Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
IAGO Men should be what
they seem,
Or those that be not, would they might seem none!
|
IAGO People should be what they appear to be. If they’re not
honest, they shouldn’t look like they are!
|
|
OTHELLO Certain, men should be what they seem.
|
OTHELLO Absolutely, people should be what they appear to be.
|
|
IAGO Why then I think Cassio’s an honest man.
|
IAGO In that case, I think Cassio’s an honest man.
|
|
OTHELLO
135Nay, yet there’s more in this.
I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings,
As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts
The worst of words.
|
OTHELLO No, I think there’s more to this than you’re
letting on. Please tell me what you’re
thinking—even your worst suspicions.
|
|
IAGO Good my lord,
pardon me,
Though I am bound to every act of duty
140I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.
Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false,
As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? Who has that breast so pure
Wherein uncleanly apprehensions
145Keep leets and law-days and in sessions sit
With meditations lawful?
|
IAGO Please don’t make me do that, sir. I have to obey all
your orders, but surely I’m not obligated to reveal my
deepest thoughts—even slaves aren’t expected
to do that. You want me to say what I’m thinking? What if
my thoughts are disgusting and wrong? Even good people think
horrible things sometimes. Who is so pure that they never think a
bad thought?
|
|
OTHELLO Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st
his ear
A stranger to thy thoughts.
|
OTHELLO You’re not being a good friend, Iago, if you even
think your friend has been
wronged and you don’t tell him about it.
|
|
IAGO I do beseech you,
150Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,
As, I confess, it is my nature’s plague
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not, that your wisdom,
From one that so imperfectly conceits,
155Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
It were not for your quiet nor your good,
|
IAGO Please don’t ask me to tell you. I might be completely
wrong. I have a bad tendency to be suspicious of people and to look
too closely into what they’re doing. Often I imagine
crimes that aren’t really there. You would be wise to
ignore my weak guesses and imaginary suspicions, and
don’t worry yourself about the meaningless things
I’ve noticed. For me to tell you my thoughts would only
destroy your peace of mind, and
|
