Act 3
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Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom
To let you know my thoughts.
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it wouldn’t be wise, honest, or responsible for me to
tell them.
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OTHELLO What dost thou
mean?
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OTHELLO What are you talking about?
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IAGO
160Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis something,
nothing:
'Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to
thousands.
But he that filches from me my good name
165Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.
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IAGO A good reputation is the most valuable thing we
have—men and women alike. If you steal my money,
you’re just stealing trash. It’s something,
it’s nothing: it’s yours, it’s
mine, and it’ll belong to thousands more. But if you
steal my reputation, you’re robbing me of something that
doesn’t make you richer, but makes me much poorer.
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OTHELLO I’ll
know thy thoughts.
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OTHELLO I’m going to find out what you’re
thinking.
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IAGO You cannot, if my heart were in your hand,
Nor shall not, whilst ’tis in my custody.
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IAGO You can’t find that out, even if you held my heart in
your hand you couldn’t make me tell you. And as long my
heart’s inside my body, you never will.
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OTHELLO Ha!
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OTHELLO What?
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IAGO
170Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger,
But, oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er
175Who dotes, yet doubts— suspects, yet soundly
loves!
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IAGO Beware of jealousy, my lord! It’s a green-eyed monster
that makes fun of the victims it devours. The man who knows his wife
is cheating on him is happy, because at least he isn’t
friends with the man she’s sleeping with. But think of
the unhappiness of a man who worships his wife, yet doubts her
faithfulness. He suspects her, but still loves her.
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OTHELLO Oh, misery!
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OTHELLO Oh, what misery!
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IAGO Poor and content is rich, and rich enough,
But riches fineless is as poor as winter
To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
180Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!
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IAGO The person who’s poor and contented is rich enough. But
infinite riches are nothing to someone who’s always
afraid he’ll be poor. God, help us not be jealous!
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More Help
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Character List
CHARACTERS -
Othello: Character Analysis
CHARACTERS -
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS -
Does Iago Hate Women?
MAIN IDEAS -
Quotes by Theme
QUOTES -
Themes
MAIN IDEAS -
Review Quiz
FURTHER STUDY
