William Shakespeare Othello Act Ii

• Home >
• Primary Sources >
• Books & Plays >
• William Shakespeare >
• William Shakespeare: Othello, Act II

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

African Americans by the Numbers

Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

Act IIScene IA Sea-port in Cyprus. An open place near the quayEnter Montano and two GentlemenMontanoWhat from the cape can you discern at sea?First GentlemanNothing at all: it is a highwrought flood; I cannot, ’twixt the heaven and the main, Descry a sail.MontanoMethinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land; A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements: If it hath ruffian’d so upon the sea, What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them, Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?Second GentlemanA segregation of the Turkish fleet: For do but stand upon the foaming shore, The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds; The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane, seems to cast water on the burning bear, And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole: I never did like molestation view On the enchafed flood.MontanoIf that the Turkish fleet Be not enshelter’d and embay’d, they are drown’d: It is impossible they bear it out.Enter a third GentlemanThird GentlemanNews, lads! our wars are done. The desperate tempest hath so bang’d the Turks, That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance On most part of their fleet.MontanoHow! is this true?Third GentlemanThe ship is here put in, A Veronesa; 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.MontanoI am glad on’t; ’tis a worthy governor.Third GentlemanBut this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly, And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted With foul and violent tempest.MontanoPray heavens he be; For I have served him, and the man commands Like a full soldier. Let’s to the seaside, ho! As well to see the vessel that’s come in As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello, Even till we make the main and the aerial blue An indistinct regard.Third GentlemanCome, let’s do so: For every minute is expectancy Of more arrivance.Enter CassioCassioThanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle, That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens Give him defence against the elements, For I have lost us him on a dangerous sea.MontanoIs he well shipp’d?CassioHis bark is stoutly timber’d, his pilot Of very expert and approved allowance; Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death, Stand in bold cure.A cry within ‘A sail, a sail, a sail!‘Enter a fourth GentlemanCassioWhat noise?Fourth GentlemanThe town is empty; on the brow o’ the sea Stand ranks of people, and they cry ‘A sail!‘CassioMy hopes do shape him for the governor.Guns heardSecond GentlemenThey do discharge their shot of courtesy: Our friends at least.CassioI pray you, sir, go forth, And give us truth who ’tis that is arrived.Second GentlemanI shall.ExitMontanoBut, good lieutenant, is your general wived?CassioMost fortunately: he hath achieved a maid That paragons description and wild fame; One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, And in the essential vesture of creation Does tire the ingener.Re-enter second GentlemanHow now! who has put in?Second Gentleman’Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.CassioHas 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 omit Their mortal natures, letting go safely by The divine Desdemona.MontanoWhat is she?CassioShe that I spake of, our great captain’s captain, Left in the conduct of the bold Iago, Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts A 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, Emilia, Iago, Roderigo, and AttendantsO, 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!DesdemonaI thank you, valiant Cassio. What tidings can you tell me of my lord?CassioHe is not yet arrived: nor know I aught But that he’s well and will be shortly here.DesdemonaO, but I fear—How lost you company?CassioThe great contention of the sea and skies Parted our fellowship—But, hark! a sail.Within ‘A sail, a sail!’ Guns heardSecond GentlemanThey give their greeting to the citadel; This likewise is a friend.CassioSee for the news.Exit GentlemanGood ancient, you are welcome.To EmiliaWelcome, mistress. Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, That I extend my manners; ’tis my breeding That gives me this bold show of courtesy.Kissing herIagoSir, would she give you so much of her lips As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, You’ll have enough.DesdemonaAlas, she has no speech.IagoIn 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.EmiliaYou have little cause to say so.IagoCome on, come on; you are pictures out of doors, Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens, Saints m your injuries, devils being offended, Players in your housewifery, and housewives’ in your beds.DesdemonaO, fie upon thee, slanderer!IagoNay, it is true, or else I am a Turk: You rise to play and go to bed to work.EmiliaYou shall not write my praise.IagoNo, let me not.DesdemonaWhat wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?IagoO gentle lady, do not put me to’t; For I am nothing, if not critical.DesdemonaCome on assay. There’s one gone to the harbour?IagoAy, madam.DesdemonaI am not merry; but I do beguile The thing I am, by seeming otherwise. Come, how wouldst thou praise me?IagoI am about it; but indeed my invention Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize; 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.DesdemonaWell praised! How if she be black and witty?IagoIf she be black, and thereto have a wit, She’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit.DesdemonaWorse and worse.EmiliaHow if fair and foolish?IagoShe never yet was foolish that was fair; For even her folly help’d her to an heir.DesdemonaThese are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i’ the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that’s foul and foolish?IagoThere’s none so foul and foolish thereunto, But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.DesdemonaO 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?IagoShe 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 frail To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail; 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,—DesdemonaTo do what?IagoTo suckle fools and chronicle small beer.DesdemonaO 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?CassioHe speaks home, madam: You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar.IagoAsideHe 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 gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true; ’tis so, indeed: if such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, 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-pipes for your sake!Trumpet withinThe Moor! I know his trumpet.Cassio’Tis truly so.DesdemonaLet’s meet him and receive him.CassioLo, where he comes!Enter Othello and AttendantsOthelloO my fair warrior!DesdemonaMy dear Othello!OthelloIt gives me wonder great as my content To 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 seas Olympus-high and duck again as low As hell’s from heaven! If it were now to die, ‘Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear, My soul hath her content so absolute That not another comfort like to this Succeeds in unknown fate.DesdemonaThe heavens forbid But that our loves and comforts should increase, Even as our days do grow!OthelloAmen 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 beKissing herThat e’er our hearts shall make!IagoAsideO, you are well tuned now! But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am.OthelloCome, 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 desired in Cyprus; I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet, I prattle out of fashion, and I dote In 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 worthiness Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona, Once more, well met at Cyprus.Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and AttendantsIagoDo 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 guard:—first, I must tell thee this—Desdemona is directly in love with him.RoderigoWith him! why, ’tis not possible.IagoLay 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 gorge, 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 eminent 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 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.RoderigoI cannot believe that in her; she’s full of most blessed condition.IagoBlessed 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?RoderigoYes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.IagoLechery, 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 embraced together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion, Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me: I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night; 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.RoderigoWell.IagoSir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply 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.RoderigoI will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.IagoI warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.RoderigoAdieu.ExitIagoThat 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 Desdemona A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too; Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure I stand accountant for as great a sin, But partly led to diet my revenge, For that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leap’d into my seat; the thought whereof Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; And nothing can or shall content my soul Till I am even’d with him, wife for wife, Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do, If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash For his quick hunting, stand the putting on, I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip, 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 me. For making him egregiously an ass And practising upon his peace and quiet Even to madness. ‘Tis here, but yet confused: Knavery’s plain face is never seen tin used.Exit

Brewer’s: Othello

.com/t/lit/shakespeare-plays/othello-act2-1.html

Sources +

Our Common Sources

.com/t/lit/shakespeare-plays/othello-act2-1.html

Sources +

Our Common Sources

Our Common Sources

William Shakespeare: Othello, Act II, Scene III

• William Shakespeare: Othello, Act II, Scene III

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

African Americans by the Numbers

Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

African Americans by the Numbers

Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

• Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
• The Twelve Dancing Princesses
• Current Events This Week: January 2023
• African Americans by the Numbers
• Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
• The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales