READ STUDY GUIDE: Act II, scene iii |
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Act II, Scene iii:
A Hall in the Castle.
A Hall in the Castle.
| [Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants.] |
| OTHELLO: |
| Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night: |
| Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop, |
| Not to out-sport discretion. |
| CASSIO: |
| Iago hath direction what to do; |
| But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye |
| Will I look to't. |
| OTHELLO: |
| Iago is most honest. |
| Michael, good night: to-morrow with your earliest |
| Let me have speech with you.—Come, my dear love,—[To Desdemona] |
| The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; |
| That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.— |
| Good-night. |
| [Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants.] |
| [Enter Iago.] |
| CASSIO: |
| Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch. |
| IAGO: |
| Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the 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 |
| stoup 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 to-night, 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 to-night, 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 to-night already, |
| He'll be as full of quarrel and offense |
| As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo, |
| Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out, |
| To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd |
| Potations pottle-deep; 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 to-night fluster'd with flowing cups, |
| And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards, |
| Am I to put our Cassio in some action |
| That may offend the isle:—but here they come: |
| If consequence do but approve my dream, |
| My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream. |
| [Re-enter Cassio; with him Montano and Gentlemen; followed byServant with wine.] |
| CASSIO: |
| 'Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse already. |
| MONTANO: |
| Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier. |
| IAGO: |
| Some wine, ho! |
| [Sings.] |
| "And let me the canakin clink, clink; |
| And let me the canakin clink. |
 A soldier's a man; |
| O, man's life's but a span; |
| Why then let a soldier drink." |
| 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-bellied |
| 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 Almain; he gives your Hollander |
| a vomit ere the next pottle 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! |
| [Sings.] |
| "King Stephen was and a worthy peer, |
| His breeches cost him but a crown; |
| He held them sixpence all too dear, |
| With that he call'd the tailor lown. |
| 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." |
| Some wine, ho! |
| CASSIO: |
| Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. |
| IAGO: |
| Will you hear it 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 ancient. 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 Caesar |
| And give direction: and do but see his vice; |
| 'Tis to his virtue a just equinox, |
| The one as long as the 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 horologe a double set |
| If drink rock not his cradle. |
| MONTANO: |
| It were well |
| The general were put in mind of it. |
| 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? |
| [Enter Roderigo.] |
| IAGO: |
| [Aside to him.] How now, Roderigo! |
| I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. |
| [Exit Roderigo.] |
| MONTANO: |
| And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor |
| Should hazard such a place as his own second |
| With one of an ingraft infirmity: |
| It were an honest action to say |
| So to the Moor. |
| IAGO: |
| Not I, for this fair island; |
| I do love Cassio well; and would do much |
| To cure him of this evil.—But, hark! What noise? |
| [Cry within,—"Help! help!"] |
| [Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo.] |
| CASSIO: |
| 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 bottle. |
| 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 mazard. |
| MONTANO: |
| Come, come, you're drunk. |
| CASSIO: |
| Drunk! |
| [They fight.] |
| IAGO: |
| Away, I say! go out and cry a mutiny. |
| [Aside to Roderigo, who goes out.] |
| Nay, good lieutenant,—alas,, gentlemen:— |
| Help, ho!—Lieutenant,—sir,—Montano,—sir:— |
| Help, masters!—Here's a goodly watch indeed! |
| [Bell rings.] |
| Who's that that rings the bell?—Diablo, ho! |
| The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold; |
| You will be sham'd forever. |
| [Re-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 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 look'st 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 groom |
| Devesting them for bed; and then, but now— |
| As if some planet had unwitted men,— |
| Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast |
| In opposition bloody. 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! |
| 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 youth |
| The world hath noted, and your name is great |
| In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter, |
| That you unlace your reputation thus, |
| And spend your rich opinion for the name |
| Of 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 aught |
| By me that's said or done amiss this night: |
| Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice, |
| And to defend ourselves it be a sin |
| When violence assails us. |
| OTHELLO: |
| Now, by heaven, |
| My blood begins my safer guides to rule; |
| And passion, having my best judgement collied, |
| Assays to lead the way. If I once 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 approv'd in this offensc, |
| 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'd, 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 mouth |
| Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio; |
| 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 determin'd sword, |
| To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman |
| Steps 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 rather |
| For that I heard the clink and fall of swords, |
| And Cassio high in oath; which till to-night |
| I 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 were |
| When 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'd |
| From 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.— |
| [Renter Desdemona, attended.] |
| 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, sweeting; come away to bed. |
| Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon: |
| Lead him off. |
| [To Montano, who is lead off.] |
| Iago, look with care about the town, |
| And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.— |
| Come, Desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life. |
| To 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 is 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 moraler: 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 |
| 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. |
| 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, |
| Probal to thinking, and, indeed, the course |
| To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy |
| The inclining Desdemona to subdue |
| In any honest suit: she's fram'd as fruitful |
| As the free elements. And then for her |
| To win the Moor,—were't to renounce his baptism, |
| All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,— |
| His soul is so enfetter'd to her love |
| That she may make, unmake, do what she list, |
| Even as her appetite shall play the god |
| With his weak function. 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: for whiles this honest fool |
| Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune, |
| And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, |
| I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,— |
| That she repeals 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 net |
| That shall enmesh them all. |
| [Enter Roderigo.] |
| How now, Roderigo! |
| 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 to-night 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.]— |
| 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 find |
| Soliciting his wife. Ay, that's the way; |
| Dull not device by coldness and delay. |
| [Exit.] |
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