Othello by William Shakespeare

Act 3 - Scene 3

The garden of the castle.

Desdemona : Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do [p]All my abilities in thy
behalf.

Emilia : Good madam, do: I warrant it grieves my husband, [p]As if the case
were his.

Desdemona : O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio, [p]But I will have
my lord and you again [p]As friendly as you were.

Cassio : Bounteous madam, [p]Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio, [p]He's
never any thing but your true servant.

Desdemona : I know't; I thank you. You do love my lord: [p]You have known him
long; and be you well assured [p]He shall in strangeness stand no
further off [p]Than in a polite distance.

Cassio : Ay, but, lady, [p]That policy may either last so long, [p]Or feed upon
such nice and waterish diet, [p]Or breed itself so out of
circumstance, [p]That, I being absent and my place supplied, [p]My
general will forget my love and service.

Desdemona : Do not doubt that; before Emilia here [p]I give thee warrant of thy
place: assure thee, [p]If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it [p]To
the last article: my lord shall never rest; [p]I'll watch him tame and
talk him out of patience; [p]His bed shall seem a school, his board a
shrift; [p]I'll intermingle every thing he does [p]With Cassio's suit:
therefore be merry, Cassio; [p]For thy solicitor shall rather
die [p]Than give thy cause away.

Emilia : Madam, here comes my lord.

Cassio : Madam, I'll take my leave.

Desdemona : Why, stay, and hear me speak.

Cassio : Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease, [p]Unfit for mine own
purposes.

Desdemona : Well, do your discretion.

Iago : Ha! I like not that.

Othello : What dost thou say?

Iago : Nothing, my lord: or if--I know not what.

Othello : Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

Iago : Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it, [p]That he would steal
away so guilty-like, [p]Seeing you coming.

Othello : I do believe 'twas he.

Desdemona : How now, my lord! [p]I have been talking with a suitor here, [p]A man
that languishes in your displeasure.

Othello : Who is't you mean?

Desdemona : Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord, [p]If I have any grace or
power to move you, [p]His present reconciliation take; [p]For if he be
not one that truly loves you, [p]That errs in ignorance and not in
cunning, [p]I have no judgment in an honest face: [p]I prithee, call
him back.

Othello : Went he hence now?

Desdemona : Ay, sooth; so humbled [p]That he hath left part of his grief with
me, [p]To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

Othello : Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.

Desdemona : But shall't be shortly?

Othello : The sooner, sweet, for you.

Desdemona : Shall't be to-night at supper?

Othello : No, not to-night.

Desdemona : To-morrow dinner, then?

Othello : I shall not dine at home; [p]I meet the captains at the citadel.

Desdemona : Why, then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn; [p]On Tuesday noon, or
night; on Wednesday morn: [p]I prithee, name the time, but let it
not [p]Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent; [p]And yet his
trespass, in our common reason-- [p]Save that, they say, the wars must
make examples [p]Out of their best--is not almost a fault [p]To incur
a private cheque. When shall he come? [p]Tell me, Othello: I wonder in
my soul, [p]What you would ask me, that I should deny, [p]Or stand so
mammering on. What! Michael Cassio, [p]That came a-wooing with you,
and so many a time, [p]When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, [p]Hath
ta'en your part; to have so much to do [p]To bring him in! Trust me, I
could do much,--

Othello : Prithee, no more: let him come when he will; [p]I will deny thee
nothing.

Desdemona : Why, this is not a boon; [p]'Tis as I should entreat you wear your
gloves, [p]Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm, [p]Or sue
to you to do a peculiar profit [p]To your own person: nay, when I have
a suit [p]Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed, [p]It shall be
full of poise and difficult weight [p]And fearful to be granted.

Othello : I will deny thee nothing: [p]Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me
this, [p]To leave me but a little to myself.

Desdemona : Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my lord.

Othello : Farewell, my Desdemona: I'll come to thee straight.

Desdemona : Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you; [p]Whate'er you be, I am
obedient.

Othello : Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, [p]But I do love thee! and
when I love thee not, [p]Chaos is come again.

Iago : My noble lord--

Othello : What dost thou say, Iago?

Iago : Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, [p]Know of your love?

Othello : He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask?

Iago : But for a satisfaction of my thought; [p]No further harm.

Othello : Why of thy thought, Iago?

Iago : I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

Othello : O, yes; and went between us very oft.

Iago : Indeed!

Othello : Indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that? [p]Is he not
honest?

Iago : Honest, my lord!

Othello : Honest! ay, honest.

Iago : My lord, for aught I know.

Othello : What dost thou think?

Iago : Think, my lord!

Othello : Think, my lord! [p]By heaven, he echoes me, [p]As if there were some
monster in his thought [p]Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean
something: [p]I heard thee say even now, thou likedst not
that, [p]When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like? [p]And when I
told thee he was of my counsel [p]In my whole course of wooing, thou
criedst 'Indeed!' [p]And didst contract and purse thy brow
together, [p]As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain [p]Some
horrible conceit: if thou dost love me, [p]Show me thy thought.

Iago : My lord, you know I love you.

Othello : I think thou dost; [p]And, for I know thou'rt full of love and
honesty, [p]And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them
breath, [p]Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more: [p]For
such things in a false disloyal knave [p]Are tricks of custom, but in
a man that's just [p]They are close delations, working from the
heart [p]That passion cannot rule.

Iago : For Michael Cassio, [p]I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.

Othello : I think so too.

Iago : Men should be what they seem; [p]Or those that be not, would they
might seem none!

Othello : Certain, men should be what they seem.

Iago : Why, then, I think Cassio's an honest man.

Othello : Nay, yet there's more in this: [p]I prithee, speak to me as to thy
thinkings, [p]As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of
thoughts [p]The worst of words.

Iago : Good my lord, pardon me: [p]Though I am bound to every act of
duty, [p]I am not bound to that all slaves are free to. [p]Utter my
thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false; [p]As where's that palace
whereinto foul things [p]Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so
pure, [p]But some uncleanly apprehensions [p]Keep leets and law-days
and in session sit [p]With meditations lawful?

Othello : Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, [p]If thou but think'st
him wrong'd and makest his ear [p]A stranger to thy thoughts.

Iago : I do beseech you-- [p]Though I perchance am vicious in my
guess, [p]As, I confess, it is my nature's plague [p]To spy into
abuses, and oft my jealousy [p]Shapes faults that are not--that your
wisdom yet, [p]From one that so imperfectly conceits, [p]Would take no
notice, nor build yourself a trouble [p]Out of his scattering and
unsure observance. [p]It were not for your quiet nor your good, [p]Nor
for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom, [p]To let you know my thoughts.

Othello : What dost thou mean?

Iago : Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, [p]Is the immediate jewel of
their souls: [p]Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something,
nothing; [p]'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to
thousands: [p]But he that filches from me my good name [p]Robs me of
that which not enriches him [p]And makes me poor indeed.

Othello : By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.

Iago : You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; [p]Nor shall not, whilst
'tis in my custody.

Othello : Ha!

Iago : O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; [p]It is the green-eyed monster which
doth mock [p]The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss [p]Who,
certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; [p]But, O, what damned
minutes tells he o'er [p]Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly
loves!

Othello : O misery!

Iago : Poor and content is rich and rich enough, [p]But riches fineless is as
poor as winter [p]To him that ever fears he shall be poor. [p]Good
heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend [p]From jealousy!

Othello : Why, why is this? [p]Think'st thou I'ld make a lie of jealousy, [p]To
follow still the changes of the moon [p]With fresh suspicions? No; to
be once in doubt [p]Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a
goat, [p]When I shall turn the business of my soul [p]To such
exsufflicate and blown surmises, [p]Matching thy inference. 'Tis not
to make me jealous [p]To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves
company, [p]Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well; [p]Where
virtue is, these are more virtuous: [p]Nor from mine own weak merits
will I draw [p]The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt; [p]For she
had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago; [p]I'll see before I doubt; when I
doubt, prove; [p]And on the proof, there is no more but
this,-- [p]Away at once with love or jealousy!

Iago : I am glad of it; for now I shall have reason [p]To show the love and
duty that I bear you [p]With franker spirit: therefore, as I am
bound, [p]Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof. [p]Look to
your wife; observe her well with Cassio; [p]Wear your eye thus, not
jealous nor secure: [p]I would not have your free and noble
nature, [p]Out of self-bounty, be abused; look to't: [p]I know our
country disposition well; [p]In Venice they do let heaven see the
pranks [p]They dare not show their husbands; their best
conscience [p]Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.

Othello : Dost thou say so?

Iago : She did deceive her father, marrying you; [p]And when she seem'd to
shake and fear your looks, [p]She loved them most.

Othello : And so she did.

Iago : Why, go to then; [p]She that, so young, could give out such a
seeming, [p]To seal her father's eyes up close as oak- [p]He thought
'twas witchcraft--but I am much to blame; [p]I humbly do beseech you
of your pardon [p]For too much loving you.

Othello : I am bound to thee for ever.

Iago : I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits.

Othello : Not a jot, not a jot.

Iago : I' faith, I fear it has. [p]I hope you will consider what is
spoke [p]Comes from my love. But I do see you're moved: [p]I am to
pray you not to strain my speech [p]To grosser issues nor to larger
reach [p]Than to suspicion.

Othello : I will not.

Iago : Should you do so, my lord, [p]My speech should fall into such vile
success [p]As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy
friend-- [p]My lord, I see you're moved.

Othello : No, not much moved: [p]I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

Iago : Long live she so! and long live you to think so!

Othello : And yet, how nature erring from itself,--

Iago : Ay, there's the point: as--to be bold with you-- [p]Not to affect many
proposed matches [p]Of her own clime, complexion, and
degree, [p]Whereto we see in all things nature tends-- [p]Foh! one may
smell in such a will most rank, [p]Foul disproportion thoughts
unnatural. [p]But pardon me; I do not in position [p]Distinctly speak
of her; though I may fear [p]Her will, recoiling to her better
judgment, [p]May fall to match you with her country forms [p]And
happily repent.

Othello : Farewell, farewell: [p]If more thou dost perceive, let me know
more; [p]Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago:

Iago : [Going] My lord, I take my leave.

Othello : Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless [p]Sees and knows
more, much more, than he unfolds.

Iago : [Returning] My lord, I would I might entreat [p]your honour [p]To scan
this thing no further; leave it to time: [p]Though it be fit that
Cassio have his place, [p]For sure, he fills it up with great
ability, [p]Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile, [p]You shall by
that perceive him and his means: [p]Note, if your lady strain his
entertainment [p]With any strong or vehement importunity; [p]Much will
be seen in that. In the mean time, [p]Let me be thought too busy in my
fears-- [p]As worthy cause I have to fear I am-- [p]And hold her free,
I do beseech your honour.

Othello : Fear not my government.

Iago : I once more take my leave.

Othello : This fellow's of exceeding honesty, [p]And knows all qualities, with a
learned spirit, [p]Of human dealings. If I do prove her
haggard, [p]Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings, [p]I'ld
whistle her off and let her down the wind, [p]To pray at fortune.
Haply, for I am black [p]And have not those soft parts of
conversation [p]That chamberers have, or for I am declined [p]Into the
vale of years,--yet that's not much-- [p]She's gone. I am abused; and
my relief [p]Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage, [p]That we
can call these delicate creatures ours, [p]And not their appetites! I
had rather be a toad, [p]And live upon the vapour of a
dungeon, [p]Than keep a corner in the thing I love [p]For others'
uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones; [p]Prerogatived are they
less than the base; [p]'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death: [p]Even
then this forked plague is fated to us [p]When we do quicken.
Desdemona comes: [p][Re-enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA] [p]If she be
false, O, then heaven mocks itself! [p]I'll not believe't.

Desdemona : How now, my dear Othello! [p]Your dinner, and the generous
islanders [p]By you invited, do attend your presence.

Othello : I am to blame.

Desdemona : Why do you speak so faintly? [p]Are you not well?

Othello : I have a pain upon my forehead here.

Desdemona : 'Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again: [p]Let me but bind it
hard, within this hour [p]It will be well.

Othello : Your napkin is too little: [p][He puts the handkerchief from him; and
it drops] [p]Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.

Desdemona : I am very sorry that you are not well.

Emilia : I am glad I have found this napkin: [p]This was her first remembrance
from the Moor: [p]My wayward husband hath a hundred times [p]Woo'd me
to steal it; but she so loves the token, [p]For he conjured her she
should ever keep it, [p]That she reserves it evermore about her [p]To
kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out, [p]And give't Iago:
what he will do with it [p]Heaven knows, not I; [p]I nothing but to
please his fantasy.

Iago : How now! what do you here alone?

Emilia : Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.

Iago : A thing for me? it is a common thing--

Emilia : Ha!

Iago : To have a foolish wife.

Emilia : O, is that all? What will you give me now [p]For the same
handkerchief?

Iago : What handkerchief?

Emilia : What handkerchief? [p]Why, that the Moor first gave to
Desdemona; [p]That which so often you did bid me steal.

Iago : Hast stol'n it from her?

Emilia : No, 'faith; she let it drop by negligence. [p]And, to the advantage,
I, being here, took't up. [p]Look, here it is.

Iago : A good wench; give it me.

Emilia : What will you do with 't, that you have been [p]so earnest [p]To have
me filch it?

Iago : [Snatching it] Why, what's that to you?

Emilia : If it be not for some purpose of import, [p]Give't me again: poor
lady, she'll run mad [p]When she shall lack it.

Iago : Be not acknown on 't; I have use for it. [p]Go, leave me. [p][Exit
EMILIA] [p]I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, [p]And let him
find it. Trifles light as air [p]Are to the jealous confirmations
strong [p]As proofs of holy writ: this may do something. [p]The Moor
already changes with my poison: [p]Dangerous conceits are, in their
natures, poisons. [p]Which at the first are scarce found to
distaste, [p]But with a little act upon the blood. [p]Burn like the
mines of Sulphur. I did say so: [p]Look, where he comes! [p][Re-enter
OTHELLO] [p]Not poppy, nor mandragora, [p]Nor all the drowsy syrups of
the world, [p]Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep [p]Which
thou owedst yesterday.

Othello : Ha! ha! false to me?

Iago : Why, how now, general! no more of that.

Othello : Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack: [p]I swear 'tis better
to be much abused [p]Than but to know't a little.

Iago : How now, my lord!

Othello : What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust? [p]I saw't not, thought
it not, it harm'd not me: [p]I slept the next night well, was free and
merry; [p]I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips: [p]He that is
robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n, [p]Let him not know't, and he's
not robb'd at all.

Iago : I am sorry to hear this.

Othello : I had been happy, if the general camp, [p]Pioners and all, had tasted
her sweet body, [p]So I had nothing known. O, now, for
ever [p]Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content! [p]Farewell the
plumed troop, and the big wars, [p]That make ambition virtue! O,
farewell! [p]Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, [p]The
spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, [p]The royal banner, and
all quality, [p]Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war! [p]And,
O you mortal engines, whose rude throats [p]The immortal Jove's dead
clamours counterfeit, [p]Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

Iago : Is't possible, my lord?

Othello : Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore, [p]Be sure of it; give me
the ocular proof: [p]Or by the worth of man's eternal soul, [p]Thou
hadst been better have been born a dog [p]Than answer my waked wrath!

Iago : Is't come to this?

Othello : Make me to see't; or, at the least, so prove it, [p]That the probation
bear no hinge nor loop [p]To hang a doubt on; or woe upon thy life!

Iago : My noble lord,--

Othello : If thou dost slander her and torture me, [p]Never pray more; abandon
all remorse; [p]On horror's head horrors accumulate; [p]Do deeds to
make heaven weep, all earth amazed; [p]For nothing canst thou to
damnation add [p]Greater than that.

Iago : O grace! O heaven forgive me! [p]Are you a man? have you a soul or
sense? [p]God be wi' you; take mine office. O wretched fool. [p]That
livest to make thine honesty a vice! [p]O monstrous world! Take note,
take note, O world, [p]To be direct and honest is not safe. [p]I thank
you for this profit; and from hence [p]I'll love no friend, sith love
breeds such offence.

Othello : Nay, stay: thou shouldst be honest.

Iago : I should be wise, for honesty's a fool [p]And loses that it works
for.

Othello : By the world, [p]I think my wife be honest and think she is not; [p]I
think that thou art just and think thou art not. [p]I'll have some
proof. Her name, that was as fresh [p]As Dian's visage, is now
begrimed and black [p]As mine own face. If there be cords, or
knives, [p]Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams, [p]I'll not endure
it. Would I were satisfied!

Iago : I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion: [p]I do repent me that I
put it to you. [p]You would be satisfied?

Othello : Would! nay, I will.

Iago : And may: but, how? how satisfied, my lord? [p]Would you, the
supervisor, grossly gape on-- [p]Behold her topp'd?

Othello : Death and damnation! O!

Iago : It were a tedious difficulty, I think, [p]To bring them to that
prospect: damn them then, [p]If ever mortal eyes do see them
bolster [p]More than their own! What then? how then? [p]What shall I
say? Where's satisfaction? [p]It is impossible you should see
this, [p]Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys, [p]As salt as
wolves in pride, and fools as gross [p]As ignorance made drunk. But
yet, I say, [p]If imputation and strong circumstances, [p]Which lead
directly to the door of truth, [p]Will give you satisfaction, you may
have't.

Othello : Give me a living reason she's disloyal.

Iago : I do not like the office: [p]But, sith I am enter'd in this cause so
far, [p]Prick'd to't by foolish honesty and love, [p]I will go on. I
lay with Cassio lately; [p]And, being troubled with a raging
tooth, [p]I could not sleep. [p]There are a kind of men so loose of
soul, [p]That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs: [p]One of
this kind is Cassio: [p]In sleep I heard him say 'Sweet
Desdemona, [p]Let us be wary, let us hide our loves;' [p]And then,
sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, [p]Cry 'O sweet creature!' and
then kiss me hard, [p]As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots [p]That
grew upon my lips: then laid his leg [p]Over my thigh, and sigh'd, and
kiss'd; and then [p]Cried 'Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!'

Othello : O monstrous! monstrous!

Iago : Nay, this was but his dream.

Othello : But this denoted a foregone conclusion: [p]'Tis a shrewd doubt, though
it be but a dream.

Iago : And this may help to thicken other proofs [p]That do demonstrate
thinly.

Othello : I'll tear her all to pieces.

Iago : Nay, but be wise: yet we see nothing done; [p]She may be honest yet.
Tell me but this, [p]Have you not sometimes seen a
handkerchief [p]Spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand?

Othello : I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift.

Iago : I know not that; but such a handkerchief-- [p]I am sure it was your
wife's--did I to-day [p]See Cassio wipe his beard with.

Othello : If it be that--

Iago : If it be that, or any that was hers, [p]It speaks against her with the
other proofs.

Othello : O, that the slave had forty thousand lives! [p]One is too poor, too
weak for my revenge. [p]Now do I see 'tis true. Look here,
Iago; [p]All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. [p]'Tis
gone. [p]Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! [p]Yield up, O
love, thy crown and hearted throne [p]To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom,
with thy fraught, [p]For 'tis of aspics' tongues!

Iago : Yet be content.

Othello : O, blood, blood, blood!

Iago : Patience, I say; your mind perhaps may change.

Othello : Never, Iago: Like to the Pontic sea, [p]Whose icy current and
compulsive course [p]Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on [p]To
the Propontic and the Hellespont, [p]Even so my bloody thoughts, with
violent pace, [p]Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble
love, [p]Till that a capable and wide revenge [p]Swallow them up. Now,
by yond marble heaven, [p][Kneels] [p]In the due reverence of a sacred
vow [p]I here engage my words.

Iago : Do not rise yet. [p][Kneels] [p]Witness, you ever-burning lights
above, [p]You elements that clip us round about, [p]Witness that here
Iago doth give up [p]The execution of his wit, hands, heart, [p]To
wrong'd Othello's service! Let him command, [p]And to obey shall be in
me remorse, [p]What bloody business ever.

Othello : I greet thy love, [p]Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance
bounteous, [p]And will upon the instant put thee to't: [p]Within these
three days let me hear thee say [p]That Cassio's not alive.

Iago : My friend is dead; 'tis done at your request: [p]But let her live.

Othello : Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her! [p]Come, go with me apart; I will
withdraw, [p]To furnish me with some swift means of death [p]For the
fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.

Iago : I am your own for ever.

Previous: Act 3 - Scene 2

Next: Act 3 - Scene 4

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