. But, alas, to make me
DESDEMONA
Oh, what a horrible day! Why are you crying? be like the fountain that my children and all my
Because of me? If you’ve been ordered back to descendants flow from, has rejected me! Worse
Venice because of my father, don’t blame me. You than that, she’s polluted herself, so that the
may have lost his respect, but so have I. fountain is a place where disgusting toads
60
Where either I must live or bear no life,
OTHELLO The fountain from the which my current runs Or
else dries up—to be discarded thence! And will not hear ’t. What committed!
Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads copulate and reproduce! Even the goddess of
To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there, 65 patience couldn’t look at this and be patient—it’s
Patience, thou young and rose-lipped cherubin,— too horrifying!
Ay, there, look grim as hell!
DESDEMONA
I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.
OTHELLO
Oh, ay, as summer flies are in the shambles, DESDEMONA
That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed, 70 I hope you think I’m faithful to you.
Who art so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet That the OTHELLO
sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er been As faithful as flies in rotting meat, which give birth to
born! maggots every time the wind blows. You’re like a
DESDEMONA weed pretending to be a flower, so beautiful and
Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed? sweet-smelling that I ache when I look at you. Oh, I
wish you’d never been born! DESDEMONA
OTHELLO Have I done something to offend you without
knowing it?
Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
Made to write “whore” upon? What committed? OTHELLO
75 Was someone as beautiful as you meant to be a
Committed? O thou public commoner! whore? What have you done? What have you
I should make very forges of my cheeks done? Oh, you streetwalker! If I said out loud what
That would to cinders burn up modesty you’ve done, you’d burn up with shame. What have
Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed? you done? Heaven has to hold its nose when it sees
Heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks, 80 you! The pure moon in the sky has to shut its eyes
The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets when you go by! Even the wind that blows over
Is hushed within the hollow mine of earth everything on earth is ashamed to visit you. You
brazen whore!
Modern Text
Impudent strumpet!
DESDEMONA DESDEMONA
By heaven, you do me wrong! I swear to God you’re accusing me wrongly!

OTHELLO OTHELLO
85 90 From any other foul unlawful touch Be gate of hell!

not to be a strumpet, I am none. So you’re saying you’re not a whore?
OTHELLO DESDEMONA
What, not a whore? No, I’m as honest as I am Christian. If
DESDEMONA only letting my husband touch my
No, as I shall be saved. body means I’m not a whore, I’m not a
whore.
OTHELLO
Is ’t possible?
OTHELLO
DESDEMONA
What, you’re not a whore?
Oh, heaven forgive us!
DESDEMONA
OTHELLO
95 No, I swear it.
I cry you mercy, then,
Are you not a strumpet? I took you for that cunning whore of OTHELLO
DESDEMONA Venice That married with Othello.— Is that possible?
No, as I am a Christian. You, mistress, That have the office DESDEMONA
If to preserve this vessel for my lord opposite to Saint Peter And keep the Oh, heaven help us!
OTHELLO I beg your pardon then. I must have that sly Venetian woman who married
the wrong woman. I mistook you for Othello.—You whorehouse keeper.
You, you, ay, you! We have done our course. There’s money for your pains.
Enter EMILIA EMILIA enters. You’re in charge of this hell! I pray you, turn the key and keep our counsel.
You! We’ve finished our business. Here’s some money for you. Please
lock the door and keep quiet.
100 Alas, what does this gentleman What’s he talking about? How are you,
EMILIA conceive? madam?
Exit OTHELLO exits. EMILIA
How do you, madam? How do you, my good lady? DESDEMONA
DESDEMONA
Faith, half asleep. DESDEMONA
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
105
Who is thy lord?
EMILIA
He that is yours, sweet lady.
Who’s your lord? EMILIA
My lord is your lord.

No Fear Shakespeare Othello

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

To love the Moor.

Act 1, Scene 1, Page 4

Patience, good sir. Please wait, sir.

110 120 In simple and pure soul I come to you RODERIGO

approval, then we’ve been very rude to bother you

Let loose on me the justice of the state

and affection, even if it’s just an act. If you want to

175 RODERIGO Call my brother.—Now I wish you’d

I shall promulgate. I fetch my life and being

OTHELLO The Duke does greet you, general,

Act 1, Scene 2, Page 3

50 CASSIO I don’t understand.

Act 1, Scene 2, Page 4

Exeunt They all exit.

5 SECOND SENATOR SECOND SENATOR

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 2 OFFICER

The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, No, he’s in Florence.

She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted By OTHELLO

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 5

of her father. If she has anything bad to say

When I was relaxing, she’d pull me aside and ask

DUKE Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, and attendants

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 8

180 do learn me DESDEMONA

bad news. A robbery victim who can smile about

giving her a place to live and people to keep her

urges are dead. I want this because she wants it—

RODERIGO Iago. Iago.

that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I

with industry—why, the power and corrigible RODERIGO

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 14

tomorrow. Adieu. Goodbye.

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 15

315 RODERIGO IAGO

I’ll sell all my land. IAGO

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 16

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 2

35 With foul and violent tempest. the storm.

Enter CASSIO CASSIO enters.

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 3

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 4

MONTANO tire the ingener.

100 SECOND GENTLEMAN (offstage) A sail! A sail!

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 7

150 155 never was so frail IAGO

IAGO and excellent courtesy! ’tis so, indeed. Yet again

Trumpet within A trumpet plays offstage.

'Tis truly so. Yes, it is.

OTHELLO My beautiful warrior!

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

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 13

Exit IAGO exits.

Exit The HERALD exits.

here. I am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task IAGO

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 3

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 4

CASSIO potent in potting. Your Dane, your German, and your

IAGO (speaking so that only RODERIGO can hear)

IAGO What’s that noise?