Othello: Act 2, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 2, Scene 3 of Othello from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
OTHELLO Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight. Let’s teach ourselves that honorable stop Not to outsport discretion. CASSIO Iago hath direction what to do, But notwithstanding, with my personal eye 5 Will I look to ’t. OTHELLO Iago is most honest. Michael, goodnight. Tomorrow with your earliest Let me have speech with you. To Desdemona. Come, my dear love, 10 The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; That profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.— Goodnight. Othello and Desdemona exit, with Attendants.	Othello tells Cassio to keep the party under control. Cassio notes that actually that's Iago's job, but sure, he's willing to help out. After Othello says he trusts Iago (bad move), he tells Desdemona he's paid for her by marrying her, and now it's about time that he gets to collect.
Enter Iago. CASSIO Welcome, Iago. We must to the watch. IAGO Not this hour, lieutenant. ’Tis not yet ten o’ th’ 15 clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona—who let us not therefore blame; he hath not yet made wanton the night with her, and she is sport for Jove. CASSIO She’s a most exquisite lady. 20 IAGO And, I’ll warrant her, full of game. CASSIO Indeed, she’s a most fresh and delicate creature. IAGO What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation. 25 CASSIO An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest. IAGO And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love? CASSIO She is indeed perfection. IAGO Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, 30 I have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello.	Once Othello leaves, Iago meets with Cassio, all ready to start their night-watch together (they're guarding the court while everyone else gets their party on). Iago notes its actually only 10pm, way too early to start. Obviously, Othello only put them on watch because he had some business to attend to. Iago then prods Cassio to talk about how appealing Desdemona is. He tries to get Cassio to call the girl a whore, but Cassio's more of a gentleman than that. When it doesn't work, Iago tries to convince him to drink.
CASSIO Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish 35 courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment. IAGO O, they are our friends! But one cup; I’ll drink for you. CASSIO I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was 40 craftily qualified too, and behold what innovation it makes here. I am unfortunate in the infirmity and dare not task my weakness with any more.	Iago prods Cassio, saying they've got friends coming—surely Cassio can have just one drink with them. Cassio points out that he's kind of a lightweight, and he's already had his one drink for the night.
IAGO What, man! ’Tis a night of revels. The gallants desire it. 45 CASSIO Where are they? IAGO Here at the door. I pray you, call them in. CASSIO I’ll do ’t, but it dislikes me. He exits.	Iago turns the peer pressure on full blast, and Cassio finally consents to invite the friends in for a drink, even though he doesn't feel good about it.
IAGO If I can fasten but one cup upon him With that which he hath drunk tonight already, 50 He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense As my young mistress’ dog. Now my sick fool Roderigo, Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out, To Desdemona hath tonight caroused 55 Potations pottle-deep; and he’s to watch. Three else of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits That hold their honors in a wary distance, The very elements of this warlike isle, Have I tonight flustered with flowing cups; 60 And they watch too. Now, ’mongst this flock of drunkards Am I to put our Cassio in some action That may offend the isle. But here they come. If consequence do but approve my dream, 65 My boat sails freely both with wind and stream.	Left alone, Iago launches into yet another evil monologue. He reveals his master plan of drunkenness: he hopes to get Cassio hammered, knowing that Roderigo's been drinking all night in the name of his lost love. Once the three drunk Cypriots, who are quick to fight when saucy, are tossed in the mix, a rough and tumble night is guaranteed.
Enter Cassio, Montano, and Gentlemen, followed by Servants with wine. CASSIO ’Fore God, they have given me a rouse already. MONTANO Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier. 70 IAGO Some wine, ho! Sings. "And let me the cannikin clink, clink, And let me the cannikin clink. A soldier’s a man, O, man’s life’s but a span, 75 Why, then, let a soldier drink." Some wine, boys! CASSIO ’Fore God, an excellent song. IAGO I learned it in England, where indeed they are most potent in potting. Your Dane, your German, 80 and your swag-bellied Hollander—drink, ho!—are nothing to your English. CASSIO Is your Englishman so exquisite in his drinking? IAGO Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane 85 dead drunk. He sweats not to overthrow your Almain. He gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle can be filled.	As the young gentlemen of Cyprus (the gallants) enter with Montano and Cassio, Cassio declares they've already given him another drink. Iago, thrilled to bits, sings a drinking song and calls the Danish and Dutch people poor comparisons to a British drunk.
CASSIO To the health of our general! MONTANO I am for it, lieutenant, and I’ll do you 90 justice. IAGO O sweet England! Sings. King Stephen was and-a worthy peer, His breeches cost him but a crown; He held them sixpence all too dear; 95 With that he called the tailor lown. He was a wight of high renown, And thou art but of low degree; ’Tis pride that pulls the country down, Then take thy auld cloak about thee." 100 Some wine, ho!	Cassio proposes a toast to Othello, and Iago sings another song. This one is about a King Stephen who's too distracted by his clothes, and so loses his kingdom. (This is handy if you're reading The Tempest, as Shakespeare alludes to this song again when would-be king Stephano gets distracted by a wardrobe and so sacrifices his dominion over the island.)
CASSIO ’Fore God, this is a more exquisite song than the other! IAGO Will you hear ’t again? CASSIO No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place 105 that does those things. Well, God’s above all; and there be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved. IAGO It’s true, good lieutenant. CASSIO For mine own part—no offense to the General, 110 nor any man of quality—I hope to be saved. IAGO And so do I too, lieutenant. CASSIO Ay, but, by your leave, not before me. The Lieutenant is to be saved before the Ancient. Let’s have no more of this. Let’s to our affairs. God 115 forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let’s look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk. This is my ancient, this is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunk now. I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough. 120 GENTLEMEN Excellent well. CASSIO Why, very well then. You must not think then that I am drunk. He exits.	The point is, everyone's getting sauced. Cassio, lightweight that he is, gets drunker than everybody else, and begins to moralize about how they shouldn't be drunk, as he'd like his soul to be saved when he dies. Iago agrees that he, too, would like his soul saved, but Cassio says Iago should wait to die after him, as lieutenants should have their souls saved before dinky low-ranking flag-boys. Cassio then says it's time for them all to stop drinking and get to work. He insists that he's not drunk, and he's so not drunk he can even distinguish his right hand from his left hand. Definitely not drunk.
MONTANO To th’ platform, masters. Come, let’s set the watch. Gentlemen exit. IAGO, to Montano You see this fellow that is gone before? 125 He’s a soldier fit to stand by Caesar And give direction; and do but see his vice. ’Tis to his virtue a just equinox, The one as long as th’ other. ’Tis pity of him. I fear the trust Othello puts him in, 130 On some odd time of his infirmity, Will shake this island. MONTANO But is he often thus? IAGO ’Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep. He’ll watch the horologe a double set 135 If drink rock not his cradle.	Cassio and the other drunken men go to start their night watch, leaving Montano alone with Iago. Not shockingly, Iago does his usual thing when left alone with someone: he slanders the person who's just left the room. Iago says that Cassio's virtues are well balanced with his vices, suggesting the lieutenant is extreme in both his good and bad behavior. Iago adds that Cassio drinks himself to sleep when he can.
MONTANO It were well The General were put in mind of it. Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio 140 And looks not on his evils. Is not this true?	Montano, hearing this, concludes that Othello is too good-natured to recognize Cassio's alcoholism.
Enter Roderigo. IAGO, aside to Roderigo How now, Roderigo? I pray you, after the Lieutenant, go. Roderigo exits.	Roderigo then enters, and Iago sends him off after Cassio. This is a setup for a fight between the two.
MONTANO And ’tis great pity that the noble Moor Should hazard such a place as his own second 145 With one of an engraffed infirmity. It were an honest action to say so To the Moor. IAGO Not I, for this fair island. I do love Cassio well and would do much 150 To cure him of this evil—“ Help, help!” within. But hark! What noise? Enter Cassio, pursuing Roderigo. CASSIO Zounds, you rogue, you rascal! MONTANO What’s the matter, lieutenant? CASSIO A knave teach me my duty? I’ll beat the knave 155 into a twiggen bottle. RODERIGO Beat me? CASSIO Dost thou prate, rogue? He hits Roderigo.	Iago continues to shoot the breeze with Montano until Roderigo runs in—chased by Cassio.
MONTANO Nay, good lieutenant. I pray you, sir, hold your hand. 160 CASSIO Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you o’er the mazard. MONTANO Come, come, you’re drunk. CASSIO Drunk? They fight.	After Cassio hits Roderigo, Montano tries to stop him. Naturally, Cassio turns his drunken fury on Montano, and they start brawling.
IAGO, aside to Roderigo Away, I say! Go out and cry a mutiny. 165 Roderigo exits. Nay, good lieutenant.—God’s will, gentlemen!— Help, ho! Lieutenant—sir—Montano—sir— Help, masters!—Here’s a goodly watch indeed! A bell is rung. Who’s that which rings the bell? Diablo, ho! The town will rise. God’s will, lieutenant, hold! 170 You will be shamed forever.	Iago instructs Roderigo to run and make a ruckus about the fact that a mutiny has started, and then acts all surprised when, shortly after, the town bell is rung (likely by Roderigo). This makes it a sure bet that Othello will come in and ask just what all the fuss is about.
Enter Othello and Attendants. OTHELLO What is the matter here? MONTANO Zounds, I bleed still. I am hurt to th’ death. He dies! He attacks Cassio. 175 OTHELLO Hold, for your lives! IAGO Hold, ho! Lieutenant—sir—Montano— gentlemen— Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold! The General speaks to you. Hold, for shame! 180 OTHELLO Why, how now, ho! From whence ariseth this? Are we turned Turks, and to ourselves do that Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites? For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl! He that stirs next to carve for his own rage 185 Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion. Silence that dreadful bell. It frights the isle From her propriety. What is the matter, masters? Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving, Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee. 190 IAGO I do not know. Friends all but now, even now, In quarter and in terms like bride and groom Divesting them for bed; and then but now, As if some planet had unwitted men, Swords out, and tilting one at other’s breast, 195 In opposition bloody. I cannot speak Any beginning to this peevish odds, And would in action glorious I had lost Those legs that brought me to a part of it!	As expected, Othello comes in and asks what all the fuss is about. Iago feigns innocence and says he doesn't know how the brawl started, he just saw everyone fighting like they were suddenly transported to a schoolyard.
OTHELLO How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot? 200 CASSIO I pray you pardon me; I cannot speak. OTHELLO Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil. The gravity and stillness of your youth The world hath noted. And your name is great In mouths of wisest censure. What’s the matter 205 That you unlace your reputation thus, And spend your rich opinion for the name Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it. MONTANO Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger. Your officer Iago can inform you, 210 While I spare speech, which something now offends me, Of all that I do know; nor know I aught By me that’s said or done amiss this night, Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice, 215 And to defend ourselves it be a sin When violence assails us.	Othello demands explanations: Cassio says he can't speak, and Montano, claiming to be weak from blood-loss, says he's only guilty if he can be blamed for not being able to protect himself.
OTHELLO Now, by heaven, My blood begins my safer guides to rule, And passion, having my best judgment collied, 220 Assays to lead the way. Zounds, if I stir, Or do but lift this arm, the best of you Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know How this foul rout began, who set it on; And he that is approved in this offense, 225 Though he had twinned with me, both at a birth, Shall lose me. What, in a town of war Yet wild, the people’s hearts brimful of fear, To manage private and domestic quarrel, In night, and on the court and guard of safety? 230 ’Tis monstrous. Iago, who began ’t? MONTANO If partially affined, or leagued in office, Thou dost deliver more or less than truth, Thou art no soldier.	So Cassio's drunk, Montano's claiming self-defense, and Othello's mad. He says his passion is beginning to overtake his reason, and everyone's going to get a beating unless this gets cleared up immediately. Further, it's for shame that the men make such a ruckus when the poor people of Cyprus feel like they're at war, and their supposed rescuers can't even manage their own domestic disputes. Othello calls on Iago to explain, and Montano urges him to be truthful even though Cassio is his friend. (Yeah, right.)
IAGO Touch me not so near. 235 I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio. Yet I persuade myself, to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general: Montano and myself being in speech, 240 There comes a fellow crying out for help, And Cassio following him with determined sword To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman Pointing to Montano. Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause. Myself the crying fellow did pursue, 245 Lest by his clamor—as it so fell out— The town might fall in fright. He, swift of foot, Outran my purpose, and I returned the rather For that I heard the clink and fall of swords And Cassio high in oath, which till tonight 250 I ne’er might say before. When I came back— For this was brief—I found them close together At blow and thrust, even as again they were When you yourself did part them. More of this matter cannot I report. 255 But men are men; the best sometimes forget. Though Cassio did some little wrong to him, As men in rage strike those that wish them best, Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received From him that fled some strange indignity 260 Which patience could not pass.	Iago lays it on thick. He claims he would never speak a bad word against Cassio, but alas, he knows he has to tell the truth. He says he was chatting with Montano when a fellow ran in crying for help, with Cassio in hot pursuit. Montano, stepping toward Cassio to calm him down, got pulled into the fray. Iago continues: he chased after the yelling fellow to stop him from waking the city (which is not true—we know he sent Roderigo to make a ruckus), and by the time he got back Cassio and Montano were embroiled in a fight. Finally, he says that though Cassio was wrong to hit the first guy, Iago is sure Cassio must have been somewhat justified in his anger.
OTHELLO I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio.—Cassio, I love thee, But nevermore be officer of mine. 265 Enter Desdemona attended. Look if my gentle love be not raised up! I’ll make thee an example.	Iago has played this perfectly. Othello thinks Iago's meager report of Cassio's wrong is his attempt to cover for Cassio, which lets him imagine that Cassio is even more at fault. So...he fires Cassio from his position as one of his officers. Then Othello blames him for waking up Desdemona, who has just wandered in.
DESDEMONA What is the matter, dear? OTHELLO All’s well now, sweeting. 270 Come away to bed. To Montano. Sir, for your hurts, Myself will be your surgeon.—Lead him off. Montano is led off. Iago, look with care about the town And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.— 275 Come, Desdemona. ’Tis the soldier’s life To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.	Desdemona asks if everything is okay, and Othello tells her it is now. He tells Montano that he, Othello, will help him mend his wounds after he takes Desdemona back to bed.
All but Iago and Cassio exit. IAGO What, are you hurt, lieutenant? CASSIO Ay, past all surgery. IAGO Marry, God forbid! 280 CASSIO Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation! IAGO As I am an honest man, I thought you had 285 received some bodily wound. There is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, 290 man, there are ways to recover the General again! You are but now cast in his mood—a punishment more in policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his offenseless dog to affright an imperious lion. Sue to him again and he’s yours. 295	After they leave, Iago pretends to be buddy-buddy with Cassio, asking if he's okay. Cassio replies that he's mortally wounded, and Iago gasps. But it's not a physical injury Cassio is suffering from. Cassio says in this fight, his reputation has suffered irreparable harm. Iago comforts him, stating that reputation is a stupid marker by which to judge people, as it's earned and lost so easily. Besides, he's sure Cassio can win back Othello's affections. Othello punished Cassio more because it was immediately necessary than out of any long term hate. Cassio just has to talk to him and he'll change his mind.
CASSIO I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk? And speak parrot? And squabble? Swagger? Swear? And discourse fustian with one’s own shadow? O thou 300 invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil! IAGO What was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you? CASSIO I know not. 305 IAGO Is ’t possible? CASSIO I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! That we should 310 with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause transform ourselves into beasts! IAGO Why, but you are now well enough. How came you thus recovered? CASSIO It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give 315 place to the devil wrath. One unperfectness shows me another, to make me frankly despise myself. IAGO Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not so befallen. But 320 since it is as it is, mend it for your own good. CASSIO I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently 325 a beast! O, strange! Every inordinate cup is unblessed, and the ingredient is a devil. IAGO Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used. Exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you. 330 CASSIO I have well approved it, sir.—I drunk!	Iago asks if Cassio remembers why he chased that one guy (Roderigo), and Cassio says he remembers a lot of stuff, but not any particular offense. He goes on to blame wine for a bit, and generally condemns drinking and himself. He feels really bad about letting Othello down and thinks that if he goes to Othello to ask him for his position back, Othello will just call him a drunkard. It's pretty clear that Cassio could go on like this all night...or at least until he really sobers up.
IAGO You or any man living may be drunk at a time, man. I’ll tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now the general: I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up 335 himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces. Confess yourself freely to her. Importune her help to put you in your place again. She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition she holds it a vice in her 340 goodness not to do more than she is requested. This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter, and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.	Iago suggests that Cassio go to Desdemona and get her on his side. After all, she and Othello might as well share one mind. Desdemona is so nice, Iago claims, that she'll be eager to help Cassio, and certain to persuade Othello to take him back as his lieutenant.
CASSIO You advise me well. IAGO I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness. CASSIO I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake 350 for me. I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me here. IAGO You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant. I must to the watch. CASSIO Good night, honest Iago. Cassio exits. 355	Cassio thinks this is a grand idea, and says he'll go to Desdemona in the morning.
IAGO And what’s he, then, that says I play the villain, When this advice is free I give and honest, Probal to thinking, and indeed the course To win the Moor again? For ’tis most easy Th’ inclining Desdemona to subdue 360 In any honest suit. She’s framed as fruitful As the free elements. And then for her To win the Moor—were ’t to renounce his baptism, All seals and symbols of redeemèd sin— His soul is so enfettered to her love 365 That she may make, unmake, do what she list, Even as her appetite shall play the god With his weak function. How am I then a villain To counsel Cassio to this parallel course Directly to his good? Divinity of hell! 370 When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, As I do now. For whiles this honest fool Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune, And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, 375 I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear: That she repeals him for her body’s lust; And by how much she strives to do him good, She shall undo her credit with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue into pitch, 380 And out of her own goodness make the net That shall enmesh them all. Enter Roderigo. How now, Roderigo?	Iago is left alone on stage, and you know what that means. Yup. Another villainous monologue. As usual, he informs us that he's very pleased with himself. Even if he were an honest guy who was Cassio's friend, he would have given him the same advice: go get help from Desdemona. It just so happens that this "good advice" plays right into Iago's plan to make Othello jealous of Cassio. Gleefully, Iago realizes that Desdemona's kindness to Cassio will be her downfall.
RODERIGO I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My 385 money is almost spent, I have been tonight exceedingly well cudgeled, and I think the issue will be I shall have so much experience for my pains, and so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice. 390	Roderigo comes in, fresh from the beating from Cassio, and says he thinks he should give up and go back to Venice, as now he's poor and bruised up.
IAGO How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees? Thou know’st we work by wit and not by witchcraft, And wit depends on dilatory time. Does ’t not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee, 395 And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashiered Cassio. Though other things grow fair against the sun, Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe. Content thyself awhile. By th’ Mass, ’tis morning! Pleasure and action make the hours seem short. 400 Retire thee; go where thou art billeted. Away, I say! Thou shalt know more hereafter. Nay, get thee gone. Roderigo exits. Two things are to be done. My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress. 405 I’ll set her on. Myself the while to draw the Moor apart And bring him jump when he may Cassio find Soliciting his wife. Ay, that’s the way. Dull not device by coldness and delay. 410 He exits.	Iago tells him he has to be patient; though Cassio technically won the fight, the injury against Cassio will have longer effects. The fight's gotten him fired, after all, and who knows what it might bring upon him later. Iago dismisses Roderigo and goes back to bad-guy scheming. First, he plans to get his wife (Emilia) to try to plead Cassio's case to Desdemona. Second, he will try to get Othello all to himself, and then conveniently lead him to someplace where he can chance upon Cassio in intimate private speech with Desdemona, catching her in a classic "it's not what it looks like, honey" moment.

Othello: Act 2, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 2, Scene 3 of Othello from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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