ACT 2
[Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Attendants]
OTHELLO
Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night:
Michael, you good man, be on guard tonight:
Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,
Let’s all ensure we do not overdo it,
Not to outsport discretion.
And get carried away, overexuberant.
CASSIO
Iago hath direction what to do;
Iago has instruction what to do;
But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye
But, notwithstanding, I will keep an eye out
Will I look to't.
To make sure all is well.
OTHELLO
Iago is most honest.
Iago’s honest.
Michael, good night: to-morrow with your earliest
Michael, goodnight: tomorrow in the morning
Let me have speech with you.
Let’s have a talk together.
[To DESDEMONA]
Come, my dear love,
Come, my love,
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
Our marriage done, it’s time for stimulation;
That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.
Let’s leave and make our marriage consummation.
Good night.
Goodnight.
[Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants]
[Enter IAGO]
CASSIO
Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.
Welcome, Iago; we must be on guard.
IAGO
Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the clock.
Not just yet, lieutenant; it’s not yet ten o’clock.
Our general cast us thus early for the love
Our general left us this early so he could make love
of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore blame:
to his wife Desdemona. And who could blame him?
he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and
He hasn’t had sex with her yet, and
she is sport for Jove.
she is so beautiful, Jove would want to sleep with her.
CASSIO
She's a most exquisite lady.
She is a quite exquisite lady.
IAGO
And, I'll warrant her, fun of game.
And, I bet, good in bed.
CASSIO
Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature.
Indeed, she’s a young and nubile little minx.
IAGO
What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley of
What beautiful eyes she has! It’s like they’re shouting out
provocation.
‘take me to bed!’
CASSIO
An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest.
They are seductive, but I think they’re modest.
IAGO
And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?
And when she speaks, do you think she sounds flirtatious?
CASSIO
She is indeed perfection.
She really is perfection.
IAGO
Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I
Well, they’ll be happy in bed! Come, lieutenant, I
have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace
have a jug of wine; and just outside are a couple
of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to
of noble Cypriots that would love to raise a toast to
the health of black Othello.
the health of black Othello.
CASSIO
Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and
Not tonight, good Iago; I’m a lousy drinker and
unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish
it makes me angry. I wish it was the
courtesy would invent some other custom of
norm to do some other form of
entertainment.
entertainment than to drink.
IAGO
O, they are our friends; but one cup: I'll drink for
Oh, come on; they’re our friends; just one glass. I’ll drink
you.
yours for you.
CASSIO
I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was
I’ve already had a glass tonight, and I managed to
craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innovation
sneakily dilute it, and look at the effect
it makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmity,
it has on me. I’m unlucky I can’t handle my drink,
and dare not task my weakness with any more.
so I dare not risk having it any more.
IAGO
What, man! 'Tis a night of revels: the gallants
Come on, man! It’s a night of celebration: the noblemen
desire it.
insist.
CASSIO
Where are they?
Where are they?
IAGO
Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.
Outside the door; go on, invite them in.
CASSIO
I'll do't; but it dislikes me.
I’ll do it, but this is a bad idea.
[Exit]
IAGO
If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
If I can make him drink just one more glass,
With that which he hath drunk to-night already,
On top of what he’s drunk tonight already,
He'll be as full of quarrel and offence
He’ll be as feisty and belligerent
As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo,
As my young lady’s dog. That fool Roderigo
Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out,
Who’s in a mess, all overwhelmed with love,
To Desdemona hath to-night caroused
Tonight has raised a glass to Desdemona
Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:
So many times, he’s drunk; and he’s on guard.
Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,
Three lads from Cyprus, all off them most proud
That hold their honours in a wary distance,
And touchy when their honour is at stake,
The very elements of this warlike isle,
Quite typical of men who live in Cyprus,
Have I to-night flustered with flowing cups,
Have I got drunk tonight, filling their tankards,
And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards,
And they’re on guard as well. Now, in amongst them
Am I to put our Cassio in some action
I’ll put our Cassio and make him say
That may offend the isle.--But here they come:
Rude things about the island. – But here they come:
If consequence do but approve my dream,
If things work out exactly as I dream,
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.
Then it’s plain sailing, pushed by wind and stream.
[Re-enter CASSIO; with him MONTANO and Gentlemen; servants following with wine]
CASSIO
'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.
Good lord, they’ve gone and got me drunk already.
MONTANO
Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am
Good grief, it was a tipple, not even a pint, as sure as I’m
a soldier.
a soldier.
IAGO
Some wine, ho!
More wine, hey!
[Sings]
And let me the canakin clink, clink;
And let me a little cup clink, clink;
And let me the canakin clink
And let me a little cup clink;
A soldier's a man;
A soldier’s a man
A life's but a span;
With a little life span;
Why, then, let a soldier drink.
And so let the soldier have a drink.
Some wine, boys!
More wine, boys!
CASSIO
'Fore God, an excellent song.
My God, what a wonderful song.
IAGO
I learned it in England, where, indeed, they are
I learned it in England, where – it’s true – they know
most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and
how to down their drink: those Danes, Germans and
your swag-bellied Hollander--Drink, ho!--are nothing
the fat-bellied Dutch – Drink up! – are nothing
to your English.
compared to the English.
CASSIO
Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking?
Are the English really that good at drinking?
IAGO
Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead
Well, they would drink a Dane under the table;
drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he
they’d barely break a sweat out-drinking the Germans;
gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle
and they’ll make the Dutch throw up before their next glass
can be filled.
can be filled up.
CASSIO
To the health of our general!
To the health of our general!
MONTANO
I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.
I’ll join that toast, lieutenant; and match you drink for drink.
IAGO
O sweet England!
Oh sweet England!
King Stephen was a worthy peer,
King Stephen was a decent lord,
His breeches cost him but a crown;
His trousers didn’t cost a lot;
He held them sixpence all too dear,
Sixpence, he said, I can’t afford
With that he called the tailor lown.
Then said the tailor was a clot.
He was a wight of high renown,
He was a man of high renown
And thou art but of low degree:
But you are just a joke;
'Tis pride that pulls the country down;
Extravagance brings this country down,
Then take thine auld cloak about thee.
So wear your worn-out cloak.
Some wine, ho!
More wine, I say!
CASSIO
Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.
Well, that’s an even better song than the one before it.
IAGO
Will you hear't again?
Do you want to hear it again?
CASSIO
No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that
No, because I find people who do that to be unfit to
does those things. Well, God's above all; and there be
hold high office. Well, God’s in charge, and some
souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.
people must be saved, whilst other souls are not.
IAGO
It's true, good lieutenant.
That’s true, good lieutenant.
CASSIO
For mine own part,--no offence to the general, nor
For my part – and no offence to the general, nor
any man of quality,--I hope to be saved.
any man of high rank – I hope to be saved.
IAGO
And so do I too, lieutenant.
And so do I too, lieutenant.
CASSIO
Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the
Yes, but if you don’t mind, not before I’m saved; the
lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's
lieutenant should be saved before the flag-bearer. But
have no more of this; let's to our affairs.--Forgive
enough of this; let’s get on with business. – Forgive
us our sins!--Gentlemen, let's look to our business.
us our sins! – Gentlemen, let’s get on with what we have to do.
Do not think, gentlemen. I am drunk: this is my
Do not think, gentlemen, that I am drunk: this is my
ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left:
flag-bearer; this is my right hand, and this is my left.
I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and
I am not drunk now; I can stand up straight and
speak well enough.
speak without slurring.
ALL
Excellent well.
You’re doing well.
CASSIO
Why, very well then; you must not think then that I am drunk.
Well, very good then; you mustn’t think that I am drunk.
[Exit]
MONTANO
To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch.
Let’s set up watch upon the platform, men.
IAGO
You see this fellow that is gone before;
You see that man who stumbled out of here?
He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
He is a soldier capable of being
And give direction: and do but see his vice;
The righthand man of Caesar. But see he’s drunk?
'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
This weakness diametrically opposes
The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.
The scale of his strengths: it’s such a pity.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in.
I worry that Othello trusts him too much.
On some odd time of his infirmity,
On one day when he’s drunk like this,
Will shake this island.
He’ll cause grief on the island.
MONTANO
But is he often thus?
Is this usual?
IAGO
'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:
He’s always drunk before he goes to bed.
He'll watch the horologe a double set,
He’ll watch the clock for several hours if
If drink rock not his cradle.
He hasn’t had a drink.
MONTANO
It were well
I think it prudent
The general were put in mind of it.
We make the general aware of this.
Perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature
Perhaps he doesn’t know this; or his kindness
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,
Values all the strengths of Cassio,
And looks not on his evils: is not this true?
Ignoring all his demons. Don’t you think?
[Enter RODERIGO]
IAGO
[Aside to him]
How now, Roderigo!
What’s up, Roderigo!
I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.
Go on now; go and follow the lieutenant.
[Exit RODERIGO]
MONTANO
And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor
And it is such a shame the noble Moor
Should hazard such a place as his own second
Should risk having his second-in-command
With one of an ingraft infirmity:
Be someone who’s a raging alcoholic:
It were an honest action to say
It is the decent thing for us to tell
So to the Moor.
The Moor of this.
IAGO
Not I, for this fair island:
I won’t, not for this island:
I do love Cassio well; and would do much
I’m very fond of Cassio, and would try
To cure him of this evil--But, hark! What noise?
To cure him of this evil. – Wait! What’s that noise?
[Cry within: 'Help! help!']
[Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO]
CASSIO
Zounds! You rogue! You rascal!
Good God! You rogue! You rascal!
MONTANO
What's the matter, lieutenant?
What’s the matter, lieutenant?
CASSIO
A knave teach me my duty!
An idiot won’t tell me what to do!
I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.
I’ll beat the fool and shove him in a bottle.
RODERIGO
Beat me!
You’ll beat me?
CASSIO
Dost thou prate, rogue?
What, you fool?
[Striking RODERIGO]
MONTANO
Nay, good lieutenant;
No, good lieutenant;
[Staying him]
I pray you, sir, hold your hand.
I urge you, sir, don’t hit him.
CASSIO
Let me go, sir,
Let me go, sir,
Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Or I’ll punch you in the head.
MONTANO
Come, come, you're drunk.
Calm down, you’re drunk.
CASSIO
Drunk!
Drunk! I’m not drunk!
[They fight]
IAGO
[Aside to RODERIGO]
Away, I say; go out, and cry a mutiny.
Get out of here; shout, ‘there’s a mutiny!’
[Exit RODERIGO]
Nay, good lieutenant,--alas, gentlemen;--
No, good lieutenant! Oh dear, gentlemen!
Help, ho!--Lieutenant,--sir,--Montano,--sir;
Help me! Lieutenant! Sir! Montano, sir!
Help, masters!--Here's a goodly watch indeed!
Help, gentlemen! These guards do quite the job!
[Bell rings]
Who's that which rings the bell?--Diablo, ho!
Who’s ringing on that bell? It is the devil!
The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold!
The town will all wake up: for God’s sake, stop!
You will be shamed for ever.
You’ll never live this down!
[Re-enter OTHELLO and Attendants]
OTHELLO
What is the matter here?
What’s going on in here?
MONTANO
'Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.
By God’s wounds, I am bleeding; I will die.
[Faints]
OTHELLO
Hold, for your lives!
Stop that, or I will kill you!
IAGO
Hold, ho! Lieutenant,--sir--Montano,--gentlemen,--
Stop now! Lieutenant! Sir! Montano! Gentlemen!
Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?
Have you forgotten where and why you’re here?
Hold! The general speaks to you; hold, hold, for shame!
Stop! The general speaks to you! For God’s sake, stop!
OTHELLO
Why, how now, ho! From whence ariseth this?
What’s happening here! How did this fight begin?
Are we turned Turks, and to ourselves do that
Have we turned into Turks to fight each other
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?
Whilst heaven sent a storm to sink the Turks?
For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:
In God’s name, put a stop to this harsh fighting,
He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
The next to move to swipe his sword in anger
Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.
Does not value his life; he’ll die when flinching.
Silence that dreadful bell: it frights the isle
And make the awful bell stop: it is frightening
From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?
The people on the island. What’s the matter, sirs?
Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving,
Honest Iago, you look dead from grieving,
Speak, who began this? On thy love, I charge thee.
Tell me who started this. That is an order.
IAGO
I do not know: friends all but now, even now,
I do not know. We were all friends just now,
In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom
All keeping watch, as fond as bride and groom
Devesting them for bed; and then, but now--
Undressing for their bed; then, suddenly –
As if some planet had unwitted men--
As though some otherworldly force had grabbed them –
Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,
They drew their swords at one another’s heart,
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
And had a bloody fight. I cannot tell you
Any beginning to this peevish odds;
About how all this fractious fighting started;
And would in action glorious I had lost
I wish I’d lost my legs in gallant battle
Those legs that brought me to a part of it!
So that my legs could not have brought me here!
OTHELLO
How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
How come you lost your mind to fight, then Michael?
CASSIO
I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.
I beg you, please forgive me; I can’t speak.
OTHELLO
Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;
Decent Montano, you are normally civil;
The gravity and stillness of your youth
You had self-discipline and poise when younger
The world hath noted, and your name is great
That everyone admired, and you’re respected
In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter,
By all our wisest critics: what has happened
That you unlace your reputation thus
To make you risk your reputation like this
And spend your rich opinion for the name
And swap the high opinion you are held in
Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.
To be a night-time thug? Come, answer me.
MONTANO
Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:
My dear Othello, I am badly hurt:
Your officer, Iago, can inform you,--
Your officer, Iago, can explain –
While I spare speech, which something now offends me,--
I won’t say much, for talking now is painful –
Of all that I do know: nor know I aught
Of everything I know. But I don’t know
By me that's said or done amiss this night;
What I have said or done wrong here tonight;
Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,
Unless self-preservation is immoral
And to defend ourselves it be a sin
And self-defence is now considered wrong
When violence assails us.
When somebody attacks you.
OTHELLO
Now, by heaven,
Now, by God,
My blood begins my safer guides to rule;
My anger overwhelms my rational thinking;
And passion, having my best judgment collied,
And passion has usurped my better judgement
Assays to lead the way: if I once stir,
Dictating my behaviour. If I’m angry,
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
Or even raise this arm, the best men here
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
Will have their reputation ruined. Tell me
How this foul rout began, who set it on;
How this vile fight began, who started it;
And he that is approved in this offence,
And he that is found guilty of this crime,
Though he had twinned with me, both at a birth,
Although he’s been a brother all my life,
Shall lose me. What! In a town of war,
Will not be any more. What? In a war town,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
Still ravaged, where the folk are terrified,
To manage private and domestic quarrel,
You fight in a domestic argument,
In night, and on the court and guard of safety!
At night, when you’re supposed to be on guard!
'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?
That’s monstrous. Iago, who started it?
MONTANO
If partially affined, or leagued in office,
If, from your biased ties you have to Cassio,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
You don’t reveal exactly what occurred,
Thou art no soldier.
Then you’re no soldier.
IAGO
Touch me not so near:
Don’t say that to me:
I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
I’d rather have my tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
Than have it speak offence to Cassio;
Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth
But I believe that when I speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.
I will not harm him. This is what occurred, sir:
Montano and myself being in speech,
When I was talking with Montano here,
There comes a fellow crying out for help:
A man arrived here, crying out for help,
And Cassio following him with determined sword,
And Cassio was following, his sword raised
To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
To kill him. Sir, this gentleman, Montano,
Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause:
Stepped in, demanding Cassio stop fighting.
Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
Myself, I went to chase the crying man,
Lest by his clamour--as it so fell out--
In case his actions – as it proved to be –
The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,
Caused terror in the town. He hurried off,
Outran my purpose; and I returned the rather
And soon I’d lost him; and I came back quickly
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
Because I heard the clink of falling swords,
And Cassio high in oath; which till to-night
And Cassio shouting swear words, which I’d not heard
I ne'er might say before. When I came back--
Before tonight. Then when I came back in –
For this was brief--I found them close together,
I hadn’t been out long – they were engaged in
At blow and thrust; even as again they were
A swordfight; just exactly as they were
When you yourself did part them.
When they were separated by yourself.
More of this matter cannot I report:
There’s nothing more that I can say about this.
But men are men; the best sometimes forget:
Men will be men, but sometimes they forget.
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
Though Cassio did not do too much wrong,
As men in rage strike those that wish them best,
As angry men hit out at those they’re close to,
Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received
But I believe that surely Cassio
From him that fled some strange indignity,
Was deeply hurt by what the fugitive said
Which patience could not pass.
And couldn’t let it lie.
OTHELLO
I know, Iago,
I know, Iago,
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
You’ve watered down this story out of love
Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee
Protecting Cassio. Cassio, I love you
But never more be officer of mine.
But you won’t be my officer again.
[Re-enter DESDEMONA, attended]
Look, if my gentle love be not raised up!
Oh look, my gentle lover has awoken!
I'll make thee an example.
I’ll make you an example.
DESDEMONA
What's the matter?
What’s the matter?
OTHELLO
All's well now, sweeting; come away to bed.
All’s good now, darling; let’s go back to bed.
Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon:
Sir, for your injuries, please use my surgeon:
Lead him off.
Lead him away.
[To MONTANO, who is led off]
Iago, look with care about the town,
Look carefully around the town, Iago,
And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.
And pacify those upset by the fighting.
Come, Desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life
Come, Desdemona: it’s a soldier’s life
To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.
To have a lovely sleep destroyed by strife.
[Exeunt all but IAGO and CASSIO]
IAGO
What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
CASSIO
Ay, past all surgery.
Yes, beyond repair.
IAGO
Marry, heaven forbid!
Oh no, God forbid!
CASSIO
Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost
Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost
my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of
my reputation! I’ve lost the part of me that will outlive
myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation,
me, and what remains is beast-like. My reputation,
Iago, my reputation!
Iago, my reputation!
IAGO
As I am an honest man, I thought you had received
I honestly thought you had received
some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than
a body wound; that would be worse than losing
in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false
your reputation. You can control your reputation and it’s
imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without
made up by others: it’s sometimes won without reason, and lost
deserving: you have lost no reputation at all,
when undeserved. You have not lost your reputation at all,
unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man!
unless you tell yourself that you have lost it. Come on, mate!
There are ways to recover the general again: you
There are ways to become Othello’s general again. You’re
are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in
currently just in his bad books, and he felt he had to punish
policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his
you to make an example, not because he disliked you, like
offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion: sue
beating an innocent dog to frighten a lion away. Go see
to him again, and he's yours.
him again, and he’ll come round.
CASSIO
I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so
I’d rather ask him to hate me than to cheat such a
good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so
good commander with such a pathetic, drunk and
indiscreet an officer. Drunk? And speak parrot?
indiscreet officer as me. Drunk? And speaking nonsense?
And squabble? Swagger? Swear? And discourse
And arguing? Swaggering? Swearing? And talking
fustian with one's own shadow? O thou invisible
gibberish with my own shadow? Oh, you invisible
spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by,
alcohol in wine, if you didn’t have another name
let us call thee devil!
we should call you the devil!
IAGO
What was he that you followed with your sword? What
Who was that man you chased with your sword? What
had he done to you?
did he do to you?
CASSIO
I know not.
I do not know.
IAGO
Is't possible?
How is that possible?
CASSIO
I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly;
I remember many things, but nothing precisely;
a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men
we had a fight, but I don’t know why. Oh God, why do men
should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away
drink toxic wine that stops them thinking
their brains! That we should, with joy, pleasance
rationally! One minute we are happy, pleasant to be with,
revel and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!
partying and clapping; but then turn into wild animals!
IAGO
Why, but you are now well enough: how came you thus
Well, you seem alright now. How come you’ve sobered up
recovered?
so quickly?
CASSIO
It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place
It seems the drunken devil has been replaced by
to the devil wrath; one unperfectness shows me
the angry devil; one imperfection is replaced by
another, to make me frankly despise myself.
another, leaving me to hate myself.
IAGO
Come, you are too severe a moraler: as the time,
Oh, come on, you’re being too hard on yourself. At this time,
the place, and the condition of this country stands,
this place, and the current state of our country,
I could heartily wish this had not befallen;
I heartily wish this hadn’t happened;
but, since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.
but it has, and so you have to fix it yourself.
CASSIO
I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me
If I ask him to be reinstated, he’ll tell me
I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra,
I’m a drunkard! If I had as many mouths as Hydra, the multi-
such an answer would stop them all. To be now a
headed snake, he’d say no to all of them. One moment I’m a
sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a
sensible man, then a fool, and now I’m a
beast! O strange! Every inordinate cup is
beast! How strange! Every cup of wine
unblessed and the ingredient is a devil.
is wicked, and alcohol is the devil.
IAGO
Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature,
Come on, good wine is wonderful
if it be well used: exclaim no more against it.
if drunk in moderation: don’t blame the wine.
And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.
And, good lieutenant, I think you know I like you.
CASSIO
I have well approved it, sir. I drunk!
I know that, sir. I can’t believe I got drunk!
IAGO
You or any man living may be drunk! At a time, man.
You and every man alive gets drunk! There’s a time for it, man.
I'll tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife
I’ll tell you what you should do. Our general Othello’s wife
is now the general: may say so in this respect, for
is now in charge of him: I can say this because
that he hath devoted and given up himself to the
he is besotted by her and all he ever does is
contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and
wax lyrical about how beautiful she looks and how smart
graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune
she is. Go and confess to her, and ask her
her help to put you in your place again: she is of
to help you get your position of authority back. She has
so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition,
such an open, kind, balanced and kind-hearted manner,
she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more
she considers it wrong not to do something
than she is requested: this broken joint between
that someone asks of her. Ask her to fix this broken relationship
you and her husband entreat her to splinter; and, my
between you and her husband; and I also
fortunes against any lay worth naming, this
bet anything you like that by doing this, your
crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.
damaged relationship will now be stronger than before.
CASSIO
You advise me well.
You give me sound advice.
IAGO
I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.
It’s nothing: I do it out of affection and my basic decency.
CASSIO
I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will
I’m sure you’re right; and in the morning I will
beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me:
ask the lovely Desdemona to help me out.
I am desperate of my fortunes if they cheque me here.
I’m in a desperate situation if I stay like this, fired and disgraced.
IAGO
You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant;
You’re doing the right thing. Goodnight, lieutenant.
I must to the watch.
I have to go on guard.
CASSIO
Good night, honest Iago.
Goodnight, honest Iago.
[Exit]
IAGO
And what's he then that says I play the villain?
Now who can say I’m doing something nasty?
When this advice is free I give and honest,
For I’m just giving free and honest guidance
Probal to thinking and indeed the course
That probably will change the view and actions
To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy
Held by the Moor to win him round. It’s easy
The inclining Desdemona to subdue
Convincing Desdemona to agree
In any honest suit: she's framed as fruitful
To any fair request; she gives her help
As the free elements. And then for her
As freely as a fruit tree gives its fruit. Then,
To win the Moor--were't to renounce his baptism,
She’ll change Othello’s mind – renounce his faith,
All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,
Reject his Christian symbols of redemption –
His soul is so enfettered to her love,
Because he’s overwhelmed in love with her,
That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
That she can make him do what she desires,
Even as her appetite shall play the god
And even when her wishes run amok with
With his weak function. How am I then a villain
His better judgement. How then am I evil
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Advising Cassio, who shares my view,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When it directly helps? That’s Satan’s view!
When devils will the blackest sins put on,
When devils do the most atrocious sins,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
They start by making things seem wonderful,
As I do now: for whiles this honest fool
As I do now. But while this decent fool asks
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes
That Desdemona mends his reputation
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
By speaking to the Moor to plead his case,
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,
I’ll whisper malice in Othello’s ear,
That she repeals him for her body's lust;
And say she’s begging from desire for Cassio;
And by how much she strives to do him good,
And as she begs that Cassio is forgiven,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
Othello shall lose confidence in her.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
That’s how I’ll make her decency a trap,
And out of her own goodness make the net
And from her goodness I will set the net
That shall enmesh them all.
That snares them all.
[Re-enter RODERIGO]
How now, Roderigo!
What’s happening, Roderigo!
RODERIGO
I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that
I arrive here exhausted, not like a dog that’s been
hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is
leading the hunt, but one that makes up the pack. My money
almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well
is nearly all gone; tonight I have been well and truly
cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall
beaten up; and all I’ve got to show for it
have so much experience for my pains, and so, with
are some painful life lessons, and so, with
no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.
no money left and more experience, I’m returning to Venice.
IAGO
How poor are they that have not patience!
How poor are those who don’t have any patience?
What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
What wounds will heal except for bit by bit?
Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;
You know we’ll win by intellect, not magic;
And wit depends on dilatory time.
And intellect requires passing time.
Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee.
You think it went wrong? Cassio beat you up.
And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashiered Cassio:
But for that anguish, Cassio’s been fired.
Though other things grow fair against the sun,
Though everything will ripen in the sun,
Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe:
The fruits appearing first are first to ripen:
Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning;
Take time to think about that. Wow, it’s morning;
Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
Pleasure and action made the night fly by.
Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:
Go take a rest; go back to where you live.
Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter:
Get out of here; you’ll know more soon enough;
Nay, get thee gone.
Go on, clear off.
[Exit RODERIGO]
Two things are to be done:
I have to do two things:
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
My wife must big-up Cassio to Desdemona;
I'll set her on;
I’ll work on her;
Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,
Meanwhile I have to drag the Moor away,
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Then make him stumble in on Cassio
Soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way
As he is chatting up his wife; that way
Dull not device by coldness and delay.
I will succeed if I do not delay.
[Exit]
