Othello Act 2 quotes

Question 1

If the Turkish fleet be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned

Answer 1

Montano to Gentlemen

Question 2

The ship is here put in, a Veronesa; Michael Cassio, lieutenant to the warlike Othello, is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea

Answer 2

Gentlemen 3 to Montano

Question 3

Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle
That so approve the Moor. Oh, let the heavens
Give him defense against the elements,
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.

Answer 3

Cassio to Montano

Question 4

But good lieutenant, is your general wived?

Answer 4

Montano to Cassio

Question 5

Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid
That paragons description and wild fame,
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And in th’ essential vesture of creation
Does tire the ingener.

Answer 5

Cassio to Montano

Question 6

She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,

Left in the conduct of the bold Iago

Answer 6

Cassio to Montano

Question 7

I thank you, valiant Cassio.

What tidings can you tell me of my lord?

Answer 7

Desdemona to Cassio

Question 8

Welcome, mistress.
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners. ‘Tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

Answer 8

Cassio to Iago

Question 9

Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
You would have enough.

Answer 9

Iago to Cassio

Question 10

I grant, She puts her tongue a little in her heart And chides with thinking.

Answer 10

Iago to Desdemona

Question 11

You are pictures out of door, bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended,

Answer 11

Iago to Emilia

Question 12

If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,

The one’s for use, the other useth it.

Answer 12

Iago to Desdemona

Question 13

Oh, most lame and impotent conclusion!

Answer 13

Desdemona to Iago

Question 14

How say you, Cassio? Is he not a most profane and liberal counselor?

Answer 14

Desdemona to Cassio

Question 15

He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar.

Answer 15

Cassio to Desdemona

Question 16

He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.

Answer 16

Iago to himself

Question 17

Oh, my soul’s joy!
If after every tempest come such calms,
May the winds blow till they have wakened death

Answer 17

Othello to Desdemona

Question 18

Oh, you are well tuned now,
But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music,
As honest as I am.

Answer 18

Iago to himself

Question 19

First, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him. //

Answer 19

Iago to Roderigo

Question 20

Her eye must be fed, and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? //
Very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice. Now sir, this granted—as it is a most pregnant and unforced position—who stands so eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does?Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after. A pestilent complete knave, and the woman hath found him already.

Answer 20

Iago to Roderigo

Question 21

But, sir, be you ruled by me. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you tonight for the command, I’ll lay ’t upon you.

Answer 21

Iago to Roderigo

Question 22

Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may. For even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny

Answer 22

Iago to Roderigo

Question 23

That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ’t.//
Now, I do love her too,
Not out of absolute lust—though peradventure
I stand accountant for as great a sin—
But partly led to diet my revenge //
yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgment cannot cure. //

Answer 23

Iago to himself

Question 24

Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.
Let’s teach ourselves that honorable stop
Not to outsport discretion.

Answer 24

Othello to Cassio

Question 25

Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, 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.

Answer 25

Iago to Cassio

Question 26

Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking.

Answer 26

Cassio to Iago

Question 27

If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
With that which he hath drunk tonight already,
He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense
As my young mistress' dog. //
Now ’mongst this flock of drunkards
Am I to put our Cassio in some action
That may offend the isle.

Answer 27

Iago to himself

Question 28

You see this fellow that is gone before,
He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
And give direction. And do but see his vice, //
'Tis pity of him.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in

Answer 28

Iago to Montano

Question 29

I do love Cassio well, and would do much

To cure him of this evil

Answer 29

Iago to Montano

Question 30

Zounds, I bleed still,

I am hurt to the death. He dies!

Answer 30

Montano to Othello

Question 31

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio.
Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him.

Answer 31

Iago to Othello

Question 32

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee
But never more be officer of mine.

Answer 32

Othello to Cassio

Question 33

Oh, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself

Answer 33

Cassio to Iago

Question 34

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving.

Answer 34

Iago to Cassio

Question 35

I tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now the general. //
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 goodness not to do more than she is requested.

Answer 35

Iago to Cassio

Question 36

And what’s he then that says I play the villain? //
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.

Answer 36

Iago to himself

Question 37

Cassio hath beaten thee.

And thou, by that small hurt, hath cashiered Cassio. //

Answer 37

Iago to Roderigo

Question 38

Two things are to be done:
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress.
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.

Answer 38

Iago to himself