Othello Read online

  RODERIGO Well.

  IAGO Sir, he's rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may; for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the impediment most profitably removed without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

  255 an index a table of contents; obscure hidden, secret 258-60 mutualities . . . conclusion polite exchanges (mutualities) initiate a figurative parade, with hand-kissing as those who lead (marshal the way) followed immediately (hard at hand ) by the main event (master and main exercise), the sexual act (incorporate conclusion) 261 Pish (expression of disgust) 262 Watch you i.e., you join the watch 263 lay't upon you i.e., arrange for your participation 265 tainting his discipline belittling his professionalism 269 sudden in choler quick to anger; haply perhaps 270 Provoke . . . may i.e., do something to ensure that he will 271 mutiny riot 272 qualification . . . taste (a drinking metaphor concerning diluted or altered wine; i.e., the disturbed Cypriots won't be back to normal until Cassio is fired) 275 prefer advance

  RODERIGO I will do this if you can bring it to any opportunity.

  IAGO I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel; I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.

  RODERIGO Adieu. Exit.

  IAGO

  That Cassio loves her, I do well believe't;

  That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit.

  The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,

  Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,

  And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona

  A most dear husband. Now I do love her too;

  Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure

  I stand accountant for as great a sin,

  But partly led to diet my revenge,

  For that I do suspect the lusty Moor

  Hath leaped into my seat, the thought whereof

  Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,

  And nothing can or shall content my soul

  Till I am evened with him, wife for wife;

  Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor

  At least into a jealousy so strong

  That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,

  If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace

  For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,

  I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,

  Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb

  (For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too),

  Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me

  For making him egregiously an ass 284 apt likely; of great credit easily credible 290 accountant accountable 291 diet feed, nourish 293 leaped into my seat i.e., done my (sexual) job 300 trace pursue (with a pun on trash earlier in the line) 301 For his quick hunting i.e., because he goes after what I tell him to; stand the putting on tolerates my using him as I do 302 on the hip i.e., where I want him (term from wrestling) 303 rank garb nasty fashion 306 egregiously exceptionally, spectacularly

  And practicing upon his peace and quiet

  Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:

  Knavery's plain face is never seen till used. Exit.

  II.2 Enter Othello's Herald, with a proclamation.

  HERALD It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph; some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addition leads him. For, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices are open, and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell have told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello! Exit.

  II.3 Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants.

  OTHELLO

  Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.

  Let's teach ourselves that honorable stop,

  Not to outsport discretion.

  CASSIO

  Iago hath direction what to do;

  But notwithstanding, with my personal eye

  Will I look to't.

  OTHELLO Iago is most honest. 307 practicing upon plotting against 308 yet so far II.2 Cyprus, a public area 3 mere perdition total loss 6 addition rank, position 8 offices military storehouses 10 told tolled (with pun on "tell" = count)

  II.3 The area in front of the Cyprian castle 3 outsport overrun, violate

  Michael, good night. Tomorrow with your earliest

  Let me have speech with you.

  [To Desdemona] Come, my dear love.

  The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;

  That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you. -

  Good night.

  Exit [Othello with Desdemona and Attendants].

  Enter Iago.

  CASSIO Welcome, Iago. We must to the watch.

  IAGO Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' th' clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona, who let us not therefore blame. He hath not yet made wanton the night with her, and she is sport for Jove.

  CASSIO She's a most exquisite lady.

  IAGO And, I'll warrant her, full of game.

  CASSIO Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature.

  IAGO What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation.

  CASSIO An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest.

  IAGO And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?

  CASSIO She is indeed perfection.

  IAGO Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello.

  CASSIO Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.

  IAGO O, they are our friends. But one cup! I'll drink for you.

  7 with your earliest at your earliest convenience 14 cast dismissed, "cast us off" 19 full of game i.e., sexually eager 21-22 a parley to provocation a signal to a sexual encounter (a military metaphor) 24 an alarum a call (again, a military signal) 27 stoup tankard, container; brace pair 28 would . . . measure desire to drink a toast

  CASSIO I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily qualified too, and behold what innovation it makes here. I am unfortunate in the infirmity and dare not task my weakness with any more.

  IAGO What, man! 'Tis a night of revels: the gallants desire it.

  CASSIO Where are they?

  IAGO Here at the door; I pray you call them in.

  CASSIO I'll do't, but it dislikes me. Exit.

  IAGO

  If I can fasten but one cup upon him

  With that which he hath drunk tonight already,

  He'll be as full of quarrel and offense

  As my young mistress' dog. Now my sick fool

  Roderigo,

  Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out,

  To Desdemona hath tonight caroused

  Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch.

  Three else of Cyprus - noble swelling spirits,

  That hold their honors in a wary distance,

  The very elements of this warlike isle -

  Have I tonight flustered with flowing cups,

  And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards

  Am I to put our Cassio in some action

  That may offend the isle.

  Enter Cassio, Montano, and Gentlemen [with Servants

  bringing wine].

  But here they come.

  If consequence do but approve my dream,

  My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream. 36 craftily qualified carefully diluted; innovation disturban
ce, revolution 38 task endanger, overtax 49-50 caroused / Potations pottle-deep drunk gulps to the bottom of the pottle or cup 51 else others; swelling proud 52 hold . . . distance are vain and sensitive about their honor 53 very elements i.e., the proud soldiers represent the essential defensiveness of the islanders 58 consequence what follows; approve bear out

  CASSIO 'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.

  MONTANO Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier.

  IAGO Some wine, ho!

  [Sings.]

  And let me the cannikin clink, clink;

  And let me the cannikin clink.

  A soldier's a man;

  O man's life's but a span,

  Why then, let a soldier drink.

  Some wine, boys!

  CASSIO 'Fore God, an excellent song!

  IAGO I learned it in England, where indeed they are most potent in potting. Your Dane, your German, and your swagbellied Hollander - Drink, ho! - are nothing to your English.

  CASSIO Is your Englishman so exquisite in his drinking?

  IAGO Why, he drinks you with facility your Dane dead drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle can be filled.

  CASSIO To the health of our general!

  MONTANO I am for it, lieutenant, and I'll do you justice.

  IAGO O sweet England!

  [Sings.]

  King Stephen was and-a worthy peer,

  His breeches cost him but a crown;

  He held them sixpence all too dear,

  With that he called the tailor lown.

  He was a wight of high renown,

  And thou art but of low degree. 60 a rouse a carouse (i.e., a drink) 64 cannikin (diminutive of "can"); clink i.e., against another in a toast 73 swagbellied with a stomach draped over the belt 75 exquisite (1) accomplished, (2) extreme 76 with facility easily 77 Almain German (French Allemagne, Germany) 78 gives . . . vomit i.e., causes the Dutchman to throw up 86 lown rascal, lout

  'Tis pride that pulls the country down;

  Then take thine auld cloak about thee.

  Some wine, ho!

  CASSIO 'Fore God, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

  IAGO Will you hear't again?

  CASSIO No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things. Well, God's above all; and there be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.

  IAGO It's true, good lieutenant.

  CASSIO For mine own part - no offense to the general, nor any man of quality - I hope to be saved.

  IAGO And so do I too, lieutenant.

  CASSIO Ay, but, by your leave, not before me. The lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's have no more of this; let's to our affairs. - God forgive us our sins! - Gentlemen, let's look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk. This is my ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunk now. I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough.

  GENTLEMEN Excellent well!

  CASSIO Why, very well then. You must not think then that I am drunk. Exit.

  MONTANO

  To th' platform, masters. Come, let's set the watch.

  [Exeunt some Gentlemen.]

  IAGO

  You see this fellow that is gone before.

  He's a soldier fit to stand by Caesar

  And give direction, and do but see his vice.

  'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,

  The one as long as th' other. 'Tis pity of him. 90 auld old 96 does those things behaves in that way 101 man of quality person of high rank or station 114 fellow person (but sometimes, perhaps here, with a contemptuous undertone); is gone before just left 117 just equinox precise equivalent

  I fear the trust Othello puts him in,

  On some odd time of his infirmity,

  Will shake this island.

  MONTANO But is he often thus?

  IAGO

  'Tis evermore his prologue to his sleep:

  He'll watch the horologe a double set

  If drink rock not his cradle.

  MONTANO It were well

  The general were put in mind of it.

  Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature

  Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio

  And looks not on his evils. Is not this true?

  Enter Roderigo.

  IAGO [Aside to him]

  How now, Roderigo?

  I pray you after the lieutenant, go! [Exit Roderigo.]

  MONTANO

  And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor

  Should hazard such a place as his own second

  With one of an engraffed infirmity.

  It were an honest action to say

  So to the Moor.

  IAGO Not I, for this fair island!

  I do love Cassio well and would do much

  To cure him of this evil.

  [VOICE] (Within) Help! help!

  IAGO But hark! What noise?

  Enter Cassio pursuing Roderigo.

  CASSIO

  Zounds, you rogue! you rascal!

  MONTANO

  What's the matter, lieutenant?

  123-24 watch . . . cradle stay awake twice around the clock unless he has a drink (i.e., Cassio can't sleep without drinking first) 133 an engraffed a built-in

  CASSIO A knave teach me my duty?

  I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.

  RODERIGO

  Beat me?

  CASSIO Dost thou prate, rogue?

  [Strikes Roderigo.]

  MONTANO Nay, good lieutenant!

  [Stays Cassio.]

  I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

  CASSIO Let me go, sir,

  Or I'll knock you o'er the mazard.

  MONTANO Come, come, you're

  drunk!

  CASSIO Drunk?

  [They fight.]

  IAGO [Aside to Roderigo]

  Away, I say! Go out and cry a mutiny! [Exit Roderigo.]

  Nay, good lieutenant. God's will, gentlemen!

  [A bell rung.]

  Help, ho! - lieutenant - sir - Montano!

  Help, masters! - Here's a goodly watch indeed!

  Who's that which rings the bell? Diablo, ho!

  The town will rise. God's will, lieutenant, hold!

  You'll be ashamed forever.

  Enter Othello and Attendants.

  OTHELLO What is the matter here?

  MONTANO

  Zounds, I bleed still. I am hurt to th' death.

  He dies!

  OTHELLO

  Hold for your lives!

  IAGO

  Hold, ho! Lieutenant - sir - Montano - gentlemen! 140 twiggen bottle wicker-covered bottle (i.e., Cassio threatens crisscross stripes on his victim's skin) 143 mazard head 149 Diablo devil (an oath) 150 rise i.e., rise up, riot

  Have you forgot all place of sense and duty?

  Hold! The general speaks to you. Hold, for shame!

  OTHELLO

  Why, how now, ho? From whence ariseth this?

  Are we turned Turks, and to ourselves do that

  Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?

  For Christian shame put by this barbarous brawl!

  He that stirs next to carve for his own rage

  Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.

  Silence that dreadful bell! It frights the isle

  From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?

  Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving,

  Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee.

  IAGO

  I do not know. Friends all, but now, even now,

  In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom

  Devesting them for bed; and then, but now -

  As if some planet had unwitted men -

  Swords out, and tilting one at others' breasts

  In opposition bloody. I cannot speak

  Any beginning to this peevish odds,

  And would in
action glorious I had lost

  Those legs that brought me to a part of it!

  OTHELLO

  How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?

  CASSIO

  I pray you pardon me. I cannot speak.

  OTHELLO

  Worthy Montano, you were wont to be civil;

  The gravity and stillness of your youth

  The world hath noted, and your name is great 159 Are . . . turned Turks have we become barbarous (proverbial in the period) 160 hath forbid the Ottomites i.e., to defeat ourselves (which they could not) 162 carve for his own rage indulge his anger 163 Holds his soul light doesn't value his own soul (i.e., will die) 165 propriety proper state (i.e., calm) 169 quarter conduct toward; terms language 172 tilting aiming, thrusting 174 peevish odds headstrong, childish strife

  In mouths of wisest censure. What's the matter

  That you unlace your reputation thus

  And spend your rich opinion for the name

  Of a night brawler? Give me answer to it.

  MONTANO

  Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.

  Your officer, Iago, can inform you,

  While I spare speech, which something now offends me,

  Of all that I do know; nor know I aught

  By me that's said or done amiss this night,

  Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,

  And to defend ourselves it be a sin

  When violence assails us.

  OTHELLO Now, by heaven,

  My blood begins my safer guides to rule,

  And passion, having my best judgment collied,

  Assays to lead the way. Zounds, if I stir

  Or do but lift this arm, the best of you

  Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know

  How this foul rout began, who set it on,

  And he that is approved in this offense,

  Though he had twinned with me, both at a birth,

  Shall lose me. What! in a town of war,

  Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,

  To manage private and domestic quarrel?

  In night, and on the court and guard of safety?

  'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?

  MONTANO

  If partially affined, or leagued in office,

  Thou dost deliver more or less than truth, 182 censure judgment 183 unlace undo, remove 184 spend your rich opinion squander your reputation 188 something now offends me i.e., somewhat pains me, is difficult for me 191 self-charity self-protection 194 blood passion (as elsewhere in the play) 195 collied darkened, obscured (covered with coal dust?) 200 approved in found guilty of 204 manage conduct 207 partially . . . office bound by partiality or soldierly affiliation