Act 5
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.
|
More Help
-
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
