Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, MOOR OF VENICE
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves, `
` Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm, `
` Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit `
` 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 fearful to be granted. `
` OTHELLO. I will deny thee nothing, `
` Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, `
` To leave me but a little to myself. `
` DESDEMONA. Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord. `
` OTHELLO. Farewell, my Desdemona; I'll come to thee straight. `
` DESDEMONA. Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you; `
` Whate'er you be, I am obedient. `
` Exeunt Desdemona and `
` Emilia. `
` OTHELLO. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, `
` But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, `
` Chaos is come again. `
` IAGO. My noble lord- `
` OTHELLO. What dost thou say, Iago? `
` IAGO. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, `
` Know of your love? `
` OTHELLO. He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask? `
` IAGO. But for a satisfaction of my thought; `
` No further harm. `
` OTHELLO. Why of thy thought, Iago? `
` IAGO. I did not think he had been acquainted with her. `
` OTHELLO. O, yes, and went between us very oft. `
` IAGO. Indeed! `
` OTHELLO. Indeed? ay, indeed. Discern'st thou aught in that? `
` Is he not honest? `
` IAGO. Honest, my lord? `
` OTHELLO. Honest? Ay, honest. `
` IAGO. My lord, for aught I know. `
` OTHELLO. What dost thou think? `
` IAGO. Think, my lord? `
` OTHELLO. Think, my lord? By heaven, he echoes me, `
` As if there were some monster in his thought `
` Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something. `
` I heard thee say even now, thou like'st not that, `
` When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like? `
` And when I told thee he was of my counsel `
` In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst, "Indeed!" `
` And didst contract and purse thy brow together, `
` As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain `
` Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me, `
` Show me thy thought. `
` IAGO. My lord, you know I love you. `
` OTHELLO. I think thou dost; `
` And for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty `
` And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath, `
` Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more; `
` For such things in a false disloyal knave `
` Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just `
` They're close dilations, working from the heart, `
` That passion cannot rule. `
` IAGO. For Michael Cassio, `
` I dare be sworn I think that he is honest. `
` OTHELLO. I think so too. `
` IAGO. Men should be what they seem; `
` Or those that be not, would they might seem none! `
` OTHELLO. Certain, men should be what they seem. `
` IAGO. Why then I think Cassio's an honest man. `
` OTHELLO. Nay, yet there's more in this. `
` I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, `
` As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts `
` The worst of words. `
` IAGO. Good my lord, pardon me; `
` Though I am bound to every act of duty, `
` I am not bound to that all slaves are free to. `
` Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false; `
` As where's that palace whereinto foul things `
` Sometimes intrude not? Who has a breast so pure, `
` But some uncleanly apprehensions `
` Keep leets and law-days, and in session sit `
` With meditations lawful? `
` OTHELLO. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, `
` If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear `
` A stranger to thy thoughts. `
` IAGO. I do beseech you- `
` Though I perchance am vicious in my guess, `
` As, I confess, it is my nature's plague `
` To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy `
` Shapes faults that are not- that your wisdom yet, `
` From one that so imperfectly conceits, `
` Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble `
` Out of his scattering and unsure observance. `
` It were not for your quiet nor your good, `
` Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom, `
` To let you know my thoughts. `
` OTHELLO. What dost thou mean? `
` IAGO. Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, `
` Is the immediate jewel of their souls. `
` Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; `
` 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; `
` But he that filches from me my good name `
` Robs me of that which not enriches him `
` And makes me poor indeed. `
` OTHELLO. By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts. `
` IAGO. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; `
` Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody. `
` OTHELLO. Ha! `
` IAGO. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! `
` It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock `
` The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss `
` Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; `
` But O, what damned minutes tells he o'er `
` Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves! `
` OTHELLO. O misery! `
` IAGO. Poor and content is rich, and rich enough; `
` But riches fineless is as poor as winter `
` To him that ever fears he shall be poor. `
` Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend `
` From jealousy! `
` OTHELLO. Why, why is this? `
` Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy, `
` To follow still the changes of the moon `
` With fresh suspicions? No! To be once in doubt `
` Is once to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat `
` When I shall turn the business of my soul `
` To such exsufflicate and blown surmises, `
` Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous `
` To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company, `
` Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well; `
` Where virtue is, these are more virtuous. `
` Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw `
` The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt; `
` For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago, `
` I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; `
` And on the proof, there is no more but this- `
` Away at once with love or jealousy! `
` IAGO. I am glad of it, for now I shall have reason `
` To show the love and duty that I bear you `
` With franker spirit. Therefore, as I am bound, `
` Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof. `
` Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; `
` Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure. `
` I would not have your free and noble nature `
` Out of self-bounty be abused. Look to't. `
` I know our country disposition well; `
` In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks `
` They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience `
` Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown. `
` OTHELLO. Dost thou say so? `
` IAGO. She did deceive her father, marrying you; `
` And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks, `
` She loved them most. `
` OTHELLO. And so she did. `
` IAGO. Why, go to then. `
` She that so young could give out such a seeming, `
` To seel her father's eyes up close as oak- `
` He thought 'twas witchcraft- but I am much to blame; `
` I humbly do beseech you of your pardon `
` For too much loving you. `
` OTHELLO. I am bound to thee forever. `
` IAGO. I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits. `
` OTHELLO. Not a jot, not a jot. `
` IAGO. I'faith, I fear it has. `
` I hope you will consider what is spoke `
` Comes from my love. But I do see you're moved; `
` I am to pray you not to strain my speech `
` To grosser issues nor to larger reach `
` Than to suspicion. `
` OTHELLO. I will not. `
` IAGO. Should you do so, my lord, `
` My speech should fall into such vile success `
` Which my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend- `
` My lord, I see you're moved. `
` OTHELLO. No, not much moved. `
` I do not think but Desdemona's honest. `
` IAGO. Long live she so! and long live you to think so! `
` OTHELLO. And yet, how nature erring from itself- `
` IAGO. Ay, there's the point, as- to be bold with you- `
` Not to affect many proposed matches `
` Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, `
` Whereto we see in all things nature tends- `
` Foh, one may smell in such a will most rank, `
` Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural. `
` But pardon me. I do not in position `
` Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear, `
` Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, `
` May fall to match you with her country forms, `
` And happily repent. `
` OTHELLO. Farewell, farewell. `
` If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; `
` Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago. `
` IAGO. [Going.] My lord, I take my leave. `
` OTHELLO. Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless `
` Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. `
` IAGO. [Returning.] My lord, I would I might entreat your honor `
` To scan this thing no further; leave it to time. `
` Though it be fit that Cassio have his place, `
` For sure he fills it up with great ability, `
` Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile, `
` You shall by that perceive him and his means. `
` Note if your lady strain his entertainment `
` With any strong or vehement importunity; `
` Much will be seen in that. In the meantime, `
` Let me be thought too busy in my fears- `
` As worthy cause I have to fear I am- `
`
` Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm, `
` Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit `
` 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 fearful to be granted. `
` OTHELLO. I will deny thee nothing, `
` Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, `
` To leave me but a little to myself. `
` DESDEMONA. Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord. `
` OTHELLO. Farewell, my Desdemona; I'll come to thee straight. `
` DESDEMONA. Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you; `
` Whate'er you be, I am obedient. `
` Exeunt Desdemona and `
` Emilia. `
` OTHELLO. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, `
` But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, `
` Chaos is come again. `
` IAGO. My noble lord- `
` OTHELLO. What dost thou say, Iago? `
` IAGO. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, `
` Know of your love? `
` OTHELLO. He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask? `
` IAGO. But for a satisfaction of my thought; `
` No further harm. `
` OTHELLO. Why of thy thought, Iago? `
` IAGO. I did not think he had been acquainted with her. `
` OTHELLO. O, yes, and went between us very oft. `
` IAGO. Indeed! `
` OTHELLO. Indeed? ay, indeed. Discern'st thou aught in that? `
` Is he not honest? `
` IAGO. Honest, my lord? `
` OTHELLO. Honest? Ay, honest. `
` IAGO. My lord, for aught I know. `
` OTHELLO. What dost thou think? `
` IAGO. Think, my lord? `
` OTHELLO. Think, my lord? By heaven, he echoes me, `
` As if there were some monster in his thought `
` Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something. `
` I heard thee say even now, thou like'st not that, `
` When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like? `
` And when I told thee he was of my counsel `
` In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst, "Indeed!" `
` And didst contract and purse thy brow together, `
` As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain `
` Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me, `
` Show me thy thought. `
` IAGO. My lord, you know I love you. `
` OTHELLO. I think thou dost; `
` And for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty `
` And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath, `
` Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more; `
` For such things in a false disloyal knave `
` Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just `
` They're close dilations, working from the heart, `
` That passion cannot rule. `
` IAGO. For Michael Cassio, `
` I dare be sworn I think that he is honest. `
` OTHELLO. I think so too. `
` IAGO. Men should be what they seem; `
` Or those that be not, would they might seem none! `
` OTHELLO. Certain, men should be what they seem. `
` IAGO. Why then I think Cassio's an honest man. `
` OTHELLO. Nay, yet there's more in this. `
` I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, `
` As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts `
` The worst of words. `
` IAGO. Good my lord, pardon me; `
` Though I am bound to every act of duty, `
` I am not bound to that all slaves are free to. `
` Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false; `
` As where's that palace whereinto foul things `
` Sometimes intrude not? Who has a breast so pure, `
` But some uncleanly apprehensions `
` Keep leets and law-days, and in session sit `
` With meditations lawful? `
` OTHELLO. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, `
` If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear `
` A stranger to thy thoughts. `
` IAGO. I do beseech you- `
` Though I perchance am vicious in my guess, `
` As, I confess, it is my nature's plague `
` To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy `
` Shapes faults that are not- that your wisdom yet, `
` From one that so imperfectly conceits, `
` Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble `
` Out of his scattering and unsure observance. `
` It were not for your quiet nor your good, `
` Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom, `
` To let you know my thoughts. `
` OTHELLO. What dost thou mean? `
` IAGO. Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, `
` Is the immediate jewel of their souls. `
` Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; `
` 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; `
` But he that filches from me my good name `
` Robs me of that which not enriches him `
` And makes me poor indeed. `
` OTHELLO. By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts. `
` IAGO. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; `
` Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody. `
` OTHELLO. Ha! `
` IAGO. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! `
` It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock `
` The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss `
` Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; `
` But O, what damned minutes tells he o'er `
` Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves! `
` OTHELLO. O misery! `
` IAGO. Poor and content is rich, and rich enough; `
` But riches fineless is as poor as winter `
` To him that ever fears he shall be poor. `
` Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend `
` From jealousy! `
` OTHELLO. Why, why is this? `
` Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy, `
` To follow still the changes of the moon `
` With fresh suspicions? No! To be once in doubt `
` Is once to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat `
` When I shall turn the business of my soul `
` To such exsufflicate and blown surmises, `
` Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous `
` To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company, `
` Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well; `
` Where virtue is, these are more virtuous. `
` Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw `
` The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt; `
` For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago, `
` I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; `
` And on the proof, there is no more but this- `
` Away at once with love or jealousy! `
` IAGO. I am glad of it, for now I shall have reason `
` To show the love and duty that I bear you `
` With franker spirit. Therefore, as I am bound, `
` Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof. `
` Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; `
` Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure. `
` I would not have your free and noble nature `
` Out of self-bounty be abused. Look to't. `
` I know our country disposition well; `
` In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks `
` They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience `
` Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown. `
` OTHELLO. Dost thou say so? `
` IAGO. She did deceive her father, marrying you; `
` And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks, `
` She loved them most. `
` OTHELLO. And so she did. `
` IAGO. Why, go to then. `
` She that so young could give out such a seeming, `
` To seel her father's eyes up close as oak- `
` He thought 'twas witchcraft- but I am much to blame; `
` I humbly do beseech you of your pardon `
` For too much loving you. `
` OTHELLO. I am bound to thee forever. `
` IAGO. I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits. `
` OTHELLO. Not a jot, not a jot. `
` IAGO. I'faith, I fear it has. `
` I hope you will consider what is spoke `
` Comes from my love. But I do see you're moved; `
` I am to pray you not to strain my speech `
` To grosser issues nor to larger reach `
` Than to suspicion. `
` OTHELLO. I will not. `
` IAGO. Should you do so, my lord, `
` My speech should fall into such vile success `
` Which my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend- `
` My lord, I see you're moved. `
` OTHELLO. No, not much moved. `
` I do not think but Desdemona's honest. `
` IAGO. Long live she so! and long live you to think so! `
` OTHELLO. And yet, how nature erring from itself- `
` IAGO. Ay, there's the point, as- to be bold with you- `
` Not to affect many proposed matches `
` Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, `
` Whereto we see in all things nature tends- `
` Foh, one may smell in such a will most rank, `
` Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural. `
` But pardon me. I do not in position `
` Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear, `
` Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, `
` May fall to match you with her country forms, `
` And happily repent. `
` OTHELLO. Farewell, farewell. `
` If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; `
` Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago. `
` IAGO. [Going.] My lord, I take my leave. `
` OTHELLO. Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless `
` Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. `
` IAGO. [Returning.] My lord, I would I might entreat your honor `
` To scan this thing no further; leave it to time. `
` Though it be fit that Cassio have his place, `
` For sure he fills it up with great ability, `
` Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile, `
` You shall by that perceive him and his means. `
` Note if your lady strain his entertainment `
` With any strong or vehement importunity; `
` Much will be seen in that. In the meantime, `
` Let me be thought too busy in my fears- `
` As worthy cause I have to fear I am- `
`