Iago, thrilled to bits, sings a drinking song and calls the Danish and Dutch people poor comparisons to a British drunk. King Stephen was and-a worthy peer, His breeches cost him but a crown; He held them sixpence all too dear; 95 With that he called the tailor lown. Cassio proposes a toast to Othello, and Iago sings another song. This one is about a King Stephen who's too distracted by his clothes, and so loses his kingdom.
This is handy if you're reading The Tempest , as Shakespeare alludes to this song again when would-be king Stephano gets distracted by a wardrobe and so sacrifices his dominion over the island. The Lieutenant is to be saved before the Ancient. God forgive us our sins! Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk. This is my ancient, this is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunk now.
I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough. The point is, everyone's getting sauced. Cassio, lightweight that he is, gets drunker than everybody else, and begins to moralize about how they shouldn't be drunk, as he'd like his soul to be saved when he dies. Iago agrees that he, too, would like his soul saved, but Cassio says Iago should wait to die after him, as lieutenants should have their souls saved before dinky low-ranking flag-boys.
Cassio then says it's time for them all to stop drinking and get to work. He insists that he's not drunk, and he's so not drunk he can even distinguish his right hand from his left hand.
Definitely not drunk. I fear the trust Othello puts him in, On some odd time of his infirmity, Will shake this island. Cassio and the other drunken men go to start their night watch, leaving Montano alone with Iago. Not shockingly, Iago does his usual thing when left alone with someone: he slanders the person who's just left the room.
Iago says that Cassio's virtues are well balanced with his vices, suggesting the lieutenant is extreme in both his good and bad behavior. Iago adds that Cassio drinks himself to sleep when he can. Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio And looks not on his evils. Is not this true? Montano, hearing this, concludes that Othello is too good-natured to recognize Cassio's alcoholism.
I pray you, after the Lieutenant, go. Roderigo then enters, and Iago sends him off after Cassio. This is a setup for a fight between the two. It were an honest action to say so To the Moor. But hark! What noise? I pray you, sir, hold your hand. After Cassio hits Roderigo, Montano tries to stop him. Naturally, Cassio turns his drunken fury on Montano, and they start brawling.
Go out and cry a mutiny. Nay, good lieutenant. Lieutenant—sir—Montano—sir— Help, masters! Diablo, ho! The town will rise. Iago instructs Roderigo to run and make a ruckus about the fact that a mutiny has started, and then acts all surprised when, shortly after, the town bell is rung likely by Roderigo.
This makes it a sure bet that Othello will come in and ask just what all the fuss is about. He dies! He attacks Cassio. IAGO Hold, ho! Lieutenant—sir—Montano— gentlemen— Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? The General speaks to you. Hold, for shame! From whence ariseth this? Are we turned Turks, and to ourselves do that Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites? For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl! He that stirs next to carve for his own rage Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.
Silence that dreadful bell. It frights the isle From her propriety. What is the matter, masters? Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving, Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee. IAGO I do not know. I cannot speak Any beginning to this peevish odds, And would in action glorious I had lost Those legs that brought me to a part of it!
As expected, Othello comes in and asks what all the fuss is about. Iago feigns innocence and says he doesn't know how the brawl started, he just saw everyone fighting like they were suddenly transported to a schoolyard. The gravity and stillness of your youth The world hath noted. And your name is great In mouths of wisest censure.
Give me answer to it. Othello demands explanations: Cassio says he can't speak, and Montano, claiming to be weak from blood-loss, says he's only guilty if he can be blamed for not being able to protect himself. Zounds, if I stir, Or do but lift this arm, the best of you Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know How this foul rout began, who set it on; And he that is approved in this offense, Though he had twinned with me, both at a birth, Shall lose me.
So Cassio's drunk, Montano's claiming self-defense, and Othello's mad. He says his passion is beginning to overtake his reason, and everyone's going to get a beating unless this gets cleared up immediately.
Further, it's for shame that the men make such a ruckus when the poor people of Cyprus feel like they're at war, and their supposed rescuers can't even manage their own domestic disputes. Othello calls on Iago to explain, and Montano urges him to be truthful even though Cassio is his friend. Yeah, right. IAGO Touch me not so near. Yet I persuade myself, to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong him.
Thus it is, general: Montano and myself being in speech, There comes a fellow crying out for help, And Cassio following him with determined sword To execute upon him.
Sir, this gentleman Pointing to Montano. Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause. Myself the crying fellow did pursue, Lest by his clamor—as it so fell out— The town might fall in fright. When I came back— For this was brief—I found them close together At blow and thrust, even as again they were When you yourself did part them. More of this matter cannot I report. Though Cassio did some little wrong to him, As men in rage strike those that wish them best, Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received From him that fled some strange indignity Which patience could not pass.
Iago lays it on thick. I followed the guy who was crying for help, to keep him from scaring the public. But he was fast and outran me. When I got back, I heard the swords clinking and Cassio swearing. They were nearly killing each other, as you saw when you pulled them apart. Popular pages: Othello. Take a Study Break. Original Text. Modern Text. Or do but lift this arm, the best of you Shall sink in my rebuke. But since it is as it is, mend it for your own good. Oh stop, you're being too hard on yourself.
Given the circumstances, I wholeheartedly wish this hadn't happened. But it has happened, so make the best of the situation. I will ask him for my place again, he shall tell me I am a drunkard. Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all.
To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! Oh, strange! Every inordinate cup is unblessed and the ingredient is a devil. If I ask him for my place as lieutenant back, he'll say that I am a drunkard.
If I had as many mouths as the Hydra to ask him with, he'd say no to each one. How strange it is that I should be a sensible man, but occasionally foolish, and then just now a beast!
Every drink is unblessed, and alcohol is a devil. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used. Exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you. Come on, good wine isn't bad if you don't drink too much of it. Stop swearing against wine. Now, good lieutenant, am I right in thinking that you know I care about you?
I have well approved it, sir. I drunk! You or any man living may be drunk at a time, man. I tell you what you shall do. I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces. Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again. She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested.
This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter, and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before. You or any man may get drunk now and then. I'll tell you what to do. Our general's wife is now the one who's actually in charge. What I mean by this is that he is totally devoted to her and obsessed with contemplating and describing her qualities and graces.
Apologize to her, and beg her to help you regain your place as lieutenant. She is noble, kind, clever, and blessed. She thinks it is wrong not to do as she is asked. Ask her to help mend your relationship with her husband, and—I'll bet anything on it—the friendship between Othello and you will grow stronger now than ever before. You advise me well. I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.
I think it freely, and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me. I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me. I think you're right, and in the morning I will ask the virtuous Desdemona to plead on my behalf. But I worry for my fortunes if they hold me back. You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant, I must to the watch. You're on the right track. Good night, lieutenant.
I must go and keep a lookout. Good night, honest Iago. When this advice is free I give and honest, Probal to thinking and indeed the course To win the Moor again? How am I then a villain To counsel Cassio to this parallel course, Directly to his good? Divinity of hell! When devils will the blackest sins put on They do suggest at first with heavenly shows As I do now.
And by how much she strives to do him good She shall undo her credit with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue into pitch And out of her own goodness make the net That shall enmesh them all. Who could say that I'm a villain, when I give free and honest advice that is helpful for Cassio in winning back the Moor's favor?
For it really is easy to persuade Desdemona to help you in anything. She gives rise to as many good things as nature itself. And Othello is such a slave to his love for her that he would renounce his baptism and reject all symbols of Christian redemption to win her over. She can do whatever she wants, and whatever she desires he will carry out. How then could I be a villain, when I am advising Cassio to do what is in his best interest? That's Satan's theology! When devils do the worst sins, they first put on the pretense of goodness and innocence, as I am doing now.
For while this honest fool begs Desdemona to fix his misfortune and while she pleads on his behalf to the Moor, I'll poison Othello's thoughts by whispering into his ear. I'll say that Desdemona is standing up for Cassio because she is attracted to him. The more that she argues for Cassio, the guiltier she'll seem to the Moor.
In this way I'll turn her own virtue into a sort of tar , to entrap her—and everyone else—with her own goodness. How now, Roderigo! I do follow here in the chase not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry.
My money is almost spent, I have been tonight exceedingly well cudgeled, and I think the issue will be I shall have so much experience for my pains. And so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice. I come here exhausted, like a dog bringing up the rear of the pack during a hunt. I've spent almost all my money, have been thoroughly beaten up tonight, and all I have for all this is some painful life experience. So, I'm going to return to Venice a little wiser and a lot poorer.
How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees? Cassio hath beaten thee. And thou, by that small hurt, hath cashiered Cassio. Though other things grow fair against the sun, Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe. Content thyself awhile. Pleasure and action make the hours seem short. Retire thee, go where thou art billeted. Away, I say, thou shalt know more hereafter.
Nay, get thee gone. How poor are those who don't have any patience! Every wound must heal gradually. You know that our plan is based on cleverness and not magic, and cleverness needs time to work. Aren't things actually going well? Cassio has beaten you up, yes. But because of this he's been fired from his position as lieutenant.
The fruits that blossom first are the first to ripen, and before long, we'll reap the fruits of our labors. Be patient a while longer. It's already morning, in fact. Excitement and action make time fly. Go back to your room and get some sleep. Go, I tell you. I'll fill you in more later. Now, get going. Two things are to be done: My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress. Myself, the while, to draw the Moor apart And bring him jump when he may Cassio find Soliciting his wife.
Dull not device by coldness and delay. I must do two things. First, my wife has to advocate for Cassio to Desdemona. I'll get her to do that. Meanwhile, I need to take the Moor aside and orchestrate it so that he happens upon Cassio pleading to his wife.
Yes, that's the way to do it. I have no time to waste! Table of Contents. Act 1, Scene 1. Act 1, Scene 2. Act 1, Scene 3. Act 2, Scene 1.
Act 2, Scene 2. Act 2, Scene 3. Act 3, Scene 1. Act 3, Scene 2. Act 3, Scene 3. Act 3, Scene 4. Act 4, Scene 1. Act 4, Scene 2. Act 4, Scene 3. Act 5, Scene 1. Act 5, Scene 2. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of every Shakespeare play. Sign Up. Already have an account?
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Download the entire Othello translation! Enter IAGO. IAGO enters. We must go be on the lookout. IAGO Not now, lieutenant. IAGO What an eye she has! IAGO What nice eyes she has! They could provoke a war. IAGO And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love? IAGO And when she speaks, isn't it like a call to arms for lovers? IAGO Well, happiness to their sheets! IAGO Oh, they are our friends. IAGO Oh, but they're our friends. Just one drink.
I'll even drink it for you. CASSIO I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily qualified too, and behold what innovation it makes here. IAGO What? It's a night of celebration, man! The gentlemen want you to join. IAGO Here at the door. Please, call them in. IAGO If I can get him to have just one drink, together with what he's already had to drink, he'll be as belligerent and testy as a badly trained as a young girl's pet dog.
IAGO Some wine, ho! IAGO Hey, more wine! And I'll match you, drink for drink. IAGO Do you want to hear it again? IAGO That's true, good lieutenant. IAGO I hope to go to heaven, too, lieutenant. ALL Excellent well! ALL Very good! You must not think that I am drunk.
IAGO 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep. IAGO He's always drunk before going to bed. IAGO I wouldn't tell him, not if you gave me this beautiful island in return. Offstage, someone cries out, "Help! IAGO But, hark! IAGO But listen! What is that noise? You scoundrel! I'll beat the scoundrel to a pulp. You're drunk. They fight. Bell rings.
A bell rings. I'm mortally wounded.
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