Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, MOOR OF VENICE
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` by midnight. `
` OTHELLO. Excellent good. [A trumpet within.] What trumpet is `
` that `
` same? `
` IAGO. Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico `
` Come from the Duke. And, see your wife is with him. `
` `
` Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants. `
` `
` LODOVICO. God save the worthy general! `
` OTHELLO. With all my heart, sir. `
` LODOVICO. The Duke and Senators of Venice greet you. `
` Gives him a `
` letter. `
` OTHELLO. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures. `
` Opens the letter, and `
` reads. `
` DESDEMONA. And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico? `
` IAGO. I am very glad to see you, signior; `
` Welcome to Cyprus. `
` LODOVICO. I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio? `
` IAGO. Lives, sir. `
` DESDEMONA. Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord `
` An unkind breech; but you shall make all well. `
` OTHELLO. Are you sure of that? `
` DESDEMONA. My lord? `
` OTHELLO. [Reads.] "This fail you not to do, as you will-" `
` LODOVICO. He did not call; he's busy in the paper. `
` Is there division 'twixt my lord and Cassio? `
` DESDEMONA. A most unhappy one. I would do much `
` To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. `
` OTHELLO. Fire and brimstone! `
` DESDEMONA. My lord? `
` OTHELLO. Are you wise? `
` DESDEMONA. What, is he angry? `
` LODOVICO. May be the letter moved him; `
` For, as I think, they do command him home, `
` Deputing Cassio in his government. `
` DESDEMONA. By my troth, I am glad on't. `
` OTHELLO. Indeed! `
` DESDEMONA. My lord? `
` OTHELLO. I am glad to see you mad. `
` DESDEMONA. Why, sweet Othello? `
` OTHELLO. Devil! Strikes `
` her. `
` DESDEMONA. I have not deserved this. `
` LODOVICO. My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, `
` Though I should swear I saw't. 'Tis very much. `
` Make her amends; she weeps. `
` OTHELLO. O devil, devil! `
` If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, `
` Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. `
` Out of my sight! `
` DESDEMONA. [Going.] I will not stay to offend you. `
` LODOVICO. Truly, an obedient lady. `
` I do beseech your lordship, call her back. `
` OTHELLO. Mistress! `
` DESDEMONA. My lord? `
` OTHELLO. What would you with her, sir? `
` LODOVICO. Who, I, my lord? `
` OTHELLO. Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn. `
` Sir, she can turn and turn, and yet go on, `
` And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep; `
` And she's obedient, as you say, obedient, `
` Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears. `
` Concerning this, sir- O well-painted passion!- `
` I am commanded home. Get you away; `
` I'll send for you anon. Sir, I obey the mandate, `
` And will return to Venice. Hence, avaunt! `
` Exit `
` Desdemona. `
` Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight, `
` I do entreat that we may sup together. `
` You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats and monkeys! `
` Exit. `
` LODOVICO. Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate `
` Call all in all sufficient? This the nature `
` Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue `
` The shot of accident nor dart of chance `
` Could neither graze nor pierce? `
` IAGO. He is much changed. `
` LODOVICO. Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain? `
` IAGO. He's that he is. I may not breathe my censure `
` What he might be: if what he might he is not, `
` I would to heaven he were! `
` LODOVICO. What, strike his wife! `
` IAGO. Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew `
` That stroke would prove the worst! `
` LODOVICO. Is it his use? `
` Or did the letters work upon his blood, `
` And new create this fault? `
` IAGO. Alas, alas! `
` It is not honesty in me to speak `
` What I have seen and known. You shall observe him, `
` And his own courses will denote him so `
` That I may save my speech. Do but go after, `
` And mark how he continues. `
` LODOVICO. I am sorry that I am deceived in him. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` A room in the castle. `
` `
` Enter Othello and Emilia. `
` `
` OTHELLO. You have seen nothing, then? `
` EMILIA. Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect. `
` OTHELLO. Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together. `
` EMILIA. But then I saw no harm, and then I heard `
` Each syllable that breath made up between them. `
` OTHELLO. What, did they never whisper? `
` EMILIA. Never, my lord. `
` OTHELLO. Nor send you out o' the way? `
` EMILIA. Never. `
` OTHELLO. To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing? `
` EMILIA. Never, my lord. `
` OTHELLO. That's strange. `
` EMILIA. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, `
` Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other, `
` Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom. `
` If any wretch have put this in your head, `
` Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse! `
` For if she be not honest, chaste, and true, `
` There's no man happy; the purest of their wives `
` Is foul as slander. `
` OTHELLO. Bid her come hither; go. Exit `
` Emilia. `
` She says enough; yet she's a simple bawd `
` That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore, `
` A closet lock and key of villainous secrets. `
` And yet she'll kneel and pray; I have seen her do't. `
` `
` Enter Desdemona with Emilia. `
` `
` DESDEMONA. My lord, what is your will? `
` OTHELLO. Pray, chuck, come `
` hither. `
` DESDEMONA. What is your pleasure? `
` OTHELLO. Let me see your eyes; `
` Look in my face. `
` DESDEMONA. What horrible fancy's this? `
` OTHELLO. [To Emilia.] Some of your function, mistress, `
` Leave procreants alone and shut the door; `
` Cough, or cry "hem," if anybody come. `
` Your mystery, your mystery; nay, dispatch. Exit `
` Emilia. `
` DESDEMONA. Upon my knees, what doth your speech import? `
` I understand a fury in your words, `
` But not the words. `
` OTHELLO. Why, what art thou? `
` DESDEMONA. Your wife, my lord, your true and loyal wife. `
` OTHELLO. Come, swear it, damn thyself; `
` Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves `
` Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double-damn'd; `
` Swear thou art honest. `
` DESDEMONA. Heaven doth truly know it. `
` OTHELLO. Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell. `
` DESDEMONA. To whom, my lord? with whom? how am I false? `
` OTHELLO. O Desdemona! Away! away! away! `
` DESDEMONA. Alas the heavy day! Why do you weep? `
` Am I the motive of these tears, my lord? `
` If haply you my father do suspect `
` An instrument of this your calling back, `
` Lay not your blame on me. If you have lost him, `
` Why, I have lost him too. `
` OTHELLO. Had it pleased heaven `
` To try me with affliction, had they rain'd `
` All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head, `
` Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips, `
` Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes, `
` I should have found in some place of my soul `
` A drop of patience; but, alas, to make me `
` A fixed figure for the time of scorn `
` To point his slow unmoving finger at! `
` Yet could I bear that too, well, very well; `
` But there, where I have garner'd up my heart, `
` Where either I must live or bear no life; `
` The fountain from the which my current runs, `
` Or else dries up; to be discarded thence! `
` Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads `
` To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there, `
` Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubin, `
` Ay, there, look grim as hell! `
` DESDEMONA. I hope my noble lord esteems me honest. `
` OTHELLO. O, ay, as summer flies are in the shambles, `
` That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed, `
` Who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet `
` That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er been `
` born! `
` DESDEMONA. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed? `
` OTHELLO. Was this fair paper, this most goodly book, `
` Made to write "whore" upon? What committed? `
` Committed? O thou public commoner! `
` I should make very forges of my cheeks, `
` That would to cinders burn up modesty, `
` Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed! `
` Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks; `
`
` by midnight. `
` OTHELLO. Excellent good. [A trumpet within.] What trumpet is `
` that `
` same? `
` IAGO. Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico `
` Come from the Duke. And, see your wife is with him. `
` `
` Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants. `
` `
` LODOVICO. God save the worthy general! `
` OTHELLO. With all my heart, sir. `
` LODOVICO. The Duke and Senators of Venice greet you. `
` Gives him a `
` letter. `
` OTHELLO. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures. `
` Opens the letter, and `
` reads. `
` DESDEMONA. And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico? `
` IAGO. I am very glad to see you, signior; `
` Welcome to Cyprus. `
` LODOVICO. I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio? `
` IAGO. Lives, sir. `
` DESDEMONA. Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord `
` An unkind breech; but you shall make all well. `
` OTHELLO. Are you sure of that? `
` DESDEMONA. My lord? `
` OTHELLO. [Reads.] "This fail you not to do, as you will-" `
` LODOVICO. He did not call; he's busy in the paper. `
` Is there division 'twixt my lord and Cassio? `
` DESDEMONA. A most unhappy one. I would do much `
` To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. `
` OTHELLO. Fire and brimstone! `
` DESDEMONA. My lord? `
` OTHELLO. Are you wise? `
` DESDEMONA. What, is he angry? `
` LODOVICO. May be the letter moved him; `
` For, as I think, they do command him home, `
` Deputing Cassio in his government. `
` DESDEMONA. By my troth, I am glad on't. `
` OTHELLO. Indeed! `
` DESDEMONA. My lord? `
` OTHELLO. I am glad to see you mad. `
` DESDEMONA. Why, sweet Othello? `
` OTHELLO. Devil! Strikes `
` her. `
` DESDEMONA. I have not deserved this. `
` LODOVICO. My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, `
` Though I should swear I saw't. 'Tis very much. `
` Make her amends; she weeps. `
` OTHELLO. O devil, devil! `
` If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, `
` Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. `
` Out of my sight! `
` DESDEMONA. [Going.] I will not stay to offend you. `
` LODOVICO. Truly, an obedient lady. `
` I do beseech your lordship, call her back. `
` OTHELLO. Mistress! `
` DESDEMONA. My lord? `
` OTHELLO. What would you with her, sir? `
` LODOVICO. Who, I, my lord? `
` OTHELLO. Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn. `
` Sir, she can turn and turn, and yet go on, `
` And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep; `
` And she's obedient, as you say, obedient, `
` Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears. `
` Concerning this, sir- O well-painted passion!- `
` I am commanded home. Get you away; `
` I'll send for you anon. Sir, I obey the mandate, `
` And will return to Venice. Hence, avaunt! `
` Exit `
` Desdemona. `
` Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight, `
` I do entreat that we may sup together. `
` You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats and monkeys! `
` Exit. `
` LODOVICO. Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate `
` Call all in all sufficient? This the nature `
` Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue `
` The shot of accident nor dart of chance `
` Could neither graze nor pierce? `
` IAGO. He is much changed. `
` LODOVICO. Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain? `
` IAGO. He's that he is. I may not breathe my censure `
` What he might be: if what he might he is not, `
` I would to heaven he were! `
` LODOVICO. What, strike his wife! `
` IAGO. Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew `
` That stroke would prove the worst! `
` LODOVICO. Is it his use? `
` Or did the letters work upon his blood, `
` And new create this fault? `
` IAGO. Alas, alas! `
` It is not honesty in me to speak `
` What I have seen and known. You shall observe him, `
` And his own courses will denote him so `
` That I may save my speech. Do but go after, `
` And mark how he continues. `
` LODOVICO. I am sorry that I am deceived in him. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` A room in the castle. `
` `
` Enter Othello and Emilia. `
` `
` OTHELLO. You have seen nothing, then? `
` EMILIA. Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect. `
` OTHELLO. Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together. `
` EMILIA. But then I saw no harm, and then I heard `
` Each syllable that breath made up between them. `
` OTHELLO. What, did they never whisper? `
` EMILIA. Never, my lord. `
` OTHELLO. Nor send you out o' the way? `
` EMILIA. Never. `
` OTHELLO. To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing? `
` EMILIA. Never, my lord. `
` OTHELLO. That's strange. `
` EMILIA. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, `
` Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other, `
` Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom. `
` If any wretch have put this in your head, `
` Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse! `
` For if she be not honest, chaste, and true, `
` There's no man happy; the purest of their wives `
` Is foul as slander. `
` OTHELLO. Bid her come hither; go. Exit `
` Emilia. `
` She says enough; yet she's a simple bawd `
` That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore, `
` A closet lock and key of villainous secrets. `
` And yet she'll kneel and pray; I have seen her do't. `
` `
` Enter Desdemona with Emilia. `
` `
` DESDEMONA. My lord, what is your will? `
` OTHELLO. Pray, chuck, come `
` hither. `
` DESDEMONA. What is your pleasure? `
` OTHELLO. Let me see your eyes; `
` Look in my face. `
` DESDEMONA. What horrible fancy's this? `
` OTHELLO. [To Emilia.] Some of your function, mistress, `
` Leave procreants alone and shut the door; `
` Cough, or cry "hem," if anybody come. `
` Your mystery, your mystery; nay, dispatch. Exit `
` Emilia. `
` DESDEMONA. Upon my knees, what doth your speech import? `
` I understand a fury in your words, `
` But not the words. `
` OTHELLO. Why, what art thou? `
` DESDEMONA. Your wife, my lord, your true and loyal wife. `
` OTHELLO. Come, swear it, damn thyself; `
` Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves `
` Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double-damn'd; `
` Swear thou art honest. `
` DESDEMONA. Heaven doth truly know it. `
` OTHELLO. Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell. `
` DESDEMONA. To whom, my lord? with whom? how am I false? `
` OTHELLO. O Desdemona! Away! away! away! `
` DESDEMONA. Alas the heavy day! Why do you weep? `
` Am I the motive of these tears, my lord? `
` If haply you my father do suspect `
` An instrument of this your calling back, `
` Lay not your blame on me. If you have lost him, `
` Why, I have lost him too. `
` OTHELLO. Had it pleased heaven `
` To try me with affliction, had they rain'd `
` All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head, `
` Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips, `
` Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes, `
` I should have found in some place of my soul `
` A drop of patience; but, alas, to make me `
` A fixed figure for the time of scorn `
` To point his slow unmoving finger at! `
` Yet could I bear that too, well, very well; `
` But there, where I have garner'd up my heart, `
` Where either I must live or bear no life; `
` The fountain from the which my current runs, `
` Or else dries up; to be discarded thence! `
` Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads `
` To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there, `
` Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubin, `
` Ay, there, look grim as hell! `
` DESDEMONA. I hope my noble lord esteems me honest. `
` OTHELLO. O, ay, as summer flies are in the shambles, `
` That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed, `
` Who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet `
` That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er been `
` born! `
` DESDEMONA. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed? `
` OTHELLO. Was this fair paper, this most goodly book, `
` Made to write "whore" upon? What committed? `
` Committed? O thou public commoner! `
` I should make very forges of my cheeks, `
` That would to cinders burn up modesty, `
` Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed! `
` Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks; `
`