Othello has secretly married Desdemona. Iago resents his promotion of Cassio to lieutenant and declares that he serves Othello only for his own ends. Iago and Roderigo alert Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, who accuses Othello of witchcraft and follows him to the Duke.
Desdemona confirms that she freely chooses Othello. The Duke orders him to defend Cyprus against the Turks; Desdemona will follow with Iago. Roderigo agrees to sell his land after Iago promises help in pursuing her. Alone, Iago plans to gain Cassio’s post by making Othello suspect Cassio of intimacy with Desdemona.
SCENE I. A seaport in Cyprus. A Platform.
Enter Montano and two Gentlemen.
MONTANO
What from the cape can you discern at sea?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Nothing at all, it is a high-wrought flood.I cannot ’twixt the heaven and the mainDescry a sail.
MONTANO
Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land.A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements.If it hath ruffian’dold wordsTo rage or bluster violently. so upon the sea,What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,Can hold the mortisedomain-specifica hole or recess cut to receive a corresponding projection and form a joint.? What shall we hear of this?
SECOND GENTLEMAN
A segregation of the Turkish fleet.For do but stand upon the foaming shore,The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds,The wind-shak’d surge, with high and monstrous main,Seems to cast water on the burning Bear,And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole;I never did like molestation viewOn the enchafedold wordsTo heat, agitate, or make violently turbulent. flood.
MONTANO
If that the Turkish fleetBe not enshelter’d, and embay’ddomain-specificTo enclose or hem in within a bay., they are drown’d.It is impossible to bear it out.
Enter a third Gentleman.
THIRD GENTLEMAN
News, lads! Our wars are done.The desperate tempest hath so bang’d the TurksThat their designmentold wordsa design, purpose, or intended undertaking. halts. A noble ship of VeniceHath seen a grievous wreck and sufferanceOn most part of their fleet.
MONTANO
How? Is this true?
THIRD GENTLEMAN
The ship is here put in,A VeronessanameA Veronese ship, identified as coming from Verona.; Michael Cassio,Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
MONTANO
I am glad on’t. ’Tis a worthy governor.
THIRD GENTLEMAN
But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfortTouching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,And prays the Moor be safe; for they were partedWith foul and violent tempest.
MONTANO
Pray heavens he be;For I have serv’d him, and the man commandsLike a full soldier. Let’s to the sea-side, ho!As well to see the vessel that’s come inAs to throw out our eyesold wordsto cast or direct one’s gaze eagerly towards something. for brave Othello,Even till we make the main and the aerial blueAn indistinct regard.
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Come, let’s do so;For every minute is expectancyOf more arrivancerareArrival, especially the arrival of ships or people in succession..
Enter Cassio.
CASSIO
Thanks you, the valiant of this warlike isle,That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavensGive him defence against the elements,For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.
MONTANO
Is he well shipp’d?
CASSIO
His bark is stoutly timber’d, and his pilotOf very expert and approv’d allowance;Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,Stand in bold cure.
CASSIO
A sail, a sail, a sail!
Enter a Messenger.
CASSIO
What noise?
MESSENGER
The town is empty; on the brow o’ the seaStand ranks of people, and they cry “A sail!”
CASSIO
My hopes do shape him for the governor.
A shot.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
They do discharge their shot of courtesydomain-specificA ceremonial discharge of weapons as a salute or mark of respect..Our friends at least.
CASSIO
I pray you, sir, go forth,And give us truth who ’tis that is arriv’d.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I shall.
Exit.
MONTANO
But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv’d?
CASSIO
Most fortunately: he hath achiev’d a maidThat paragons description and wild fame,One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,And in the essential vesture of creationDoes tire the ingenerold wordsTo implant or engender in the mind or character..
Enter second Gentleman.
CASSIO
How now? Who has put in?
SECOND GENTLEMAN
’Tis one Iago, ancientdomain-specificA military ensign-bearer, a junior officer responsible for carrying the company’s flag. to the general.
CASSIO
He has had most favourable and happy speed:Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,The gutter’d rocks, and congregated sands,Traitors ensteep’d to clog the guiltless keel,As having sense of beauty, do omitTheir mortal natures, letting go safely byThe divine Desdemona.
MONTANO
What is she?
CASSIO
She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,Left in the conduct of the bold Iago;Whose footing here anticipates our thoughtsA se’nnight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms,Give renew’d fire to our extincted spirits,And bring all Cyprus comfort!
Enter Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, and Emilia.
CASSIO
O, behold,The riches of the ship is come on shore!Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,Before, behind thee, and on every hand,Enwheel thee round!
DESDEMONA
I thank you, valiant Cassio.What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
CASSIO
He is not yet arrived, nor know I aughtBut that he’s well, and will be shortly here.
DESDEMONA
O, but I fear—How lost you company?
DESDEMONA
A sail, a sail!
CASSIO
The great contention of the sea and skiesParted our fellowship. But, hark! a sail.
Guns within.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
They give their greeting to the citadel.This likewise is a friend.
CASSIO
See for the news.
Exit Gentleman.
CASSIO
Good ancient, you are welcome. Welcome, mistress.Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,That I extend my mannersmeaning changedto carry one's courteous behaviour to an elaborate or ceremonious length.; ’tis my breedingThat gives me this bold show of courtesy.
Kissing her.
IAGO
Sir, would she give you so much of her lipsAs of her tongue she oft bestows on me,You would have enough.
DESDEMONA
Alas, she has no speech.
IAGO
In faith, too much.I find it still when I have list to sleep.Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,She puts her tongue a little in her heart,And chides with thinking.
EMILIA
You have little cause to say so.
IAGO
Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,Bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens,Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.
DESDEMONA
O, fie upon thee, slanderer!
IAGO
Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk.You rise to play, and go to bed to work.
EMILIA
You shall not write my praise.
IAGO
No, let me not.
DESDEMONA
What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?
IAGO
O gentle lady, do not put me to’t,For I am nothing if not critical.
DESDEMONA
Come on, assay.—There’s one gone to the harbour?
IAGO
Ay, madam.
DESDEMONA
I am not merry, but I do beguileThe thing I am, by seeming otherwise.—Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
IAGO
I am about it, but indeed, my inventionComes from my pate as birdlime does from friezedomain-specifica coarse woollen cloth.,It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours,And thus she is deliver’d.If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,The one’s for use, the other useth it.
DESDEMONA
Well prais’d! How if she be black and witty?
IAGO
If she be black, and thereto have a wit,She’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
DESDEMONA
Worse and worse.
EMILIA
How if fair and foolish?
IAGO
She never yet was foolish that was fair,For even her folly help’d her to an heir.
DESDEMONA
These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i’ the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that’s foul and foolish?
IAGO
There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto,But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
DESDEMONA
O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best.But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed, one that in the authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?
IAGO
She that was ever fair and never proud,Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,Never lack’d gold and yet went never gay,Fled from her wish, and yet said, “Now I may”;She that, being anger’d, her revenge being nigh,Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly;She that in wisdom never was so frailTo change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tailold wordsTo exchange an older or less desirable partner for a younger or more desirable one.;She that could think and ne’er disclose her mind,See suitors following and not look behind;She was a wight, if ever such wight were—
DESDEMONA
To do what?
IAGO
To suckle fools and chronicle small beermeaning changedTo record trivial, commonplace events..
DESDEMONA
O most lame and impotent conclusion!—Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband.—How say you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor?
CASSIO
He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar.
IAGO
He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper.With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do.I will gyveold wordsa shackle or fetter for the leg. thee in thine own courtship.You say true, ’tis so, indeed.If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantryold wordsThe office, authority, or body of lieutenants., it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in.Very good; well kissed, an excellent courtesy! ’Tis so, indeed.Yet again your fingers to your lips?Would they were clyster-pipesdomain-specificA tube or syringe used to administer an enema. for your sake!
Trumpets within.
IAGO
The Moor! I know his trumpet.
CASSIO
’Tis truly so.
DESDEMONA
Let’s meet him, and receive him.
CASSIO
Lo, where he comes!
Enter Othello and Attendants.
OTHELLO
O my fair warrior!
DESDEMONA
My dear Othello!
OTHELLO
It gives me wonder great as my contentTo see you here before me. O my soul’s joy!If after every tempest come such calms,May the winds blow till they have waken’d death!And let the labouring bark climb hills of seasOlympus-high, and duck again as lowAs hell’s from heaven! If it were now to die,’Twere now to be most happy, for I fearMy soul hath her content so absoluteThat not another comfort like to thisSucceeds in unknown fate.
DESDEMONA
The heavens forbidBut that our loves and comforts should increaseEven as our days do grow!
OTHELLO
Amen to that, sweet powers!I cannot speak enough of this content.It stops me here; it is too much of joy:And this, and this, the greatest discords beThat e’er our hearts shall make!
IAGO
O, you are well tun’d now,But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music,As honest as I am.
OTHELLO
Come, let us to the castle.—News, friends, our wars are done, the Turks are drown’d.How does my old acquaintance of this isle?Honey, you shall be well desir’d in Cyprus;I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,I prattle out of fashion, and I doteIn mine own comforts.—I prithee, good Iago,Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.Bring thou the master to the citadel;He is a good one, and his worthinessDoes challenge much respect.—Come, Desdemona,Once more well met at Cyprus.
Exeuntforeign phrasea stage direction instructing two or more performers to leave the stage. Othello, Desdemona and Attendants.
IAGO
Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither.If thou be’st valiant—as, they say, base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them—list me.The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guarddomain-specifica guardroom or station occupied by soldiers on watch.: first, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.
RODERIGO
With him? Why, ’tis not possible.
IAGO
Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies.And will she love him still for prating?Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed.And what delight shall she have to look on the devil?When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners, and beauties; all which the Moor is defective in: now, for want of these required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorgeold wordsto provoke nausea or disgust., disrelish and abhor the Moor, very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice.Now sir, this granted (as it is a most pregnant and unforced position) who stands so eminently in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden loose affection? Why, none, why, none!A slipper and subtle knave, a finder out of occasions; that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself: a devilish knave!Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after.A pestilent complete knave, and the woman hath found him already.
RODERIGO
I cannot believe that in her, she is full of most blessed condition.
IAGO
Blest fig’s end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding!Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that?
RODERIGO
Yes, that I did. But that was but courtesy.
IAGO
Lechery, by this hand. An index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts.They met so near with their lips that their breaths embrac’d together.Villainous thoughts, Roderigo!When these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and mainold wordswith the utmost strength and effort. exercise, the incorporate conclusion. Pish!But, sir, be you ruled by me.I have brought you from Venice. Watch you tonight.For the command, I’ll lay’t upon you. Cassio knows you not.I’ll not be far from you.Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline, or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.
RODERIGO
Well.
IAGO
Sir, he is rash, and very sudden in choler, and haply with his truncheon may strike at you: provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio.So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them, and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
RODERIGO
I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.
IAGO
I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
RODERIGO
Adieu.
Exit.
IAGO
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;That she loves him, ’tis apt, and of great credit:The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,Is of a constant, loving, noble nature;And, I dare think, he’ll prove to DesdemonaA most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,Not out of absolute lust (though peradventureI stand accountant for as great a sin)But partly led to diet my revenge,For that I do suspect the lusty MoorHath leap’d into my seat. The thought whereofDoth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,And nothing can or shall content my soulTill I am even’d with him, wife for wife,Or, failing so, yet that I put the MoorAt least into a jealousy so strongThat judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do,If this poor trashold wordsA worthless person; as a verb, to restrain or check someone, as a hound is checked during a hunt. of Venice, whom I trashFor his quick hunting, stand the putting on,I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hipold wordsat a disadvantage and within another's power.,Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb(For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too)Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward meFor making him egregiously an assAnd practicing upon his peace and quietEven to madness. ’Tis here, but yet confus’d.Knavery’s plain face is never seen till us’d.