Othello

by: William Shakespeare

Act 5 Scene 2

1 2 3 4 5 ... 19

Original Text	Modern Text
DESDEMONA They are loves I bear to you.	DESDEMONA My only sin was loving you too much.
OTHELLO 45Ay, and for that thou diest.	OTHELLO Yes, that’s why you have to die.
DESDEMONA That death’s unnatural that kills for loving. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. These are portents, but yet I hope, I hope 50They do not point on me.	DESDEMONA You’re wrong to kill me for loving you. Why are you chewing on your lower lip like that? You’re shaking with emotion. These are bad omens, but I hope, I hope, they don’t predict my future.
OTHELLO Peace, and be still.	OTHELLO Quiet. Stay still.
DESDEMONA I will so. What’s the matter?	DESDEMONA I will. What’s this all about?
OTHELLO That handkerchief Which I so loved and gave thee, thou gav’st To Cassio.	OTHELLO You gave that handkerchief, the one I loved and gave to you, to Cassio.
DESDEMONA 55No, by my life and soul! Send for the man and ask him.	DESDEMONA No, I swear by my life and soul! Bring him here and ask him.
OTHELLO Sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury. Thou art on thy deathbed.	OTHELLO My sweet darling, don’t lie. You’re on your deathbed.
DESDEMONA Ay—but not yet to die!	DESDEMONA I am? But I’m not dying yet!
OTHELLO 60Presently. Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin, For to deny each article with oath Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.	OTHELLO Yes, right now. So confess your sin freely now. Even if you swear you’re innocent of every accusation, you won’t change my mind or remove the thought that’s tormenting me. You’re going to die.
DESDEMONA 65Oh, heaven have mercy on me!	DESDEMONA Then heaven have mercy on me!
OTHELLO I say “amen.”	OTHELLO Amen to that.

Read the Summary of Act V, scenes i–ii

1 2 3 4 5 ... 19