-- Philip Weller, November 13, 1941 - February 1, 2021
Dr. Weller, an Eastern Washington University professor of English and Shakespearean scholar for more than 50 years.
Othello: Act 2, Scene 3
Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA,
CASSIO, and ATTENDANTS.
OTHELLO
1 Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight:
2 Let's teach ourselves that honorable stop,
2. stop: restraint.
3 Not to outsport discretion.
3. outsport: carry our sports beyond.
Tom Hiddleston as Cassio
Globe on Screen, 2007
CASSIO
4 Iago hath direction what to do;
5 But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye
6 Will I look to't.
OTHELLO
Iago is most honest.
7 Michael, good night: tomorrow with your earliest
8 Let me have speech with you.
To Desdemona.
Come, my dear love,
9 The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
10 That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.
11 Good night.
Exit [with Desdemona and Attendants].
Enter IAGO.
CASSIO
12 Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.
IAGO
13 Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the
13. Not this hour: Not for an hour yet.
14 clock. Our general cast us thus early for the
14. cast: dismissed.
15 love of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore
16 blame: he hath not yet made wanton the night
17 with her; and she is sport for Jove.
CASSIO
18 She's a most exquisite lady.
IAGO
19 And, I'll warrant her, full of game.
19. full of game: very flirtatious.
CASSIO
20 Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate
21 creature.
IAGO
22 What an eye she has! methinks it sounds
23 a parley to provocation.
22-23. sounds a parley: issues an invitation with a parley—a trumpet signal which calls for a conference. provocation: the action of arousing sexual desire or interest.
CASSIO
24 An inviting eye; and yet methinks right
25 modest.
IAGO
26 And when she speaks, is it not an alarum
26. alarum: trumpet signaling men to arms.
27 to love?
CASSIO
28 She is indeed perfection.
IAGO
29 Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I
30 have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace
30. stoup: measure of liquor (two quarts). here without: just outside the door.
31 of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to
32 the health of black Othello.
CASSIO
33 Not tonight, good Iago: I have very poor and
34 unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish
35 courtesy would invent some other custom of
36 entertainment.
IAGO
37 O, they are our friends — but one cup, I'll drink
38 for you.
CASSIO
39 I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was
40 craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innovation
40. craftily qualified: cannily diluted. innovation: disturbance, insurrection.
41 it makes here. I am unfortunate in the infirmity,
41. here: i.e., in Cassio's head.
42 and dare not task my weakness with any more.
IAGO
43 What, man! 'tis a night of revels: the gallants
44 desire it.
CASSIO
45 Where are they?
IAGO
46 Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.
CASSIO
47 I'll do't; but it dislikes me.
47. it dislikes me: i.e., I don't like to do it.
Exit.
IAGO
48 If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
49 With that which he hath drunk tonight already,
50 He'll be as full of quarrel and offence
51 As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo,
51. my young mistress' dog: a young lady's pet dog (likely to be spoiled).
52 Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,
53 To Desdemona hath tonight carous'd
53. carous'd: drunk off.
54 Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:
54. pottle-deep: to the bottom of the tankard.
55 Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,
55. swelling: proud.
56 That hold their honors in a wary distance,
56. hold their honors in a wary distance: i.e., are very touchy about their honor
57 The very elements of this warlike isle,
57. very elements: true representatives, typical products.
58 Have I tonight fluster'd with flowing cups,
59 And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards,
59. watch: are members of the guard.
60 Am I to put our Cassio in some action
61 That may offend the isle.—But here they come:
Enter CASSIO, MONTANO, and GENTLEMEN;
[servants following with wine].
62 If consequence do but approve my dream,
62. If . . . dream: if subsequent events will only turn out like I dream they will.
63 My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.
63. stream: current.
CASSIO
64 'Fore God, they have given me a rouse
64. rouse: full draft of liquor.
65 already.
Mark Rylance as Iago
Shakespeare's Globe, 2018
MONTANO
66 Good faith, a little one; not past a pint,
67 as I am a soldier.
IAGO
68 Some wine, ho!
[Sings.]
69 "And let me the canakin clink, clink;
70. canakin: small drinking vessel.
70 And let me the canakin clink
71 A soldier's a man;
72 A life's but a span;
72. span: limited amount of time.
73 Why, then, let a soldier drink."
69-73. And let me . . . let a soldier drink: This is probably a traditional drinking song.
74 Some wine, boys!
CASSIO
75 'Fore God, an excellent song.
Illustrator: Sir John Gilbert
IAGO
76 I learned it in England, where, indeed, they are
77 most potent in potting: your Dane, your German,
78 and your swag-bellied Hollander—Drink, ho!—
79 are nothing to your English.
CASSIO
80 Is your Englishman so exquisite in his
81 drinking?
IAGO
82 Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead
83 drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he
83. Almain: German.
84 gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle
84. pottle: half-gallon tankard.
85 can be filled.
CASSIO
86 To the health of our general!
MONTANO
87 I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.
87. do you justice: i.e., match you in drinking that toast.
IAGO
88 O sweet England!
[Sings.]
89 "King Stephen was a worthy peer,
90 His breeches cost him but a crown;
91 He held them sixpence all too dear,
92 With that he call'd the tailor lown.
92. lown: lout, rascal.
93 He was a wight of high renown,
94 And thou art but of low degree:
95 'Tis pride that pulls the country down;
95. pride: ostentation, extravagance in dress.
96 Then take thine auld cloak about thee."
96. auld: old.
89-96. King Stephen . . . about thee: This is probably a passage from an old popular ballad.
97 Some wine, ho!
CASSIO
98 'Fore God, this is a more exquisite song than the
99 other.
IAGO
100 Will you hear't again?
CASSIO
101 No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does
102 those things. Well, God's above all; and there be
103 souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.
IAGO
104 It's true, good lieutenant.
CASSIO
105 For mine own part,—no offense to the general,
106 nor any man of quality,—I hope to be saved.
IAGO
107 And so do I too, lieutenant.
CASSIO
108 Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the
109 lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's
110 have no more of this; let's to our affairs.—Forgive
111 us our sins!—Gentlemen, let's look to our business.
112 Do not think, gentlemen. I am drunk: this is my
113 ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left:
114 I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and
115 speak well enough.
All
116 Excellent well.
CASSIO
117 Why, very well then; you must not think then
118 that I am drunk.
Exit.
MONTANO
119 To the platform, masters; come, let's set the
120 watch.
IAGO
121 You see this fellow that is gone before;
122 He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
123 And give direction: and do but see his vice;
124 'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
124. just equinox: exact counterpart.
125 The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.
126 I fear the trust Othello puts him in,
127 On some odd time of his infirmity,
128 Will shake this island.
126-128. I fear . . . island: i.e., I'm afraid that Othell's trust in him to undertake important responsibilities may sometime, when Cassio is drunk, do great damage here in Cyprus.
MONTANO
But is he often thus?
IAGO
129 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:
130 He'll watch the horologe a double set,
130. watch the horologe a double set: stay awake twice around the clock.
131 If drink rock not his cradle.
MONTANO
It were well
132 The general were put in mind of it.
133 Perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature
134 Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,
135 And looks not on his evils: is not this true?
Enter RODERIGO.
IAGO [Aside to him.]
136 How now, Roderigo!
137 I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.
[Exit Roderigo.]
MONTANO
138 And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor
139 Should hazard such a place as his own second
139. hazard . . . second: take risks with a position as important as that of his own deputy.
140 With one of an ingraft infirmity:
140. ingraft: ingrained, inveterate.
141 It were an honest action to say
142 So to the Moor.
IAGO
Not I, for this fair island:
143 I do love Cassio well; and would do much
144 To cure him of this evil—But, hark! what noise?
[Cry within: "Help! help!"]
Enter CASSIO pursuing RODERIGO.
CASSIO
145 Zounds! You rogue! you rascal!
MONTANO
146 What's the matter, lieutenant?
CASSIO
147 A knave teach me my duty!
148 I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.
148. twiggen: wicker-covered.
RODERIGO
149 Beat me!
CASSIO
150 Dost thou prate, rogue?
[Striking Roderigo.]
MONTANO
151 Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir, hold
152 your hand.
[Holding him back.]
CASSIO
153 Let me go, sir, or I'll knock you o'er the
154 mazzard.
154. mazzard: head (literally: cherry).
MONTANO
155 Come, come — you're drunk.
CASSIO
156 Drunk!
[They fight.]
IAGO [Aside to Roderigo.]
157 Away, I say; go out, and cry a mutiny.
157. cry a mutiny: yell that there's a riot going on.
[Exit Roderigo.]
158 Nay, good lieutenant,—alas, gentlemen;—
159 Help, ho!—Lieutenant,—sir,—Montano,—sir;
160 Help, masters!—Here's a goodly watch indeed!
160. Here's a goodly watch indeed!: This is bitterly ironic; the members of the watch are supposed to keep the peace.
[Bell rings.]
161 Who's that which rings the bell?—Diablo, ho!
161. Diablo: the devil
162 The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold!
162. rise: grow riotous.
163 You will be shamed for ever.
Enter OTHELLO and [Attendants].
OTHELLO
164 What is the matter here?
MONTANO
'Zounds, I bleed still;
165 I am hurt to the death. He dies!
[Thrusts at Cassio.]
OTHELLO
Hold, for your lives!
IAGO
166 Hold, ho! Lieutenant,—sir—Montano,—gentlemen,—
167 Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?
168 Hold! the general speaks to you; hold, hold, for shame!
OTHELLO
169 Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this?
170 Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that
170. turn'd Turks: i.e., betraying ourselves.
171 Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?
171. Which . . . . Ottomites: Heaven has forbidden the Ottomites (Turks) from harming the Venetians on Cyrprus by sending a storm that wrecked the Turkish fleet.
172 For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:
173 He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
173. carve for his own rage: indulge his own impulse.
174 Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.
174. light: of small value.
175 Silence that dreadful bell: it frights the isle
176 From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?
176. propriety: proper condition (of calmness and order).
177 Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving,
178 Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.
IAGO
179 I do not know: friends all but now, even now,
180 In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom
180. In quarter: in good military order, within bounds.
181 Devesting them for bed; and then, but now—
181. Devesting them: undressing themselves.
182 As if some planet had unwitted men—
183 Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,
184 In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
185 Any beginning to this peevish odds;
185. peevish odds: childish quarrel.
186 And would in action glorious I had lost
187 Those legs that brought me to a part of it!
OTHELLO
188 How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
188. are thus forgot: have forgotten yourself in this way.
CASSIO
189 I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.
OTHELLO
190 Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;
191 The gravity and stillness of your youth
192 The world hath noted, and your name is great
193 In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter,
193. censure: judgment.
194 That you unlace your reputation thus
194. unlace: undo, degrade, lay open.
195 And spend your rich opinion for the name
195. opinion: reputation.
196 Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.
MONTANO
197 Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.
198 Your officer, Iago, can inform you,—
199 While I spare speech, which something now offends me,—
199. something: somewhat. offends: pains.
200 Of all that I do know: nor know I aught
201 By me that's said or done amiss this night;
202 Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,
203 And to defend ourselves it be a sin
204 When violence assails us.
OTHELLO
Now, by heaven,
205 My blood begins my safer guides to rule;
205. blood: passion [of anger]. safer guides: i.e., rational controls.
206 And passion, having my best judgment collied,
206. collied: darkened.
207 Assays to lead the way. 'Zounds, if I stir,
207. Assays: Undertakes.
208 Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
209 Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
210 How this foul rout began, who set it on;
210. rout: riot.
211 And he that is approv'd in this offence,
211. approv'd in this offense: found guilty.
212 Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,
213 Shall lose me. What! in a town of war,
214 Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
215 To manage private and domestic quarrel?
215. manage: undertake, carry on.
216 In night, and on the court and guard of safety?
216. on the court and guard of safety: i.e., at the very headquarters on which the security of the town depends.
217 'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?
MONTANO
218 If partially affined, or leagued in office,
218. partially affined: biased (in Cassio's favor) because of your connection with him.
219 Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
220 Thou art no soldier.
IAGO
Touch me not so near:
221 I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
222 Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
223 Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth
224 Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general:
225 Montano and myself being in speech,
226 There comes a fellow crying out for help:
227 And Cassio following him with determined sword,
228 To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
228. execute: give effect to [his anger]. this gentleman: Montano.
229 Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause:
230 Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
231 Lest by his clamour—as it so fell out—
232 The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,
233 Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather
233. rather: sooner.
234 For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
234. For that: because.
235 And Cassio high in oath; which till tonight
236 I ne'er might say before. When I came back—
237 For this was brief—I found them close together,
238 At blow and thrust; even as again they were
239 When you yourself did part them.
240 More of this matter cannot I report:
241 But men are men; the best sometimes forget:
242 Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
243 As men in rage strike those that wish them best,
244 Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received
245 From him that fled some strange indignity,
246 Which patience could not pass.
246. pass: pass over, overlook.
OTHELLO
I know, Iago,
247 Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
247. mince: cut fine, i.e., try to make light of.
248 Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee
"But never more be officer of mine"
249 But never more be officer of mine.
Enter DESDEMONA, attended.
250 Look, if my gentle love be not raised up!
251 I'll make thee an example.
DESDEMONA
252 What is the matter, dear?
OTHELLO
All's well now, sweeting;
253 Come away to bed. [To Montano.] Sir, for your hurts,
254 Myself will be your surgeon — Lead him off.
254. Myself will be your surgeon: i.e., I will personally make sure that you get the best care.
[Some lead Montano off.]
255 Iago, look with care about the town,
256 And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.
257 Come, Desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life
258 To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.
Exit [all but Iago and Cassio].
"What, are you hurt, lieutenant?"
IAGO
259 What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
CASSIO
260 Ay, past all surgery.
IAGO
261 Marry, heaven forbid!
CASSIO
262 Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost
263 my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of
264 myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation,
265 Iago, my reputation!
IAGO
266 As I am an honest man, I thought you had received
267 some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than
267. sense: physical sensation. Iago's point is that a wound causes genuine pain.
268 in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false
269 imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without
269. imposition: i.e., something laid on from outside; what others say of a person, and not the genuine person.
270 deserving. You have lost no reputation at all,
271 unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man,
272 there are ways to recover the general again. You
272. recover: regain the favor of.
273 are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in
273. cast: dismissed. mood: anger.
274 policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his
275 offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion. Sue
273-275. in policy: i.e., calculated for its effect on others. malice: ill will.
276 to him again, and he's yours.
275-276. Sue to him: make an earnest plea to him.
CASSIO
277 I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so
278 good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so
278. slight: worthless.
279 indiscreet an officer. Drunk? and speak parrot?
279. speak parrot: talk nonsense, rant.
280 and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse
281 fustian with one's own shadow? O thou invisible
281. fustian: gibberish.
282 spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by,
283 let us call thee devil!
IAGO
284 What was he that you followed with your sword?
285 What had he done to you?
CASSIO
286 I know not.
IAGO
287 Is't possible?
CASSIO
288 I remember a mass of things, but nothing
289 distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God,
290 that men should put an enemy in their mouths to
291 steal away their brains! that we should, with joy,
292 pleasance, revel and applause, transform ourselves
293 into beasts!
IAGO
294 Why, but you are now well enough: how came you
295 thus recovered?
CASSIO
296 It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place
297 to the devil wrath; one unperfectness shows me
298 another, to make me frankly despise myself.
IAGO
299 Come, you are too severe a moraler: as the time,
300 the place, and the condition of this country
301 stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen;
302 but, since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.
CASSIO
303 I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me
304 I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra,
304. Hydra: many-headed snake killed by Hercules as one of his twelve labors.
305 such an answer would stop them all. To be now a
306 sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a
307 beast! O strange! Every inordinate cup is
308 unblessed and the ingredient is a devil.
IAGO
309 Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature,
309. familiar: domestic, serviceable.
310 if it be well used: exclaim no more against it.
311 And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.
CASSIO
312 I have well approv'd it, sir. I drunk!
312. approv'd: tested and found true.
IAGO
313 You, or any man living, may be drunk at a time, man.
313. at a time: at some time, on some occasion.
314 I'll tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife
315 is now the general — I may say so in this respect, for
316 that he hath devoted and given up himself to the
317 contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and
317. mark: observing. denotement: noting. parts: good qualities.
318 graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune
319 her help to put you in your place again. She is of
320 so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition,
320. free: generous. apt: willing.
321 she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more
322 than she is requested: this broken joint between
323 you and her husband entreat her to splinter; and, my
323. splinter: bind up with splints.
324 fortunes against any lay worth naming, this
324. lay: stake, wager.
325 crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.
CASSIO
326 You advise me well.
IAGO
327 I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest
328 kindness.
327-328. I protest . . . : i.e., I avow that all my advice is given in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.
CASSIO
329 I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I
330 will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake
331 for me: I am desperate of my fortunes if they check
332 me here.
331-332. I am . . . here: i.e., I am in a desperate situation in my life if my bad luck stops me where I am now, fired and disgraced.
IAGO
333 You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I
334 must to the watch.
CASSIO
335 Good night, honest Iago.
Exit Cassio.
IAGO
336 And what's he then that says I play the villain?
337 When this advice is free I give and honest,
338 Probal to thinking and indeed the course
338. Probal to thinking: Something that thought would show to be true.
339 To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy
340 The inclining Desdemona to subdue
340. inclining: favorably disposed. subdue: persuade.
341 In any honest suit: she's framed as fruitful
341. fruitful: generous.
342 As the free elements. And then for her
342. free elements: i.e., earth, air, fire, and water, which sustain life.
343 To win the Moor—were't to renounce his baptism,
344 All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,
345 His soul is so enfetter'd to her love,
346 That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
347 Even as her appetite shall play the god
348 With his weak function. How am I then a villain
348. function: mental faculties.
349 To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
349. parallel: i.e., conforming with these facts and corresponding to his best interests.
350 Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
351 When devils will the blackest sins put on,
351. put on: further, instigate.
352 They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
352. suggest: tempt.
353 As I do now: for whiles this honest fool
354 Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes
355 And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
356 I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,
357 That she repeals him for her body's lust;
357. repeals: recalls, i.e., seeks to reinstate him as Othello's lieutenant.
358 And by how much she strives to do him good,
359 She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
360 So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
361 And out of her own goodness make the net
362 That shall enmesh them all.
Enter RODERIGO.
How now, Roderigo!
RODERIGO
363 I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that
364 hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is
364. cry: pack.
365 almost spent; I have been tonight exceedingly well
366 cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall
367 have so much experience for my pains, and so, with
368 no money at all and a little more wit, return again to
369 Venice.
IAGO
370 How poor are they that have not patience!
371 What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
372 Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;
373 And wit depends on dilatory time.
374 Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee.
375 And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd Cassio:
375. cashier'd: dismissed from service.
376 Though other things grow fair against the sun,
376. against the sun: facing the sun.
377 Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe:
378 Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning;
379 Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
380 Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:
381 Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter:
382 Nay, get thee gone.
(Exit Roderigo.)
Two things are to be done:
383 My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress —
383. move for: plead for.
384 I'll set her on —
385 Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,
386 And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
386. jump: at the precise moment.
387 Soliciting his wife. Ay, that's the way
388 Dull not device by coldness and delay.
388. device: plotting.
Exit.