Home
This site uses cookies
log out

Othello: Act IV, Scene 1

Sign in with Google to add your annotations.

Othello
Act IV, Scene 1

Scene 1

Cyprus. Before the castle.

  1. Enter Othello and Iago.

Iago

1
  1. Will you think so?

Othello

2
  1.                    Think so, Iago?

Iago

3 - 4
  1.                 What,
  2. To kiss in private?

Othello

5
  1.                     An unauthoriz’d kiss!

Iago

6 - 7
  1. Or to be naked with her friend in bed
  2. An hour, or more, not meaning any harm?

Othello

8 - 11
  1. Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm?
  2. It is hypocrisy against the devil.
  3. They that mean virtuously, and yet do so,
  4. The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.

Iago

12 - 13
  1. If they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip;
  2. But if I give my wife a handkerchief—

Othello

14
  1. What then?

Iago

15 - 16
  1. Why then ’tis hers, my lord, and being hers,
  2. She may, I think, bestow’t on any man.

Othello

17 - 18
  1. She is protectress of her honor too;
  2. May she give that?

Iago

19 - 21
  1. Her honor is an essence that’s not seen;
  2. They have it very oft that have it not.
  3. But for the handkerchief—

Othello

22 - 25
  1. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.
  2. Thou saidst (O, it comes o’er my memory,
  3. As doth the raven o’er the infectious house,
  4. Boding to all) he had my handkerchief.

Iago

26
  1. Ay; what of that?

Othello

27
  1.                   That’s not so good now.

Iago

28 - 34
  1.                         What
  2. If I had said I had seen him do you wrong?
  3. Or heard him say—as knaves be such abroad,
  4. Who having by their own importunate suit,
  5. Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,
  6. Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose
  7. But they must blab—

Othello

35
  1.                     Hath he said any thing?

Iago

36 - 37
  1. He hath, my lord, but be you well assur’d,
  2. No more than he’ll unswear.

Othello

38
  1.                             What hath he said?

Iago

39
  1. Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.

Othello

40
  1. What? What?

Iago

41
  1. Lie—

Othello

42
  1.      With her?

Iago

43
  1.           With her? On her; what you will.

Othello

44 - 51
  1. Lie with her? Lie on her? We say lie on her, when they belie
  2. her. Lie with her! ’Zounds, that’s fulsome!
  3. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To confess, and be
  4. hang’d for his labor—first to be hang’d, and then to
  5. confess. I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in
  6. such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not
  7. words that shakes me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is’t
  8. possible? Confess? Handkerchief? O devil!
  1. Falls in a trance.

Iago

52 - 57
  1. Work on,
  2. My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught,
  3. And many worthy and chaste dames even thus
  4. (All guiltless) meet reproach.—What ho! My lord!
  5. My lord, I say! Othello!
  6. Enter Cassio.
  7.                          How now, Cassio?

Cassio

58
  1. What’s the matter?

Iago

59 - 60
  1. My lord is fall’n into an epilepsy.
  2. This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.

Cassio

61
  1. Rub him about the temples.

Iago

62 - 69
  1.                            No, forbear,
  2. The lethargy must have his quiet course;
  3. If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by
  4. Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs.
  5. Do you withdraw yourself a little while,
  6. He will recover straight. When he is gone,
  7. I would on great occasion speak with you.
  8. Exit Cassio.
  9. How is it, general? Have you not hurt your head?

Othello

70
  1. Dost thou mock me?

Iago

71 - 72
  1.                    I mock you not, by heaven.
  2. Would you would bear your fortune like a man!

Othello

73
  1. A horned man’s a monster and a beast.

Iago

74 - 75
  1. There’s many a beast then in a populous city,
  2. And many a civil monster.

Othello

76
  1. Did he confess it?

Iago

77 - 85
  1.                    Good sir, be a man;
  2. Think every bearded fellow that’s but yok’d
  3. May draw with you. There’s millions now alive
  4. That nightly lie in those unproper beds
  5. Which they dare swear peculiar; your case is better.
  6. O, ’tis the spite of hell, the fiend’s arch-mock,
  7. To lip a wanton in a secure couch,
  8. And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know,
  9. And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.
Bianca

Bianca

William Holman Hunt, circa 1869

Othello

86
  1. O, thou art wise; ’tis certain.

Iago

87 - 102
  1.                                 Stand you a while apart,
  2. Confine yourself but in a patient list.
  3. Whilst you were here o’erwhelmed with your grief
  4. (A passion most unsuiting such a man),
  5. Cassio came hither. I shifted him away,
  6. And laid good ’scuses upon your ecstasy;
  7. Bade him anon return and here speak with me,
  8. The which he promis’d. Do but encave yourself,
  9. And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns
  10. That dwell in every region of his face,
  11. For I will make him tell the tale anew:
  12. Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
  13. He hath, and is again to cope your wife.
  14. I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience,
  15. Or I shall say y’ are all in all in spleen,
  16. And nothing of a man.

Othello

103 - 105
  1.                       Dost thou hear, Iago,
  2. I will be found most cunning in my patience;
  3. But (dost thou hear) most bloody.

Iago

106 - 118
  1.                                   That’s not amiss,
  2. But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
  3. Othello withdraws.
  4. Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,
  5. A huswife that by selling her desires
  6. Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature
  7. That dotes on Cassio (as ’tis the strumpet’s plague
  8. To beguile many and be beguil’d by one);
  9. He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain
  10. From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.
  11. Enter Cassio.
  12. As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad;
  13. And his unbookish jealousy must construe
  14. Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behaviors
  15. Quite in the wrong. How do you now, lieutenant?

Cassio

119 - 120
  1. The worser that you give me the addition
  2. Whose want even kills me.

Iago

121 - 123
  1. Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.
  2. Speaking lower.
  3. Now, if this suit lay in Bianca’s pow’r,
  4. How quickly should you speed!

Cassio

124
  1.                               Alas, poor caitiff!

Othello

125
  1. Look how he laughs already!

Iago

126
  1. I never knew woman love man so.

Cassio

127
  1. Alas, poor rogue, I think, i’ faith, she loves me.

Othello

128
  1. Now he denies it faintly, and laughs it out.

Iago

129
  1. Do you hear, Cassio?

Othello

130 - 131
  1.                      Now he importunes him
  2. To tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.

Iago

132 - 133
  1. She gives it out that you shall marry her.
  2. Do you intend it?

Cassio

134
  1. Ha, ha, ha!

Othello

135
  1. Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?

Cassio

136 - 137
  1. I marry her! What? A customer! Prithee bear some charity to
  2. my wit, do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!

Othello

138
  1. So, so, so, so; they laugh that wins.

Iago

139
  1. Faith, the cry goes that you marry her.

Cassio

140
  1. Prithee say true.

Iago

141
  1. I am a very villain else.

Othello

142
  1. Have you scor’d me? Well.

Cassio

143 - 145
  1. This is the monkey’s own giving out. She is persuaded I will
  2. marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my
  3. promise.

Othello

146
  1. Iago beckons me; now he begins the story.

Cassio

147 - 150
  1. She was here even now; she haunts me in every place. I was
  2. the other day talking on the sea-bank with certain
  3. Venetians, and thither comes the bauble, and by this hand,
  4. falls me thus about my neck—

Othello

151
  1. Crying, “O dear Cassio!” as it were; his gesture imports it.

Cassio

152 - 153
  1. So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so hales and pulls
  2. me. Ha, ha, ha!

Othello

154 - 155
  1. Now he tells how she pluck’d him to my chamber. O, I see
  2. that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.

Cassio

156
  1. Well, I must leave her company.

Iago

157
  1. Before me! Look where she comes.
  1. Enter Bianca.

Cassio

158 - 159
  1. ’Tis such another fitchew! Marry, a perfum’d one!—What do
  2. you mean by this haunting of me?

Bianca

160 - 166
  1. Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you mean by
  2. that same handkerchief you gave me even now? I was a fine
  3. fool to take it. I must take out the work? A likely piece of
  4. work, that you should find it in your chamber, and know not
  5. who left it there! This is some minx’s token, and I must
  6. take out the work? There, give it your hobby-horse.
  7. Wheresoever you had it, I’ll take out no work on’t.
Paul Robeson as Othello

Paul Robeson as Othello

Carl Van Vechten, 1944

Cassio

167
  1. How now, my sweet Bianca? How now? How now?

Othello

168
  1. By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!

Bianca

169 - 170
  1. An’ you’ll come to supper tonight, you may; an’ you will
  2. not, come when you are next prepar’d for.
  1. Exit.

Iago

171
  1. After her, after her.

Cassio

172
  1. Faith, I must, she’ll rail in the streets else.

Iago

173
  1. Will you sup there?

Cassio

174
  1. Faith, I intend so.

Iago

175 - 176
  1. Well, I may chance to see you; for I would very fain speak
  2. with you.

Cassio

177
  1. Prithee come; will you?

Iago

178
  1. Go to; say no more.
  1. Exit Cassio.

Othello

179
  1. Advancing.
  2. How shall I murder him, Iago?

Iago

180
  1. Did you perceive how he laugh’d at his vice?

Othello

181
  1. O Iago!

Iago

182
  1. And did you see the handkerchief?

Othello

183
  1. Was that mine?

Iago

184 - 186
  1. Yours, by this hand. And to see how he prizes the foolish
  2. woman your wife! She gave it him, and he hath giv’n it his
  3. whore.

Othello

187 - 188
  1. I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman! A fair
  2. woman! A sweet woman!

Iago

189
  1. Nay, you must forget that.

Othello

190 - 194
  1. Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damn’d tonight, for she
  2. shall not live. No, my heart is turn’d to stone; I strike
  3. it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter
  4. creature! She might lie by an emperor’s side and command him
  5. tasks.

Iago

195
  1. Nay, that’s not your way.

Othello

196 - 199
  1. Hang her, I do but say what she is. So delicate with her
  2. needle! An admirable musician! O, she will sing the
  3. savageness out of a bear. Of so high and plenteous wit and
  4. invention!

Iago

200
  1. She’s the worse for all this.

Othello

201 - 202
  1. O, a thousand, a thousand times. And then of so gentle a
  2. condition!

Iago

203
  1. Ay, too gentle.

Othello

204 - 205
  1. Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago,
  2. the pity of it, Iago!

Iago

206 - 207
  1. If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to
  2. offend, for if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.

Othello

208
  1. I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!

Iago

209
  1. O, ’tis foul in her.

Othello

210
  1. With mine officer!

Iago

211
  1. That’s fouler.

Othello

212 - 214
  1. Get me some poison, Iago, this night. I’ll not expostulate
  2. with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again.
  3. This night, Iago.

Iago

215 - 216
  1. Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed
  2. she hath contaminated.

Othello

217
  1. Good, good; the justice of it pleases; very good.

Iago

218 - 219
  1. And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker.
  2. You shall hear more by midnight.

Othello

220 - 221
  1. Excellent good.
  2. A trumpet.
  3. What trumpet is that same?

Iago

222 - 224
  1. I warrant, something from Venice.
  2. Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants.
  3.                                   ’Tis Lodovico—
  4. This comes from the Duke. See, your wife’s with him.

Lodovico

225
  1. God save you, worthy general!

Othello

226
  1.                               With all my heart, sir.

Lodovico

227
  1. The Duke and the senators of Venice greet you.
  1. Gives him a letter.

Othello

228
  1. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
  1. Opens the letter and reads.

Desdemona

229
  1. And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?

Iago

230 - 231
  1. I am very glad to see you, signior;
  2. Welcome to Cyprus.

Lodovico

232
  1. I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?

Iago

233
  1. Lives, sir.

Desdemona

234 - 235
  1. Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord
  2. An unkind breach; but you shall make all well.

Othello

236
  1. Are you sure of that?

Desdemona

237
  1. My lord?

Othello

238
  1. Reads.
  2. “This fail you not to do, as you will—”

Lodovico

239 - 240
  1. He did not call; he’s busy in the paper.
  2. Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?

Desdemona

241 - 242
  1. A most unhappy one. I would do much
  2. T’ atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.

Othello

243
  1. Fire and brimstone!

Desdemona

244
  1.                     My lord?
Frontpiece for J.M. Dent's edition of Othello

Frontpiece for J.M. Dent's edition of Othello

1899

Othello

245
  1.          Are you wise?

Desdemona

246
  1. What, is he angry?

Lodovico

247 - 249
  1.                    May be th’ letter mov’d him;
  2. For as I think, they do command him home,
  3. Deputing Cassio in his government.

Desdemona

250
  1. By my troth, I am glad on’t.

Othello

251
  1.                              Indeed?

Desdemona

252
  1.         My lord?

Othello

253
  1. I am glad to see you mad.

Desdemona

254
  1.                           Why, sweet Othello?

Othello

255
  1. Striking her.
  2. Devil!

Desdemona

256
  1. I have not deserv’d this.

Lodovico

257 - 259
  1. My lord, this would not be believ’d in Venice,
  2. Though I should swear I saw’t. ’Tis very much,
  3. Make her amends; she weeps.

Othello

260 - 263
  1.                             O devil, devil!
  2. If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears,
  3. Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
  4. Out of my sight!

Desdemona

264
  1.                  I will not stay to offend you.
  1. Going.

Lodovico

265 - 266
  1. Truly, an obedient lady:
  2. I do beseech your lordship call her back.

Othello

267
  1. Mistress!

Desdemona

268
  1.           My lord?

Othello

269
  1.          What would you with her, sir?

Lodovico

270
  1. Who, I, my lord?

Othello

271 - 282
  1. Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn.
  2. Sir, she can turn, and turn; and yet go on
  3. And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep;
  4. And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient;
  5. Very obedient—Proceed you in your tears.—
  6. Concerning this, sir—O well-painted passion!—
  7. I am commanded home.—Get you away;
  8. I’ll send for you anon.—Sir, I obey the mandate,
  9. And will return to Venice.—Hence, avaunt!
  10. Exit Desdemona.
  11. Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight
  12. I do entreat that we may sup together.
  13. You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.—Goats and monkeys!
  1. Exit.

Lodovico

283 - 287
  1. Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate
  2. Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature
  3. Whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue
  4. The shot of accident nor dart of chance
  5. Could neither graze nor pierce?

Iago

288
  1.                                 He is much chang’d.

Lodovico

289
  1. Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?

Iago

290 - 292
  1. He’s that he is; I may not breathe my censure
  2. What he might be. If what he might he is not,
  3. I would to heaven he were!

Lodovico

293
  1.                            What? Strike his wife?

Iago

294 - 295
  1. Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew
  2. That stroke would prove the worst!

Lodovico

296 - 298
  1.                                    Is it his use?
  2. Or did the letters work upon his blood,
  3. And new-create this fault?

Iago

299 - 304
  1.                            Alas, alas!
  2. It is not honesty in me to speak
  3. What I have seen and known. You shall observe him,
  4. And his own courses will denote him so
  5. That I may save my speech. Do but go after,
  6. And mark how he continues.

Lodovico

305
  1. I am sorry that I am deceiv’d in him.
  1. Exeunt.
Grouped vignettes depicting characters and scenes from Othello

Grouped vignettes depicting characters and scenes from Othello

Performed at the Lyric Theatre in New York City

Samuel Begg, 1902

© 2021 Unotate.com • contact • privacy policy • Creative Commons text from PlayShakespeare.com • All illustrations are public domain or Creative Commons • Header illustration by Byam Shaw