Othello

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter Iago, and Rodorigo.Enter Iago and Roderigo Oth V.i.1.1
Iago. IAGO 
Heere, stand behinde this Barke, / Straight will he come:Here, stand behind this bulk: straight will he come.bulk (n.)
projecting part of a building, structure for displaying goods at the front of a shop
Oth V.i.1
straight (adv.)
straightaway, immediately, at once
Weare thy good Rapier bare, and put it home:Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home.home (adv.)
into the heart of the enemy, to the target
Oth V.i.2
rapier (n.)
light sharp-pointed sword used for thrusting
bare (adj.)
unsheathed, exposed
Quicke, quicke, feare nothing; Ile be at thy Elbow,Quick, quick; fear nothing: I'll be at thy elbow. Oth V.i.3
It makes vs, or it marres vs, thinke on that,It makes us, or it mars us; think on that, Oth V.i.4
And fixe most firme thy Resolution.And fix most firm thy resolution. Oth V.i.5
Rod. RODERIGO 
Be neere at hand, I may miscarry in't.Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't.miscarry (v.)
go wrong, fail, be unsuccessful
Oth V.i.6
Iago. IAGO 
Heere, at thy hand: Be bold, & take thy stand.Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand. Oth V.i.7
He retires Oth V.i.7
Rod. RODERIGO 
I haue no great deuotion to the deed,I have no great devotion to the deed, Oth V.i.8
And yet he hath giuen me satisfying Reasons:And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons. Oth V.i.9
'Tis but a man gone. Forth my Sword: he dies.'Tis but a man gone. Forth my sword! He dies! Oth V.i.10
Iago. IAGO 
I haue rub'd this yong Quat almost to the sense,I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense,quat (n.)
pimple, small boil
Oth V.i.11
sense, to the
to the quick
And he growes angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, Oth V.i.12
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, Oth V.i.13
Euery way makes my gaine. Liue Rodorigo,Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo, Oth V.i.14
He calles me to a restitution largeHe calls me to a restitution large Oth V.i.15
Of Gold, and Iewels, that I bob'd from him,Of gold and jewels, that I bobbed from himbob (v.)

old form: bob'd
swindle, cheat, get by deception
Oth V.i.16
As Guifts to Desdemona.As gifts to Desdemona. Oth V.i.17
It must not be: If Cassio do remaine,It must not be. If Cassio do remain Oth V.i.18
He hath a dayly beauty in his life,He hath a daily beauty in his life Oth V.i.19
That makes me vgly: and besides, the MooreThat makes me ugly: and besides, the Moor Oth V.i.20
May vnfold me to him: there stand I in much perill:May unfold me to him – there stand I in much peril.unfold (v.)

old form: vnfold
identify, disclose, reveal
Oth V.i.21
No, he must dye. But so, I heard him comming.No, he must die. But soft, I hear him coming.soft (int.)
[used as a command] not so fast, wait a moment, be quiet
Oth V.i.22
Enter Cassio.Enter Cassio Oth V.i.23
Rod. RODERIGO 
I know his gate, 'tis he: Villaine thou dyest.I know his gait; 'tis he. Villain, thou diest! Oth V.i.23
Cas. CASSIO 
That thrust had beene mine enemy indeed,That thrust had been mine enemy indeed, Oth V.i.24
But that my Coate is better then thou know'st:But that my coat is better than thou think'st. Oth V.i.25
I will make proofe of thine.I will make proof of thine.proof (n.)
test, trial
Oth V.i.26.1
He wounds Roderigo Oth V.i.26
Rod. RODERIGO 
Oh, I am slaine.O, I am slain! Oth V.i.26.2
Iago wounds Cassio in the leg, and exit Oth V.i.26
Cassio. CASSIO 
I am maym'd for euer: / Helpe hoa: Murther, murther.I am maimed for ever. Help, ho! Murder, murder! Oth V.i.27
Enter Othello.Enter Othello, above Oth V.i.28
Oth. OTHELLO 
The voyce of Cassio, Iago keepes his word.The voice of Cassio: Iago keeps his word. Oth V.i.28
Rod. RODERIGO 
O Villaine that I am.O, villain that I am! Oth V.i.29.1
Oth. OTHELLO 
It is euen so.It is even so. Oth V.i.29.2
Cas. CASSIO 
Oh helpe hoa: Light, a Surgeon.O, help, ho! Light! A surgeon! Oth V.i.30
Oth. OTHELLO 
'Tis he: O braue Iago, honest, and iust,'Tis he! O brave Iago, honest and just,brave (adj.)

old form: braue
noble, worthy, excellent
Oth V.i.31
That hast such Noble sense of thy Friends wrong,That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong, Oth V.i.32
Thou teachest me. Minion, your deere lyes dead,Thou teachest me! Minion, your dear lies dead,minion (n.)
hussy, jade, minx
Oth V.i.33
And your vnblest Fate highes: Strumpet I come:And your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come!strumpet (n.)
harlot, prostitute, whore
Oth V.i.34
hie (v.)

old form: highes
hasten, hurry, speed
For of my heart, those Charmes thine Eyes, are blotted.Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted;charm (n.)

old form: Charmes
magic spell, enchantment
Oth V.i.35
Thy Bed lust-stain'd, shall with Lusts blood bee spotted.Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust's blood be spotted. Oth V.i.36
Exit Othello. Exit Othello Oth V.i.36
Enter Lodouico and Gratiano.Enter Lodovico and Gratiano Oth V.i.37.1
Cas. CASSIO 
What hoa? no Watch? No passage? / Murther, Murther.What, ho! No watch? No passage? Murder, murder!passage (n.)
traffic, passing to and fro, movement of people
Oth V.i.37
Gra. GRATIANO 
'Tis some mischance, the voyce is very direfull.'Tis some mischance: the cry is very direful.direful (adj.)

old form: direfull
dreadful, terrible, frightful
Oth V.i.38
Cas. CASSIO 
Oh helpe.O, help! Oth V.i.39
Lodo. LODOVICO 
Hearke.Hark! Oth V.i.40
Rod. RODERIGO 
Oh wretched Villaine.O wretched villain! Oth V.i.41
Lod. LODOVICO 
Two or three groane. 'Tis heauy night;Two or three groan. It is a heavy night.heavy (adj.)

old form: heauy
gloomy, dark, overcast
Oth V.i.42
These may be counterfeits: Let's think't vnsafeThese may be counterfeits. Let's think't unsafecounterfeit (n.)
impostor, pretender, sham
Oth V.i.43
To come into the cry, without more helpe.To come in to the cry without more help.come in (v.)
approach, move towards
Oth V.i.44
Rod. RODERIGO 
Nobody come: then shall I bleed to death.Nobody come? Then shall I bleed to death. Oth V.i.45
Lod. LODOVICO 
Hearke.Hark! Oth V.i.46
Enter Iago.Enter Iago, with a light Oth V.i.47
Gra. GRATIANO 
Here's one comes in his shirt, with Light, and Weapons.Here's one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons. Oth V.i.47
Iago. IAGO 
Who's there? / Who's noyse is this that cries on murther?Who's there? Whose noise is this that cries on murder?cry on (v.)
shout out, call out about
Oth V.i.48
Lodo. LODOVICO 
We do not know.We do not know. Oth V.i.49.1
Iago. IAGO 
Do not you heare a cry?Did you not hear a cry? Oth V.i.49.2
Cas. CASSIO 
Heere, heere: for heauen sake helpe me.Here, here: for heaven's sake help me! Oth V.i.50.1
Iago. IAGO 
What's the matter?What's the matter? Oth V.i.50.2
Gra. GRATIANO 
This is Othello's Ancient, as I take it.This is Othello's Ancient, as I take it. Oth V.i.51
Lodo. LODOVICO 
The same indeede, a very valiant Fellow.The same indeed, a very valiant fellow. Oth V.i.52
Iago. IAGO 
What are you heere, that cry so greeuously?What are you here, that cry so grievously?grievously (adv.)

old form: greeuously
sorrowfully, deeply, with great grief
Oth V.i.53
Cas. CASSIO 
Iago? Oh I am spoyl'd, vndone by Villaines:Iago? O, I am spoiled, undone by villains!spoil (v.)

old form: spoyl'd
badly injure, seriously hurt
Oth V.i.54
undone (adj.)

old form: vndone
ruined, destroyed, brought down
Giue me some helpe.Give me some help. Oth V.i.55
Iago. IAGO 
O mee, Lieutenant! / What Villaines haue done this?O me, Lieutenant! What villains have done this? Oth V.i.56
Cas. CASSIO 
I thinke that one of them is heereabout.I think that one of them is hereabout Oth V.i.57
And cannot make away.And cannot make away. Oth V.i.58.1
Iago. IAGO 
Oh treacherous Villaines:O treacherous villains! Oth V.i.58.2
What are you there? Come in, and giue some helpe.What are you there? Come in, and give some help. Oth V.i.59
Rod. RODERIGO 
O helpe me there.O, help me here! Oth V.i.60
Cassio. CASSIO 
That's one of them.That's one of them. Oth V.i.61.1
Iago. IAGO 
Oh murd'rous Slaue! O Villaine!O murd'rous slave! O villain! Oth V.i.61.2
He stabs Roderigo Oth V.i.62
Rod. RODERIGO 
O damn'd Iago! O inhumane Dogge!O damned Iago! O inhuman dog! Oth V.i.62
He faints Oth V.i.63
Iago. IAGO 
Kill men i'th'darke? / Where be these bloody Theeues?Kill men i'th' dark? Where be these bloody thieves? Oth V.i.63
How silent is this Towne? Hoa, murther, murther.How silent is this town! Ho, murder, murder! Oth V.i.64
Lodovico and Gratiano come forward Oth V.i.65
What may you be? Are you of good, or euill?What may you be? Are you of good or evil? Oth V.i.65
Lod. LODOVICO 
As you shall proue vs, praise vs.As you shall prove us, praise us. Oth V.i.66
Iago. IAGO 
Signior Lodouico?Signor Lodovico? Oth V.i.67
Lod. LODOVICO 
He Sir.He, sir. Oth V.i.68
Iago. IAGO 
I cry you mercy: here's Cassio hurt by Villaines.I cry you mercy. Here's Cassio hurt by villains. Oth V.i.69
Gra. GRATIANO 
Cassio?Cassio? Oth V.i.70
Iago. IAGO 
How is't Brother?How is't, brother? Oth V.i.71
Cas. CASSIO 
My Legge is cut in two.My leg is cut in two. Oth V.i.72.1
Iago. IAGO 
Marry heauen forbid:Marry, heaven forbid!marry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary
Oth V.i.72.2
Light Gentlemen, Ile binde it with my shirt.Light, gentlemen, I'll bind it with my shirt. Oth V.i.73
Enter Bianca.Enter Bianca Oth V.i.74
Bian. BIANCA 
What is the matter hoa? Who is't that cry'd?What is the matter, ho? Who is't that cried? Oth V.i.74
Iago. IAGO 
Who is't that cry'd?Who is't that cried? Oth V.i.75
Bian. BIANCA 
Oh my deere Cassio, / My sweet Cassio: O, my dear Cassio, my sweet Cassio, Oth V.i.76
Oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio.O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio! Oth V.i.77
Iago. IAGO 
O notable Strumpet. Cassio, may you suspectO notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspectstrumpet (n.)
harlot, prostitute, whore
Oth V.i.78
Who they should be, that haue thus mangled you?Who they should be that have thus mangled you?mangle (v.)
wound, gash, hack
Oth V.i.79
Cas. CASSIO 
No.No. Oth V.i.80
Gra. GRATIANO 
I am sorry to finde you thus; / I haue beene to seeke you.I am sorry to find you thus: I have been to seek you. Oth V.i.81
Iago. IAGO 
Lend me a Garter. So: ---Oh for a ChaireLend me a garter: so. O, for a chair Oth V.i.82
To beare him easily hence.To bear him easily hence!easily (adv.)
in comfort, at ease
Oth V.i.83.1
Bian. BIANCA 
Alas he faints.Alas, he faints! Oth V.i.83.2
Oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio.O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio! Oth V.i.84
Iago. IAGO 
Gentlemen all, I do suspect this TrashGentlemen all, I do suspect this trashtrash (n.)
worthless person, disreputable individual
Oth V.i.85
To be a party in this Iniurie.To be a party in this injury. Oth V.i.86
Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come;Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come, Oth V.i.87
Lend me a Light: know we this face, or no?Lend me a light. Know we this face or no? Oth V.i.88
Alas my Friend, and my deere CountrymanAlas, my friend, and my dear countryman Oth V.i.89
Rodorigo? No: Yes sure: Yes, 'tis Rodorigo.Roderigo? No – yes, sure – O heaven, Roderigo! Oth V.i.90
Gra. GRATIANO 
What, of Venice?What! Of Venice? Oth V.i.91
Iago. IAGO 
Euen he Sir: Did you know him?Even he, sir. Did you know him? Oth V.i.92.1
Gra. GRATIANO 
Know him? I.Know him? Ay. Oth V.i.92.2
Iago. IAGO 
Signior Gratiano? I cry your gentle pardon:Signor Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon.gentle (adj.)
courteous, friendly, kind
Oth V.i.93
These bloody accidents must excuse my Manners,These bloody accidents must excuse my manners Oth V.i.94
That so neglected you.That so neglected you. Oth V.i.95.1
Gra. GRATIANO 
I am glad to see you.I am glad to see you. Oth V.i.95.2
Iago. IAGO 
How do you Cassio? Oh, a Chaire, a Chaire.How do you, Cassio? O, a chair, a chair! Oth V.i.96
Gra. GRATIANO 
Rodorigo?Roderigo! Oth V.i.97
Iago. IAGO 
He, he, 'tis he:He, he, 'tis he. Oth V.i.98.1
Enter attendants with chair Oth V.i.98
Oh that's well said, the Chaire.O, that's well said, the chair!said, well
well done
Oth V.i.98.2
GRATIANO 
Some good man beare him carefully from hence,Some good man bear him carefully from hence. Oth V.i.99
Ile fetch the Generall's Surgeon. For you Mistris,I'll fetch the General's surgeon. For you, mistress, Oth V.i.100
Saue you your labour. He that lies slaine heere (Cassio)Save you your labour. He that lies slain here, Cassio, Oth V.i.101
Was my deere friend. What malice was between you?Was my dear friend. What malice was between you? Oth V.i.102
Cas. CASSIO 
None in the world: nor do I know the man?None in the world, nor do I know the man. Oth V.i.103
Iago. IAGO 
What? looke you pale? Oh beare him o'th'Ayre.(to Bianca) What, look you pale? O, bear him out o'th' air. Oth V.i.104
Cassio is borne in. Roderigo's body is removed Oth V.i.104
Stay you good Gentlemen. Looke you pale, Mistris?Stay you, good gentlemen. Look you pale, mistress? Oth V.i.105
Do you perceiue the gastnesse of her eye?Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?gastness (n.)

old form: gastnesse
terror, dread, frightened look
Oth V.i.106
Nay, if you stare, we shall heare more anon.Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.anon (adv.)
soon, shortly, presently
Oth V.i.107
Behold her well: I pray you looke vpon her:Behold her well; I pray you look upon her. Oth V.i.108
Do you see Gentlemen? Nay, guiltinesse will speakeDo you see, gentlemen? Nay, guiltiness will speak Oth V.i.109
Though tongues were out of vse.Though tongues were out of use. Oth V.i.110
Enter Emilia Oth V.i.111
Amil. EMILIA 
Alas, what is the matter? / What is the matter, Husband?'Las, what's the matter? What's the matter, husband? Oth V.i.111
Iago. IAGO 
Cassio hath heere bin set on in the darkeCassio hath here been set on in the dark Oth V.i.112
By Rodorigo, and Fellowes that are scap'd:By Roderigo and fellows that are scaped:scape, 'scape (v.)

old form: scap'd
escape, avoid
Oth V.i.113
He's almost slaine, and Rodorigo quite dead.He's almost slain and Roderigo quite. Oth V.i.114
Amil. EMILIA 
Alas good Gentleman: alas good Cassio.Alas, good gentleman! Alas, good Cassio! Oth V.i.115
Iago. IAGO 
This is the fruits of whoring. Prythe Amilia,This is the fruit of whoring. Prithee, Emilia, Oth V.i.116
Go know of Cassio where he supt to night.Go know of Cassio where he supped tonight.sup (v.)

old form: supt
have supper
Oth V.i.117
What, do you shake at that?What, do you shake at that? Oth V.i.118
Bian. BIANCA 
He supt at my house, but I therefore shake not.He supped at my house, but I therefore shake not. Oth V.i.119
Iago. IAGO 
O did he so? I charge you go with me.O, did he so? I charge you go with me. Oth V.i.120
Amil. EMILIA 
Oh fie vpon thee Strumpet.Fie, fie upon thee, strumpet! Oth V.i.121
Bian. BIANCA 
I am no Strumpet, but of life as honest,I am no strumpet, but of life as honeststrumpet (n.)
harlot, prostitute, whore
Oth V.i.122
As you that thus abuse me.As you that thus abuse me.abuse (v.)
misuse, maltreat, treat badly, wrong
Oth V.i.123.1
Amil. EMILIA 
As I? Fie vpon thee.As I? Foh! Fie upon thee! Oth V.i.123.2
Iago. IAGO 
Kinde Gentlemen: / Let's go see poore Cassio drest.Kind gentlemen, let's see poor Cassio dressed.dress (v.)

old form: drest
[of wounds] treat, minister to, care for
Oth V.i.124
Come Mistris, you must tel's another Tale.Come, mistress, you must tell's another tale. Oth V.i.125
Amilia, run you to the Cittadell,Emilia, run you to the citadel, Oth V.i.126
And tell my Lord and Lady, what hath happ'd:And tell my lord and lady what hath happed.hap (v.)

old form: happ'd
happen, take place, come to pass
Oth V.i.127
Will you go on afore? This is the nightWill you go on afore? (Aside) This is the nightafore, 'fore (adv.)
in front, ahead
Oth V.i.128
That either makes me, or foredoes me quight. That either makes me, or fordoes me quite.fordo (v.)

old form: foredoes
wreck, destroy, ruin
Oth V.i.129
ExeuntExeunt Oth V.i.129
 Previous Act V, Scene I Next  
x

Jump directly to