No Fear Shakespeare: Othello: Act 3 Scene 4

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Othello

William Shakespeare

Act 3 Scene 4

Original Text

Modern Text

Original Text

Modern Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter DESDEMONA , EMILIA , and CLOWN	Enter DESDEMONA , EMILIA , and CLOWN
DESDEMONA Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?	DESDEMONA Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?
CLOWN I dare not say he lies anywhere.	CLOWN I dare not say he lies anywhere.
DESDEMONA Why, man?	DESDEMONA Why, man?
CLOWN He’s a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies, ’tis stabbing.	CLOWN He’s a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies, ’tis stabbing.
DESDEMONA 5 Go to. Where lodges he?	DESDEMONA Go to. Where lodges he?
CLOWN To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I lie.	CLOWN To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I lie.
DESDEMONA Can anything be made of this?	DESDEMONA Can anything be made of this?
CLOWN I know not where he lodges, and for me to devise a lodging and say he lies here, or he lies there, were to lie in mine own throat.	CLOWN I know not where he lodges, and for me to devise a lodging and say he lies here, or he lies there, were to lie in mine own throat.
DESDEMONA Can you inquire him out and be edified by report?	DESDEMONA Can you inquire him out and be edified by report?
CLOWN I will catechize the world for him, that is, make questions, and by them answer.	CLOWN I will catechize the world for him, that is, make questions, and by them answer.
DESDEMONA Seek him, bid him come hither. Tell him I have moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be well.	DESDEMONA Seek him, bid him come hither. Tell him I have moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be well.
CLOWN To do this is within the compass of man’s wit, and therefore I will attempt the doing it.	CLOWN To do this is within the compass of man’s wit, and therefore I will attempt the doing it.
Exit	Exit
DESDEMONA Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?	DESDEMONA Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?
EMILIA I know not, madam.	EMILIA I know not, madam.
DESDEMONA 15 Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse Full of crusadoes. And but my noble Moor Is true of mind and made of no such baseness As jealous creatures are, it were enough To put him to ill thinking.	DESDEMONA Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse Full of crusadoes. And but my noble Moor Is true of mind and made of no such baseness As jealous creatures are, it were enough To put him to ill thinking.
EMILIA 20 Is he not jealous?	EMILIA Is he not jealous?
DESDEMONA Who, he? I think the sun where he was born Drew all such humors from him.	DESDEMONA Who, he? I think the sun where he was born Drew all such humors from him.
EMILIA Look where he comes.	EMILIA Look where he comes.
Enter OTHELLO	Enter OTHELLO
DESDEMONA I will not leave him now till Cassio Be called to him.—How is ’t with you, my lord?	DESDEMONA I will not leave him now till Cassio Be called to him.—How is ’t with you, my lord?
OTHELLO Well, my good lady.—(aside) Oh, hardness to dissemble!— How do you, Desdemona?	OTHELLO Well, my good lady.—(aside) Oh, hardness to dissemble!— How do you, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA Well, my good lord.	DESDEMONA Well, my good lord.
OTHELLO Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady.	OTHELLO Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady.
DESDEMONA It hath felt no age nor known no sorrow.	DESDEMONA It hath felt no age nor known no sorrow.
OTHELLO 30 This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart. Hot, hot, and moist. This hand of yours requires A sequester from liberty, fasting, and prayer,	OTHELLO This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart. Hot, hot, and moist. This hand of yours requires A sequester from liberty, fasting, and prayer,
Much castigation, exercise devout, For here’s a young and sweating devil here, 35 That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, A frank one.	Much castigation, exercise devout, For here’s a young and sweating devil here, That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, A frank one.
DESDEMONA You may indeed say so, For ’twas that hand that gave away my heart.	DESDEMONA You may indeed say so, For ’twas that hand that gave away my heart.
OTHELLO A liberal hand. The hearts of old gave hands, But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.	OTHELLO A liberal hand. The hearts of old gave hands, But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.
DESDEMONA 40 I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.	DESDEMONA I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.
OTHELLO What promise, chuck?	OTHELLO What promise, chuck?
DESDEMONA I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.	DESDEMONA I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.
OTHELLO I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me. Lend me thy handkerchief.	OTHELLO I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me. Lend me thy handkerchief.
DESDEMONA Here, my lord.	DESDEMONA Here, my lord.
OTHELLO 45 That which I gave you.	OTHELLO That which I gave you.
DESDEMONA I have it not about me.	DESDEMONA I have it not about me.
OTHELLO Not?	OTHELLO Not?
DESDEMONA No, indeed, my lord.	DESDEMONA No, indeed, my lord.
OTHELLO That’s a fault. That handkerchief Did an Egyptian to my mother give, She was a charmer and could almost read	OTHELLO That’s a fault. That handkerchief Did an Egyptian to my mother give, She was a charmer and could almost read
The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept it 50 'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father Entirely to her love, but if she lost it Or made gift of it, my father’s eye Should hold her loathèd and his spirits should hunt After new fancies. She, dying, gave it me 55 And bid me, when my fate would have me wived, To give it her. I did so, and take heed on ’t, Make it a darling like your precious eye. To lose ’t or give ’t away were such perdition As nothing else could match.	The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept it 'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father Entirely to her love, but if she lost it Or made gift of it, my father’s eye Should hold her loathèd and his spirits should hunt After new fancies. She, dying, gave it me And bid me, when my fate would have me wived, To give it her. I did so, and take heed on ’t, Make it a darling like your precious eye. To lose ’t or give ’t away were such perdition As nothing else could match.
DESDEMONA Is ’t possible?	DESDEMONA Is ’t possible?
OTHELLO 60 'Tis true. There’s magic in the web of it. A sibyl, that had numbered in the world The sun to course two hundred compasses, In her prophetic fury sewed the work. The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk, 65 And it was dyed in mummy which the skillful Conserved of maidens' hearts.	OTHELLO 'Tis true. There’s magic in the web of it. A sibyl, that had numbered in the world The sun to course two hundred compasses, In her prophetic fury sewed the work. The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk, And it was dyed in mummy which the skillful Conserved of maidens' hearts.
DESDEMONA Indeed? Is ’t true?	DESDEMONA Indeed? Is ’t true?
OTHELLO Most veritable, therefore look to ’t well.	OTHELLO Most veritable, therefore look to ’t well.
DESDEMONA Then would to Heaven that I had never seen ’t!	DESDEMONA Then would to Heaven that I had never seen ’t!
OTHELLO Ha! Wherefore?	OTHELLO Ha! Wherefore?
DESDEMONA 70 Why do you speak so startingly and rash?	DESDEMONA Why do you speak so startingly and rash?
OTHELLO Is ’t lost? Is ’t gone? Speak, is ’t out o' th' way?	OTHELLO Is ’t lost? Is ’t gone? Speak, is ’t out o' th' way?
DESDEMONA Bless us!	DESDEMONA Bless us!
OTHELLO Say you?	OTHELLO Say you?
DESDEMONA It is not lost, but what and if it were?	DESDEMONA It is not lost, but what and if it were?
OTHELLO 75 How!	OTHELLO How!
DESDEMONA I say, it is not lost.	DESDEMONA I say, it is not lost.
OTHELLO Fetch ’t, let me see ’t.	OTHELLO Fetch ’t, let me see ’t.
DESDEMONA Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now. This is a trick to put me from my suit. Pray you, let Cassio be received again.	DESDEMONA Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now. This is a trick to put me from my suit. Pray you, let Cassio be received again.
OTHELLO 80 Fetch me the handkerchief—my mind misgives.	OTHELLO Fetch me the handkerchief—my mind misgives.
DESDEMONA Come, come, You’ll never meet a more sufficient man.	DESDEMONA Come, come, You’ll never meet a more sufficient man.
OTHELLO The handkerchief!	OTHELLO The handkerchief!
DESDEMONA A man that all his time Hath founded his good fortunes on your love, 85 Shared dangers with you—	DESDEMONA A man that all his time Hath founded his good fortunes on your love, Shared dangers with you—
OTHELLO The handkerchief!	OTHELLO The handkerchief!
DESDEMONA In sooth, you are to blame.	DESDEMONA In sooth, you are to blame.
OTHELLO Away!	OTHELLO Away!
Exit	Exit
EMILIA Is not this man jealous?	EMILIA Is not this man jealous?
DESDEMONA I ne'er saw this before. 90 Sure, there’s some wonder in this handkerchief, I am most unhappy in the loss of it.	DESDEMONA I ne'er saw this before. Sure, there’s some wonder in this handkerchief, I am most unhappy in the loss of it.
EMILIA 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food. To eat us hungerly, and when they are full, 95 They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband!	EMILIA 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food. To eat us hungerly, and when they are full, They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband!
Enter CASSIO and IAGO	Enter CASSIO and IAGO
IAGO There is no other way. 'Tis she must do ’t, And, lo, the happiness! Go and importune her.	IAGO There is no other way. 'Tis she must do ’t, And, lo, the happiness! Go and importune her.
DESDEMONA How now, good Cassio, what’s the news with you?	DESDEMONA How now, good Cassio, what’s the news with you?
CASSIO Madam, my former suit. I do beseech you 100 That by your virtuous means I may again Exist, and be a member of his love Whom I, with all the office of my heart Entirely honor. I would not be delayed. If my offence be of such mortal kind 105 That nor my service past, nor present sorrows, Nor purposed merit in futurity, Can ransom me into his love again, But to know so must be my benefit. So shall I clothe me in a forced content, 110 And shut myself up in some other course, To fortune’s alms.	CASSIO Madam, my former suit. I do beseech you That by your virtuous means I may again Exist, and be a member of his love Whom I, with all the office of my heart Entirely honor. I would not be delayed. If my offence be of such mortal kind That nor my service past, nor present sorrows, Nor purposed merit in futurity, Can ransom me into his love again, But to know so must be my benefit. So shall I clothe me in a forced content, And shut myself up in some other course, To fortune’s alms.
DESDEMONA Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio, My advocation is not now in tune. My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him Were he in favor as in humor altered. 115 So help me every spirit sanctified As I have spoken for you all my best And stood within the blank of his displeasure For my free speech. You must awhile be patient. What I can do I will, and more I will 120 Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.	DESDEMONA Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio, My advocation is not now in tune. My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him Were he in favor as in humor altered. So help me every spirit sanctified As I have spoken for you all my best And stood within the blank of his displeasure For my free speech. You must awhile be patient. What I can do I will, and more I will Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.
IAGO Is my lord angry?	IAGO Is my lord angry?
EMILIA He went hence but now, And certainly in strange unquietness.	EMILIA He went hence but now, And certainly in strange unquietness.
IAGO Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon When it hath blown his ranks into the air 125 And, like the devil, from his very arm Puffed his own brother—and is he angry? Something of moment then, I will go meet him. There’s matter in ’t indeed, if he be angry.	IAGO Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon When it hath blown his ranks into the air And, like the devil, from his very arm Puffed his own brother—and is he angry? Something of moment then, I will go meet him. There’s matter in ’t indeed, if he be angry.
DESDEMONA I prithee, do so.	DESDEMONA I prithee, do so.
Exit IAGO	Exit IAGO
Something, sure, of state, 130 Either from Venice, or some unhatched practice Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, Hath puddled his clear spirit, and in such cases Men’s natures wrangle with inferior things, Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so, 135 For let our finger ache and it endues Our other healthful members even to that sense Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods, Nor of them look for such observances As fit the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia, 140 I was, unhandsome warrior as I am, Arraigning his unkindness with my soul, But now I find I had suborned the witness, And he’s indicted falsely.	Something, sure, of state, Either from Venice, or some unhatched practice Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, Hath puddled his clear spirit, and in such cases Men’s natures wrangle with inferior things, Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so, For let our finger ache and it endues Our other healthful members even to that sense Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods, Nor of them look for such observances As fit the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia, I was, unhandsome warrior as I am, Arraigning his unkindness with my soul, But now I find I had suborned the witness, And he’s indicted falsely.
EMILIA Pray heaven it be State matters, as you think, and no conception 145 Nor no jealous toy concerning you.	EMILIA Pray heaven it be State matters, as you think, and no conception Nor no jealous toy concerning you.
DESDEMONA Alas the day! I never gave him cause.	DESDEMONA Alas the day! I never gave him cause.
EMILIA But jealous souls will not be answered so. They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster 150 Begot upon itself, born on itself.	EMILIA But jealous souls will not be answered so. They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster Begot upon itself, born on itself.
DESDEMONA Heaven keep the monster from Othello’s mind!	DESDEMONA Heaven keep the monster from Othello’s mind!
EMILIA Lady, amen.	EMILIA Lady, amen.
DESDEMONA I will go seek him.—Cassio, walk hereabout. If I do find him fit, I’ll move your suit 155 And seek to effect it to my uttermost.	DESDEMONA I will go seek him.—Cassio, walk hereabout. If I do find him fit, I’ll move your suit And seek to effect it to my uttermost.
CASSIO I humbly thank your ladyship.	CASSIO I humbly thank your ladyship.
Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA	Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA
Enter BIANCA	Enter BIANCA
BIANCA Save you, friend Cassio!	BIANCA Save you, friend Cassio!
CASSIO What make you from home? How is ’t with you, my most fair Bianca? Indeed, sweet love, I was coming to your house.	CASSIO What make you from home? How is ’t with you, my most fair Bianca? Indeed, sweet love, I was coming to your house.
BIANCA 160 And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. What, keep a week away? Seven days and nights? Eight score eight hours? And lovers' absent hours More tedious than the dial eightscore times! Oh weary reckoning!	BIANCA And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. What, keep a week away? Seven days and nights? Eight score eight hours? And lovers' absent hours More tedious than the dial eightscore times! Oh weary reckoning!
CASSIO Pardon me, Bianca, 165 I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed, But I shall, in a more continuate time, Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, (giving her DESDEMONA’s handkerchief) Take me this work out.	CASSIO Pardon me, Bianca, I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed, But I shall, in a more continuate time, Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, (giving her DESDEMONA’s handkerchief) Take me this work out.
BIANCA O Cassio, whence came this? 170 This is some token from a newer friend! To the felt absence now I feel a cause. Is ’t come to this? Well, well.	BIANCA O Cassio, whence came this? This is some token from a newer friend! To the felt absence now I feel a cause. Is ’t come to this? Well, well.
CASSIO Go to, woman, Throw your vile guesses in the devil’s teeth From whence you have them. You are jealous now 175 That this is from some mistress, some remembrance. No, in good troth, Bianca.	CASSIO Go to, woman, Throw your vile guesses in the devil’s teeth From whence you have them. You are jealous now That this is from some mistress, some remembrance. No, in good troth, Bianca.
BIANCA Why, whose is it?	BIANCA Why, whose is it?
CASSIO I know not neither, I found it in my chamber. I like the work well. Ere it be demanded, As like enough it will, I would have it copied. 180 Take it and do ’t, and leave me for this time.	CASSIO I know not neither, I found it in my chamber. I like the work well. Ere it be demanded, As like enough it will, I would have it copied. Take it and do ’t, and leave me for this time.
BIANCA Leave you! Wherefore?	BIANCA Leave you! Wherefore?
CASSIO I do attend here on the general And think it no addition, nor my wish, To have him see me womaned.	CASSIO I do attend here on the general And think it no addition, nor my wish, To have him see me womaned.
BIANCA Why, I pray you?	BIANCA Why, I pray you?
CASSIO 185 Not that I love you not.	CASSIO Not that I love you not.
BIANCA But that you do not love me. I pray you bring me on the way a little And say if I shall see you soon at night.	BIANCA But that you do not love me. I pray you bring me on the way a little And say if I shall see you soon at night.
CASSIO 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, For I attend here. But I’ll see you soon.	CASSIO 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, For I attend here. But I’ll see you soon.
BIANCA 190 'Tis very good. I must be circumstanced.	BIANCA 'Tis very good. I must be circumstanced.
Exeunt	Exeunt