ACT 2
Othello Act 2, Scene 2: Retold in Modern English Verse
A night of feasting proclaimed
Othello’s herald proclaims a night of celebration: the Turkish fleet has been destroyed, and the general also keeps the feast of his marriage. Every man may revel as he pleases from five o’clock until the bell strikes eleven.
Characters appearing: Herald
Key theme: Reputation and Honour
A STREET.
[ENTER A HERALD WITH A PROCLAMATION; PEOPLE FOLLOWING]
HERALD
It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant
It is our noble and brave general Othello’s wish
general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived,
that when a certain situation occurs, as has now happened,
importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet,
following the absolute destruction of the Turkish fleet,
every man put himself into triumph; some to dance,
everyone must celebrate; you may choose to dance,
some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and
or light a bonfire; do whatever takes your fancy and
revels his addiction leads him: for, besides these
whatever makes you happy. And, not only is this
beneficial news, it is the celebration of his
great news, it is also a celebration of his
nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be
marriage. He asked that his happiness should be
proclaimed. All offices are open, and there is full
announced. All kitchens and restaurants will be open
liberty of feasting from this present hour of five
and you are free to feast from the current time of five o’clock
till the bell have told eleven. Heaven bless the
until the bell has struck eleven. Heaven bless the
isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!
Island of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!
[EXEUNT]
