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Othello, Act 2, Scene 3

William Shakespeare
Every note, for your class

The story so far

Earlier in the play

Othello has married Desdemona and arrived in Cyprus, where a storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet. Iago, passed over for Cassio’s promotion, plans to make Othello jealous. He has persuaded Roderigo, who wants Desdemona, to provoke Cassio during his watch and help secure his dismissal.

In the last scene: Act 2, Scene 2

Othello’s Herald proclaims public celebrations for the confirmed destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello’s marriage. Everyone may dance, light bonfires or choose other entertainments, with free feasting from five until eleven.

SCENE III. A Hall in the Castle.

Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio and Attendants.
OTHELLO
Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.Let’s teach ourselves that honourable stop,Not to outsportrareto surpass others in sport, revelry, or entertainment. discretion.
CASSIO
Iago hath direction what to do.But notwithstanding with my personal eyeWill I look to’t.
OTHELLO
Iago is most honest.Michael, good night. Tomorrow with your earliestLet me have speech with you. Come, my dear love,The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;That profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.—Good night.
Exeuntforeign phrasea stage direction instructing two or more performers to leave the stage. Othello, Desdemona and Attendants.
Enter Iago.
CASSIO
Welcome, Iago. We must to the watch.
IAGO
Not this hour, lieutenant. ’Tis not yet ten o’ th’ clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore blame: he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and she is sport for Jove.
CASSIO
She’s a most exquisite lady.
IAGO
And, I’ll warrant her, full of game.
CASSIO
Indeed, she is a most fresh and delicate creature.
IAGO
What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley to provocation.
CASSIO
An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest.
IAGO
And when she speaks, is it not an alarm to love?
CASSIO
She is indeed perfection.
IAGO
Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stouprareA vessel or measure for drinking liquor. of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello.
CASSIO
Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.
IAGO
O, they are our friends; but one cup: I’ll drink for you.
CASSIO
I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily qualified too, and behold, what innovation it makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more.
IAGO
What, man! ’Tis a night of revels. The gallants desire it.
CASSIO
Where are they?
IAGO
Here at the door. I pray you, call them in.
CASSIO
I’ll do’t; but it dislikes me.
Exit.
IAGO
If I can fasten but one cup upon him,With that which he hath drunk tonight already,He’ll be as full of quarrel and offenceAs my young mistress’ dog. Now my sick fool Roderigo,Whom love hath turn’d almost the wrong side out,To Desdemona hath tonight carous’dPotations pottle-deepold wordsto the depth or quantity of a pottle, implying copious drinking.; and he’s to watch:Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,That hold their honours in a wary distance,The very elements of this warlike isle,Have I tonight fluster’d with flowing cups,And they watch too. Now, ’mongst this flock of drunkards,Am I to put our Cassio in some actionThat may offend the isle. But here they come:If consequence do but approve my dream,My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.
Enter Cassio, Montano and Gentlemen; followed by Servant with wine.
CASSIO
’Fore God, they have given me a rouseold wordsA large or full draught of liquor, often drunk as a toast. already.
MONTANO
Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier.
IAGO
Some wine, ho!Sings.
IAGO
And let me the cannikinold wordsA small drinking vessel or cup. clink, clink,And let me the cannikin clink, clink:A soldier’s a man,O, man’s life’s but a span,Why then let a soldier drink.
IAGO
Some wine, boys!
CASSIO
’Fore God, an excellent song.
IAGO
I learned it in England, where indeed they are most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and your swag-belliedrareHaving a large, heavy, sagging belly. Hollander,—drink, ho!—are nothing to your English.
CASSIO
Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking?
IAGO
Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your AlmainnameA German.; he gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottledomain-specifica liquid measure of two quarts, approximately 2.3 litres. can be filled.
CASSIO
To the health of our general!
MONTANO
I am for it, lieutenant; and I’ll do you justice.
IAGO
O sweet England!
IAGO
Sings.
IAGO
King Stephen was a worthy peer,His breeches cost him but a crown;He held them sixpence all too dear,With that he call’d the tailor lownold wordsA rogue, rascal, or base fellow..He was a wight of high renown,And thou art but of low degree:’Tis pride that pulls the country down,Then take thine auld cloak about thee.
IAGO
Some wine, ho!
CASSIO
’Fore God, this is a more exquisite song than the other.
IAGO
Will you hear ’t again?
CASSIO
No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things. Well, God’s above all, and there be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.
IAGO
It’s true, good lieutenant.
CASSIO
For mine own part, no offence to the general, nor any man of quality, I hope to be saved.
IAGO
And so do I too, lieutenant.
CASSIO
Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancientdomain-specificA military ensign-bearer, a junior officer responsible for carrying the company’s flag.. Let’s have no more of this; let’s to our affairs. Forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let’s look to our business. 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.
ALL
Excellent well.
CASSIO
Why, very well then. You must not think, then, that I am drunk.
Exit.
MONTANO
To the platform, masters. Come, let’s set the watch.
IAGO
You see this fellow that is gone before,He is a soldier fit to stand by CæsarAnd give direction: and do but see his vice,’Tis to his virtue a just equinox,The one as long as th’ other. ’Tis pity of him.I fear the trust Othello puts him in,On some odd time of his infirmity,Will shake this island.
MONTANO
But is he often thus?
IAGO
’Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:He’ll watch the horologeold wordsa clock or other instrument for telling the time. a double setIf drink rock not his cradle.
MONTANO
It were wellThe general were put in mind of it.Perhaps he sees it not, or his good naturePrizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,And looks not on his evils: is not this true?
Enter Roderigo.
IAGO
How now, Roderigo?I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.
Exit Roderigo.
MONTANO
And ’tis great pity that the noble MoorShould hazard such a place as his own secondWith one of an ingraft infirmity:It were an honest action to say soTo the Moor.
IAGO
Not I, for this fair island.I do love Cassio well and would do muchTo cure him of this evil. But, hark! What noise?
IAGO
[Cry within: “Help! help!”]
Enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo.
CASSIO
Zounds, you rogue, you rascal!
MONTANO
What’s the matter, lieutenant?
CASSIO
A knave teach me my duty! I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottleold wordsA bottle enclosed in a protective wicker covering..
RODERIGO
Beat me?
CASSIO
Dost thou prate, rogue?
Striking Roderigo.
MONTANO
Nay, good lieutenant;I pray you, sir, hold your hand.
CASSIO
Let me go, sir,Or I’ll knock you o’er the mazardold wordsthe head or skull..
MONTANO
Come, come, you’re drunk.
CASSIO
Drunk?
They fight.
IAGO
Away, I say! Go out and cry a mutiny.
Exit Roderigo.
IAGO
Nay, good lieutenant, God’s will, gentlemen.Help, ho!—Lieutenant,—sir,—Montano,—sir:—Help, masters! Here’s a goodly watch indeed!
A bell rings.
IAGO
Who’s that which rings the bell?—Diablo, ho!The town will rise. God’s will, lieutenant, hold,You will be sham’d forever.
Enter Othello and Attendants.
OTHELLO
What is the matter here?
MONTANO
Zounds, I bleed still, I am hurt to the death.
OTHELLO
Hold, for your lives!
IAGO
Hold, ho! lieutenant,—sir,—Montano,—gentlemen,—Have you forgot all place of sense and duty?Hold! The general speaks to you; hold, hold, for shame!
OTHELLO
Why, how now, ho! From whence ariseth this?Are we turn’d Turks, and to ourselves do thatWhich heaven hath forbid the Ottomitesnamea member or subject of the Ottoman Empire, whose forces threaten Venetian Cyprus.?For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:He that stirs next to carve for his own rageHolds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isleFrom 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. Friends all but now, even now,In quarter, and in terms like bride and groomDevestingold wordsto dispossess or strip someone of property, rights, or authority. them for bed; and then, but now,As if some planet had unwittedold wordsTo deprive of reason or mental composure. men,Swords out, and tilting one at other’s breast,In opposition bloody. I cannot speakAny beginning to this peevish odds;And would in action glorious I had lostThose legs that brought me to a part of it!
OTHELLO
How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
CASSIO
I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.
OTHELLO
Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil.The gravity and stillness of your youthThe world hath noted, and your name is greatIn mouths of wisest censure: what’s the matter,That you unlace your reputation thus,And spend your rich opinion for the nameOf a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.
MONTANO
Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.Your officer, Iago, can inform you,While I spare speech, which something now offends me,Of all that I do know; nor know I aughtBy me that’s said or done amiss this night,Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,And to defend ourselves it be a sinWhen violence assails us.
OTHELLO
Now, by heaven,My blood begins my safer guides to rule,And passion, having my best judgement colliedrareTo blacken or darken as with coal or soot.,Assays to lead the way. Zounds, if I stir,Or do but lift this arm, the best of youShall sink in my rebuke. Give me to knowHow this foul rout began, who set it on,And he that is approv’d in this offence,Though he had twinn’d with me, both at a birth,Shall lose me. What! in a town of war,Yet wild, the people’s hearts brimful of fear,To manage private and domestic quarrel,In night, and on the court and guard of safety?’Tis monstrous. Iago, who began’t?
MONTANO
If partially affin’drareto relate by marriage, kinship, or close association., or leagu’d in office,Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,Thou art no soldier.
IAGO
Touch me not so near.I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouthThan it should do offence to Michael Cassio.Yet I persuade myself, to speak the truthShall 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 determin’d sword,To execute upon him. Sir, this gentlemanSteps in to Cassio and entreats his pause.Myself the crying fellow did pursue,Lest by his clamour (as it so fell out)The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,Outran my purpose: and I return’d the ratherFor that I heard the clink and fall of swords,And Cassio high in oath, which till tonightI ne’er might say before. When I came back,(For this was brief) I found them close together,At blow and thrust, even as again they wereWhen you yourself did part them.More of this matter cannot I report.But men are men; the best sometimes forget;Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,As men in rage strike those that wish them best,Yet surely Cassio, I believe, receiv’dFrom him that fled some strange indignity,Which patience could not pass.
OTHELLO
I know, Iago,Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee,But never more be officer of mine.
Enter Desdemona, attended.
OTHELLO
Look, if my gentle love be not rais’d up!I’ll make thee an example.
DESDEMONA
What’s the matter?
OTHELLO
All’s well now, sweetingold wordsA term of affection for a sweetheart or dear person.; come away to bed.Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon.Lead him off.
Montano is led off.
OTHELLO
Iago, look with care about the town,And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.Come, Desdemona: ’tis the soldiers’ lifeTo have their balmy slumbers wak’d with strife.
Exeunt all but Iago and Cassio.
IAGO
What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
CASSIO
Ay, past all surgery.
IAGO
Marry, Heaven forbid!
CASSIO
Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!
IAGO
As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man, there are ways to recover the general again: you are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion: sue to him again, and he’s yours.
CASSIO
I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse fustian with one’s own shadow? O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!
IAGO
What was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you?
CASSIO
I know not.
IAGO
Is’t possible?
CASSIO
I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! That we should with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!
IAGO
Why, but you are now well enough: how came you thus recovered?
CASSIO
It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath. One unperfectness shows me another, to make me frankly despise myself.
IAGO
Come, you are too severe a moralerold wordsa person who moralises or delivers moral instruction.. As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen; but since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.
CASSIO
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! O strange! Every inordinate cup is unbless’d, and the ingredient is a devil.
IAGO
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.
CASSIO
I have well approved it, sir.—I drunk!
IAGO
You, or any man living, may be drunk at a time, man. I’ll tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now the general; I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotementold wordsan indication, sign, or distinguishing mark. 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.
CASSIO
You advise me well.
IAGO
I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.
CASSIO
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 here.
IAGO
You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant, I must to the watch.
CASSIO
Good night, honest Iago.
Exit.
IAGO
And what’s he then, that says I play the villain?When this advice is free I give and honest,Probalold wordsprobable or plausible. to thinking, and indeed the courseTo win the Moor again? For ’tis most easyThe inclining Desdemona to subdueIn any honest suit. She’s fram’d as fruitfulAs the free elements. And then for herTo win the Moor, were’t to renounce his baptism,All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,His soul is so enfetter’d to her loveThat she may make, unmake, do what she list,Even as her appetite shall play the godWith his weak function. How am I then, a villainTo 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: for whiles this honest foolPlies Desdemona to repair his fortune,And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear,That she repealsold wordsto recall someone from banishment or exile. him for her body’s lust;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 netThat shall enmesh them all.
Enter Roderigo.
IAGO
How now, Roderigo?
RODERIGO
I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the crydomain-specificTo join others in making the same clamour or accusation, like hounds joining a pack’s cry.. My money is almost spent, I have been tonight exceedingly well cudgelled; 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.
IAGO
How poor are they that have not patience!What wound did ever heal but by degrees?Thou know’st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft,And wit depends on dilatory time.Does’t not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier’d Cassio;Though other things grow fair against the sun,Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe.Content thyself awhile. By the mass, ’tis morning;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.
Exit Roderigo.
IAGO
Two things are to be done,My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress.I’ll set her on;Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,And bring him jump when he may Cassio findSoliciting his wife. Ay, that’s the way.Dull not device by coldness and delay.
Exit.

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Questions on this scene

  • Reading

    What does Iago persuade Cassio to drink?