Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, MOOR OF VENICE
When you yourself did part them. `
` More of this matter cannot I report. `
` But men are men; the best sometimes forget. `
` Though Cassio did some little wrong to him, `
` As men in rage strike those that wish them best, `
` Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received `
` From him that fled some strange indignity, `
` Which patience could not pass. `
` OTHELLO. I know, Iago, `
` Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, `
` Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee, `
` But never more be officer of mine. `
` `
` Re-enter Desdemona, attended. `
` `
` Look, if my gentle love be not raised up! `
` I'll make thee an example. `
` DESDEMONA. What's the matter? `
` OTHELLO. All's well now, sweeting; come away to bed. `
` Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon. `
` Lead him off. Exit Montano, `
` attended. `
` Iago, look with care about the town, `
` And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted. `
` Come, Desdemona, 'tis the soldiers' life. `
` To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife. `
` Exeunt all but Iago and `
` Cassio. `
` IAGO. What, are you hurt, lieutenant? `
` CASSIO. Ay, past all surgery. `
` IAGO. Marry, heaven forbid! `
` CASSIO. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my `
` reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what `
` remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation! `
` IAGO. As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some `
` bodily `
` wound; there is more sense in that than in reputation. `
` Reputation `
` is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit `
` and `
` lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all, `
` unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man! there are `
` ways to recover the general again. You are but now cast in `
` his `
` mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice; even so as `
` one `
` would beat his offenseless dog to affright an imperious lion. `
` Sue `
` to him again, and he's yours. `
` CASSIO. I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so `
` good a `
` commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an `
` officer. Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? `
` swear? `
` and discourse fustian with one's own shadow? O thou invisible `
` spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us `
` call `
` thee devil! `
` IAGO. What was he that you followed with your sword? `
` What had he done to you? `
` CASSIO. I know not. `
` IAGO. Is't possible? `
` CASSIO. I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a `
` quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men should put an `
` enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we `
` should, `
` with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, transform ourselves `
` into beasts! `
` IAGO. Why, but you are now well enough. How came you thus `
` recovered? `
` CASSIO. It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to `
` the `
` devil wrath: one unperfectness shows me another, to make me `
` frankly despise myself. `
` IAGO. Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time, the `
` place, `
` and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily `
` wish `
` this had not befallen; but since it is as it is, mend it for `
` your `
` own good. `
` CASSIO. I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me I `
` am a `
` drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would `
` stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, `
` and `
` presently a beast! O strange! Every inordinate cup is `
` unblest, `
` and the ingredient is a devil. `
` IAGO. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it `
` be `
` well used. Exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, `
` I `
` think you think I love you. `
` CASSIO. I have well approved it, sir. I drunk! `
` IAGO. You or any man living may be drunk at some time, man. `
` I'll `
` tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife is now the `
` general. I may say so in this respect, for that he hath `
` devoted `
` and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and `
` denotement `
` of her parts and graces. Confess yourself freely to her; `
` importune her help to put you in your place again. She is of `
` so `
` free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it `
` a `
` vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested. `
` This `
` broken joint 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. You advise me well. `
` IAGO. I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness. `
` CASSIO. I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will `
` beseech `
` the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me. I am desperate of `
` my `
` fortunes if they check me here. `
` IAGO. You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant, I must to `
` the `
` watch. `
` CASSIO. Good night, honest Iago. `
` Exit. `
` IAGO. And what's he then that says I play the villain? `
` When this advice is free I give and honest, `
` Probal to thinking, and indeed the course `
` To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy `
` The inclining Desdemona to subdue `
` In any honest suit. She's framed as fruitful `
` As the free elements. And then for her `
` To win the Moor, were't to renounce his baptism, `
` All seals and symbols of redeemed sin, `
` His soul is so enfetter'd to her love, `
` That she may make, unmake, do what she list, `
` Even as her appetite shall play the god `
` With his weak function. How am I then a villain `
` To counsel Cassio to this parallel course, `
` Directly to his good? Divinity of hell! `
` When devils will the blackest sins put on, `
` They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, `
` As I do now. For whiles this honest fool `
` Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune, `
` And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, `
` I'll pour this pestilence into his ear, `
` That she repeals him for her body's lust; `
` And by how much she strives to do him good, `
` She shall undo her credit with the Moor. `
` So will I turn her virtue into pitch, `
` And out of her own goodness make the net `
` That shall enmesh them all. `
` `
` Enter Roderigo. `
` `
` How now, Roderigo! `
` RODERIGO. I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that `
` hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost `
` spent; I `
` have been tonight exceedingly well cudgeled; and I think the `
` issue will be, I shall have so much experience for my pains; `
` and `
` so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again `
` to `
` Venice. `
` IAGO. How poor are they that have not patience! `
` What wound did ever heal but by degrees? `
` Thou know'st we work by wit and not by witchcraft, `
` And wit depends on dilatory time. `
` Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee, `
` And thou by that small hurt hast cashier'd Cassio. `
` Though other things grow fair against the sun, `
` Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe. `
` Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning; `
` Pleasure and action make the hours seem short. `
` Retire thee; go where thou art billeted. `
` Away, I say. Thou shalt know more hereafter. `
` Nay, get thee gone. [Exit Roderigo.] Two things are to be `
` done: `
` My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress- `
` I'll set her on; `
` Myself the while to draw the Moor apart, `
` And bring him jump when he may Cassio find `
` Soliciting his wife. Ay, that's the way; `
` Dull not device by coldness and delay. `
` Exit. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<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.>> `
` `
` `
`
` More of this matter cannot I report. `
` But men are men; the best sometimes forget. `
` Though Cassio did some little wrong to him, `
` As men in rage strike those that wish them best, `
` Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received `
` From him that fled some strange indignity, `
` Which patience could not pass. `
` OTHELLO. I know, Iago, `
` Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, `
` Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee, `
` But never more be officer of mine. `
` `
` Re-enter Desdemona, attended. `
` `
` Look, if my gentle love be not raised up! `
` I'll make thee an example. `
` DESDEMONA. What's the matter? `
` OTHELLO. All's well now, sweeting; come away to bed. `
` Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon. `
` Lead him off. Exit Montano, `
` attended. `
` Iago, look with care about the town, `
` And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted. `
` Come, Desdemona, 'tis the soldiers' life. `
` To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife. `
` Exeunt all but Iago and `
` Cassio. `
` IAGO. What, are you hurt, lieutenant? `
` CASSIO. Ay, past all surgery. `
` IAGO. Marry, heaven forbid! `
` CASSIO. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my `
` reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what `
` remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation! `
` IAGO. As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some `
` bodily `
` wound; there is more sense in that than in reputation. `
` Reputation `
` is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit `
` and `
` lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all, `
` unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man! there are `
` ways to recover the general again. You are but now cast in `
` his `
` mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice; even so as `
` one `
` would beat his offenseless dog to affright an imperious lion. `
` Sue `
` to him again, and he's yours. `
` CASSIO. I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so `
` good a `
` commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an `
` officer. Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? `
` swear? `
` and discourse fustian with one's own shadow? O thou invisible `
` spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us `
` call `
` thee devil! `
` IAGO. What was he that you followed with your sword? `
` What had he done to you? `
` CASSIO. I know not. `
` IAGO. Is't possible? `
` CASSIO. I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a `
` quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men should put an `
` enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we `
` should, `
` with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, transform ourselves `
` into beasts! `
` IAGO. Why, but you are now well enough. How came you thus `
` recovered? `
` CASSIO. It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to `
` the `
` devil wrath: one unperfectness shows me another, to make me `
` frankly despise myself. `
` IAGO. Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time, the `
` place, `
` and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily `
` wish `
` this had not befallen; but since it is as it is, mend it for `
` your `
` own good. `
` CASSIO. I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me I `
` am a `
` drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would `
` stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, `
` and `
` presently a beast! O strange! Every inordinate cup is `
` unblest, `
` and the ingredient is a devil. `
` IAGO. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it `
` be `
` well used. Exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, `
` I `
` think you think I love you. `
` CASSIO. I have well approved it, sir. I drunk! `
` IAGO. You or any man living may be drunk at some time, man. `
` I'll `
` tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife is now the `
` general. I may say so in this respect, for that he hath `
` devoted `
` and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and `
` denotement `
` of her parts and graces. Confess yourself freely to her; `
` importune her help to put you in your place again. She is of `
` so `
` free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it `
` a `
` vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested. `
` This `
` broken joint 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. You advise me well. `
` IAGO. I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness. `
` CASSIO. I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will `
` beseech `
` the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me. I am desperate of `
` my `
` fortunes if they check me here. `
` IAGO. You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant, I must to `
` the `
` watch. `
` CASSIO. Good night, honest Iago. `
` Exit. `
` IAGO. And what's he then that says I play the villain? `
` When this advice is free I give and honest, `
` Probal to thinking, and indeed the course `
` To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy `
` The inclining Desdemona to subdue `
` In any honest suit. She's framed as fruitful `
` As the free elements. And then for her `
` To win the Moor, were't to renounce his baptism, `
` All seals and symbols of redeemed sin, `
` His soul is so enfetter'd to her love, `
` That she may make, unmake, do what she list, `
` Even as her appetite shall play the god `
` With his weak function. How am I then a villain `
` To counsel Cassio to this parallel course, `
` Directly to his good? Divinity of hell! `
` When devils will the blackest sins put on, `
` They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, `
` As I do now. For whiles this honest fool `
` Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune, `
` And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, `
` I'll pour this pestilence into his ear, `
` That she repeals him for her body's lust; `
` And by how much she strives to do him good, `
` She shall undo her credit with the Moor. `
` So will I turn her virtue into pitch, `
` And out of her own goodness make the net `
` That shall enmesh them all. `
` `
` Enter Roderigo. `
` `
` How now, Roderigo! `
` RODERIGO. I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that `
` hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost `
` spent; I `
` have been tonight exceedingly well cudgeled; and I think the `
` issue will be, I shall have so much experience for my pains; `
` and `
` so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again `
` to `
` Venice. `
` IAGO. How poor are they that have not patience! `
` What wound did ever heal but by degrees? `
` Thou know'st we work by wit and not by witchcraft, `
` And wit depends on dilatory time. `
` Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee, `
` And thou by that small hurt hast cashier'd Cassio. `
` Though other things grow fair against the sun, `
` Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe. `
` Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning; `
` Pleasure and action make the hours seem short. `
` Retire thee; go where thou art billeted. `
` Away, I say. Thou shalt know more hereafter. `
` Nay, get thee gone. [Exit Roderigo.] Two things are to be `
` done: `
` My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress- `
` I'll set her on; `
` Myself the while to draw the Moor apart, `
` And bring him jump when he may Cassio find `
` Soliciting his wife. Ay, that's the way; `
` Dull not device by coldness and delay. `
` Exit. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<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.>> `
` `
` `
`