ACT 2
[Enter MONTANO and two Gentlemen]
MONTANO
What from the cape can you discern at sea?
Did you see much at sea from on the clifftop?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Nothing at all: it is a highwrought flood;
Nothing at all; the sea’s extremely rough,
I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,
And where the sea met with the sky, I couldn’t
Descry a sail.
Observe a sailing ship.
MONTANO
Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;
I think it also blows a gale on land;
A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:
A stronger wind has never hit our fortress.
If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea,
If it is blowing hard as this at sea,
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
What sailing mast, when hit by massive waves,
Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?
Can still remain intact? What’s going to happen?
SECOND GENTLEMAN
A segregation of the Turkish fleet:
The Turkish fleet of ships will be dispersed;
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
For if you stand upon the foaming shore,
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;
The wind seems like it’s punishing the clouds;
The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,
The storm surge, with its massive, monstrous waves,
Seems to cast water on the burning bear,
Appears to throw its water on the stars
And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:
And soak the constellations near the North Star.
I never did like molestation view
I’ve never seen it more tempestuous
On the enchafed flood.
Out on the angry sea.
MONTANO
If that the Turkish fleet
So if the Turkish
Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned:
Have not got shelter in a bay, they’re drowned:
It is impossible they bear it out.
It is impossible to ride this storm out.
[Enter a third Gentleman]
THIRD GENTLEMAN
News, lads! Our wars are done.
I’ve got some news, lads! Our war is over.
The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks,
This awful storm lambasted Turkish ships
That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice
So much, their mission’s stopped: a noble ship from Venice
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance
Has seen a deathly shipwreck and destruction
On most part of their fleet.
Of most ships in their fleet.
MONTANO
How! Is this true?
Can this be true?
THIRD GENTLEMAN
The ship is here put in,
The ship has docked right here,
A Veronesa; Michael Cassio,
It’s from Verona; Michael Cassio,
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
Is come on shore: the Moor himself at sea,
Has come ashore. The Moor is still at sea,
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
Following orders sending him to Cyprus.
MONTANO
I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.
I’m glad, for he will make a decent governor.
THIRD GENTLEMAN
But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
But Cassio, though he says he’s comforted
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,
By Turkish losses, seems to be despondent
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted
And prays the Moor is safe, for they were split up
With foul and violent tempest.
Within the violent storm.
MONTANO
Pray heavens he be;
Let’s pray he will be;
For I have served him, and the man commands
For I’ve served under him and he commands
Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!
Like a true soldier. Let’s go to the coast now!
As well to see the vessel that's come in
As well as witnessing the ship that’s here,
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
We’ll scan the sea to look for brave Othello,
Even till we make the main and the aerial blue
Until the line between the sea and sky
An indistinct regard.
Is indiscernible.
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Come, let's do so:
Come on, let’s do that:
For every minute is expectancy
For we expect for each and every minute
Of more arrivance.
More ships arriving.
[Enter CASSIO]
CASSIO
Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,
Thank you, brave men, of this hostile island
That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
That think so highly of the Moor! God help him
Give him defence against the elements,
To fend off and survive the elements,
For I have lost us him on a dangerous sea.
For I lost sight of him out in the sea-storm.
MONTANO
Is he well shipped?
Is he aboard a decent ship?
CASSIO
His bark is stoutly timbered, his pilot
His boat has bulky timbers, and his skipper
Of very expert and approved allowance;
Is highly skilled and trained for such occasions.
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
And so I don’t think that they will have died,
Stand in bold cure.
But have survived.
[A cry within 'A sail, a sail, a sail!']
[Enter a fourth Gentleman]
CASSIO
What noise?
What is that noise?
FOURTH GENTLEMAN
The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea
There’s no one left in town, but by the sea
Stand ranks of people, and they cry 'A sail!'
All of the people stand, and shout, “A sail!”
CASSIO
My hopes do shape him for the governor.
I hope that it’s my leader’s ship they’ve spotted.
[Guns heard]
SECOND GENTLEMAN
They do discharge their shot of courtesy:
I hope that is a greeting shot they’ve fired:
Our friends at least.
At least we’ll know they’re friendly.
CASSIO
I pray you, sir, go forth,
Please, proceed,
And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.
And come and tell us who has just arrived.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I shall.
I shall.
[Exit]
MONTANO
But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?
But, good lieutenant, is your general married?
CASSIO
Most fortunately: he hath achieved a maid
He’s married well, and won a lovely girl
That paragons description and wild fame;
Who’s more delightful than the praise she’s garnered;
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
She’s better than effusive words convey,
And in the essential vesture of creation
And by creating somebody this perfect
Does tire the ingener.
God’s worn himself out.
[Re-enter second Gentleman]
How now! Who has put in?
Hey! Who’s in the port?
SECOND GENTLEMAN
'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
It’s one Iago, flag-man of Othello.
CASSIO
Has had most favourable and happy speed:
I’m happy that he’s made it here so swiftly:
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The tempests, choppy seas and howling winds,
The guttered rocks and congregated sands--
The dangerous, ragged rocks and shifting sandbanks –
Traitors ensteeped to clog the guiltless keel,--
These things that sink a ship without a reason –
As having sense of beauty, do omit
All seem to sense her beauty by omitting
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
To do what’s natural, and leave the ship safe
The divine Desdemona.
To save fine Desdemona.
MONTANO
What is she?
Who is she?
CASSIO
She that I spake of, our great captain's captain,
The one I spoke about, the captain’s boss,
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,
Who’s left in the protection of Iago,
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
Who we believed would not arrive in our port
A se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,
For seven days. Dear God, please guard Othello,
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
And use your breath to blow upon his sails
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
So that his ship may bless us with his presence,
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
And he can purr in Desdemona’s arms,
Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits
Remotivating our embattled spirits
And bring all Cyprus comfort!
And comfort everyone in Cyprus!
[Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Attendants]
O, behold,
Look,
The riches of the ship is come on shore!
The treasure on the ship has walked ashore!
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
You men of Cyprus, bend your knees to greet her.
Hail to thee, lady! And the grace of heaven,
Our greetings to you, lady! And may heaven
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Surround you, front and back, and everywhere
Enwheel thee round!
To wrap you up!
DESDEMONA
I thank you, valiant Cassio.
My thanks to you, brave Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
What news of my dear husband can you share?
CASSIO
He is not yet arrived: nor know I aught
He’s not arrived here yet, and I know nothing
But that he's well and will be shortly here.
Except I’m sure he’s well and soon will be here.
DESDEMONA
O, but I fear--How lost you company?
That makes me worried…how come you split up?
CASSIO
The great contention of the sea and skies
The storm that made the sea and sky collide
Parted our fellowship--But, hark! A sail.
Broke us apart. But look! There is a sail.
[Within 'A sail, a sail!' Guns heard]
SECOND GENTLEMAN
They give their greeting to the citadel;
They’ve fired a friendly shot towards the city;
This likewise is a friend.
This also is a friend.
CASSIO
See for the news.
Go check the news.
[Exit Gentleman]
Good ancient, you are welcome.
Good flag-man, you are welcome.
[To EMILIA]
Welcome, mistress.
Welcome, mistress.
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
Don’t let it wind you up, good man Iago,
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
That I will kiss your wife; it’s how I’m raised
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.
That lets me offer such a brazen welcome.
[Kissing her]
IAGO
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
I tell you sir, if she gives you as much lip
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
As she is always dishing out on me,
You'll have enough.
You’ll soon have heard enough!
DESDEMONA
Alas, she has no speech.
She doesn’t talk much.
IAGO
In faith, too much;
Yes, she does, too much;
I find it still, when I have list to sleep:
She even talks when I’m trying to sleep.
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
When she’s in front of you, I must admit,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
She tends to bite her lip and doesn’t say much
And chides with thinking.
But I can see she’s angry.
EMILIA
You have little cause to say so.
You can’t say that.
IAGO
Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,
Oh please, you’re picture-perfect out in public,
Bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens,
Belle-of-the-ball, but screech like cats in kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
You’re saints when hurt, but devils when offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives' in your beds.
You do the chores, then fornicate in bed.
DESDEMONA
O, fie upon thee, slanderer!
Oh, shame on you, you slanderer!
IAGO
Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk:
No, it is true! If not, then I am Turkish!
You rise to play and go to bed to work.
You play by day then get to work at night.
EMILIA
You shall not write my praise.
You’ve nothing nice to say about me.
IAGO
No, let me not.
I don’t.
DESDEMONA
What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?
What would you write about me if you praised me?
IAGO
O gentle lady, do not put me to't;
Dear lady, do not put me up to that,
For I am nothing, if not critical.
Because, among my traits, I’m critical.
DESDEMONA
Come on assay. There's one gone to the harbour?
Go on, please try! Is someone at the harbour?
IAGO
Ay, madam.
Yes, madam.
DESDEMONA
I am not merry; but I do beguile
I am not happy, but I do disguise
The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.
The way I feel by acting quite contrary.
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
Come on, how would you praise me?
IAGO
I am about it; but indeed my invention
I’m thinking; but extracting my ideas from
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize;
My head is like removing gum from cloth;
It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours,
It rips my brain out. But my inspiration
And thus she is delivered.
Has rustled up a verdict.
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
A smart and gorgeous woman has the brains
The one's for use, the other useth it.
To leverage her looks for personal gains.
DESDEMONA
Well praised! How if she be black and witty?
Well said! But what if she is smart and ugly?
IAGO
If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
If she is ugly, but she’s smart and witty,
She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
She’ll find a handsome man who thinks she’s pretty.
DESDEMONA
Worse and worse.
They’re getting worse.
EMILIA
How if fair and foolish?
What if she’s beautiful and stupid?
IAGO
She never yet was foolish that was fair;
There’s never been a woman cute and stupid,
For even her folly helped her to an heir.
For she can marry using looks as cupid.
DESDEMONA
These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i'
These are merely old phrases to make idiots laugh down
the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for
the pub. What awful phrase have you got for
her that's foul and foolish?
the woman who’s thick and ugly?
IAGO
There's none so foul and foolish thereunto,
There’s no one who’s so thick and ugly who
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
Won’t play the tricks the cute and smart ones do.
DESDEMONA
O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best.
Oh, you’re so ignorant! You praise the worst best.
But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving
But what praise would you give to a thoroughly decent
woman indeed, one that, in the authority of her merit,
woman who, by virtue of her strengths,
did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?
would even be saluted by the most malicious people?
IAGO
She that was ever fair and never proud,
The woman who was beautiful and humble,
Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,
Spoke eloquently, yet would never grumble,
Never lacked gold and yet went never gay,
Who owned a lot of gold but wasn’t gaudy,
Fled from her wish and yet said 'Now I may,'
Who exercised restraint, was never bawdy,
She that being angered, her revenge being nigh,
Her who when angry and revenge could wreak
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,
Kept quiet as she turned the other cheek,
She that in wisdom never was so frail
A lady wise who never would digress
To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;
To swap two things when both are valueless;
She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,
Somebody smart whose thoughts she’d never mention,
See suitors following and not look behind,
And when men followed, she’d pay no attention,
She was a wight, if ever such wight were,--
That is the woman, if such woman offers…
DESDEMONA
To do what?
What would such a woman do?
IAGO
To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.
Who’d raise thick kids whilst counting up the coffers. .
DESDEMONA
O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn
That’s such a pathetic punchline! Don’t learn
of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say
from him, Emilia, even though he’s your husband. What do you
you, Cassio? Is he not a most profane and liberal
think, Cassio? Isn’t he the rudest, most outspoken
counsellor?
advice-giver?
CASSIO
He speaks home, madam: You may relish him more in
He speaks bluntly, madam: his style is more suited to
the soldier than in the scholar.
a soldier than a scholar.
IAGO
[Aside]
He takes her by the palm: ay, well said,
He’s taken her hand. Go on now, whisper
whisper: with as little a web as this will I
in her ear: with a plan like a small spider’s web I will
ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon
trap a fly as large as Cassio. Go on, give her a lovely
her, do; I will gyve thee in thine own courtship.
smile; I will trap you in the web of your own courtship.
You say true; 'tis so, indeed: if such tricks as
You flatter her, agreeing with all she says: if doing this
these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had
ends up with you losing your position as lieutenant, then it
been better you had not kissed your three fingers so
would have been better if you hadn’t kept kissing your hand
oft, which now again you are most apt to play the
so often, which you do a lot, pretending to be
sir in. Very good; well kissed! An excellent
a gentleman. Ooh, very nice, what a lovely kiss! What a deep
courtesy! 'Tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers
bow! It’s all true. You’re not going to kiss your fingers again, are
to your lips? Would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!
you? If only your fingers were enemas to empty your own bullshit!
[Trumpet within]
The Moor! I know his trumpet.
The Moor has arrived! I recognise his trumpet fanfare.
CASSIO
'Tis truly so.
It’s really him.
DESDEMONA
Let's meet him and receive him.
Let’s meet and welcome him.
CASSIO
Lo, where he comes!
Look, here he comes!
[Enter OTHELLO and Attendants]
OTHELLO
O my fair warrior!
Oh, my beautiful warrior!
DESDEMONA
My dear Othello!
My dear Othello!
OTHELLO
It gives me wonder great as my content
I’m equally surprised as I am happy
To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!
To see you’re here before me. I’m delighted!
If after every tempest come such calms,
If after every storm comes such delight,
May the winds blow till they have wakened death!
Then let the winds blow till they’ve woken death up!
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
And let the struggling ship climb massive waves
Olympus-high and duck again as low
As high as Mount Olympus, then descend
As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,
Into the depths of hell! If I just died now,
'Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear,
I’d die completely happy; and I fear
My soul hath her content so absolute
That I’m so comprehensively content
That not another comfort like to this
That I will never be as happy as this
Succeeds in unknown fate.
Whatever is to come.
DESDEMONA
The heavens forbid
And may, God willing,
But that our loves and comforts should increase,
Our love and happiness always increase
Even as our days do grow!
Each day as we grow old!
OTHELLO
Amen to that, sweet powers!
Amen to that, dear lord!
I cannot speak enough of this content;
I cannot put to words how happy I am;
It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
It’s all too much; I’m overwhelmed with joy:
And this, and this, the greatest discords be
And let these kisses be the largest quarrel
[Kissing her]
That e'er our hearts shall make!
Our hearts will ever make!
IAGO
[Aside]
O, you are well tuned now!
Your life’s in tune now,
But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,
But I’ll untune the strings upon your lute,
As honest as I am.
I swear to God.
OTHELLO
Come, let us to the castle.
Come, let’s go to the castle.
News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drowned.
Good news: our war is won, the Turks have drowned.
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?
How is my good-old friend who’s from this island?
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;
My love, the Cypriots are going to love you;
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
I’ve found these people full of love. My darling,
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
I’m waffling on unusually, delighted
In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,
In my own happiness. Now, please Iago,
Go to the bay and disembark my coffers:
Go to the bay and unload all my cases.
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
And then escort the captain to the castle;
He is a good one, and his worthiness
He is a good man, and his decency
Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,
Commands a high respect. Come, Desdemona,
Once more, well met at Cyprus.
And once again, I’m glad we’ve met in Cyprus.
[Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants]
IAGO
Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come
Go and meet me by the harbour in a few minutes. Come
hither. If thou be'st valiant,-- as, they say, base
here. If you are brave – and, as they say, cowards
men being in love have then a nobility in their
in love are more chivalrous in their behaviour
natures more than is native to them--list me. The
than comes naturally to them – then listen to me.
lieutenant tonight watches on the court of
The lieutenant Cassio is tonight on guard at the court.
guard:--first, I must tell thee this--Desdemona is
First, let me tell you this: Desdemona is
directly in love with him.
completely in love with him.
RODERIGO
With him! Why, 'tis not possible.
With him? Well, that’s impossible!
IAGO
Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.
Put your finger to your lips and listen carefully.
Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor,
Recall, at first, she madly loved the Moor
but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies:
but only for his bragging and wild lies:
and will she love him still for prating? Let not
and do you think she still loves his waffling on? You’d better
thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed;
not believe it. She wants to look at attractive men,
and what delight shall she have to look on the
and what pleasure can she take by looking at the
devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of
devil Othello? When she is tired of intimacy with him,
sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to
she’ll need to find another spark to satisfy
give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour,
her lustful appetite with someone very attractive,
sympathy in years, manners and beauties; all which
young in years, and well-mannered; all of which
the Moor is defective in: now, for want of these
the Moor lacks. Now, when seeking these
required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will
required characteristics, she’ll find her kind nature
find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge,
has been taken advantage of, and she’ll begin to throw up,
disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will
disliking and then hating the Moor; her basic instinct
instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice.
will tell her that she has to find another man.
Now, sir, this granted,--as it is a most
Now, sir, this much is obvious – as this situation is both
pregnant and unforced position--who stands so
unplanned and in need of immediate rectification – who is
eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio
there who most closely fits the bill to reap this reward
does? A knave very voluble; no further
than Cassio? That eloquent scoundrel, who has no
conscionable than in putting on the mere form of
hesitation in putting on a veneer of
civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing
decency to further his sexual desires
of his salt and most hidden loose affection? Why,
and satisfy his hidden lust? Who
none; why, none: a slipper and subtle knave, a
else? No one. He’s a slippery slimeball who jumps
finder of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and
at any opportunity and has an eye for
counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never
self-progress through deception, even when opportunities
present itself; a devilish knave. Besides, the
don’t seem apparent. He’s an evil cheat. Besides, the
knave is handsome, young, and hath all those
cheat is handsome, young, and has all those
requisites in him that folly and green minds look after:
attributes naïve and foolish women desire.
a pestilent complete knave; and the woman
He’s a disgusting cheat, and Desdemona
hath found him already.
has already fallen for him.
RODERIGO
I cannot believe that in her; she's full of
I can’t believe she has; she is a
most blessed condition.
very decent lady.
IAGO
Blessed fig's-end! The wine she drinks is made of
Decent? Utter nonsense! She drinks the same wine as everyone
grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never
else. If she was decent, she would never have fallen
have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou
in love with the Moor. Decent? Didn’t you see her
not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst
suggestively rubbing her finger on Cassio’s hand? Didn’t
not mark that?
you see that?
RODERIGO
Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.
Well, yes, but he was merely being polite.
IAGO
Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue
She was flirting with her hand; it was subtle foreplay
to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met
that inevitably leads to lustful thoughts. They stood
so near with their lips that their breaths embraced
so close together, they almost kissed each
together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! When these
other. These are awful thoughts, Roderigo! When these
mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes
precursors occur, it’s inevitable that
the master and main exercise, the incorporate
they’ll soon have sex together, a physical
conclusion, Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me: I
consummation. Pah! But, sir, you are working for me: I
have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night;
brought you here from Venice. Keep a watch tonight;
for the command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows
await my instruction. Cassio doesn’t
you not. I'll not be far from you: do you find
know you. I won’t be far away: find a way
some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking
to wind up Cassio, either by speaking
too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what
too loud, or making him lose his temper, or by whatever
other course you please, which the time shall more
way you choose as the time and situation
favourably minister.
allow.
RODERIGO
Well.
OK.
IAGO
Sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply
He has a short fuse and easily loses his temper, so hopefully
may strike at you: provoke him, that he may; for
he’ll try to hit you: provoke him to do that; for if he does
even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to
it will cause the people of Cyprus to
mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true
riot; and that won’t be pacified again
taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So
until Cassio has lost his title and position. Then
shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by
you will have an easier path to reach the rank you desire
the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the
and I will be able to help you get there; and then
impediment most profitably removed, without the
the barrier of Cassio will be successfully removed, for if he’s
which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
still there, you have no chance of progression.
RODERIGO
I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.
I will do this, assuming I can find the right opportunity.
IAGO
I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel:
I’m sure the chance will arise. Meet me soon by the castle:
I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
I have to fetch Othello’s belongings from the ship. Goodbye.
RODERIGO
Adieu.
Goodbye.
[Exit]
IAGO
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;
I’m sure that Cassio loves Desdemona;
That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit:
And it seems likely that she loves him back:
The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
The Moor, although I utterly despise him,
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,
Is loyal, loving, and a decent man, and,
And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
Reluctantly, I think for Desdemona
A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too;
A loving husband. Now, I love her too;
Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure
Not lustfully, although it’s possible
I stand accountant for as great a sin,
I might be tempted given half a chance,
But partly led to diet my revenge,
But partly she can help me wreak revenge,
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
For I suspect that sex-craved, lusty Moor
Hath leaped into my seat; the thought whereof
Has had sex with my wife; the mere thought
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
Is eating me inside, like toxic poison;
And nothing can or shall content my soul
And nothing can nor will appease my soul
Till I am evened with him, wife for wife,
Until I’m level with him, wife for wife,
Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor
Or failing that, at least I’ll make the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
Have such a raging jealousy, he loses
That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,
All sense of judgement. I will pull this off
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash
If that Venetian fool, Roderigo, who I slag
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
Off as foolhardy, does what is required,
I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
Then I’ll have Michael Cassio where I want him,
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb--
Then slag him off with slander to the Moor –
For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too--
For I fear Cassio slept with my wife, too –
Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me.
So that the Moor will thank, love and reward me.
For making him egregiously an ass
And all because I made him look a fool,
And practising upon his peace and quiet
Destroying all his peaceful, quiet life,
Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:
Then turned him mad. So that’s my plan, unfinished;
Knavery's plain face is never seen till used.
My pending plan leaves evil undiminished.
[Exit]
