Othello Act 3, Scene 3: Line-by-Line Modern English Translation

Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do

Modern English: Rest assured, good Cassio, I will do

All my abilities in thy behalf.

Modern English: everything in my power for you.

Good madam, do: I warrant it grieves my husband,

Modern English: Good madam, please do. I swear it upsets my husband

As if the case were his.

Modern English: as much as if it were his own problem.

O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,

Modern English: Oh, he’s a good man. Don’t doubt, Cassio,

But I will have my lord and you again

Modern English: but that I will make my husband and you

As friendly as you were.

Modern English: as friendly as you were before.

Bounteous madam,

Modern English: Generous madam,

Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,

Modern English: whatever happens to Michael Cassio,

He's never any thing but your true servant.

Modern English: he will always be your loyal servant.

I know't; I thank you. You do love my lord:

Modern English: I know that; thank you. You care for my husband;

You have known him long; and be you well assured

Modern English: you’ve known him a long time. Rest assured

He shall in strangeness stand no further off

Modern English: that he won't keep you at a distance any longer

Than in a polite distance.

Modern English: than is required for professional politeness.

Ay, but, lady,

Modern English: Yes, but, lady,

That policy may either last so long,

Modern English: that professional distance might last so long,

Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,

Modern English: or be based on such trivial reasons,

Or breed itself so out of circumstance,

Modern English: or grow so much out of current events,

That, I being absent and my place supplied,

Modern English: that while I’m gone and someone else has my job,

My general will forget my love and service.

Modern English: my general will forget my loyalty and service.

Do not doubt that; before Emilia here

Modern English: Don't worry about that. Here in front of Emilia,

I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,

Modern English: I guarantee you your position. Rest assured,

If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it

Modern English: if I vow to be a friend, I’ll follow through

To the last article: my lord shall never rest;

Modern English: to the very last detail. My husband will never hear the end of it;

I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;

Modern English: I’ll keep him awake until he gives in and talk until he loses patience.

His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;

Modern English: His bed will be like a classroom, his dinner table like a confession booth;

I'll intermingle every thing he does

Modern English: I’ll mix everything he does

With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio;

Modern English: with Cassio’s request. So be happy, Cassio;

For thy solicitor shall rather die

Modern English: for your advocate would rather die

Than give thy cause away.

Modern English: than give up on your cause.

Madam, here comes my lord.

Modern English: Madam, here comes my husband.

Madam, I'll take my leave.

Modern English: Madam, I’ll leave now.

Why, stay, and hear me speak.

Modern English: Why? Stay and hear what I have to say.

Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease,

Modern English: Madam, not now. I feel very uneasy,

Unfit for mine own purposes.

Modern English: and not in the right state of mind for my own interests.

Well, do your discretion.

Modern English: Well, do what you think is best.

Exit CASSIO

Modern English: CASSIO leaves.

Enter OTHELLO and IAGO

Modern English: OTHELLO and IAGO enter.

Ha! I like not that.

Modern English: Ha! I don't like that.

What dost thou say?

Modern English: What did you say?

Nothing, my lord: or if--I know not what.

Modern English: Nothing, my lord; or if—I don't know what.

Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

Modern English: Wasn't that Cassio who just left my wife?

Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,

Modern English: Cassio, my lord? No, surely I can't imagine

That he would steal away so guilty-like,

Modern English: that he would sneak away looking so guilty

Seeing you coming.

Modern English: when he saw you coming.

I do believe 'twas he.

Modern English: I believe it was him.

How now, my lord!

Modern English: Hello, my lord!

I have been talking with a suitor here,

Modern English: I’ve been talking here with a petitioner,

A man that languishes in your displeasure.

Modern English: a man who is suffering because of your displeasure.

Who is't you mean?

Modern English: Who do you mean?

Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,

Modern English: Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. My dear lord,

If I have any grace or power to move you,

Modern English: if I have any influence or power to persuade you,

His present reconciliation take;

Modern English: please reconcile with him immediately.

For if he be not one that truly loves you,

Modern English: For if he isn't someone who truly loves you,

That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,

Modern English: and one who made a mistake out of ignorance rather than malice,

I have no judgment in an honest face:

Modern English: then I have no ability to recognize an honest face.

I prithee, call him back.

Modern English: I beg you, call him back.

Went he hence now?

Modern English: Did he just leave?

Ay, sooth; so humbled

Modern English: Yes, indeed; and he was so humble

That he hath left part of his grief with me,

Modern English: That he has shared some of his sadness with me,

To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

Modern English: so I suffer along with him. Dear love, call him back.

Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.

Modern English: Not right now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.

But shall't be shortly?

Modern English: But will it be soon?

The sooner, sweet, for you.

Modern English: The sooner the better, darling, for your sake.

Shall't be to-night at supper?

Modern English: Will it be tonight at dinner?

No, not to-night.

Modern English: No, not tonight.

To-morrow dinner, then?

Modern English: Tomorrow at lunch, then?

I shall not dine at home;

Modern English: I won't be eating at home;

I meet the captains at the citadel.

Modern English: I'm meeting the officers at the fortress.

Why, then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn;

Modern English: Well then, tomorrow night; or Tuesday morning;

On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:

Modern English: On Tuesday at noon, or night; on Wednesday morning:

I prithee, name the time, but let it not

Modern English: Please, just name a time, but don't let it

Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;

Modern English: be more than three days away. Truly, he's sorry;

And yet his trespass, in our common reason--

Modern English: and yet his mistake, by any common standard—

Save that, they say, the wars must make examples

Modern English: except that they say the military must make examples

Out of their best--is not almost a fault

Modern English: of even their best men—is hardly a fault

To incur a private cheque. When shall he come?

Modern English: deserving a private reprimand. When can he come?

Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,

Modern English: Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul

What you would ask me, that I should deny,

Modern English: what you could possibly ask of me that I would refuse,

Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,

Modern English: or hesitate so much about. What! Michael Cassio,

That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time,

Modern English: who came with you while you were courting me, and so many times,

When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,

Modern English: when I spoke critically of you,

Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do

Modern English: took your side; to have such a hard time

To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much,--

Modern English: getting him back in your favor! Trust me, I would do a lot—

Prithee, no more: let him come when he will;

Modern English: Please, no more. Let him come whenever he wants;

I will deny thee nothing.

Modern English: I will refuse you nothing.

Why, this is not a boon;

Modern English: Why, this isn't a special favor;

'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,

Modern English: it's like I were asking you to wear your gloves,

Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,

Modern English: or eat healthy food, or keep yourself warm,

Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit

Modern English: or begging you to do something that specifically benefits

To your own person: nay, when I have a suit

Modern English: your own person. No, when I have a request

Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,

Modern English: where I really mean to test your love,

It shall be full of poise and difficult weight

Modern English: it will be something serious and difficult to weigh,

And fearful to be granted.

Modern English: and scary to grant.

I will deny thee nothing:

Modern English: I will refuse you nothing;

Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,

Modern English: in return, I beg you to grant me this:

To leave me but a little to myself.

Modern English: to leave me alone for just a little while.

Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my lord.

Modern English: Should I refuse you? No. Goodbye, my lord.

Farewell, my Desdemona: I'll come to thee straight.

Modern English: Goodbye, my Desdemona. I'll come to you right away.

Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you;

Modern English: Emilia, come. Do whatever your heart tells you;

Whate'er you be, I am obedient.

Modern English: whatever you decide, I will be obedient.

Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA

Modern English: DESDEMONA and EMILIA leave.

Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,

Modern English: She's a wonderful girl! May damnation take my soul

But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,

Modern English: if I don't love you! And when I stop loving you,

Chaos is come again.

Modern English: the world will return to chaos.

My noble lord--

Modern English: My noble lord—

What dost thou say, Iago?

Modern English: What are you saying, Iago?

Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,

Modern English: Did Michael Cassio, when you were courting my lady,

Know of your love?

Modern English: know about your love?

He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask?

Modern English: He did, from the very beginning. Why do you ask?

But for a satisfaction of my thought;

Modern English: Just to satisfy a thought I had;

No further harm.

Modern English: no other reason.

Why of thy thought, Iago?

Modern English: Why did you have that thought, Iago?

I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

Modern English: I didn't realize he was already acquainted with her.

O, yes; and went between us very oft.

Modern English: Oh, yes; he went between us very often.

Indeed!

Modern English: Is that so!

Indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that?

Modern English: Is that so! Yes, it is so. Do you see something in that?

Is he not honest?

Modern English: Is he not an honest man?

Honest, my lord!

Modern English: Honest, my lord!

Honest! ay, honest.

Modern English: Honest! Yes, honest.

My lord, for aught I know.

Modern English: My lord, as far as I know.

What dost thou think?

Modern English: What are you thinking?

Think, my lord!

Modern English: Thinking, my lord!

Think, my lord!

Modern English: Thinking, my lord!

By heaven, he echoes me,

Modern English: By heaven, he's echoing me,

As if there were some monster in his thought

Modern English: as if there were some monster in his mind

Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something:

Modern English: too hideous to be revealed. You mean something by this.

I heard thee say even now, thou likedst not that,

Modern English: I heard you say just now that you didn't like that,

When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?

Modern English: when Cassio left my wife. What didn't you like?

And when I told thee he was of my counsel

Modern English: And when I told you he was in my confidence

In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst 'Indeed!'

Modern English: during my whole courtship, you cried, "Is that so!"

And didst contract and purse thy brow together,

Modern English: And you frowned and wrinkled your forehead,

As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain

Modern English: as if you had some horrible idea

Some horrible conceit: if thou dost love me,

Modern English: locked up in your brain. If you love me,

Show me thy thought.

Modern English: tell me what you're thinking.

My lord, you know I love you.

Modern English: My lord, you know I love you.

I think thou dost;

Modern English: I believe you do;

And, for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty,

Modern English: and because I know you're full of love and integrity,

And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath,

Modern English: and you weigh your words before you speak them,

Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more:

Modern English: these hesitations of yours frighten me all the more.

For such things in a false disloyal knave

Modern English: In a dishonest, disloyal villain,

Are tricks of custom, but in a man that's just

Modern English: such pauses are just common tricks; but in a just man,

They are close delations, working from the heart

Modern English: they are secret signals coming from a heart

That passion cannot rule.

Modern English: that cannot control its emotions.

For Michael Cassio,

Modern English: As for Michael Cassio,

I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.

Modern English: I'd be willing to swear that I think he is honest.

I think so too.

Modern English: I think so too.

Men should be what they seem;

Modern English: Men should be what they appear to be;

Or those that be not, would they might seem none!

Modern English: or if they aren't, I wish they wouldn't look like they are!

Certain, men should be what they seem.

Modern English: True, men should be what they seem.

Why, then, I think Cassio's an honest man.

Modern English: Well then, I think Cassio is an honest man.

Nay, yet there's more in this:

Modern English: No, there's more to this than that.

I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings,

Modern English: I beg you, speak to me exactly what you're thinking,

As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts

Modern English: as you're thinking it, and give your worst thoughts

The worst of words.

Modern English: the harshest possible words.

Good my lord, pardon me:

Modern English: My good lord, please forgive me.

Though I am bound to every act of duty,

Modern English: Although I am bound to serve you in every way,

I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.

Modern English: I am not bound to do what even slaves are free not to do.

Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false;

Modern English: Speak my thoughts? Why, suppose they are disgusting and false?

As where's that palace whereinto foul things

Modern English: Where is the palace so clean that foul things

Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,

Modern English: Never creep in? Who has a heart so clean,

But some uncleanly apprehensions

Modern English: That some dirty, suspicious thoughts

Keep leets and law-days and in session sit

Modern English: Don't hold court and sit in judgment there

With meditations lawful?

Modern English: Alongside lawful reflections?

Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,

Modern English: You are acting like a traitor to your friend, Iago,

If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear

Modern English: If you think he's being wronged and yet keep your thoughts

A stranger to thy thoughts.

Modern English: A secret from him.

I do beseech you--

Modern English: I beg you—

Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,

Modern English: Even though I might be wrong in my guess,

As, I confess, it is my nature's plague

Modern English: Since, I admit, it is my character's flaw

To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy

Modern English: To look for trouble, and my suspicious nature

Shapes faults that are not--that your wisdom yet,

Modern English: Often invents faults that don't exist—I ask that your wisdom,

From one that so imperfectly conceits,

Modern English: Hearing from someone with such flawed perceptions,

Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble

Modern English: Would ignore me, and not create problems for yourself

Out of his scattering and unsure observance.

Modern English: Based on my random and uncertain observations.

It were not for your quiet nor your good,

Modern English: It wouldn't be good for your peace of mind,

Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,

Modern English: Nor for my own manhood, honesty, or wisdom,

To let you know my thoughts.

Modern English: To tell you what I'm thinking.

What dost thou mean?

Modern English: What do you mean by that?

Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,

Modern English: A good reputation in a man or woman, my dear lord,

Is the immediate jewel of their souls:

Modern English: Is the most precious jewel of their souls.

Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;

Modern English: Whoever steals my purse steals trash; it's something, then nothing;

'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:

Modern English: It was mine, now it's his, and it's been a slave to thousands.

But he that filches from me my good name

Modern English: But the person who steals my good name from me

Robs me of that which not enriches him

Modern English: Takes something that doesn't make him any richer

And makes me poor indeed.

Modern English: But leaves me truly poor.

By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.

Modern English: By heaven, I will know what you're thinking.

You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;

Modern English: You couldn't, even if my heart were in your hand,

Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.

Modern English: And you won't, as long as it's in my keeping.

Ha!

Modern English: Ha!

O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;

Modern English: Oh, watch out for jealousy, my lord!

It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock

Modern English: It is the green-eyed monster that mocks

The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss

Modern English: The victim it devours. That cheated husband lives happily

Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;

Modern English: Who, knowing his fate, doesn't love the one who wronged him;

But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er

Modern English: But oh, what miserable minutes does he count

Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!

Modern English: Who worships, yet doubts; suspects, yet deeply loves!

O misery!

Modern English: Oh, what misery!

Poor and content is rich and rich enough,

Modern English: Being poor but content is being rich enough,

But riches fineless is as poor as winter

Modern English: But unlimited wealth is as empty as winter

To him that ever fears he shall be poor.

Modern English: To a man who constantly fears he will become poor.

Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend

Modern English: Good heaven, protect the souls of all my people

From jealousy!

Modern English: From jealousy!

Why, why is this?

Modern English: Why, why are you saying this?

Think'st thou I'ld make a lie of jealousy,

Modern English: Do you think I'd lead a life of jealousy,

To follow still the changes of the moon

Modern English: Changing my mind as often as the moon

With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt

Modern English: With new suspicions? No; to be in doubt just once

Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,

Modern English: Is to demand a resolution immediately. Trade me for a goat

When I shall turn the business of my soul

Modern English: If I ever turn my soul's attention

To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,

Modern English: To such inflated and hollow rumors

Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous

Modern English: Like the ones you're suggesting. It doesn't make me jealous

To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,

Modern English: To say my wife is beautiful, eats well, loves company,

Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well;

Modern English: Speaks freely, sings, plays music, and dances well;

Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:

Modern English: Where a woman is virtuous, these qualities only make her more so.

Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw

Modern English: Nor will I let my own lack of merit cause me

The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;

Modern English: To have the slightest fear or doubt that she would stray.

For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago;

Modern English: She had eyes, and she chose me. No, Iago;

I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;

Modern English: I'll see evidence before I doubt; when I doubt, I'll prove it;

And on the proof, there is no more but this,--

Modern English: And once it's proven, there's only one thing to do—

Away at once with love or jealousy!

Modern English: Get rid of both love and jealousy at once!

I am glad of it; for now I shall have reason

Modern English: I'm glad to hear that; because now I have a reason

To show the love and duty that I bear you

Modern English: To show the love and duty I have for you

With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,

Modern English: With more openness. Therefore, as I am obligated,

Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.

Modern English: Accept this from me. I'm not talking about proof yet.

Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;

Modern English: Keep an eye on your wife; watch her closely with Cassio.

Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure:

Modern English: Observe her this way: not jealous, but not unsuspecting either.

I would not have your free and noble nature,

Modern English: I wouldn't want your generous and noble nature

Out of self-bounty, be abused; look to't:

Modern English: To be taken advantage of because of your kindness; watch out.

I know our country disposition well;

Modern English: I know the temperament of my countrywomen well;

In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks

Modern English: In Venice, they let heaven see the naughty tricks

They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience

Modern English: They don't dare show their husbands; their only conscience

Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.

Modern English: Is not to stop doing it, but to keep it a secret.

Dost thou say so?

Modern English: Is that what you say?

She did deceive her father, marrying you;

Modern English: She deceived her father by marrying you;

And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,

Modern English: And when she seemed to tremble and fear your looks,

She loved them most.

Modern English: She actually loved them the most.

And so she did.

Modern English: And so she did.

Why, go to then;

Modern English: Well, there you go then;

She that, so young, could give out such a seeming,

Modern English: A girl who, so young, could put on such an act

To seal her father's eyes up close as oak-

Modern English: To blind her father's eyes as tight as oak wood—

He thought 'twas witchcraft--but I am much to blame;

Modern English: He thought it was witchcraft—but I am very much to blame;

I humbly do beseech you of your pardon

Modern English: I humbly beg your pardon

For too much loving you.

Modern English: For loving you too much.

I am bound to thee for ever.

Modern English: I am forever in your debt.

I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits.

Modern English: I see this has dampened your spirits a bit.

Not a jot, not a jot.

Modern English: Not at all, not at all.

I' faith, I fear it has.

Modern English: Truly, I'm afraid it has.

I hope you will consider what is spoke

Modern English: I hope you'll consider that what I've said

Comes from my love. But I do see you're moved:

Modern English: Comes from my affection. But I see you're upset.

I am to pray you not to strain my speech

Modern English: I must ask you not to stretch my words

To grosser issues nor to larger reach

Modern English: To mean anything worse or more significant

Than to suspicion.

Modern English: Than mere suspicion.

I will not.

Modern English: I won't.

Should you do so, my lord,

Modern English: If you did, my lord,

My speech should fall into such vile success

Modern English: My words would have a disastrous result

As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend--

Modern English: That I never intended. Cassio is my worthy friend—

My lord, I see you're moved.

Modern English: My lord, I see you are distressed.

No, not much moved:

Modern English: No, not very distressed.

I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

Modern English: I truly believe Desdemona is faithful.

Long live she so! and long live you to think so!

Modern English: May she stay that way! And may you long believe she is!

And yet, how nature erring from itself,--

Modern English: And yet, how nature, wandering from its normal path—

Ay, there's the point: as--to be bold with you--

Modern English: Yes, that is the crucial point: to be completely honest with you,

Not to affect many proposed matches

Modern English: She did not choose any of the many proposed suitors

Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,

Modern English: From her own country, race, and social standing,

Whereto we see in all things nature tends--

Modern English: Which is what we see nature naturally gravitating toward—

Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,

Modern English: Ugh! One can sense a stinking willpower in that,

Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural.

Modern English: Ugly imbalances and unnatural thoughts.

But pardon me; I do not in position

Modern English: But forgive me; I am not making a specific

Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear

Modern English: Accusation against her; though I do fear

Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,

Modern English: Her desires, returning to her better judgment,

May fall to match you with her country forms

Modern English: May start comparing you with men from her own country

And happily repent.

Modern English: And she might eventually regret her choice.

Farewell, farewell:

Modern English: Goodbye, goodbye:

If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;

Modern English: If you notice anything else, let me know;

Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago:

Modern English: Tell your wife to keep watch: leave me, Iago.

[Going] My lord, I take my leave.

Modern English: My lord, I'll take my leave. [He starts to leave]

Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless

Modern English: Why did I get married? This honest man undoubtedly

Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

Modern English: Sees and knows much more than he is saying.

[Returning] My lord, I would I might entreat

Modern English: My lord, I wish I could persuade

your honour

Modern English: Your honor

To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:

Modern English: Not to look into this matter any further; leave it to time.

Though it be fit that Cassio have his place,

Modern English: Although it is right that Cassio has his job back,

For sure, he fills it up with great ability,

Modern English: Because he certainly performs it with great skill,

Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,

Modern English: Still, if you would please keep him waiting a while,

You shall by that perceive him and his means:

Modern English: You will be able to observe him and his methods:

Note, if your lady strain his entertainment

Modern English: Notice if your wife pushes for his reinstatement

With any strong or vehement importunity;

Modern English: With any strong or intense persistence;

Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,

Modern English: That will reveal a lot. In the meantime,

Let me be thought too busy in my fears--

Modern English: Let me be considered too paranoid in my fears—

As worthy cause I have to fear I am--

Modern English: As I have good reason to fear I am—

And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.

Modern English: And consider her innocent, I beg your honor.

Fear not my government.

Modern English: Don't worry about my self-control.

I once more take my leave.

Modern English: I take my leave once more.

Exit

Modern English: The character leaves.

This fellow's of exceeding honesty,

Modern English: This guy is incredibly honest,

And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,

Modern English: And understands all the traits of human behavior

Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,

Modern English: With a very learned spirit. If I prove she is like a wild hawk,

Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,

Modern English: Even if her leashes were my own heartstrings,

I'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind,

Modern English: I would whistle her off and let her fly away with the wind,

To pray at fortune. Haply, for I am black

Modern English: To scavenge for herself. Perhaps, because I am Black

And have not those soft parts of conversation

Modern English: And don't have the smooth conversational skills

That chamberers have, or for I am declined

Modern English: That socialites have, or because I am getting

Into the vale of years,--yet that's not much--

Modern English: Into the valley of old age—though that's not much—

She's gone. I am abused; and my relief

Modern English: She’s gone. I’ve been betrayed; and my only relief

Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,

Modern English: Must be to hate her. Oh, the curse of marriage,

That we can call these delicate creatures ours,

Modern English: That we can call these beautiful creatures ours,

And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,

Modern English: But not control their desires! I’d rather be a toad,

And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,

Modern English: And live on the dungeon’s damp air,

Than keep a corner in the thing I love

Modern English: Than share even a corner of the person I love

For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;

Modern English: With others. Yet, this is the plague of powerful men;

Prerogatived are they less than the base;

Modern English: They have fewer privileges than common people;

'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:

Modern English: It is an unavoidable destiny, like death:

Even then this forked plague is fated to us

Modern English: This cuckold's plague is fated for us

When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:

Modern English: From the moment we are born. Desdemona is coming:

If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!

Modern English: If she is unfaithful, oh, then heaven is a lie!

I'll not believe't.

Modern English: I won't believe it.

Re-enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA

Modern English: DESDEMONA and EMILIA return.

How now, my dear Othello!

Modern English: How are you, my dear Othello!

Your dinner, and the generous islanders

Modern English: Your dinner, and the noble islanders

By you invited, do attend your presence.

Modern English: Whom you invited, are waiting for you.

I am to blame.

Modern English: I am at fault.

Why do you speak so faintly?

Modern English: Why are you speaking so softly?

Are you not well?

Modern English: Are you not feeling well?

I have a pain upon my forehead here.

Modern English: I have a pain right here on my forehead.

'Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again:

Modern English: Truly, that's from lack of sleep; it will go away:

Let me but bind it hard, within this hour

Modern English: Let me just wrap it tightly, and within the hour

It will be well.

Modern English: It will be fine.

Your napkin is too little:

Modern English: Your handkerchief is too small:

Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.

Modern English: Leave it alone. Come, I'll go inside with you.

He puts the handkerchief from him; and it drops

Modern English: He puts the handkerchief from him; and it drops

I am very sorry that you are not well.

Modern English: I am very sorry that you aren't feeling well.

Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA

Modern English: OTHELLO and DESDEMONA leave.

I am glad I have found this napkin:

Modern English: I'm glad I found this handkerchief:

This was her first remembrance from the Moor:

Modern English: This was her first gift from the Moor:

My wayward husband hath a hundred times

Modern English: My stubborn husband has a hundred times

Woo'd me to steal it; but she so loves the token,

Modern English: Begged me to steal it; but she loves the keepsake so much,

For he conjured her she should ever keep it,

Modern English: Because he made her promise she would always keep it,

That she reserves it evermore about her

Modern English: That she keeps it with her at all times

To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,

Modern English: To kiss and talk to. I'll have the pattern copied,

And give't Iago: what he will do with it

Modern English: And give it to Iago: what he intends to do with it

Heaven knows, not I;

Modern English: Only heaven knows, not I;

I nothing but to please his fantasy.

Modern English: I only exist to satisfy his whims.

Re-enter Iago

Modern English: Iago returns.

How now! what do you here alone?

Modern English: What's this! What are you doing here alone?

Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.

Modern English: Don't scold me; I have something for you.

A thing for me? it is a common thing--

Modern English: Something for me? It's a common thing—

Ha!

Modern English: Ha!

To have a foolish wife.

Modern English: To have a foolish wife.

O, is that all? What will you give me now

Modern English: Oh, is that all? What will you give me now

For the same handkerchief?

Modern English: In exchange for this handkerchief?

What handkerchief?

Modern English: What handkerchief?

What handkerchief?

Modern English: What handkerchief!

Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;

Modern English: Why, the one the Moor first gave to Desdemona;

That which so often you did bid me steal.

Modern English: The one you told me to steal so many times.

Hast stol'n it from her?

Modern English: Did you steal it from her?

No, 'faith; she let it drop by negligence.

Modern English: No, honestly; she dropped it by accident.

And, to the advantage, I, being here, took't up.

Modern English: And, taking advantage of the moment, I picked it up.

Look, here it is.

Modern English: Look, here it is.

A good wench; give it me.

Modern English: Good girl; give it to me.

What will you do with 't, that you have been

Modern English: What will you do with it, since you've been

so earnest

Modern English: So desperate

To have me filch it?

Modern English: To have me steal it?

[Snatching it] Why, what's that to you?

Modern English: Why is that any of your business?

If it be not for some purpose of import,

Modern English: If it's not for some important reason,

Give't me again: poor lady, she'll run mad

Modern English: Give it back to me: poor lady, she'll go crazy

When she shall lack it.

Modern English: When she realizes it's missing.

Be not acknown on 't; I have use for it.

Modern English: Don't admit you know anything about it; I have a use for it.

Go, leave me.

Modern English: Go, leave me alone.

I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,

Modern English: I’ll drop this handkerchief in Cassio’s room

And let him find it. Trifles light as air

Modern English: and let him find it. Trivial things as light as air

Are to the jealous confirmations strong

Modern English: are, to a jealous person, evidence as strong

As proofs of holy writ: this may do something.

Modern English: as passages from holy scripture. This might work.

The Moor already changes with my poison:

Modern English: The Moor is already changing because of my poison.

Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons.

Modern English: Dangerous thoughts are like poisons by nature.

Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,

Modern English: At first they hardly taste bad at all,

But with a little act upon the blood.

Modern English: but once they start to act upon the blood,

Burn like the mines of Sulphur. I did say so:

Modern English: they burn like mines of sulfur. I was right—

Look, where he comes!

Modern English: look, here he comes!

Not poppy, nor mandragora,

Modern English: Neither opium, nor mandrake,

Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,

Modern English: nor all the sleeping syrups in the world,

Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep

Modern English: will ever medicine you back to that sweet sleep

Which thou owedst yesterday.

Modern English: that you possessed yesterday.

Exit EMILIA

Modern English: EMILIA leaves.

Re-enter OTHELLO

Modern English: OTHELLO returns.

Ha! ha! false to me?

Modern English: Ha, ha! She's unfaithful to me?

Why, how now, general! no more of that.

Modern English: Why, what’s wrong, General? Don't think about that anymore.

Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack:

Modern English: Get out! Go away! You have put me on a torture rack.

I swear 'tis better to be much abused

Modern English: I swear it is better to be completely cheated on

Than but to know't a little.

Modern English: than to just suspect a little bit.

How now, my lord!

Modern English: What's the matter, my lord?

What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust?

Modern English: What awareness did I have of her stolen hours of lust?

I saw't not, thought it not, it harm'd not me:

Modern English: I didn't see it, I didn't think it, it didn't hurt me.

I slept the next night well, was free and merry;

Modern English: I slept well the next night, I was carefree and happy;

I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips:

Modern English: I didn't find Cassio’s kisses on her lips.

He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n,

Modern English: A man who is robbed, but doesn't miss what was stolen,

Let him not know't, and he's not robb'd at all.

Modern English: if he doesn't know about it, he hasn't been robbed at all.

I am sorry to hear this.

Modern English: I am sorry to hear this.

I had been happy, if the general camp,

Modern English: I would have been happy if the entire army,

Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body,

Modern English: even the lowest laborers, had tasted her sweet body,

So I had nothing known. O, now, for ever

Modern English: as long as I knew nothing about it. Oh, now, forever,

Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!

Modern English: goodbye to my peaceful mind! Goodbye to my happiness!

Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars,

Modern English: Goodbye to the plumed troops and the great wars

That make ambition virtue! O, farewell!

Modern English: that make ambition a virtue! Oh, goodbye!

Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump,

Modern English: Goodbye to the neighing horse and the shrill trumpet,

The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,

Modern English: the spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing flute,

The royal banner, and all quality,

Modern English: the royal banner, and all the quality,

Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!

Modern English: pride, pomp, and ceremony of glorious war!

And, O you mortal engines, whose rude throats

Modern English: And, oh you deadly cannons, whose crude throats

The immortal Jove's dead clamours counterfeit,

Modern English: imitate the thunderous noise of immortal Jove,

Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

Modern English: goodbye! Othello’s career is over!

Is't possible, my lord?

Modern English: Is it possible, my lord?

Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore,

Modern English: Villain, make sure you prove my love is a whore;

Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof:

Modern English: be sure of it. Give me visual proof.

Or by the worth of man's eternal soul,

Modern English: Or, by the value of a man’s eternal soul,

Thou hadst been better have been born a dog

Modern English: you would have been better off being born a dog

Than answer my waked wrath!

Modern English: than having to answer to my awakened anger!

Is't come to this?

Modern English: Has it come to this?

Make me to see't; or, at the least, so prove it,

Modern English: Make me see it, or at least prove it so clearly

That the probation bear no hinge nor loop

Modern English: that the evidence has no hinge or loop

To hang a doubt on; or woe upon thy life!

Modern English: to hang a doubt on—or curse your life!

My noble lord,--

Modern English: My noble lord—

If thou dost slander her and torture me,

Modern English: If you slander her and torture me,

Never pray more; abandon all remorse;

Modern English: never pray again; give up all pity.

On horror's head horrors accumulate;

Modern English: Pile horrors on top of horror;

Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed;

Modern English: do deeds that make heaven weep and the whole earth amazed;

For nothing canst thou to damnation add

Modern English: for you can add nothing to your own damnation

Greater than that.

Modern English: greater than that.

O grace! O heaven forgive me!

Modern English: Oh, grace! Oh, heaven forgive me!

Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?

Modern English: Are you a man? Do you have a soul or any sense?

God be wi' you; take mine office. O wretched fool.

Modern English: God be with you; take my job. Oh, what a miserable fool I am,

That livest to make thine honesty a vice!

Modern English: to live long enough to make my honesty a flaw!

O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,

Modern English: Oh, monstrous world! Take note, take note, world,

To be direct and honest is not safe.

Modern English: that being direct and honest is not safe.

I thank you for this profit; and from hence

Modern English: I thank you for this lesson; and from now on

I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence.

Modern English: I’ll love no friend, since love causes such trouble.

Nay, stay: thou shouldst be honest.

Modern English: No, stay. You ought to be honest.

I should be wise, for honesty's a fool

Modern English: I ought to be wise, because honesty is a fool

And loses that it works for.

Modern English: that loses the very thing it works for.

By the world,

Modern English: By the world,

I think my wife be honest and think she is not;

Modern English: I think my wife is honest, and I think she is not;

I think that thou art just and think thou art not.

Modern English: I think you are truthful, and I think you are not.

I'll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh

Modern English: I’ll have some proof. Her reputation, which was as fresh

As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black

Modern English: as the face of Diana, is now as begrimed and black

As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives,

Modern English: as my own face. If there are ropes, or knives,

Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,

Modern English: poison, or fire, or drowning waters,

I'll not endure it. Would I were satisfied!

Modern English: I won't endure it. I wish I were certain!

I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion:

Modern English: I see, sir, that you are consumed by passion.

I do repent me that I put it to you.

Modern English: I regret that I brought this up to you.

You would be satisfied?

Modern English: You want to be certain?

Would! nay, I will.

Modern English: Want to! No, I will be.

And may: but, how? how satisfied, my lord?

Modern English: And you can be. But how? How can you be certain, my lord?

Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on--

Modern English: Would you, as an observer, stare crudely—

Behold her topp'd?

Modern English: watch her being mounted?

Death and damnation! O!

Modern English: Death and damnation! Oh!

It were a tedious difficulty, I think,

Modern English: It would be a tedious difficulty, I think,

To bring them to that prospect: damn them then,

Modern English: to bring them to a place where you could see that. Damn them, then,

If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster

Modern English: if human eyes ever see them in bed together

More than their own! What then? how then?

Modern English: other than their own! What then? How then?

What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?

Modern English: What shall I say? Where is the certainty?

It is impossible you should see this,

Modern English: It is impossible for you to see this,

Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,

Modern English: even if they were as lecherous as goats, as hot as monkeys,

As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross

Modern English: as lustful as wolves in heat, and as gross fools

As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,

Modern English: as a drunkard in his ignorance. But still, I say,

If imputation and strong circumstances,

Modern English: if accusations and strong circumstantial evidence,

Which lead directly to the door of truth,

Modern English: which lead directly to the door of truth,

Will give you satisfaction, you may have't.

Modern English: will satisfy you, you can have that.

Give me a living reason she's disloyal.

Modern English: Give me a living reason that she is unfaithful.

I do not like the office:

Modern English: I do not like this task.

But, sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,

Modern English: But since I’ve already gotten this involved,

Prick'd to't by foolish honesty and love,

Modern English: driven by my own foolish honesty and affection,

I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately;

Modern English: I’ll continue. I was sharing a bed with Cassio recently,

And, being troubled with a raging tooth,

Modern English: and because I was suffering from a terrible toothache,

I could not sleep.

Modern English: I couldn't get to sleep.

There are a kind of men so loose of soul,

Modern English: There’s a certain type of man who is so undisciplined in spirit

That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs:

Modern English: that they talk about their private business in their sleep.

One of this kind is Cassio:

Modern English: Cassio is one of those men.

In sleep I heard him say 'Sweet Desdemona,

Modern English: In his sleep I heard him say, 'Sweet Desdemona,

Let us be wary, let us hide our loves;'

Modern English: we must be careful, let's keep our love a secret;'

And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,

Modern English: and then, sir, he would grab and squeeze my hand,

Cry 'O sweet creature!' and then kiss me hard,

Modern English: cry out, 'Oh, sweet creature!' and then kiss me hard,

As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots

Modern English: as if he were trying to pull up kisses by the roots

That grew upon my lips: then laid his leg

Modern English: that grew on my lips. Then he laid his leg

Over my thigh, and sigh'd, and kiss'd; and then

Modern English: over my thigh, sighed, and kissed me, and then

Cried 'Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!'

Modern English: shouted, 'Curse the fate that gave you to the Moor!'

O monstrous! monstrous!

Modern English: Oh, how monstrous! Monstrous!

Nay, this was but his dream.

Modern English: Wait, this was only his dream.

But this denoted a foregone conclusion:

Modern English: But this points toward something that has already happened.

'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.

Modern English: It's a disturbing suspicion, even if it's just a dream.

And this may help to thicken other proofs

Modern English: And this might help strengthen other evidence

That do demonstrate thinly.

Modern English: that currently seems weak.

I'll tear her all to pieces.

Modern English: I'll tear her to pieces!

Nay, but be wise: yet we see nothing done;

Modern English: No, be sensible; we haven't actually seen anything happen yet.

She may be honest yet. Tell me but this,

Modern English: She might still be faithful. Just tell me this:

Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief

Modern English: haven't you occasionally seen a handkerchief

Spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand?

Modern English: spotted with a strawberry pattern in your wife's hand?

I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift.

Modern English: I gave her one like that; it was my first gift to her.

I know not that; but such a handkerchief--

Modern English: I didn't know that, but I saw Cassio today

I am sure it was your wife's--did I to-day

Modern English: wiping his beard with a handkerchief—

See Cassio wipe his beard with.

Modern English: and I'm certain it was your wife's.

If it be that--

Modern English: If it’s that one—

If it be that, or any that was hers,

Modern English: If it's that one, or any that belonged to her,

It speaks against her with the other proofs.

Modern English: it confirms the other evidence against her.

O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!

Modern English: Oh, I wish that slave had forty thousand lives!

One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.

Modern English: One life is too pathetic and weak for my revenge.

Now do I see 'tis true. Look here, Iago;

Modern English: Now I see it's true. Look here, Iago—

All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.

Modern English: I'm blowing all my foolish love away toward heaven.

'Tis gone.

Modern English: It's gone.

Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!

Modern English: Rise up, black vengeance, from your hollow cave!

Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne

Modern English: Love, surrender your crown and the throne in my heart

To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,

Modern English: to tyrannical hate! Let my chest swell with its burden,

For 'tis of aspics' tongues!

Modern English: for it is filled with the venom of snakes!

Yet be content.

Modern English: Calm yourself.

O, blood, blood, blood!

Modern English: Oh, blood, blood, blood!

Patience, I say; your mind perhaps may change.

Modern English: Be patient, I say; you might change your mind.

Never, Iago: Like to the Pontic sea,

Modern English: Never, Iago. Just like the Black Sea,

Whose icy current and compulsive course

Modern English: whose icy current and unstoppable flow

Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on

Modern English: never feels a receding tide, but keeps moving straight

To the Propontic and the Hellespont,

Modern English: into the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles,

Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace,

Modern English: in the same way, my bloody thoughts will move violently forward

Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love,

Modern English: and never look back or ebb away into humble love,

Till that a capable and wide revenge

Modern English: until a massive and comprehensive revenge

Swallow them up. Now, by yond marble heaven,

Modern English: swallows them up. Now, by that marble sky above,

In the due reverence of a sacred vow

Modern English: with the proper reverence of a sacred vow,

I here engage my words.

Modern English: I here commit my words.

Kneels

Modern English: Kneels

Do not rise yet.

Modern English: Don't stand up yet.

Witness, you ever-burning lights above,

Modern English: Witness, you eternal stars above,

You elements that clip us round about,

Modern English: and you elements that surround us,

Witness that here Iago doth give up

Modern English: witness that Iago here dedicates

The execution of his wit, hands, heart,

Modern English: the use of his mind, his hands, and his heart

To wrong'd Othello's service! Let him command,

Modern English: to the service of the wronged Othello! Let him command me,

And to obey shall be in me remorse,

Modern English: and I will obey out of a sense of duty,

What bloody business ever.

Modern English: no matter how bloody the task.

Kneels

Modern English: Kneels

They rise

Modern English: They rise

I greet thy love,

Modern English: I welcome your loyalty,

Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,

Modern English: not with empty thanks, but with full acceptance,

And will upon the instant put thee to't:

Modern English: and I will put you to work immediately:

Within these three days let me hear thee say

Modern English: within the next three days, I want to hear you say

That Cassio's not alive.

Modern English: that Cassio is dead.

My friend is dead; 'tis done at your request:

Modern English: Consider my friend dead; it's done because you asked.

But let her live.

Modern English: But let her live.

Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her!

Modern English: Damn her, that slutty brat! Oh, damn her!

Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw,

Modern English: Come, walk with me privately. I'm going to leave

To furnish me with some swift means of death

Modern English: to find some quick way to bring death

For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.

Modern English: to that beautiful devil. Now you are my lieutenant.

I am your own for ever.

Modern English: I am yours forever.

Exeunt

Modern English: They leave.