Othello, Act 4, Scene 1

Iago

Will you think so?

Will you think that?

Othello

Think so, Iago?

Think that, Iago?

Iago

What,To kiss in private?

What, that they kiss in private?

Othello

An unauthoriz’d kiss.

A kiss they have no right to share.

Iago

Or to be naked with her friend in bedAn hour or more, not meaning any harm?

Or that she lies naked in bed with her friend for an hour or more, without intending any harm?

Othello

Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm?It is hypocrisy against the devil:They that mean virtuously and yet do so,The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.

Naked in bed, Iago, without intending harm? That is trying to fool the devil himself. When people intend to remain virtuous but do that anyway, the devil tempts their virtue, and they put heaven to the test.

Iago

So they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip.But if I give my wife a handkerchief—

As long as they do nothing, it is a minor sin. But if I give my wife a handkerchief—

Othello

What then?

What then?

Iago

Why then, ’tis hers, my lord, and being hers,She may, I think, bestow’t on any man.

Well, then it is hers, my lord, and since it is hers, I think she can give it to any man.

Othello

She is protectress of her honour too.May she give that?

She is also the guardian of her honor. Can she give that away?

Iago

Her honour is an essence that’s not seen;They have it very oft that have it not:But for the handkerchief—

Her honor is something you cannot see. People often have a reputation for it when they have none. But as for the handkerchief—

Othello

By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.Thou said’st (O, it comes o’er my memory,As doth the raven o’er the infected house,Boding to all) he had my handkerchief.

By heaven, I would gladly have forgotten it. You said he had my handkerchief. Oh, it passes over my memory like a raven flying over a plague-stricken house, warning everyone of disaster.

Iago

Ay, what of that?

Yes, what of it?

Othello

That’s not so good now.

That is not so good, now.

Iago

WhatIf I had said I had seen him do you wrong?Or heard him say (as knaves be such abroad,Who having, by their own importunate suit,Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,Convinced or supplied them, cannot chooseBut they must blab.)

What if I had said I had seen him betray you? Or heard him say so (there are scoundrels around who, after winning a woman over by their constant pleading, or satisfying her willing passion, simply cannot help boasting about it).

Othello

Hath he said anything?

Has he said anything?

Iago

He hath, my lord, but be you well assur’d,No more than he’ll unswear.

He has, my lord, but you can be quite sure he'll swear he never said it.

Othello

What hath he said?

What has he said?

Iago

Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.

Well, that he did—I don't know what he did.

Othello

What? What?

What? What?

Iago

Lie.

Lay down.

Othello

With her?

With her?

Iago

With her, on her, what you will.

With her, on top of her, whatever you like.

Othello

Lie with her! lie on her!—We say lie on her when they belie her.—Lie with her! that’s fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To confess, and be hanged for his labour. First, to be hanged, and then to confess. I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not words that shake me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is’t possible?—Confess?—handkerchief?—O devil!—

Sleep with her! Lie on her!—We say people lie about her when they falsely accuse her.—Sleep with her! That's disgusting. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! Confess and get hanged for his trouble. First get hanged, and then confess. I tremble at the thought. My body wouldn't fall into such a fit of dark foreboding without some warning. It isn't just words that shake me like this. Bah! Noses, ears, and lips. Is it possible?—Confess?—Handkerchief?—Oh, devil!—

Iago

Work on,My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught,And many worthy and chaste dames even thus,All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! my lord!My lord, I say! Othello!

Keep working, my medicine, keep working! This is how trusting fools get caught, and how many good, faithful women are disgraced, though they're completely innocent. Hey! My lord! My lord, I say! Othello!

Cassio

What’s the matter?

What's the matter?

Iago

My lord is fallen into an epilepsy.This is his second fit. He had one yesterday.

My lord has had an epileptic seizure. This is his second fit. He had one yesterday.

Cassio

Rub him about the temples.

Rub his temples.

Iago

No, forbear;The lethargy must have his quiet course.If not, he foams at mouth, and by and byBreaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs:Do you withdraw yourself a little while,He will recover straight. When he is gone,I would on great occasion speak with you.

No, leave him alone. This unconscious spell must run its course undisturbed. Otherwise, he foams at the mouth and soon breaks out in violent madness. Look, he's moving. Step away for a little while. He'll recover right away. When he's gone, I need to speak with you about something important.

Othello

Dost thou mock me?

Are you mocking me?

Iago

I mock you? No, by heaven.Would you would bear your fortune like a man!

Me, mock you? No, I swear to heaven. I wish you would face your misfortune like a man!

Othello

A horned man’s a monster and a beast.

A man wearing the horns of a cheated husband is a monster and a beast.

Iago

There’s many a beast, then, in a populous city,And many a civil monster.

Then a crowded city has plenty of beasts, and plenty of civilized monsters.

Othello

Did he confess it?

Did he confess it?

Iago

Good sir, be a man.Think every bearded fellow that’s but yok’dMay draw with you. There’s millions now aliveThat nightly lie in those unproper bedsWhich they dare swear peculiar: your case is better.O, ’tis the spite of hell, the fiend’s arch-mock,To lip a wanton in a secure couch,And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know,And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.

My good sir, be a man. Think of every married man as an ox who may be pulling the same load as you. Millions of men alive today sleep every night in beds they share with others, though they'd swear those beds were theirs alone. You're better off than they are. Oh, it's hell's cruelest trick, the devil's greatest joke, to kiss an unfaithful woman in a bed you think is safe, and believe she's faithful! No, let me know the truth. Once I know what she's made me, I'll know what to make of her.

Othello

O, thou art wise, ’tis certain.

Oh, you're wise, that's certain.

Iago

Stand you awhile apart,Confine yourself but in a patient list.Whilst you were here o’erwhelmed with your grief,(A passion most unsuiting such a man)Cassio came hither. I shifted him away,And laid good ’scuse upon your ecstasy,Bade him anon return, and here speak with me,The which he promis’d. Do but encave yourself,And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns,That dwell in every region of his face;For I will make him tell the tale anew,Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and whenHe hath, and is again to cope your wife:I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience,Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen,And nothing of a man.

Stand off to one side for a while, and keep yourself within the limits of patience. While you were lying here overwhelmed by grief (a fit most unbecoming to a man like you), Cassio came here. I sent him away and made a good excuse for your seizure. I told him to return shortly and speak with me here, and he promised he would. Just hide yourself and watch the smirks, the sneers, and the obvious contempt spreading all over his face. I'll make him tell the story again: where, how, how often, how long ago, and when he has slept with your wife and plans to do it again. Just watch his gestures, I tell you. Above all, be patient, or I'll have to say you're nothing but rage, and not a man at all.

Othello

Dost thou hear, Iago?I will be found most cunning in my patience;But,—dost thou hear?—most bloody.

Do you hear me, Iago? You'll find me extremely crafty in my patience. But—do you hear me?—extremely bloody too.

Iago

That’s not amiss.But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?

That's good. But do everything at the proper time. Will you step aside?

Cassio

The worser that you give me the additionWhose want even kills me.

All the worse for hearing you call me by the title I've lost. Losing it is killing me.

Iago

Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.[Speaking lower.] Now, if this suit lay in Bianca’s power,How quickly should you speed!

Keep pressing Desdemona, and you're sure to get it back.
[Speaking more quietly.] Now, if Bianca had the power to grant this request, how quickly you'd succeed!

Cassio

Alas, poor caitiff!

Oh, poor little thing!

Othello (aside)

Look how he laughs already!

Look how he's laughing already!

Iago

I never knew a woman love man so.

I've never known a woman love a man so much.

Cassio

Alas, poor rogue! I think, i’ faith, she loves me.

Oh, poor little rascal! I honestly think she loves me.

Othello (aside)

Now he denies it faintly and laughs it out.

Now he weakly denies it and laughs it off.

Iago

Do you hear, Cassio?

Are you listening, Cassio?

Othello

Now he importunes himTo tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.

Now he's pressing him to tell it again. Go on, well done, well done.

Iago

She gives it out that you shall marry her.Do you intend it?

She's telling everyone you're going to marry her. Do you intend to?

Cassio

Ha, ha, ha!

Ha, ha, ha!

Othello

Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?

Are you celebrating your victory, Roman conqueror? Are you celebrating?

Cassio

I marry her? What? A customer? I prithee, bear some charity to my wit, do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!

Me, marry her? What? A whore? Please, give my intelligence some credit. Don't think my mind is that sick. Ha, ha, ha!

Othello

So, so, so, so. They laugh that wins.

Well, well, well, well. The winner gets to laugh.

Iago

Faith, the cry goes that you shall marry her.

Really, the rumor is that you're going to marry her.

Cassio

Prithee say true.

Please, tell me the truth.

Iago

I am a very villain else.

I'm a complete villain if it isn't true.

Othello

Have you scored me? Well.

Have you branded me as a husband whose wife cheats on him? Fine.

Cassio

This is the monkey’s own giving out. She is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.

That little monkey started the rumor herself. She's convinced I'll marry her because she loves me and flatters herself, not because I promised.

Othello

Iago beckons me. Now he begins the story.

Iago is signaling to me. Now he's starting the story.

Cassio

She was here even now. She haunts me in every place. I was the other day talking on the sea-bank with certain Venetians, and thither comes the bauble, and falls thus about my neck.

She was here just now. She follows me everywhere. The other day I was talking with some Venetians by the shore, and along comes that silly little thing and throws her arms around my neck like this.

Othello

Crying, “O dear Cassio!” as it were: his gesture imports it.

Crying, “Oh, dear Cassio!” or something like that. That's what his gesture suggests.

Cassio

So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so hales and pulls me. Ha, ha, ha!

She hangs on me like this, drapes herself over me, and cries on me. She tugs and pulls me like this. Ha, ha, ha!

Othello

Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. O, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.

Now he's telling how she pulled him into my bedroom. Oh, I can see that nose of yours, but not the dog I'll throw it to.

Cassio

Well, I must leave her company.

Well, I must stop seeing her.

Iago

Before me! look where she comes.

Good heavens! Look, here she comes.

Cassio

’Tis such another fitchew! Marry, a perfum’d one.What do you mean by this haunting of me?

She's a real little skunk! A perfumed one, though.
What do you mean by following me around like this?

Bianca

Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the work? A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber and not know who left it there! This is some minx’s token, and I must take out the work? There, give it your hobby-horse. Wheresoever you had it, I’ll take out no work on’t.

Let the devil and his mother follow you around! What did you mean by that handkerchief you gave me just now? I was a complete fool to take it. I'm supposed to copy the embroidery? What a likely story, that you found it in your room and don't know who left it there! It's a love token from some little slut, and I'm supposed to copy the embroidery? Here, give it to your whore. Wherever you got it, I won't copy any of its embroidery.

Cassio

How now, my sweet Bianca? How now, how now?

What's wrong, my sweet Bianca? What's wrong? What's wrong?

Othello

By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!

By heaven, that looks like my handkerchief!

Bianca

If you’ll come to supper tonight, you may. If you will not, come when you are next prepared for.

You can come to dinner tonight if you like. If not, come the next time someone gets dinner ready for you.

Iago

After her, after her.

Go after her, go after her.

Cassio

Faith, I must; she’ll rail in the street else.

Honestly, I must, or she'll start shouting abuse in the street.

Iago

Will you sup there?

Will you have dinner there?

Cassio

Faith, I intend so.

Yes, I intend to.

Iago

Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain speak with you.

Well, I may come see you, because I'd really like to speak with you.

Cassio

Prithee come, will you?

Please come, will you?

Iago

Go to; say no more.

All right, say no more.

Othello

[Coming forward.] How shall I murder him, Iago?

How should I murder him, Iago?

Iago

Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?

Did you notice how he laughed about his wicked behavior?

Othello

O Iago!

Oh, Iago!

Iago

And did you see the handkerchief?

And did you see the handkerchief?

Othello

Was that mine?

Was that mine?

Iago

Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore.

Yours, I swear by this hand. And just see how much he values that foolish woman, your wife! She gave it to him, and he's given it to his whore.

Othello

I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!

I'd like to make him take nine years to die. Such a fine woman, a beautiful woman, a sweet woman!

Iago

Nay, you must forget that.

No, you must forget that.

Othello

Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature. She might lie by an emperor’s side, and command him tasks.

Yes, let her rot, die, and go to hell tonight, because she will not live. No, my heart has turned to stone. When I strike it, it hurts my hand. Oh, there's no sweeter creature in the world. She could lie beside an emperor and order him to do things for her.

Iago

Nay, that’s not your way.

No, you mustn't think like that.

Othello

Hang her, I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle, an admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear! Of so high and plenteous wit and invention!

To hell with her, I'm only saying what she is. So skilled at needlework, such a wonderful musician! Oh, her singing could tame a savage bear! So clever, with such a rich imagination!

Iago

She’s the worse for all this.

All that makes her behavior even worse.

Othello

O, a thousand, a thousand times: and then of so gentle a condition!

Oh, a thousand, a thousand times worse. And she has such a gentle nature!

Iago

Ay, too gentle.

Yes, far too friendly.

Othello

Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!

Yes, that's certain. But what a pity it is, Iago! Oh, Iago, what a pity it is, Iago!

Iago

If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.

If you're so loving toward her wickedness, give her permission to do wrong. After all, if it doesn't hurt you, it doesn't affect anyone else.

Othello

I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!

I'll chop her into pieces. Cheat on me!

Iago

O, ’tis foul in her.

Oh, it's vile of her.

Othello

With mine officer!

With my own officer!

Iago

That’s fouler.

That's even worse.

Othello

Get me some poison, Iago; this night. I’ll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago.

Get me some poison, Iago, tonight. I won't argue with her, in case her body and beauty weaken my resolve again. Tonight, Iago.

Iago

Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.

Don't use poison. Strangle her in her bed, the very bed she's defiled.

Othello

Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very good.

Good, good. I like the justice of that. Very good.

Iago

And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You shall hear more by midnight.

And as for Cassio, leave his death to me. You'll hear more by midnight.

Othello

Excellent good. [A trumpet within.] What trumpet is that same?

Excellent. [A trumpet sounds offstage.] What's that trumpet?

Iago

Something from Venice, sure. ’Tis LodovicoCome from the duke. See, your wife is with him.

It must be news from Venice. It's Lodovico, here from the duke. Look, your wife is with him.

Lodovico

Save you, worthy general!

God keep you safe, worthy general!

Othello

With all my heart, sir.

I thank you with all my heart, sir.

Lodovico

The duke and senators of Venice greet you.

The duke and senators of Venice send their greetings.

Othello

I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.

I kiss this letter that carries their wishes.

Desdemona

And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?

And what's the news, my dear cousin Lodovico?

Iago

I am very glad to see you, signior.Welcome to Cyprus.

I'm very glad to see you, sir. Welcome to Cyprus.

Lodovico

I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?

Thank you. How is Lieutenant Cassio?

Iago

Lives, sir.

He's alive, sir.

Desdemona

Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lordAn unkind breach, but you shall make all well.

Cousin, there's been an unfortunate falling-out between him and my husband, but you will put everything right.

Othello

Are you sure of that?

Are you sure of that?

Desdemona

My lord?

My lord?

Othello (reads)

“This fail you not to do, as you will—”

“Do not fail to do this, if you wish to—”

Lodovico

He did not call; he’s busy in the paper.Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?

He wasn't calling you. He's busy reading the letter. Is there a disagreement between your husband and Cassio?

Desdemona

A most unhappy one. I would do muchTo atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.

A very unhappy one. I would do a great deal to bring them back together, because of my love for Cassio.

Othello

Fire and brimstone!

Hellfire and damnation!

Desdemona

My lord?

My lord?

Othello

Are you wise?

Are you out of your mind?

Desdemona

What, is he angry?

What, is he angry?

Lodovico

May be the letter mov’d him;For, as I think, they do command him home,Deputing Cassio in his government.

Perhaps the letter has upset him. I believe they're ordering him home and appointing Cassio governor in his place.

Desdemona

Trust me, I am glad on’t.

Believe me, I'm glad of that.

Othello

Indeed!

Really!

Desdemona

My lord?

My lord?

Othello

I am glad to see you mad.

I'm glad to see you've gone mad.

Desdemona

Why, sweet Othello?

Why, sweet Othello?

Othello

Devil!

You devil!

Desdemona

I have not deserv’d this.

I haven't deserved this.

Lodovico

My lord, this would not be believ’d in Venice,Though I should swear I saw’t: ’tis very much.Make her amends. She weeps.

My lord, no one in Venice would believe this, even if I swore I'd seen it. This is outrageous. Make it up to her. She's crying.

Othello

O devil, devil!If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears,Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.Out of my sight!

Oh, you devil, you devil! If women's tears could make the earth give birth, every drop she sheds would produce a crocodile. Get out of my sight!

Desdemona

I will not stay to offend you.

I won't stay here to upset you.

Lodovico

Truly, an obedient lady.I do beseech your lordship, call her back.

She truly is an obedient lady. My lord, I beg you to call her back.

Othello

Mistress!

Madam!

Desdemona

My lord?

My lord?

Othello

What would you with her, sir?

What do you want with her, sir?

Lodovico

Who, I, my lord?

Who, me, my lord?

Othello

Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn.Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,And turn again. And she can weep, sir, weep;And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient,Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears.Concerning this, sir,—O well-painted passion!I am commanded home.—Get you away;I’ll send for you anon.—Sir, I obey the mandate,And will return to Venice.—Hence, avaunt!

Yes, you wanted me to make her turn back. Sir, she can turn one way and another, keep going, and turn again. And she can cry, sir, cry. And she's obedient, as you say, obedient, very obedient. Keep on crying. About this letter, sir—Oh, what a convincing show of emotion!—I'm ordered home. Get away from me. I'll send for you shortly. Sir, I will obey the order and return to Venice. Get out! Away with you!

Lodovico

Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senateCall all in all sufficient? Is this the natureWhom passion could not shake? whose solid virtueThe shot of accident nor dart of chanceCould neither graze nor pierce?

Is this the noble Moor whom our entire senate considers capable in every way? Is this the man whose character no emotion could shake, whose firm goodness no blow of misfortune or random chance could even scratch, let alone pierce?

Iago

He is much chang’d.

He's changed a great deal.

Lodovico

Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?

Is his mind sound? Has he lost his senses?

Iago

He’s that he is. I may not breathe my censureWhat he might be. If what he might he is not,I would to heaven he were!

He is what he is. I can't voice my judgment about what he might be. If he isn't what he could be, I pray to God that he were!

Lodovico

What, strike his wife?

What, striking his wife?

Iago

Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knewThat stroke would prove the worst!

Well, that wasn't good. Still, I wish I could be sure that blow would be the worst of it!

Lodovico

Is it his use?Or did the letters work upon his blood,And new-create this fault?

Is this his usual behavior? Or did the letters stir his anger and bring out this new fault?

Iago

Alas, alas!It is not honesty in me to speakWhat I have seen and known. You shall observe him,And his own courses will denote him soThat I may save my speech: do but go after,And mark how he continues.

Oh, how sad! It would not be loyal of me to tell you what I have seen and know. Watch him yourself, and his own actions will show you what he is like, so I can keep silent. Just follow him and notice how he behaves.

Lodovico

I am sorry that I am deceiv’d in him.

I am sorry I was so mistaken about him.