Othello

Question 1

opening scene

Answer 1

I know my price, worth no worse a place. But, says he, “I have already chose my
officer.” One Cassio, mere prattle without practice must his lieutenant, and I, his
Moorship’s ancient. It is as sure as you are Roderigo, were I the Moor, I would
not be Iago. In following him, I follow but myself. I am not what I am.

Question 2

Sir, your daughter transported with a knave to a lascivious Moor.

Answer 2

It seems not meet to my place to be produced against the Moor.

Though I do hate him, I must show out a sign of love.

Question 3

From Cyprus, a business of some heat. The Senate hath sent to search you out.

Answer 3

It is Brabantio. General, be advised, he comes with bad intent.

Question 4

I will incontinently drown myself.

Answer 4

Be a man! Drown thyself? If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring
barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits, thou shalt enjoy
her. Put money enough in your purse.

Question 5

I’ll sell all my land. [He exits.]

Answer 5

Thus do I make my fool my purse. I hate the Moor and it is thought that twixt my
sheets ‘has done my office. Cassio’s a proper man. To get his place—How? I
have’t. Hell and night must bring this to the world’s light.

Question 6

He will be shortly here.

Answer 6

He takes her by the palm. With as little a web as this, will I ensnare as

great a fly as Cassio.

Question 7

O my soul’s joy! Let us to the castle. Our wars are done.

Answer 7

The Lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard. Desdemona is in

love with him. Didst thou not see her paddle with his hand?

Question 8

But that was but courtesy.

Answer 8

Lechery, by this hand! Watch you tonight. Do find some occasion to anger
Cassio. He’s rash and may strike at you. I will cause these of Cyprus to mutiny by
the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires.

Question 9

I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity. [He exits.]

Answer 9

The Moor, he’ll prove to Desdemona a loving husband. Now I love her too, not
out of lust but let to diet my revenge. Till I have evened with him, wife for wife,
yet that I put the Moor into a jealousy that judgment cannot cure. I’ll have Cassio
on the hip, abuse him to the Moor on rank garb, make the Moor reward me for
making him an ass.

Question 10

Cassio enters

Answer 10

Come, lieutenant, I have wine.

Question 11

How comes it, you are thus forgot? Cassio, nevermore be officer of mine.

Answer 11

What, man, recover the General! Sue to him again and he’s yours.

Question 12

He shall tell me I am a drunkard!

Answer 12

I’ll tell you our general’s wife is now the general. Importune her help.

Question 13

You advise me well. I will beseech Desdemona to undertake for me. [Exits.]

Answer 13

So will I turn her virtue into pitch and make the net that shall enmesh them all.

That’s the way. Dull not device by coldness and delay.

Question 14

Madam, I’ll take my leave.

Answer 14

Ha, I like not that.

Question 15

I will deny thee nothing! [DES exit.] What dost thou think?

Answer 15

Think, my lord?

Question 16

When Cassio left my wife? What didst not like?

Answer 16

Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; wear your eyes thus, not jealous
nor secure. She did deceive her father marrying you, and when she seemed to
shake and fear your looks, she loved them most. I entreat your honor to scan this
thing no farther. Let me be thought too busy for my fears. [Exits.]

Question 17

This was her first remembrance of the Moor.

Answer 17

A good wench, give it to me. [Snatching it.] I have use for it. Go leave me.
[EMILIA exits.] I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin. Trifles light as air are
to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ. The Moor already
changes with my poison.

Question 18

Ha, ha, false to me? I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips. Villain, be sure thou

prove my love a whore! Give me ocular proof or woe upon thy life!

Answer 18

Have you not seen a handkerchief spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand?
Such did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with. If be that, it speaks against her.

Question 19

Now I do see ‘tis true. Yield up, o love, thy hearted throne to tyrannous hate!

Answer 19

Witness Iago give up the execution of his wits to wronged Othello’s service.`

Question 20

Zounds!

Answer 20

If I give my wife a handkerchief—she may, I think bestow’t on any man.

Question 21

She is protrectress of her honor too. May she give that?

Answer 21

Encave yourself and mark the fleers in his face. For I will make him tell where,
when he hath and is again to cope your wife. [OTH withdraws.] Now will I
question Cassio of Bianca, a huswife that by selling her desires buys herself
bread. [Enter CASSIO.] Othello shall go mad and unbookish jealousy must
construe Cassio’s gestures quite in the wrong—how do you do, lieutenant? Ply
Desdemona well. If this suit lay in Bianca’s power, how quickly you speed! She
gives out that you shall marry her.

Question 22

What did you mean with that handkerchief you gave me? A likely piece of work
that you should find it in your chamber and know not who left it there. This is
some minx’s token. There give it to your hobbyhorse.

Answer 22

After her! [CASSIO exits.] Did you see the handkerchief? And see how he prizes
your wife! She gave it him, and he hath giv’n it his whore. Strangle her in her bed,
the bed she hath contaminated. And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker.

Question 23

Is this the Moor, whom our senate call sufficient? I am deceived in him.

Answer 23

Sir, there is especial commission come to depute Cassio in Othello’s place.

Question 24

Then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice.

Answer 24

O no, He goes to Mauritiana with Desdemona unless his abode be lingered by
accident—as the removing of Cassio. I will show you necessity in his death that
you shall think yourself bound to put it on him. Fear nothing. I’ll be at thy elbow.

Question 25

Iago keeps his word. Strumpet, thy bed, lust-stained, shall be with lust’s

blood be spotted. [Exit.]

Answer 25

O me, lieutenant! What villains have done this?

Question 26

That’s one of them.

Answer 26

[To ROD.] O villain! [Stabs ROD.] Some good man bear him from hence. [CASS
and ROD carried off.] This night either makes me or fordoes me quite. [Exit.]

Question 27

If thou be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee. [He stabs IAGO. OTH is disarmed.]

Answer 27

I bleed sir, but not killed.

Question 28

I ask your pardon. Will you demand why he hath ensnared my soul and body?

Answer 28

What you know, you know. From this time forth, I will never speak word.