READ STUDY GUIDE: Act I, scenes i–ii |
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Act I, Scene ii:
Venice. Another street.
Venice. Another street.
| [Enter Othello, Iago, and Attendants with torches.] |
| IAGO: |
| Though in the trade of war I have slain men, |
| Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience |
| To do no contriv'd murder: I lack iniquity |
| Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times |
| I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs. |
| OTHELLO: |
| 'Tis better as it is. |
| IAGO: |
| Nay, but he prated, |
| And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms |
| Against your honor, |
| That, with the little godliness I have, |
| I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir, |
| Are you fast married? Be assured of this, |
| That the magnifico is much beloved; |
| And hath, in his effect, a voice potential |
| As double as the duke's: he will divorce you; |
| Or put upon you what restraint and grievance |
| The law,—with all his might to enforce it on,— |
| Will give him cable. |
| OTHELLO: |
| Let him do his spite: |
| My services which I have done the signiory |
| Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,— |
| Which, when I know that boasting is an honor, |
| I shall promulgate,—I fetch my life and being |
| From men of royal siege; and my demerits |
| May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune |
| As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago, |
| But that I love the gentle Desdemona, |
| I would not my unhoused free condition |
| Put into circumscription and confine |
| For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond? |
| IAGO: |
| Those are the raised father and his friends: |
| You were best go in. |
| OTHELLO: |
| Not I; I must be found; |
| My parts, my title, and my perfect soul |
| Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they? |
| IAGO: |
| By Janus, I think no. |
| [Enter Cassio and certain Officers with torches.] |
| OTHELLO: |
| The servants of the duke and my lieutenant.— |
| The goodness of the night upon you, friends! |
| What is the news? |
| CASSIO: |
| The duke does greet you, general; |
| And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance |
| Even on the instant. |
| OTHELLO: |
| What is the matter, think you? |
| CASSIO: |
| Something from Cyprus, as I may divine: |
| It is a business of some heat: the galleys |
| Have sent a dozen sequent messengers |
| This very night at one another's heels; |
| And many of the consuls, rais'd and met, |
| Are at the duke's already: you have been hotly call'd for; |
| When, being not at your lodging to be found, |
| The senate hath sent about three several quests |
| To search you out. |
| OTHELLO: |
| 'Tis well I am found by you. |
| I will but spend a word here in the house, |
| And go with you. |
| [Exit.] |
| CASSIO: |
| Ancient, what makes he here? |
| IAGO: |
| Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack: |
| If it prove lawful prize, he's made forever. |
| CASSIO: |
| I do not understand. |
| IAGO: |
| He's married. |
| CASSIO: |
| To who? |
| [Re-enter Othello.] |
| IAGO: |
| Marry, to—Come, captain, will you go? |
| OTHELLO: |
| Have with you. |
| CASSIO: |
| Here comes another troop to seek for you. |
| IAGO: |
| It is Brabantio.—General, be advis'd; |
| He comes to bad intent. |
| [Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, and Officers with torches andweapons.] |
| OTHELLO: |
| Holla! stand there! |
| RODERIGO: |
| Signior, it is the Moor. |
| BRABANTIO: |
| Down with him, thief! |
| [They draw on both sides.] |
| IAGO: |
| You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you. |
| OTHELLO: |
| Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.— |
| Good signior, you shall more command with years |
| Than with your weapons. |
| BRABANTIO: |
| O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter? |
| Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her; |
| For I'll refer me to all things of sense, |
| If she in chains of magic were not bound, |
| Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy, |
| So opposite to marriage that she shunn'd |
| The wealthy curled darlings of our nation, |
| Would ever have, to incur a general mock, |
| Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom |
| Of such a thing as thou,—to fear, not to delight. |
| Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense |
| That thou hast practis'd on her with foul charms; |
| Abus'd her delicate youth with drugs or minerals |
| That weaken motion:—I'll have't disputed on; |
| 'Tis probable, and palpable to thinking. |
| I therefore apprehend and do attach thee |
| For an abuser of the world, a practiser |
| Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.— |
| Lay hold upon him: if he do resist, |
| Subdue him at his peril. |
| OTHELLO: |
| Hold your hands, |
| Both you of my inclining and the rest: |
| Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it |
| Without a prompter.—Where will you that I go |
| To answer this your charge? |
| BRABANTIO: |
| To prison; till fit time |
| Of law and course of direct session |
| Call thee to answer. |
| OTHELLO: |
| What if I do obey? |
| How may the duke be therewith satisfied, |
| Whose messengers are here about my side, |
| Upon some present business of the state, |
| To bring me to him? |
| FIRST OFFICER: |
| 'Tis true, most worthy signior; |
| The duke's in council, and your noble self, |
| I am sure, is sent for. |
| BRABANTIO: |
| How! the duke in council! |
| In this time of the night!—Bring him away: |
| Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself, |
| Or any of my brothers of the state, |
| Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own; |
| For if such actions may have passage free, |
| Bond slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be. |
| [Exeunt.] |
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