Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, MOOR OF VENICE
OTHELLO. Think on thy sins. `
` DESDEMONA. They are loves I bear to you. `
` OTHELLO. Ay, and for that thou diest. `
` DESDEMONA. That death's unnatural that kills for loving. `
` Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? `
` Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. `
` These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope, `
` They do not point on me. `
` OTHELLO. Peace, and be still! `
` DESDEMONA. I will so. What's the matter? `
` OTHELLO. That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee `
` Thou gavest to Cassio. `
` DESDEMONA. No, by my life and soul! `
` Send for the man, and ask him. `
` OTHELLO. Sweet soul, take heed, `
` Take heed of perjury; thou are on thy deathbed. `
` DESDEMONA. Ay, but not yet to die. `
` OTHELLO. Yes, presently: `
` Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin, `
` For to deny each article with oath `
` Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception `
` That I do groan withal. Thou art to die. `
` DESDEMONA. Then Lord have mercy on me! `
` OTHELLO. I say, amen. `
` DESDEMONA. And have you mercy too! I never did `
` Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio `
` But with such general warranty of heaven `
` As I might love. I never gave him token. `
` OTHELLO. By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in 's hand. `
` O perjured woman! Thou dost stone my heart, `
` And makest me call what I intend to do `
` A murther, which I thought a sacrifice. `
` I saw the handkerchief. `
` DESDEMONA. He found it then; `
` I never gave it him. Send for him hither; `
` Let him confess a truth. `
` OTHELLO. He hath confess'd. `
` DESDEMONA. What, my lord? `
` OTHELLO. That he hath used thee. `
` DESDEMONA. How? unlawfully? `
` OTHELLO. Ay. `
` DESDEMONA. He will not say so. `
` OTHELLO. No, his mouth is stopp'd; `
` Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't. `
` DESDEMONA. O, my fear interprets! What, is he dead? `
` OTHELLO. Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge `
` Had stomach for them all. `
` DESDEMONA. Alas, he is betray'd, and I undone! `
` OTHELLO. Out, strumpet! Weep'st thou for him to my face? `
` DESDEMONA. O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not! `
` OTHELLO. Down, strumpet! `
` DESDEMONA. Kill me tomorrow; let me live tonight! `
` OTHELLO. Nay, if you strive- `
` DESDEMONA. But half an hour! `
` OTHELLO. Being done, there is no pause. `
` DESDEMONA. But while I say one prayer! `
` OTHELLO. It is too late. He stifles `
` her. `
` EMILIA. [Within.] My lord, my lord! What, ho! my lord, my lord! `
` OTHELLO. What noise is this? Not dead? not yet quite dead? `
` I that am cruel am yet merciful; `
` I would not have thee linger in thy pain. `
` So, so. `
` EMILIA. [Within.] What, ho! my lord, my lord! `
` OTHELLO. Who's there? `
` EMILIA. [Within.] O, good my lord, I would speak a word with `
` you! `
` OTHELLO. Yes, 'tis Emilia. By and by. She's dead. `
` 'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death. `
` The noise was here. Ha! no more moving? `
` Still as the grave. Shall she come in? were't good? `
` I think she stirs again. No. What's best to do? `
` If she come in, she'll sure speak to my wife. `
` My wife! My wife! What wife? I have no wife. `
` O, insupportable! O heavy hour! `
` Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse `
` Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe `
` Should yawn at alteration. `
` EMILIA. [Within.] I do beseech you `
` That I may speak with you, O, good my lord! `
` OTHELLO. I had forgot thee. O, come in, Emilia. `
` Soft, by and by. Let me the curtains draw. `
` Where art thou? Unlocks the `
` door. `
` `
` Enter Emilia. `
` `
` What's the matter with thee now? `
` EMILIA. O, my good lord, yonder's foul murthers done! `
` OTHELLO. What, now? `
` EMILIA. But now, my lord. `
` OTHELLO. It is the very error of the moon; `
` She comes more nearer earth than she was wont `
` And makes men mad. `
` EMILIA. Cassio, my lord, hath kill'd a young Venetian `
` Call'd Roderigo. `
` OTHELLO. Roderigo kill'd? `
` And Cassio kill'd? `
` EMILIA. No, Cassio is not kill'd. `
` OTHELLO. Not Cassio kill'd! Then murther's out of tune, `
` And sweet revenge grows harsh. `
` DESDEMONA. O, falsely, falsely murther'd! `
` EMILIA. Alas, what cry is `
` that? `
` OTHELLO. That? what? `
` EMILIA. Out, and alas! That was my lady's voice. `
` Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again! `
` Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak! `
` DESDEMONA. A guiltless death I die. `
` EMILIA. O, who hath done this deed? `
` DESDEMONA. Nobody; I myself. Farewell; `
` Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell! `
` Dies. `
` OTHELLO. Why, how should she be murther'd? `
` EMILIA. Alas, who knows? `
` OTHELLO. You heard her say herself, it was not I. `
` EMILIA. She said so; I must needs report the truth. `
` OTHELLO. She's like a liar gone to burning hell; `
` 'Twas I that kill'd her. `
` EMILIA. O, the more angel she, `
` And you the blacker devil! `
` OTHELLO. She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore. `
` EMILIA. Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil. `
` OTHELLO. She was false as water. `
` EMILIA. Thou art rash as fire, to say `
` That she was false. O, she was heavenly true! `
` OTHELLO. Cassio did top her; ask thy husband else. `
` O, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell, `
` But that I did proceed upon just grounds `
` To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all. `
` EMILIA. My husband? `
` OTHELLO. Thy husband. `
` EMILIA. That she was false to wedlock? `
` OTHELLO. Ay, with Cassio. Nay, had she been true, `
` If heaven would make me such another world `
` Of one entire and perfect chrysolite, `
` I'ld not have sold her for it. `
` EMILIA. My husband? `
` OTHELLO. Ay, 'twas he that told me first. `
` An honest man he is, and hates the slime `
` That sticks on filthy deeds. `
` EMILIA. My husband? `
` OTHELLO. What needs this iteration, woman? I say thy husband. `
` EMILIA. O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love! `
` My husband say that she was false! `
` OTHELLO. He, woman; `
` I say thy husband. Dost understand the word? `
` My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago. `
` EMILIA. If he say so, may his pernicious soul `
` Rot half a grain a day! He lies to the heart. `
` She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. `
` OTHELLO. Ha! `
` EMILIA. Do thy worst; `
` This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven `
` Than thou wast worthy her. `
` OTHELLO. Peace, you were best. `
` EMILIA. Thou hast not half that power to do me harm `
` As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt! `
` As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed- `
` I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known, `
` Though I lost twenty lives. Help! help, ho! help! `
` The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murther, murther! `
` `
` Enter Montano, Gratiano, Iago, and others. `
` `
` MONTANO. What is the matter? How now, general? `
` EMILIA. O, are you come, Iago? You have done well, `
` That men must lay their murthers on your neck. `
` GRATIANO. What is the matter? `
` EMILIA. Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man. `
` He says thou told'st him that his wife was false; `
` I know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain. `
` Speak, for my heart is full. `
` IAGO. I told him what I thought, and told no more `
` Than what he found himself was apt and true. `
` EMILIA. But did you ever tell him she was false? `
` IAGO. I did. `
` EMILIA. You told a lie, an odious, damned lie; `
` Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie! `
` She false with Cassio? Did you say with Cassio? `
` IAGO. With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue. `
` EMILIA. I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak. `
` My mistress here lies murther'd in her bed- `
` ALL. O heavens forfend! `
` EMILIA. And your reports have set the murther on. `
` OTHELLO. Nay, stare not, masters; it is true indeed. `
` GRATIANO. 'Tis a strange truth. `
` MONTANO. O monstrous act! `
` EMILIA. Villainy, villainy, villainy! `
` I think upon't, I think, I smell't, O villainy! `
` I thought so then. I'll kill myself for grief. `
` O villainy, villainy! `
` IAGO. What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home. `
` EMILIA. Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak; `
` 'Tis proper I obey him, but not now. `
` Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home. `
` OTHELLO. O! O! O! Falls on the `
` bed. `
` EMILIA. Nay, lay thee down and roar; `
` For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent `
` That e'er did lift up eye. `
`
` DESDEMONA. They are loves I bear to you. `
` OTHELLO. Ay, and for that thou diest. `
` DESDEMONA. That death's unnatural that kills for loving. `
` Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? `
` Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. `
` These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope, `
` They do not point on me. `
` OTHELLO. Peace, and be still! `
` DESDEMONA. I will so. What's the matter? `
` OTHELLO. That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee `
` Thou gavest to Cassio. `
` DESDEMONA. No, by my life and soul! `
` Send for the man, and ask him. `
` OTHELLO. Sweet soul, take heed, `
` Take heed of perjury; thou are on thy deathbed. `
` DESDEMONA. Ay, but not yet to die. `
` OTHELLO. Yes, presently: `
` Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin, `
` For to deny each article with oath `
` Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception `
` That I do groan withal. Thou art to die. `
` DESDEMONA. Then Lord have mercy on me! `
` OTHELLO. I say, amen. `
` DESDEMONA. And have you mercy too! I never did `
` Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio `
` But with such general warranty of heaven `
` As I might love. I never gave him token. `
` OTHELLO. By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in 's hand. `
` O perjured woman! Thou dost stone my heart, `
` And makest me call what I intend to do `
` A murther, which I thought a sacrifice. `
` I saw the handkerchief. `
` DESDEMONA. He found it then; `
` I never gave it him. Send for him hither; `
` Let him confess a truth. `
` OTHELLO. He hath confess'd. `
` DESDEMONA. What, my lord? `
` OTHELLO. That he hath used thee. `
` DESDEMONA. How? unlawfully? `
` OTHELLO. Ay. `
` DESDEMONA. He will not say so. `
` OTHELLO. No, his mouth is stopp'd; `
` Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't. `
` DESDEMONA. O, my fear interprets! What, is he dead? `
` OTHELLO. Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge `
` Had stomach for them all. `
` DESDEMONA. Alas, he is betray'd, and I undone! `
` OTHELLO. Out, strumpet! Weep'st thou for him to my face? `
` DESDEMONA. O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not! `
` OTHELLO. Down, strumpet! `
` DESDEMONA. Kill me tomorrow; let me live tonight! `
` OTHELLO. Nay, if you strive- `
` DESDEMONA. But half an hour! `
` OTHELLO. Being done, there is no pause. `
` DESDEMONA. But while I say one prayer! `
` OTHELLO. It is too late. He stifles `
` her. `
` EMILIA. [Within.] My lord, my lord! What, ho! my lord, my lord! `
` OTHELLO. What noise is this? Not dead? not yet quite dead? `
` I that am cruel am yet merciful; `
` I would not have thee linger in thy pain. `
` So, so. `
` EMILIA. [Within.] What, ho! my lord, my lord! `
` OTHELLO. Who's there? `
` EMILIA. [Within.] O, good my lord, I would speak a word with `
` you! `
` OTHELLO. Yes, 'tis Emilia. By and by. She's dead. `
` 'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death. `
` The noise was here. Ha! no more moving? `
` Still as the grave. Shall she come in? were't good? `
` I think she stirs again. No. What's best to do? `
` If she come in, she'll sure speak to my wife. `
` My wife! My wife! What wife? I have no wife. `
` O, insupportable! O heavy hour! `
` Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse `
` Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe `
` Should yawn at alteration. `
` EMILIA. [Within.] I do beseech you `
` That I may speak with you, O, good my lord! `
` OTHELLO. I had forgot thee. O, come in, Emilia. `
` Soft, by and by. Let me the curtains draw. `
` Where art thou? Unlocks the `
` door. `
` `
` Enter Emilia. `
` `
` What's the matter with thee now? `
` EMILIA. O, my good lord, yonder's foul murthers done! `
` OTHELLO. What, now? `
` EMILIA. But now, my lord. `
` OTHELLO. It is the very error of the moon; `
` She comes more nearer earth than she was wont `
` And makes men mad. `
` EMILIA. Cassio, my lord, hath kill'd a young Venetian `
` Call'd Roderigo. `
` OTHELLO. Roderigo kill'd? `
` And Cassio kill'd? `
` EMILIA. No, Cassio is not kill'd. `
` OTHELLO. Not Cassio kill'd! Then murther's out of tune, `
` And sweet revenge grows harsh. `
` DESDEMONA. O, falsely, falsely murther'd! `
` EMILIA. Alas, what cry is `
` that? `
` OTHELLO. That? what? `
` EMILIA. Out, and alas! That was my lady's voice. `
` Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again! `
` Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak! `
` DESDEMONA. A guiltless death I die. `
` EMILIA. O, who hath done this deed? `
` DESDEMONA. Nobody; I myself. Farewell; `
` Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell! `
` Dies. `
` OTHELLO. Why, how should she be murther'd? `
` EMILIA. Alas, who knows? `
` OTHELLO. You heard her say herself, it was not I. `
` EMILIA. She said so; I must needs report the truth. `
` OTHELLO. She's like a liar gone to burning hell; `
` 'Twas I that kill'd her. `
` EMILIA. O, the more angel she, `
` And you the blacker devil! `
` OTHELLO. She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore. `
` EMILIA. Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil. `
` OTHELLO. She was false as water. `
` EMILIA. Thou art rash as fire, to say `
` That she was false. O, she was heavenly true! `
` OTHELLO. Cassio did top her; ask thy husband else. `
` O, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell, `
` But that I did proceed upon just grounds `
` To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all. `
` EMILIA. My husband? `
` OTHELLO. Thy husband. `
` EMILIA. That she was false to wedlock? `
` OTHELLO. Ay, with Cassio. Nay, had she been true, `
` If heaven would make me such another world `
` Of one entire and perfect chrysolite, `
` I'ld not have sold her for it. `
` EMILIA. My husband? `
` OTHELLO. Ay, 'twas he that told me first. `
` An honest man he is, and hates the slime `
` That sticks on filthy deeds. `
` EMILIA. My husband? `
` OTHELLO. What needs this iteration, woman? I say thy husband. `
` EMILIA. O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love! `
` My husband say that she was false! `
` OTHELLO. He, woman; `
` I say thy husband. Dost understand the word? `
` My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago. `
` EMILIA. If he say so, may his pernicious soul `
` Rot half a grain a day! He lies to the heart. `
` She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. `
` OTHELLO. Ha! `
` EMILIA. Do thy worst; `
` This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven `
` Than thou wast worthy her. `
` OTHELLO. Peace, you were best. `
` EMILIA. Thou hast not half that power to do me harm `
` As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt! `
` As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed- `
` I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known, `
` Though I lost twenty lives. Help! help, ho! help! `
` The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murther, murther! `
` `
` Enter Montano, Gratiano, Iago, and others. `
` `
` MONTANO. What is the matter? How now, general? `
` EMILIA. O, are you come, Iago? You have done well, `
` That men must lay their murthers on your neck. `
` GRATIANO. What is the matter? `
` EMILIA. Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man. `
` He says thou told'st him that his wife was false; `
` I know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain. `
` Speak, for my heart is full. `
` IAGO. I told him what I thought, and told no more `
` Than what he found himself was apt and true. `
` EMILIA. But did you ever tell him she was false? `
` IAGO. I did. `
` EMILIA. You told a lie, an odious, damned lie; `
` Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie! `
` She false with Cassio? Did you say with Cassio? `
` IAGO. With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue. `
` EMILIA. I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak. `
` My mistress here lies murther'd in her bed- `
` ALL. O heavens forfend! `
` EMILIA. And your reports have set the murther on. `
` OTHELLO. Nay, stare not, masters; it is true indeed. `
` GRATIANO. 'Tis a strange truth. `
` MONTANO. O monstrous act! `
` EMILIA. Villainy, villainy, villainy! `
` I think upon't, I think, I smell't, O villainy! `
` I thought so then. I'll kill myself for grief. `
` O villainy, villainy! `
` IAGO. What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home. `
` EMILIA. Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak; `
` 'Tis proper I obey him, but not now. `
` Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home. `
` OTHELLO. O! O! O! Falls on the `
` bed. `
` EMILIA. Nay, lay thee down and roar; `
` For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent `
` That e'er did lift up eye. `
`