Will you think so?
He said that? Out loud? To Othello's face? Tell me everything!
He said that?! To Othello?! Tell me everything!
said what? to othello? tell all
Think so, Iago?
My lord, I'm only telling you what I heard. Cassio was with the general earlier, and they spoke privately. I heard him say—
Sir, I'm just telling you what I heard. Cassio was with Othello and they talked private. Cassio said—
what i heard cassio with othello private said
What,
To kiss in private?
What! Tell me immediately! Don't hold back! I must know!
What?! Tell me now! Don't hold out! I gotta know!
what? tell now don't hold back must know
An unauthoriz’d kiss.
I'm uncomfortable with this, sir. But very well. Cassio spoke of lying with your wife.
This is awkward, but okay. Cassio said he slept with your wife.
uncomfortable but cassio lying with desdemona
Or to be naked with her friend in bed
An hour or more, not meaning any harm?
He said those words? I'm going to be sick. The blood is draining from my face. I'm dying.
He said that? I'm gonna puke. I can't breathe.
sick blood draining face dying
Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm?
It is hypocrisy against the devil:
They that mean virtuously and yet do so,
The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.
My lord, are you all right? Should I get help? Shall I call someone?
Sir, you okay? Need help? Want me to get someone?
okay? all right? call help?
So they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip.
But if I give my wife a handkerchief—
I don't know. I'm lost. My mind is shattered. Everything is darkness.
I don't know. I'm lost. Everything's gone dark.
lost mind shattered darkness ever thing
What then?
Be patient, my lord. The handkerchief will tell us the truth. Wait until you see it in his hand.
Be patient, sir. The handkerchief will prove it. Just wait till he's got it.
patient handkerchief prove it wait
Why then, ’tis hers, my lord, and being hers,
She may, I think, bestow’t on any man.
Yes. I'll wait. And when I see it, I'll know. Then I'll kill them both. I swear it.
Yeah. I'll wait. When I see it, they're dead. Both of them.
wait see it kill them both swear it
She is protectress of her honour too.
May she give that?
My lord, you mustn't do this in anger. You must be clever about it. Make it look like justice, not murder.
Sir, don't just kill them in anger. Be smart about it. Make it look right.
don't be angry be clever look like justice not murder
Her honour is an essence that’s not seen;
They have it very oft that have it not:
But for the handkerchief—
I will wait. I'll see the handkerchief, and then I'll decide how to act.
I'll wait. See the handkerchief, then do what I gotta do.
wait handkerchief then decide act
By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.
Thou said’st (O, it comes o’er my memory,
As doth the raven o’er the infected house,
Boding to all) he had my handkerchief.
By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. Thou said’st (O, it comes o’er my memory, As doth the raven o’er the infected house, Boding to all) he had my handkerchief.
By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. Thou said’st (O, it comes o’er my memory, As doth the raven o’er the infected house, Boding to all) he had my handkerchief.
By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. Thou said’st (O, it comes o’er my
Ay, what of that?
Ay, what of that?
Ay, what of that?
Ay, what of that?
That’s not so good now.
That’s not so good now.
That’s not so good now.
That’s not so good now.
What
If I had said I had seen him do you wrong?
Or heard him say (as knaves be such abroad,
Who having, by their own importunate suit,
Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,
Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose
But they must blab.)
What If I had said I had seen him do you wrong? Or heard him say (as knaves be such abroad, Who having, by their own importunate suit, Or voluntary dotage of some mistress, Convinced or supplied them,...
What If I had said I had seen him do you wrong? Or heard him say (as knaves be such abroad, Who having, by their own importunate suit, Or voluntary dotage of some mistress, Convinced or supplied them,...
What If I had said I had seen him do you wrong? Or heard him say (as knaves be s
Hath he said anything?
Hath he said anything?
Hath he said anything?
Hath he said anything?
He hath, my lord, but be you well assur’d,
No more than he’ll unswear.
He hath, my lord, but be you well assur’d, No more than he’ll unswear.
He hath, my lord, but be you well assur’d, No more than he’ll unswear.
He hath, my lord, but be you well assur’d, No more than he’ll unswear.
What hath he said?
What hath he said?
What hath he said?
What hath he said?
Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.
Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.
Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.
Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.
What? What?
What? What?
What? What?
What? What?
Lie.
Lie.
Lie.
Lie.
With her?
With her?
With her?
With her?
With her, on her, what you will.
With her, on her, what you will.
With her, on her, what you will.
With her, on her, what you will.
Lie with her! lie on her!—We say lie on her when they belie her.—Lie
with her! that’s fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To
confess, and be hanged for his labour. First, to be hanged, and then to
confess. I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such
shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not words that shake
me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is’t
possible?—Confess?—handkerchief?—O devil!—
Lie with her! lie on her!—We say lie on her when they belie her.—Lie with her! that’s fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To confess, and be hanged for his labour. First, to be hanged, and...
Lie with her! lie on her!—We say lie on her when they belie her.—Lie with her! that’s fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To confess, and be hanged for his labour. First, to be hanged, and...
Lie with her! lie on her!—We say lie on her when they belie her.—Lie with her! t
Work on,
My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught,
And many worthy and chaste dames even thus,
All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! my lord!
My lord, I say! Othello!
Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught, And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! my lord! My lord, I say! Othello!
Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught, And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! my lord! My lord, I say! Othello!
Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught, And many worthy and
What’s the matter?
What’s the matter?
What’s the matter?
What’s the matter?
My lord is fallen into an epilepsy.
This is his second fit. He had one yesterday.
My lord is fallen into an epilepsy. This is his second fit. He had one yesterday.
My lord is fallen into an epilepsy. This is his second fit. He had one yesterday.
My lord is fallen into an epilepsy. This is his second fit. He had one yesterday
Rub him about the temples.
Rub him about the temples.
Rub him about the temples.
Rub him about the temples.
No, forbear;
The lethargy must have his quiet course.
If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by
Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs:
Do you withdraw yourself a little while,
He will recover straight. When he is gone,
I would on great occasion speak with you.
No, forbear; The lethargy must have his quiet course. If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs: Do you withdraw yourself a little while, He will recover st...
No, forbear; The lethargy must have his quiet course. If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs: Do you withdraw yourself a little while, He will recover st...
No, forbear; The lethargy must have his quiet course. If not, he foams at mouth,
Dost thou mock me?
Dost thou mock me?
Dost thou mock me?
Dost thou mock me?
I mock you? No, by heaven.
Would you would bear your fortune like a man!
I mock you? No, by heaven. Would you would bear your fortune like a man!
I mock you? No, by heaven. Would you would bear your fortune like a man!
I mock you? No, by heaven. Would you would bear your fortune like a man!
A horned man’s a monster and a beast.
A horned man’s a monster and a beast.
A horned man’s a monster and a beast.
A horned man’s a monster and a beast.
There’s many a beast, then, in a populous city,
And many a civil monster.
There’s many a beast, then, in a populous city, And many a civil monster.
There’s many a beast, then, in a populous city, And many a civil monster.
There’s many a beast, then, in a populous city, And many a civil monster.
Did he confess it?
Did he confess it?
Did he confess it?
Did he confess it?
Good sir, be a man.
Think every bearded fellow that’s but yok’d
May draw with you. There’s millions now alive
That nightly lie in those unproper beds
Which they dare swear peculiar: your case is better.
O, ’tis the spite of hell, the fiend’s arch-mock,
To lip a wanton in a secure couch,
And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know,
And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.
Good sir, be a man. Think every bearded fellow that’s but yok’d May draw with you. There’s millions now alive That nightly lie in those unproper beds Which they dare swear peculiar: your case is bette...
Good sir, be a man. Think every bearded fellow that’s but yok’d May draw with you. There’s millions now alive That nightly lie in those unproper beds Which they dare swear peculiar: your case is bette...
Good sir, be a man. Think every bearded fellow that’s but yok’d May draw with yo
O, thou art wise, ’tis certain.
O, thou art wise, ’tis certain.
O, thou art wise, ’tis certain.
O, thou art wise, ’tis certain.
Stand you awhile apart,
Confine yourself but in a patient list.
Whilst you were here o’erwhelmed with your grief,
(A passion most unsuiting such a man)
Cassio came hither. I shifted him away,
And laid good ’scuse upon your ecstasy,
Bade him anon return, and here speak with me,
The which he promis’d. Do but encave yourself,
And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns,
That dwell in every region of his face;
For I will make him tell the tale anew,
Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
He hath, and is again to cope your wife:
I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience,
Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen,
And nothing of a man.
Stand you awhile apart, Confine yourself but in a patient list. Whilst you were here o’erwhelmed with your grief, (A passion most unsuiting such a man) Cassio came hither. I shifted him away, And laid...
Stand you awhile apart, Confine yourself but in a patient list. Whilst you were here o’erwhelmed with your grief, (A passion most unsuiting such a man) Cassio came hither. I shifted him away, And laid...
Stand you awhile apart, Confine yourself but in a patient list. Whilst you were
Dost thou hear, Iago?
I will be found most cunning in my patience;
But,—dost thou hear?—most bloody.
Dost thou hear, Iago? I will be found most cunning in my patience; But,—dost thou hear?—most bloody.
Dost thou hear, Iago? I will be found most cunning in my patience; But,—dost thou hear?—most bloody.
Dost thou hear, Iago? I will be found most cunning in my patience; But,—dost tho
That’s not amiss.
But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
That’s not amiss. But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
That’s not amiss. But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
That’s not amiss. But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
The pantomime in 4-1 — Othello hidden, watching Cassio and Iago talk — is Iago's most theatrical achievement. He has constructed a scene with blocking, character assignments, and an interpretive frame. He positions Othello as an audience member watching a play about his own cuckolding. The terrifying thing is that the play Iago puts on is not false in its action — Cassio really does laugh, really does gesture, really does discuss a woman — but the meaning has been assigned by the director rather than arising from the scene itself. Shakespeare is doing something meta here: in the Globe Theatre, the audience watches Othello watch what he believes is his life. The levels of spectatorship multiply. And the theatrical irony is that the most obviously theatrical scene in the play — a staged eavesdropping with a hidden observer — is also the most emotionally catastrophic.
The worser that you give me the addition
Whose want even kills me.
The worser that you give me the addition Whose want even kills me.
The worser that you give me the addition Whose want even kills me.
The worser that you give me the addition Whose want even kills me.
Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.
Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.
Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.
Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.
Alas, poor caitiff!
Alas, poor caitiff!
Alas, poor caitiff!
Alas, poor caitiff!
I never knew a woman love man so.
I never knew a woman love man so.
I never knew a woman love man so.
I never knew a woman love man so.
Alas, poor rogue! I think, i’ faith, she loves me.
Alas, poor rogue! I think, i’ faith, she loves me.
Alas, poor rogue! I think, i’ faith, she loves me.
Alas, poor rogue! I think, i’ faith, she loves me.
Do you hear, Cassio?
Do you hear, Cassio?
Do you hear, Cassio?
Do you hear, Cassio?
Now he importunes him
To tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.
Now he importunes him To tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.
Now he importunes him To tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.
Now he importunes him To tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.
She gives it out that you shall marry her.
Do you intend it?
She gives it out that you shall marry her. Do you intend it?
She gives it out that you shall marry her. Do you intend it?
She gives it out that you shall marry her. Do you intend it?
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?
Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?
Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?
Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?
I marry her? What? A customer? I prithee, bear some charity to my wit,
do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
laughter
So, so, so, so. They laugh that wins.
Are you laughing at me?
You laughing at me?
why laugh
Faith, the cry goes that you shall marry her.
The lady thinks you'll marry her.
She thinks you're gonna marry her.
marry her
Prithee say true.
I intend to as much as eating a popcorn.
As much as I intend to eat popcorn.
as much as eating
I am a very villain else.
Othello, come to the window and hear what he says.
Othello, come here and hear this.
come to window hear what he says
Have you scored me? Well.
Have you scored me? Well.
So you marked me, did you? Fine.
you scored me well
This is the monkey’s own giving out. She is persuaded I will marry her,
out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.
I'm going to that woman now.
I'm gonna go to her.
go to that woman
Iago beckons me. Now he begins the story.
Iago beckons me. Now he begins the story.
Iago's calling me. Here we go.
iago beckons begins the story
She was here even now. She haunts me in every place. I was the other
day talking on the sea-bank with certain Venetians, and thither comes
the bauble, and falls thus about my neck.
She haunts me everywhere. I was just talking with some Venetian gentlemen by the water, and suddenly there she is, clinging to me, crying. It's ridiculous.
She won't leave me alone. I was talking to some guys the other day by the shore, and boom — she shows up and starts hanging on me, getting all emotional.
she haunts me everywhere follows me around won't leave me alone
Crying, “O dear Cassio!” as it were: his gesture imports it.
How shall I murder him, Iago?
How do I kill him, Iago?
murder him how
So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so hales and pulls me. Ha, ha,
ha!
She just clings to me and cries and pulls me around. It's pathetic. Ha, ha, ha!
She just hangs on me, weeping, dragging me everywhere. It's sad. Ha ha!
she clings she weeps she pulls me ha ha ha
Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. O, I see that nose of
yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.
Now he comes with empty words. I see! I see!
Look at him come with nothing. I see! I get it!
comes with words i see i see
Well, I must leave her company.
I need to stop seeing her.
I gotta break this off.
leave her break it off
Before me! look where she comes.
And she gives him the token I gave to Desdemona!
And he has the handkerchief I gave Desdemona!
she gives the token handkerchief
’Tis such another fitchew! Marry, a perfum’d one.
What do you mean by this haunting of me?
She's like a polecat — foul and persistent. A perfumed polecat, but still a polecat. Why do you keep haunting me everywhere?
She's disgusting — like a polecat, even if she smells nice. Why are you following me around all the time?
you're a polecat perfumed but still foul why haunt me
Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you mean by that same
handkerchief you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must
take out the work? A likely piece of work, that you should find it in
your chamber and not know who left it there! This is some minx’s token,
and I must take out the work? There, give it your hobby-horse.
Wheresoever you had it, I’ll take out no work on’t.
May the devil and his mother haunt you! What did you mean by giving me this handkerchief? I was a fool to take it. Am I supposed to embroider it? That's likely — you find it in your room and don't know who left it? This is some other woman's token. I won't embroider it. Here — give it to your mistress. Wherever you got it, I'm done with it.
Go to hell! Why did you give me that handkerchief? I'm an idiot for taking it. You want me to copy the embroidery? Right. You just found it in your room? Don't make me laugh — that's someone else's. I'm not doing any work on it. Take it to whoever it belongs to.
curse you both why give me this i was a fool this is hers not mine i'm done
How now, my sweet Bianca? How now, how now?
How now, my sweet Bianca? How are you?
Hey, beautiful. How are you?
sweet bianca how now
Elizabethan medicine associated epilepsy with the 'falling sickness' — a loss of self-control associated with both divine visitation and demonic possession. When Othello falls into a trance, contemporary audiences would have read this as his rational soul being overwhelmed. Shakespeare is showing us what happens when jealousy has fully colonized a mind: the body itself gives out. Othello, who has controlled his emotions so carefully in Act 1 — remaining composed under Brabantio's accusations, speaking with measured eloquence to the Senate — cannot control his physical body in Act 4. The progress of the poison is measured in his inability to remain standing.
By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!
There! The woman who took my wife's gift!
There! That's the woman who took Desdemona's gift!
the woman who took my wife's gift
If you’ll come to supper tonight, you may. If you will not, come when
you are next prepared for.
Why do you keep the handkerchief?
Why do you have the handkerchief?
why keep handkerchief
After her, after her.
Before her, I ask you to confess and prepare to die.
In front of her, confess and get ready to die.
confess prepare to die
Faith, I must; she’ll rail in the street else.
Faith, I must; she’ll rail in the street else.
Faith, I must; she’ll rail in the street else.
Faith, I must; she’ll rail in the street else.
Will you sup there?
Will you sup there?
Will you sup there?
Will you sup there?
Faith, I intend so.
Faith, I intend so.
Faith, I intend so.
Faith, I intend so.
Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain speak with you.
Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain speak with you.
Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain speak with you.
Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain speak with you.
Prithee come, will you?
Prithee come, will you?
Prithee come, will you?
Prithee come, will you?
Go to; say no more.
Go to; say no more.
Go to; say no more.
Go to; say no more.
Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
O Iago!
O Iago!
O Iago!
O Iago!
And did you see the handkerchief?
And did you see the handkerchief?
And did you see the handkerchief?
And did you see the handkerchief?
Was that mine?
Was that mine?
Was that mine?
Was that mine?
Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your
wife! she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore.
Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore.
Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore.
Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! she g
I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman, a fair woman, a
sweet woman!
I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!
I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!
I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman
Nay, you must forget that.
Nay, you must forget that.
Nay, you must forget that.
Nay, you must forget that.
Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not
live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my
hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature. She might lie by an
emperor’s side, and command him tasks.
Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature. She might lie ...
Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature. She might lie ...
Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No,
Nay, that’s not your way.
Nay, that’s not your way.
Nay, that’s not your way.
Nay, that’s not your way.
Hang her, I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle, an
admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear! Of
so high and plenteous wit and invention!
Hang her, I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle, an admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear! Of so high and plenteous wit and invention!
Hang her, I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle, an admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear! Of so high and plenteous wit and invention!
Hang her, I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle, an admirable mu
She’s the worse for all this.
She’s the worse for all this.
She’s the worse for all this.
She’s the worse for all this.
O, a thousand, a thousand times: and then of so gentle a condition!
O, a thousand, a thousand times: and then of so gentle a condition!
O, a thousand, a thousand times: and then of so gentle a condition!
O, a thousand, a thousand times: and then of so gentle a condition!
Ay, too gentle.
Ay, too gentle.
Ay, too gentle.
Ay, too gentle.
Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of
it, Iago!
Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend, for if
it touch not you, it comes near nobody.
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend, for if it touch
I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!
I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!
I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!
I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!
O, ’tis foul in her.
O, ’tis foul in her.
O, ’tis foul in her.
O, ’tis foul in her.
With mine officer!
With mine officer!
With mine officer!
With mine officer!
That’s fouler.
That’s fouler.
That’s fouler.
That’s fouler.
Get me some poison, Iago; this night. I’ll not expostulate with her,
lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago.
Get me some poison, Iago; this night. I’ll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago.
Get me some poison, Iago; this night. I’ll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago.
Get me some poison, Iago; this night. I’ll not expostulate with her, lest her bo
Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath
contaminated.
Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.
Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.
Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminat
Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very good.
Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very good.
Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very good.
Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very good.
And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You shall hear more by
midnight.
And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You shall hear more by midnight.
And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You shall hear more by midnight.
And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You shall hear more by midnight.
Excellent good. [_A trumpet within._] What trumpet is that same?
Excellent good. [_A trumpet within._] What trumpet is that same?
Excellent good. [_A trumpet within._] What trumpet is that same?
Excellent good. [_A trumpet within._] What trumpet is that same?
Something from Venice, sure. ’Tis Lodovico
Come from the duke. See, your wife is with him.
Something from Venice, sure. ’Tis Lodovico Come from the duke. See, your wife is with him.
Something from Venice, sure. ’Tis Lodovico Come from the duke. See, your wife is with him.
Something from Venice, sure. ’Tis Lodovico Come from the duke. See, your wife is
Save you, worthy general!
Save you, worthy general!
Save you, worthy general!
Save you, worthy general!
With all my heart, sir.
With all my heart, sir.
With all my heart, sir.
With all my heart, sir.
The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?
Lodovico arrives from Venice with a letter recalling Othello and giving command to Cassio — and he arrives at the worst possible moment, to witness Othello strike Desdemona in public. His presence is crucial: it introduces a witness who knows what Othello was and can measure the distance to what he has become. 'Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature whom passion could not shake?' Lodovico's question is the play's question. And the answer is: yes, this is him. Not a different man, but the same man, with everything stable in him destroyed. That is what makes the tragedy of Othello so unbearable — not that a bad man does a terrible thing, but that a good man does.
I am very glad to see you, signior.
Welcome to Cyprus.
I am very glad to see you, signior. Welcome to Cyprus.
I am very glad to see you, signior. Welcome to Cyprus.
I am very glad to see you, signior. Welcome to Cyprus.
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
Lives, sir.
Lives, sir.
Lives, sir.
Lives, sir.
Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord
An unkind breach, but you shall make all well.
Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord An unkind breach, but you shall make all well.
Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord An unkind breach, but you shall make all well.
Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord An unkind breach, but you shall m
Are you sure of that?
Are you sure of that?
Are you sure of that?
Are you sure of that?
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
He did not call; he’s busy in the paper.
Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?
He did not call; he’s busy in the paper. Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?
He did not call; he’s busy in the paper. Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?
He did not call; he’s busy in the paper. Is there division ’twixt my lord and Ca
A most unhappy one. I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
A most unhappy one. I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
A most unhappy one. I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
A most unhappy one. I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio
Fire and brimstone!
Fire and brimstone!
Fire and brimstone!
Fire and brimstone!
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
Are you wise?
Are you wise?
Are you wise?
Are you wise?
What, is he angry?
What, is he angry?
What, is he angry?
What, is he angry?
May be the letter mov’d him;
For, as I think, they do command him home,
Deputing Cassio in his government.
May be the letter mov’d him; For, as I think, they do command him home, Deputing Cassio in his government.
May be the letter mov’d him; For, as I think, they do command him home, Deputing Cassio in his government.
May be the letter mov’d him; For, as I think, they do command him home, Deputing
Trust me, I am glad on’t.
Trust me, I am glad on’t.
Trust me, I am glad on’t.
Trust me, I am glad on’t.
Indeed!
Indeed!
Indeed!
Indeed!
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
I am glad to see you mad.
I am glad to see you mad.
I am glad to see you mad.
I am glad to see you mad.
Why, sweet Othello?
Why, sweet Othello?
Why, sweet Othello?
Why, sweet Othello?
Devil!
Devil!
Devil!
Devil!
I have not deserv’d this.
I have not deserv’d this.
I have not deserv’d this.
I have not deserv’d this.
My lord, this would not be believ’d in Venice,
Though I should swear I saw’t: ’tis very much.
Make her amends. She weeps.
My lord, this would not be believ’d in Venice, Though I should swear I saw’t: ’tis very much. Make her amends. She weeps.
My lord, this would not be believ’d in Venice, Though I should swear I saw’t: ’tis very much. Make her amends. She weeps.
My lord, this would not be believ’d in Venice, Though I should swear I saw’t: ’t
O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
Out of my sight!
O devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight!
O devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight!
O devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, Each drop she f
I will not stay to offend you.
I will not stay to offend you.
I will not stay to offend you.
I will not stay to offend you.
Truly, an obedient lady.
I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
Truly, an obedient lady. I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
Truly, an obedient lady. I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
Truly, an obedient lady. I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
Mistress!
Mistress!
Mistress!
Mistress!
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
What would you with her, sir?
What would you with her, sir?
What would you with her, sir?
What would you with her, sir?
Who, I, my lord?
Who, I, my lord?
Who, I, my lord?
Who, I, my lord?
Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn.
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,
And turn again. And she can weep, sir, weep;
And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient,
Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears.
Concerning this, sir,—O well-painted passion!
I am commanded home.—Get you away;
I’ll send for you anon.—Sir, I obey the mandate,
And will return to Venice.—Hence, avaunt!
Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn. Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, And turn again. And she can weep, sir, weep; And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient, Very obedient. Proceed y...
Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn. Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, And turn again. And she can weep, sir, weep; And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient, Very obedient. Proceed y...
Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn. Sir, she can turn, and turn, and ye
Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate
Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature
Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue
The shot of accident nor dart of chance
Could neither graze nor pierce?
Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue The shot of accident nor dart of chance Could neither graze...
Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue The shot of accident nor dart of chance Could neither graze...
Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate Call all in all sufficient? Is this
He is much chang’d.
He is much chang’d.
He is much chang’d.
He is much chang’d.
Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?
Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?
Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?
Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?
He’s that he is. I may not breathe my censure
What he might be. If what he might he is not,
I would to heaven he were!
He’s that he is. I may not breathe my censure What he might be. If what he might he is not, I would to heaven he were!
He’s that he is. I may not breathe my censure What he might be. If what he might he is not, I would to heaven he were!
He’s that he is. I may not breathe my censure What he might be. If what he might
What, strike his wife?
What, strike his wife?
What, strike his wife?
What, strike his wife?
Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew
That stroke would prove the worst!
Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew That stroke would prove the worst!
Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew That stroke would prove the worst!
Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew That stroke would prove the worst!
Is it his use?
Or did the letters work upon his blood,
And new-create this fault?
Is it his use? Or did the letters work upon his blood, And new-create this fault?
Is it his use? Or did the letters work upon his blood, And new-create this fault?
Is it his use? Or did the letters work upon his blood, And new-create this fault
Alas, alas!
It is not honesty in me to speak
What I have seen and known. You shall observe him,
And his own courses will denote him so
That I may save my speech: do but go after,
And mark how he continues.
Alas, alas! It is not honesty in me to speak What I have seen and known. You shall observe him, And his own courses will denote him so That I may save my speech: do but go after, And mark how he conti...
Alas, alas! It is not honesty in me to speak What I have seen and known. You shall observe him, And his own courses will denote him so That I may save my speech: do but go after, And mark how he conti...
Alas, alas! It is not honesty in me to speak What I have seen and known. You sha
I am sorry that I am deceiv’d in him.
I am sorry that I am deceiv’d in him.
I am sorry that I am deceiv’d in him.
I am sorry that I am deceiv’d in him.
The Reckoning
Iago's technique evolves in this scene from suggestion to staging. Having planted the ideas in 3-3, he now gives Othello something to see. But what Othello sees — Cassio laughing about Bianca — is a completely different play than the one Othello believes he is watching. The scene is built on the structural irony of partial information: Iago knows everything, Othello thinks he knows everything, and they are watching the same event see entirely different things. The epileptic fit that begins the scene shows us what the accumulated poison has done to Othello's body; the eavesdropping pantomime shows what it has done to his mind; and Othello's public strike against Desdemona shows what it is doing to his marriage and honor.
If this happened today…
Your colleague who has been poisoning your opinion of your partner now puts you behind a one-way mirror while they have a conversation with someone who jokes about a date they went on. Your colleague has told you the conversation is about your partner. You can't hear it properly. You watch the person laugh, gesture, look pleased with themselves. Your colleague comes out and tells you exactly what they said. You believe it completely. You go home in a state.