Othello

by: William Shakespeare

Act 3 Scene 3

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Original Text	Modern Text
DESDEMONA 60Why, then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn. On Tuesday noon, or night, or Wednesday morn. I prithee name the time, but let it not Exceed three days. In faith, he’s penitent, And yet his trespass, in our common reason 65(Save that, they say, the wars must make example Out of her best) is not, almost, a fault T' incur a private check. When shall he come? Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul What you would ask me that I should deny 70Or stand so mamm'ring on. What? Michael Cassio That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time, When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, Hath ta'en your part, to have so much to do To bring him in? Trust me, I could do much—	DESDEMONA Well then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morning. Or Tuesday noon or at night, or Wednesday morning. Please just name a time, but don’t wait more than three days. He’s very sorry. His mistake was hardly worth punishing him for in the first place—though in wartime it is sometimes necessary to make examples out of even the best soldiers. So when should he come? Tell me, Othello. I can’t imagine you asking me for something and me telling you no or standing there muttering. Michael Cassio came with you when you were trying to win my love. Sometimes I’d criticize you to him, and he’d defend you. And now I have to make this big fuss about bringing him back? I swear, I could do so much—
OTHELLO 75Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will, I will deny thee nothing.	OTHELLO Please, no more. He can come whenever he wants. I won’t refuse you anything.
DESDEMONA Why, this is not a boon, 'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves, Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm, Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit 80To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed It shall be full of poise and difficult weight And fearful to be granted.	DESDEMONA Don’t act like you’re doing me a favor! This is like if I asked you to wear your gloves when it’s cold outside, or eat nutritious food, or do something that’s good for you. If I ever have to ask you for something that will put your luck to the test, it’ll be something difficult and terrible.
OTHELLO I will deny thee nothing! Whereon I do beseech thee, grant me this, 85To leave me but a little to myself.	OTHELLO I won’t deny you anything! But in return, please, do one thing for me: leave me alone for a little while.
DESDEMONA Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord.	DESDEMONA Would I ever deny you anything? No. Goodbye, my husband.
OTHELLO Farewell, my Desdemona. I’ll come to thee straight.	OTHELLO Goodbye, my Desdemona. I’ll come see you right away.

Read the Summary of Act III, scenes i–iii

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