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- Herausgeber: Animedia Classics
- Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
- Serie: Animedia Classics
- Sprache: Englisch
The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice
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Seitenzahl: 162
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017
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William Shakespeare
The Tragedy of
Othello,
The Moor of Venice
Illustrations by Frederic Leighton, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Henry Courtney Selous
With "Lectures On Othello, etc." by A. C. Bradley
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Contents
The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice
Dramatis Personae
(Persons Represented)
DUKE OF VENICE.
BRABANTIO,a Senator.
Other Senators.
GRATIANO,brother to Brabantio.
LODOVICO,kinsman to Brabantio.
OTHELLO,a noble Moor, in the service of Venice.
CASSIO,his Lieutenant.
IAGO,his Ancient.
RODERIGO,a Venetian Gentleman.
MONTANO,Othello's predecessor in the government of Cyprus.
Clown, servant to Othello.
DESDEMONA,daughter to Brabantio, and Wife to Othello.
EMILIA,wife to Iago.
BIANCA,mistress to Cassio.
Officers, Gentlemen, Messenger, Musicians, Herald, Sailor, Attendants, &c.
SCENE: The First Act in Venice; during the rest of the Play at a Seaport in Cyprus.
Desdemona
Act I.
Scene 1. Venice. A street.
(Enter RODERIGO and IAGO)
RODERIGO.
Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.
IAGO.
5
'Sblood, but you will not hear me:
If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me.
RODERIGO.
Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.
IAGO.
Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
10
Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man,
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:
But he; as loving his own pride and purposes,
Evades them, with a bombast circumstance
Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war;
15
And, in conclusion,
Nonsuits my mediators; for, 'Certes,' says he,
'I have already chose my officer.'
And what was he?
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
20
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric,
25
Wherein the toged consuls can propose
As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise,
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds
30
Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd
By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
And I—God bless the mark!—his Moorship's ancient.
RODERIGO.
By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.
IAGO.
35
Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service,
Preferment goes by letter and affection,
And not by old gradation, where each second
Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself,
Whether I in any just term am affined
40
To love the Moor.
RODERIGO.
I would not follow him then.
IAGO.
O, sir, content you;
I follow him to serve my turn upon him:
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
45
Cannot be truly follow'd. You shall mark
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,
That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,
Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,
For nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd:
50
Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are
Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty,
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,
And, throwing but shows of service on their lords,
Do well thrive by them and when they have lined
55
their coats
Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul;
And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir,
It is as sure as you are Roderigo,
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago:
60
In following him, I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end:
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
65
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.
RODERIGO.
What a full fortune does the thicklips owe
If he can carry't thus!
IAGO.
70
Call up her father,
Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight,
Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen,
And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,
Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy,
75
Yet throw such changes of vexation on't,
As it may lose some colour.
RODERIGO.
Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud.
IAGO.
Do, with like timorous accent and dire yell
As when, by night and negligence, the fire
80
Is spied in populous cities.
RODERIGO.
What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!
IAGO.
Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves!
Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!
Thieves! thieves!
85
(BRABANTIO appears above, at a window)
BRABANTIO.
What is the reason of this terrible summons?
What is the matter there?
RODERIGO.
Signior, is all your family within?
IAGO.
Are your doors lock'd?
BRABANTIO.
90
Why, wherefore ask you this?
IAGO.
'Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on
your gown;
Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
95
Is topping your white ewe. Arise, arise;
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:
Arise, I say.
BRABANTIO.
What, have you lost your wits?
RODERIGO.
100
Most reverend signior, do you know my voice?
BRABANTIO.
Not I. what are you?
RODERIGO.
My name is Roderigo.
BRABANTIO.
The worser welcome:
I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors:
105
In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness,
Being full of supper and distempering draughts,
Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come
To start my quiet.
RODERIGO.
110
Sir, sir, sir,—
BRABANTIO.
But thou must needs be sure
My spirit and my place have in them power
To make this bitter to thee.
RODERIGO.
Patience, good sir.
BRABANTIO.
115
What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice;
My house is not a grange.
RODERIGO.
Most grave Brabantio,
In simple and pure soul I come to you.
IAGO.
'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not
120
serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to
do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll
have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse;
you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have
coursers for cousins and gennets for germans.
BRABANTIO.
125
What profane wretch art thou?
IAGO.
I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.
BRABANTIO.
Thou art a villain.
IAGO.
You are—a senator.
BRABANTIO.
130
This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Roderigo.
RODERIGO.
Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech you,
If't be your pleasure and most wise consent,
As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter,
At this odd-even and dull watch o' the night,
135
Transported, with no worse nor better guard
But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,
To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor—
If this be known to you and your allowance,
We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs;
140
But if you know not this, my manners tell me
We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe
That, from the sense of all civility,
I thus would play and trifle with your reverence:
Your daughter, if you have not given her leave,
145
I say again, hath made a gross revolt;
Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes
In an extravagant and wheeling stranger
Of here and every where. Straight satisfy yourself:
If she be in her chamber or your house,
150
Let loose on me the justice of the state
For thus deluding you.
BRABANTIO.
Strike on the tinder, ho!
Give me a taper! call up all my people!
This accident is not unlike my dream:
155
Belief of it oppresses me already.
Light, I say! light!
(Exit above)
IAGO.
Farewell; for I must leave you:
It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,
160
To be produced—as, if I stay, I shall—
Against the Moor: for, I do know, the state,
However this may gall him with some cheque,
Cannot with safety cast him, for he's embark'd
With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,
165
Which even now stand in act, that, for their souls,
Another of his fathom they have none,
To lead their business: in which regard,
Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains.
Yet, for necessity of present life,
170
I must show out a flag and sign of love,
Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,
Lead to the Sagittary the raised search;
And there will I be with him. So, farewell.
(Exit)
175
(Enter, below, BRABANTIO, and Servants with torches)
BRABANTIO.
It is too true an evil: gone she is;
And what's to come of my despised time
Is nought but bitterness. Now, Roderigo,
Where didst thou see her? O unhappy girl!
180
With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father!
How didst thou know 'twas she? O she deceives me
Past thought! What said she to you? Get more tapers:
Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you?
RODERIGO.
Truly, I think they are.
BRABANTIO.
185
O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!
Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds
By what you see them act. Is there not charms
By which the property of youth and maidhood
May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,
190
Of some such thing?
RODERIGO.
Yes, sir, I have indeed.
BRABANTIO.
Call up my brother. O, would you had had her!
Some one way, some another. Do you know
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?
RODERIGO.
195
I think I can discover him, if you please,
To get good guard and go along with me.
BRABANTIO.
Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call;
I may command at most. Get weapons, ho!
And raise some special officers of night.
200
On, good Roderigo: I'll deserve your pains.
(Exeunt)
Scene 2. Another street.
(Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants with torches)
IAGO.
Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience
205
To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity
Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times
I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.
OTHELLO.
'Tis better as it is.
IAGO.
Nay, but he prated,
210
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
Against your honour
That, with the little godliness I have,
I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir,
Are you fast married? Be assured of this,
215
That the magnifico is much beloved,
And hath in his effect a voice potential
As double as the duke's: he will divorce you;
Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
The law, with all his might to enforce it on,
220
Will give him cable.
OTHELLO.
Let him do his spite:
My services which I have done the signiory
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,—
Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,
225
I shall promulgate—I fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege, and my demerits
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
230
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?
IAGO.
Those are the raised father and his friends:
You were best go in.
OTHELLO.
235
Not I. I must be found:
My parts, my title and my perfect soul
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
IAGO.
By Janus, I think no.
(Enter CASSIO, and certain Officers with torches)
OTHELLO.
240
The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant.
The goodness of the night upon you, friends!
What is the news?
CASSIO.
The duke does greet you, general,
And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
245
Even on the instant.
OTHELLO.
What is the matter, think you?
CASSIO.
Something from Cyprus as I may divine:
It is a business of some heat: the galleys
Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
250
This very night at one another's heels,
And many of the consuls, raised and met,
Are at the duke's already: you have been
hotly call'd for;
When, being not at your lodging to be found,
255
The senate hath sent about three several guests
To search you out.
OTHELLO.
'Tis well I am found by you.
I will but spend a word here in the house,
And go with you.
260
(Exit)
CASSIO.
Ancient, what makes he here?
IAGO.
'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack:
If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
CASSIO.
I do not understand.
IAGO.
265
He's married.
CASSIO.
To who?
(Re-enter OTHELLO)
IAGO.
Marry, to—Come, captain, will you go?
OTHELLO.
Have with you.
CASSIO.
270
Here comes another troop to seek for you.
IAGO.
It is Brabantio. General, be advised;
He comes to bad intent.
(Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers with torches and weapons)
OTHELLO.
Holla! stand there!
RODERIGO.
275
Signior, it is the Moor.
BRABANTIO.
Down with him, thief!
(They draw on both sides)
IAGO.
You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.
OTHELLO.
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
280
Good signior, you shall more command with years
Than with your weapons.
BRABANTIO.
O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter?
Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
285
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
Whether a maid so tender, fair and happy,
So opposite to marriage that she shunned
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
290
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight.
Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense
That thou hast practised on her with foul charms,
Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
295
That weaken motion: I'll have't disputed on;
'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.
I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
For an abuser of the world, a practiser
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.
300
Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,
Subdue him at his peril.
OTHELLO.
Hold your hands,
Both you of my inclining, and the rest:
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
305
Without a prompter. Where will you that I go
To answer this your charge?
BRABANTIO.
To prison, till fit time
Of law and course of direct session
Call thee to answer.
OTHELLO.
310
What if I do obey?
How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
Whose messengers are here about my side,
Upon some present business of the state
To bring me to him?
FIRST OFFICER.
315
'Tis true, most worthy signior;
The duke's in council and your noble self,
I am sure, is sent for.
BRABANTIO.
How! the duke in council!
In this time of the night! Bring him away:
320
Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,
Or any of my brothers of the state,
Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;
For if such actions may have passage free,
Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.
(Exeunt)
Scene 3. A council-chamber.
(The DUKE and Senators sitting at a table; Officers attending)
DUKE OF VENICE.
There is no composition in these news
That gives them credit.
FIRST SENATOR.
Indeed, they are disproportion'd;
330
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
DUKE OF VENICE.
And mine, a hundred and forty.
SECOND SENATOR.
And mine, two hundred:
But though they jump not on a just account,—
As in these cases, where the aim reports,
335
'Tis oft with difference—yet do they all confirm
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.
DUKE OF VENICE.
Nay, it is possible enough to judgment:
I do not so secure me in the error,
But the main article I do approve
340
In fearful sense.
SAILOR.
(Within) What, ho! what, ho! what, ho!
FIRST OFFICER.
A messenger from the galleys.
(Enter a Sailor)
DUKE OF VENICE.
Now, what's the business?
SAILOR.
345
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes;
So was I bid report here to the state
By Signior Angelo.
DUKE OF VENICE.
How say you by this change?
FIRST SENATOR.
This cannot be,
350
By no assay of reason: 'tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
And let ourselves again but understand,
That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
355
So may he with more facile question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace,
But altogether lacks the abilities
That Rhodes is dress'd in: if we make thought of this,
We must not think the Turk is so unskilful
360
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain,
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
DUKE OF VENICE.
Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes.
FIRST OFFICER.
Here is more news.
365
(Enter a Messenger)
MESSENGER.
The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
Steering with due course towards the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
FIRST SENATOR.
Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?
MESSENGER.
370
Of thirty sail: and now they do restem
Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano,
Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
With his free duty recommends you thus,
375
And prays you to believe him.
DUKE OF VENICE.
'Tis certain, then, for Cyprus.
Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
FIRST SENATOR.
He's now in Florence.
DUKE OF VENICE.
Write from us to him; post-post-haste dispatch.
FIRST SENATOR.
380
Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.
(Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Officers)
DUKE OF VENICE.
Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
