Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, MOOR OF VENICE
`
` Enter Cassio and Iago. `
` `
` IAGO. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't. `
` And, lo, the happiness! Go and importune her. `
` DESDEMONA. How now, good Cassio! What's the news with you? `
` CASSIO. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you `
` That by your virtuous means I may again `
` Exist and be a member of his love `
` Whom I with all the office of my heart `
` Entirely honor. I would not be delay'd. `
` If my offense be of such mortal kind `
` That nor my service past nor present sorrows `
` Nor purposed merit in futurity `
` Can ransom me into his love again, `
` But to know so must be my benefit; `
` So shall I clothe me in a forced content `
` And shut myself up in some other course `
` To Fortune's alms. `
` DESDEMONA. Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio! `
` My advocation is not now in tune; `
` My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him `
` Were he in favor as in humor alter'd. `
` So help me every spirit sanctified, `
` As I have spoken for you all my best `
` And stood within the blank of his displeasure `
` For my free speech! You must awhile be patient. `
` What I can do I will; and more I will `
` Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you. `
` IAGO. Is my lord angry? `
` EMILIA. He went hence but now, `
` And certainly in strange unquietness. `
` IAGO. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, `
` When it hath blown his ranks into the air `
` And, like the devil, from his very arm `
` Puff'd his own brother. And can he be angry? `
` Something of moment then. I will go meet him. `
` There's matter in't indeed if he be angry. `
` DESDEMONA. I prithee, do so. Exit `
` Iago. `
` Something sure of state, `
` Either from Venice or some unhatch'd practice `
` Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, `
` Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases `
` Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, `
` Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so; `
` For let our finger ache, and it indues `
` Our other healthful members even to that sense `
` Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods, `
` Nor of them look for such observancy `
` As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia, `
` I was, unhandsome warrior as I am, `
` Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; `
` But now I find I had suborn'd the witness, `
` And he's indicted falsely. `
` EMILIA. Pray heaven it be state matters, as you think, `
` And no conception nor no jealous toy `
` Concerning you. `
` DESDEMONA. Alas the day, I never gave him cause! `
` EMILIA. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so; `
` They are not ever jealous for the cause, `
` But jealous for they are jealous. 'Tis a monster `
` Begot upon itself, born on itself. `
` DESDEMONA. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! `
` EMILIA. Lady, amen. `
` DESDEMONA. I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout. `
` If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, `
` And seek to effect it to my uttermost. `
` CASSIO. I humbly thank your ladyship. `
` Exeunt Desdemona and `
` Emilia. `
` `
` Enter Bianca. `
` `
` BIANCA. Save you, friend Cassio! `
` CASSIO. What make you from home? `
` How is it with you, my most fair Bianca? `
` I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house. `
` BIANCA. And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. `
` What, keep a week away? seven days and nights? `
` Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours, `
` More tedious than the dial eight score times? `
` O weary reckoning! `
` CASSIO. Pardon me, Bianca. `
` I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd; `
` But I shall in a more continuate time `
` Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, `
` Gives 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, `
` From whence you have them. You are jealous now `
` That this is from some mistress, some remembrance. `
` No, by my faith, Bianca. `
` BIANCA. Why, whose is it? `
` CASSIO. I know not, sweet. I found it in my chamber. `
` I like the work well. Ere it be demanded- `
` As like enough it will- I'ld have it copied. `
` Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time. `
` BIANCA. Leave you! wherefore? `
` CASSIO. I do attend here on the general; `
` And think it no addition, nor my wish, `
` To have him see me woman'd. `
` BIANCA. Why, I pray you? `
` CASSIO. Not that I love you not. `
` BIANCA. But that you do not love me. `
` I pray you, bring me on the way a little, `
` And say if I shall see you soon at night. `
` CASSIO. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, `
` For I attend here, but I'll see you soon. `
` BIANCA. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanced. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT IV. SCENE I. `
` Cyprus. Before the castle. `
` `
` Enter Othello and Iago. `
` `
` IAGO. Will you think so? `
` OTHELLO. Think so, Iago? `
` IAGO. What, `
` To kiss in private? `
` OTHELLO. An unauthorized kiss. `
` IAGO. Or to be naked with her friend in bed `
` An hour or more, not meaning any harm? `
` OTHELLO. Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm! `
` It is hypocrisy against the devil. `
` They that mean virtuously and yet do so, `
` The devil their virtue tempts and they tempt heaven. `
` IAGO. So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip. `
` But if I give my wife a handkerchief- `
` OTHELLO. What then? `
` IAGO. Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord, and being hers, `
` She may, I think, bestow't on any man. `
` OTHELLO. She is protectress of her honor too. `
` May she give that? `
` IAGO. Her honor is an essence that's not seen; `
` They have it very oft that have it not. `
` But for the handkerchief- `
` OTHELLO. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. `
` Thou said'st- O, it comes o'er my memory, `
` As doth the raven o'er the infected house, `
` Boding to all- he had my handkerchief. `
` IAGO. Ay, what of that? `
` OTHELLO. That's not so good now. `
` IAGO. What, `
` If I had said I had seen him do you wrong? `
` Or heard him say- as knaves be such abroad, `
` Who having, by their own importunate suit, `
` Or voluntary dotage of some mistress, `
` Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose `
` But they must blab- `
` OTHELLO. Hath he said anything? `
` IAGO. He hath, my lord; but be you well assured, `
` No more than he'll unswear. `
` OTHELLO. What hath he said? `
` IAGO. Faith, that he did- I know not what he did. `
` OTHELLO. What? what? `
` IAGO. Lie- `
` OTHELLO. With her? `
` IAGO. With her, on her, what you will. `
` OTHELLO. Lie with her! lie on her! We say lie on her, when they `
` belie her. Lie with her! 'Zounds, that's fulsome! `
` Handkerchief- `
` confessions- handkerchief! To confess and be hanged for his `
` labor- `
` first, to be hanged, and then to confess. I tremble at it. `
` Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion `
` without `
` some instruction. It is not words that shakes me thus. Pish! `
` Noses, ears, and lips. Is't possible? Confess? Handkerchief? `
` O `
` devil! `
` Falls in a `
` trance. `
` IAGO. Work on, `
` My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught, `
` And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, `
` All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! My lord! `
` My lord, I say! Othello! `
` `
` Enter Cassio. `
`
` Enter Cassio and Iago. `
` `
` IAGO. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't. `
` And, lo, the happiness! Go and importune her. `
` DESDEMONA. How now, good Cassio! What's the news with you? `
` CASSIO. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you `
` That by your virtuous means I may again `
` Exist and be a member of his love `
` Whom I with all the office of my heart `
` Entirely honor. I would not be delay'd. `
` If my offense be of such mortal kind `
` That nor my service past nor present sorrows `
` Nor purposed merit in futurity `
` Can ransom me into his love again, `
` But to know so must be my benefit; `
` So shall I clothe me in a forced content `
` And shut myself up in some other course `
` To Fortune's alms. `
` DESDEMONA. Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio! `
` My advocation is not now in tune; `
` My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him `
` Were he in favor as in humor alter'd. `
` So help me every spirit sanctified, `
` As I have spoken for you all my best `
` And stood within the blank of his displeasure `
` For my free speech! You must awhile be patient. `
` What I can do I will; and more I will `
` Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you. `
` IAGO. Is my lord angry? `
` EMILIA. He went hence but now, `
` And certainly in strange unquietness. `
` IAGO. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, `
` When it hath blown his ranks into the air `
` And, like the devil, from his very arm `
` Puff'd his own brother. And can he be angry? `
` Something of moment then. I will go meet him. `
` There's matter in't indeed if he be angry. `
` DESDEMONA. I prithee, do so. Exit `
` Iago. `
` Something sure of state, `
` Either from Venice or some unhatch'd practice `
` Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, `
` Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases `
` Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, `
` Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so; `
` For let our finger ache, and it indues `
` Our other healthful members even to that sense `
` Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods, `
` Nor of them look for such observancy `
` As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia, `
` I was, unhandsome warrior as I am, `
` Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; `
` But now I find I had suborn'd the witness, `
` And he's indicted falsely. `
` EMILIA. Pray heaven it be state matters, as you think, `
` And no conception nor no jealous toy `
` Concerning you. `
` DESDEMONA. Alas the day, I never gave him cause! `
` EMILIA. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so; `
` They are not ever jealous for the cause, `
` But jealous for they are jealous. 'Tis a monster `
` Begot upon itself, born on itself. `
` DESDEMONA. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! `
` EMILIA. Lady, amen. `
` DESDEMONA. I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout. `
` If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, `
` And seek to effect it to my uttermost. `
` CASSIO. I humbly thank your ladyship. `
` Exeunt Desdemona and `
` Emilia. `
` `
` Enter Bianca. `
` `
` BIANCA. Save you, friend Cassio! `
` CASSIO. What make you from home? `
` How is it with you, my most fair Bianca? `
` I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house. `
` BIANCA. And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. `
` What, keep a week away? seven days and nights? `
` Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours, `
` More tedious than the dial eight score times? `
` O weary reckoning! `
` CASSIO. Pardon me, Bianca. `
` I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd; `
` But I shall in a more continuate time `
` Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, `
` Gives 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, `
` From whence you have them. You are jealous now `
` That this is from some mistress, some remembrance. `
` No, by my faith, Bianca. `
` BIANCA. Why, whose is it? `
` CASSIO. I know not, sweet. I found it in my chamber. `
` I like the work well. Ere it be demanded- `
` As like enough it will- I'ld have it copied. `
` Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time. `
` BIANCA. Leave you! wherefore? `
` CASSIO. I do attend here on the general; `
` And think it no addition, nor my wish, `
` To have him see me woman'd. `
` BIANCA. Why, I pray you? `
` CASSIO. Not that I love you not. `
` BIANCA. But that you do not love me. `
` I pray you, bring me on the way a little, `
` And say if I shall see you soon at night. `
` CASSIO. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, `
` For I attend here, but I'll see you soon. `
` BIANCA. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanced. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT IV. SCENE I. `
` Cyprus. Before the castle. `
` `
` Enter Othello and Iago. `
` `
` IAGO. Will you think so? `
` OTHELLO. Think so, Iago? `
` IAGO. What, `
` To kiss in private? `
` OTHELLO. An unauthorized kiss. `
` IAGO. Or to be naked with her friend in bed `
` An hour or more, not meaning any harm? `
` OTHELLO. Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm! `
` It is hypocrisy against the devil. `
` They that mean virtuously and yet do so, `
` The devil their virtue tempts and they tempt heaven. `
` IAGO. So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip. `
` But if I give my wife a handkerchief- `
` OTHELLO. What then? `
` IAGO. Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord, and being hers, `
` She may, I think, bestow't on any man. `
` OTHELLO. She is protectress of her honor too. `
` May she give that? `
` IAGO. Her honor is an essence that's not seen; `
` They have it very oft that have it not. `
` But for the handkerchief- `
` OTHELLO. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. `
` Thou said'st- O, it comes o'er my memory, `
` As doth the raven o'er the infected house, `
` Boding to all- he had my handkerchief. `
` IAGO. Ay, what of that? `
` OTHELLO. That's not so good now. `
` IAGO. What, `
` If I had said I had seen him do you wrong? `
` Or heard him say- as knaves be such abroad, `
` Who having, by their own importunate suit, `
` Or voluntary dotage of some mistress, `
` Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose `
` But they must blab- `
` OTHELLO. Hath he said anything? `
` IAGO. He hath, my lord; but be you well assured, `
` No more than he'll unswear. `
` OTHELLO. What hath he said? `
` IAGO. Faith, that he did- I know not what he did. `
` OTHELLO. What? what? `
` IAGO. Lie- `
` OTHELLO. With her? `
` IAGO. With her, on her, what you will. `
` OTHELLO. Lie with her! lie on her! We say lie on her, when they `
` belie her. Lie with her! 'Zounds, that's fulsome! `
` Handkerchief- `
` confessions- handkerchief! To confess and be hanged for his `
` labor- `
` first, to be hanged, and then to confess. I tremble at it. `
` Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion `
` without `
` some instruction. It is not words that shakes me thus. Pish! `
` Noses, ears, and lips. Is't possible? Confess? Handkerchief? `
` O `
` devil! `
` Falls in a `
` trance. `
` IAGO. Work on, `
` My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught, `
` And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, `
` All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! My lord! `
` My lord, I say! Othello! `
` `
` Enter Cassio. `
`