Original Text |
Translated Text |
| Source: Folger Shakespeare Library |
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Enter Montano and two Gentlemen. MONTANO
What from the cape can you discern at sea? FIRST GENTLEMAN
Nothing at all. It is a high-wrought flood.
I cannot ’twixt the heaven and the main
Descry a sail. MONTANO
Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land. 5
A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements.
If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea,
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this? SECOND GENTLEMAN
A segregation of the Turkish fleet. 10
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds,
The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous
mane,
Seems to cast water on the burning Bear 15
And quench the guards of th’ ever-fixèd pole.
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafèd flood. MONTANO If that the Turkish fleet
Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned. 20
It is impossible to bear it out. Enter a third Gentleman. THIRD GENTLEMAN News, lads! Our wars are done.
The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks
That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice
Hath seen a grievous wrack and sufferance 25
On most part of their fleet. | You thought there was going to be a battle scene. Instead, it turns out that a really big storm knocked out the entire Turkish fleet, so now Othello will have nothing to do except honeymoon in Cyprus. Montano, an official in Cyprus, and a couple of gentlemen are talking about what's happened. They're pretty relieved that they're not about to be under siege. |
MONTANO
How? Is this true? THIRD GENTLEMAN The ship is here put in,
A Veronesa. Michael Cassio,
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello, 30
Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,
And is in full commission here for Cyprus. MONTANO
I am glad on ’t. ’Tis a worthy governor. THIRD GENTLEMAN
But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly 35
And prays the Moor be safe, for they were parted
With foul and violent tempest. MONTANO Pray heaven he be;
For I have served him, and the man commands
Like a full soldier. Let’s to the seaside, ho! 40
As well to see the vessel that’s come in
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
Even till we make the main and th’ aerial blue
An indistinct regard. THIRD GENTLEMAN Come, let’s do so; 45
For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance. Enter Cassio. CASSIO
Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,
That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
Give him defense against the elements, 50
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea. MONTANO Is he well shipped? CASSIO
His bark is stoutly timbered, and his pilot
Of very expert and approved allowance;
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death, 55
Stand in bold cure.
Voices cry within. “A sail, a sail, a sail! | A Gentleman informs Montano that Cassio's ship is docking, but that Cassio is a bit preoccupied. He's worried about Othello. When Cassio enters, he thanks Cyprus for being so welcoming and prays that Othello will make it safely to shore. |
Enter a Messenger. CASSIO What noise? MESSENGER
The town is empty; on the brow o’ th’ sea
Stand ranks of people, and they cry “A sail!” CASSIO
My hopes do shape him for the Governor. 60
A shot. SECOND GENTLEMAN
They do discharge their shot of courtesy.
Our friends, at least. CASSIO I pray you, sir, go forth,
And give us truth who ’tis that is arrived. SECOND GENTLEMAN I shall. He exits. 65 MONTANO
But, good lieutenant, is your general wived? CASSIO
Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid
That paragons description and wild fame,
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And in th’ essential vesture of creation 70
Does tire the ingener. Enter Second Gentleman. How now? Who has put in? | There are cries in the town that another ship has been spotted, so Cassio sends one of the gentlemen to check and see who it is. While he goes to check, Montano asks Cassio if Othello is married, and Cassio says yes, to a woman so perfect that words can't do her justice. |
SECOND GENTLEMAN
’Tis one Iago, ancient to the General. CASSIO
’Has had most favorable and happy speed!
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds, 75
The guttered rocks and congregated sands
(Traitors ensteeped to clog the guiltless keel),
As having sense of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona. 80 MONTANO What is she? CASSIO
She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
A sennight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello guard, 85
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms,
Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits,
And bring all Cyprus comfort! 90 Enter Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, and Emilia. O, behold,
The riches of the ship is come on shore!
You men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
He kneels.
Hail to thee, lady, and the grace of heaven,
Before, behind thee, and on every hand 95
Enwheel thee round. He rises. | The gentleman returns and announces that Iago's ship has arrived. Cassio heaps a ton more praise on Desdemona and suggests that they should all kneel before her. He doesn't say a word about Iago's wife, Emilia, who is also along for the adventure—it's all about Desdemona and her unparalleled beauty. And Othello, of course. Cassio's clearly got a bro-crush on his buddy...and his buddy's wife. |
DESDEMONA I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell of my lord? CASSIO
He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught
But that he’s well and will be shortly here. 100 DESDEMONA
O, but I fear—How lost you company? CASSIO
The great contention of sea and skies
Parted our fellowship. Within “A sail, a sail!” A shot. But hark, a sail! SECOND GENTLEMAN
They give their greeting to the citadel. 105
This likewise is a friend. | Desdemona thanks Cassio for the warm welcome and quickly asks if there's been any news of Othello. Cassio says no, not yet, but then another ship is spotted. |
CASSIO See for the news.
Second Gentleman exits.
Good ancient, you are welcome. Welcome, mistress.
He kisses Emilia.
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners. ’Tis my breeding 110
That gives me this bold show of courtesy. IAGO
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
You would have enough. | Cassio sends someone to see what ship has arrived and then welcomes Emilia with a polite kiss. He jokes with Iago that a kiss hello is good manners and that Iago shouldn't read anything into it. (Remember, Cassio is considered a bit of a ladies' man.) Iago says it's no problem. If Emilia gave Cassio as much lip (a.k.a., sass and nagging) as she gave him, Cassio would tire of her quickly. |
DESDEMONA
Alas, she has no speech! 115 IAGO In faith, too much.
I find it still when I have list to sleep.
Marry, before your Ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart
And chides with thinking. 120 EMILIA You have little cause to say so. IAGO Come on, come on! You are pictures out of door,
bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens,
saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players
in your huswifery, and huswives in your beds. | Desdemona sticks up for Emilia, saying she barely speaks, but Iago disagrees. He says she rants and raves so much he can't get to sleep at night. She may be quiet in front of Desdemona, but he knows she's silently scolding him even then. He goes on to say that all women are like this: pretty and picture perfect in public, loud and nagging at home. |
DESDEMONA Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer. IAGO
Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk.
You rise to play, and go to bed to work. EMILIA
You shall not write my praise. IAGO No, let me not. 130 DESDEMONA
What wouldst write of me if thou shouldst praise
me? IAGO
O, gentle lady, do not put me to ’t,
For I am nothing if not critical. DESDEMONA
Come on, assay.—There’s one gone to the harbor? 135 IAGO Ay, madam. DESDEMONA, aside
I am not merry, but I do beguile
The thing I am by seeming otherwise.—
Come, how wouldst thou praise me? IAGO I am about it, but indeed my invention comes 140
from my pate as birdlime does from frieze: it
plucks out brains and all. But my muse labors, and
thus she is delivered:
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
The one’s for use, the other useth it. 145 | Desdemona calls Iago a slanderer and Emilia says he has nothing positive to say about her. Iago agrees. To distract herself from her worry about Othello, Desdemona starts a little game. She challenges Iago to say something nice about her. He resists for a bit, saying he's critical by nature and not inclined to praise anyone, but he finally comes up with a little rhyme that's sort of a compliment, but still more of an insult. He says that if a woman is both fair (blonde and pretty) and smart, she'll know enough to use her looks to get what she wants. |
DESDEMONA
Well praised! How if she be black and witty? IAGO
If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
She’ll find a white that shall her blackness hit. DESDEMONA
Worse and worse. | Good one, Desdemona says. But what if she's brunette and smart? No matter, says Iago. If she's smart, she'll still find someone who's interested in sleeping with her. |
EMILIA How if fair and foolish? 150 IAGO
She never yet was foolish that was fair,
For even her folly helped her to an heir. | Now Emilia jumps in and asks what praise Iago has for a woman who's fair but stupid. Iago says that if a woman's fair, her brains don't really matter. Men will still find her attractive—even more so, in fact. |
DESDEMONA These are old fond paradoxes to make
fools laugh i’ th’ alehouse. What miserable praise
hast thou for her that’s foul and foolish? 155 IAGO
There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto,
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do. | Desdemona says Iago is just repeating the foolish things men say to each other about women when they're joking around in bars. And then she gives him another challenge: what praise can he give for a woman who is both ugly and dumb. Iago says even if a woman is ugly and dumb, she'll still play all the same tricks the others do. Basically, Iago thinks all women are evil. |
DESDEMONA O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the
worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on
a deserving woman indeed, one that in the authority 160
of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very
malice itself? IAGO
She that was ever fair and never proud,
Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,
Never lacked gold and yet went never gay, 165
Fled from her wish, and yet said “Now I may,”
She that being angered, her revenge being nigh,
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,
She that in wisdom never was so frail
To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail, 170
She that could think and ne’er disclose her mind,
See suitors following and not look behind,
She was a wight, if ever such wight were— DESDEMONA To do what? IAGO
To suckle fools and chronicle small beer. 175 | Desdemona rolls her eyes and pushes Iago, one more time, about how he would praise a woman who was truly good. Iago describes this ideal woman as someone who is very refined, never gets upset, isn't greedy, and keeps her opinions to herself. He says such a woman would be capable of...taking care of babies and the household chores. (Iago's not winning any equality awards anytime soon.) |
DESDEMONA O, most lame and impotent conclusion!
—Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy
husband.—How say you, Cassio? Is he not a most
profane and liberal counselor? CASSIO He speaks home, madam. You may relish him 180
more in the soldier than in the scholar. Cassio takes Desdemona’s hand. | Desdemona tells Emilia not to listen to Iago, even if he is her husband. Then she turns to Cassio and says, "Can you believe this guy?" |
IAGO, aside He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said,
whisper. With as little a web as this will I ensnare as
great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do. I will
gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true, ’tis 185
so indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of
your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not
kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again
you are most apt to play the sir in. Very good; well
kissed; an excellent courtesy! ’Tis so, indeed. Yet 190
again your fingers to your lips? Would they were
clyster pipes for your sake! Trumpets within.
The Moor. I know his trumpet. | Iago watches as Cassio flirts with Desdemona, taking her hand and kissing it. "Go ahead, loverboy," Iago comments. He's going to use Cassio's flirtatious nature against him. In fact, Iago says that when he's done with Cassio, Cassio will wish his fingers were "clyster pipes," a.k.a, enema tubes. (Enema tubes? Gross!) |
CASSIO ’Tis truly so. DESDEMONA Let’s meet him and receive him. 195 CASSIO Lo, where he comes! Enter Othello and Attendants. OTHELLO
O, my fair warrior! DESDEMONA My dear Othello! OTHELLO
It gives me wonder great as my content
To see you here before me. O my soul’s joy! 200
If after every tempest come such calms,
May the winds blow till they have wakened death,
And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas
Olympus high, and duck again as low
As hell’s from heaven! If it were now to die, 205
’Twere now to be most happy, for I fear
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate. | Finally, Othello shows up. He and Desdemona embrace and put on a big show of PDA (public display of affection). Othello says he could die now, as he's so happy to see Desdemona. |
DESDEMONA The heavens forbid 210
But that our loves and comforts should increase
Even as our days do grow! OTHELLO Amen to that, sweet powers!
I cannot speak enough of this content.
It stops me here; it is too much of joy. They kiss. 215
And this, and this, the greatest discords be
That e’er our hearts shall make! IAGO, aside O, you are well tuned now,
But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music,
As honest as I am. 220 OTHELLO Come. Let us to the castle.—
News, friends! Our wars are done. The Turks are
drowned.
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?—
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus. 225
I have found great love amongst them. O, my sweet,
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
In mine own comforts.—I prithee, good Iago,
Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.
Bring thou the master to the citadel. 230
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much respect.—Come, Desdemona.
Once more, well met at Cyprus. | "God forbid," Desdemona says. They engage in more PDA. After instructing Iago to get his trunks and take the ship's captain to the castle, Othello leaves with Desdemona. |
All but Iago and Roderigo exit. IAGO, to a departing Attendant Do thou meet me presently
at the harbor. To Roderigo. Come hither. If 235
thou be’st valiant—as they say base men being in
love have then a nobility in their natures more than
is native to them—list me. The Lieutenant tonight
watches on the court of guard. First, I must tell thee
this: Desdemona is directly in love with him. 240 RODERIGO With him? Why, ’tis not possible. | With everyone else gone, Iago and Roderigo (who have traveled there together) are left to start scheming again. Iago says men in love are known to be more beastly than their natures usually allow, and he plans to take advantage of this. Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is already over Othello and interested in Cassio. Roderigo says, "Him? No way." |
IAGO Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.
Mark me with what violence she first loved the
Moor but for bragging and telling her fantastical
lies. And will she love him still for prating? Let not 245
thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed. And
what delight shall she have to look on the devil?
When the blood is made dull with the act of sport,
there should be, again to inflame it and to give
satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favor, sympathy 250
in years, manners, and beauties, all which the Moor
is defective in. Now, for want of these required
conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself
abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and
abhor the Moor. Very nature will instruct her in it 255
and compel her to some second choice. Now, sir,
this granted—as it is a most pregnant and unforced
position—who stands so eminent in the degree of
this fortune as Cassio does? A knave very voluble, no
further conscionable than in putting on the mere 260
form of civil and humane seeming for the better
compassing of his salt and most hidden loose
affection. Why, none, why, none! A slipper and
subtle knave, a finder-out of occasions, that has an
eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though 265
true advantage never present itself; a devilish knave!
Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all
those requisites in him that folly and green minds
look after. A pestilent complete knave, and the
woman hath found him already. 270 | "Way," says Iago. He then gives his longwinded speech, again, about how passions tend to cool. He says that as Desdemona gets over Othello, Cassio is perfectly positioned to step right in: he's handsome and charming and valiant. |
RODERIGO I cannot believe that in her. She’s full of
most blessed condition. IAGO Blessed fig’s end! The wine she drinks is made of
grapes. If she had been blessed, she would never
have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou 275
not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst
not mark that? RODERIGO Yes, that I did. But that was but courtesy. | Roderigo thinks too highly of Desdemona to believe Iago, but Iago offers as proof the fact that Desdemona held Cassio's hand while they greeted each other...which is no evidence at all, unless you're a jealous, murder-plotting lover. Even Roderigo, who's pretty easily led, says that was just good manners. |
IAGO Lechery, by this hand! An index and obscure
prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. 280
They met so near with their lips that their breaths
embraced together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo!
When these mutualities so marshal the way, hard
at hand comes the master and main exercise, th’
incorporate conclusion. Pish! But, sir, be you ruled 285
by me. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you
tonight. For the command, I’ll lay ’t upon you.
Cassio knows you not. I’ll not be far from you. Do
you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by
speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline, or from 290
what other course you please, which the time shall
more favorably minister. RODERIGO Well. IAGO Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler, and
haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may, 295
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 300
impediment most profitably removed, without the
which there were no expectation of our prosperity. | Good manners? That gesture was pure lust, Iago tells him. Desdemona and Cassio were standing so close they were practically kissing when they talked to one another. He shifts the conversation to the fact that Cassio will be on the night-watch this evening. Iago says he can add Roderigo to the watch so that Roderigo can pick a fight with him. That will be enough, with Iago's skillful manipulation, to get Cassio demoted so Roderigo will have less competition for Desdemona. |
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 305
must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell. RODERIGO Adieu. He exits. | Roderigo says sure, he'll do it if Iago thinks it will help. |
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, 310
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) 315
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 320
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 325
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 330
For making him egregiously an ass
And practicing upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness. ’Tis here, but yet confused.
Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.
He exits. | After Roderigo exits, Iago gloats about what a good liar he is. Even he's starting to believe Desdemona and Cassio might have an affair. Iago admits that Othello is a loving husband to Desdemona, but says that he, too, loves Desdemona. Don't forget, the revenge bit seems to stem from Iago thinking Othello had sex with his wife Emilia. That thought haunts Iago, and he won't be content until he's even, "wife for wife." And if he can't manage to sleep with Desdemona, he'll settle for making Othello so jealous he can't think straight. If Roderigo does his job right (and picks a fight with Cassio), then Iago can use Cassio as a means to exploit Othello's jealousy. Iago plans to trash-talk Cassio to Othello, planting suspicion about Cassio's alleged relationship with Desdemona. Iago also clarifies that part of his hatred for Cassio is a suspicion that Cassio, too, has slept with Iago's wife. The best part of Iago's plan? Othello will be thanking him and rewarding him for being so loyal without ever realizing that Iago is the one ruining him. Iago admits his plan isn't perfected yet, but evil never is—until the time comes for it to be done. Mwah-hah-hah. |