Othello

by: William Shakespeare

Act 1 Scene 2

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and attendants with torches	OTHELLO and IAGO enter, followed by attendants with torches.
IAGO Though in the trade of war I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff o' th' conscience To do no contrived murder. I lack iniquity Sometimes to do me service. Nine or ten times 5I had thought t' have yerked him here under the ribs.	IAGO I’ve killed many men in battle, but I still believe it’s deeply wrong to murder someone. Sometimes I worry I’m not cruel enough for this job. Nine or ten times I wanted to stab him under the ribs.
OTHELLO 'Tis better as it is.	OTHELLO It’s better that you didn’t kill him.
IAGO Nay, but he prated And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms Against your honor That, with the little godliness I have, 10I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir, Are you fast married? Be assured of this: That the Magnifico is much beloved And hath in his effect a voice potential As double as the Duke’s. He will divorce you, 15Or put upon you what restraint and grievance The law (with all his might to enforce it on) Will give him cable.	IAGO But he kept chattering so foolishly, talking about you in such insulting and despicable terms, that it was hard for me to restrain myself. But please tell me, sir, is your marriage secure Iago may be asking whether Othello has consummated his marriage by sleeping with Desdemona yet. A marriage could be annulled if it had never been consummated. secure? Brabantio is an important man in this city, almost as powerful as the duke himself. He’ll try to annul your marriage, or else inflict whatever punishment the law and his power will allow him to.
OTHELLO Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know— 20Which, when I know that boasting is an honor, I shall promulgate. I fetch my life and being From men of royal siege, and my demerits May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune As this that I have reached. For know, Iago, 25But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhousèd free condition Put into circumscription and confine For the sea’s worth. But look, what lights come yond?	OTHELLO Let him do his worst. The services I have done for the Venetian government will count for more than his complaints will. No one knows this yet—and I don’t like to brag, but I come from a royal family, and I’m as noble as the woman I’ve married. And let me tell you, Iago, if I didn’t love Desdemona as much as I do, I’d never agree to get married and lose my freedom at all. But look at those lights. Who’s coming?

Read the Summary of Act I, scenes i–ii

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