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Modern English
What from the cape can you discern at sea?
What can you find out about the sea from the island?
Nothing at all, it is a high-wrought flood.
Nothing at all, it is a high-rise flood.
I cannot’twixt the heaven and the main Descry a sail.
The tides are so rough that I can barely catch sight of any ships anywhere between the sea and the sky.
Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land.
It is windy here at the shore too.
A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements.
A big blast of wind shook our establishments.
If it hath ruffian’d so upon the sea, What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them, Can hold the mortise?
If the water is so rough at the sea, what kind of ships can hold together when mountains seem to be melting on them? What ribs of oak when mountains melt on them can hold the mortise?
What shall we hear of this?
What should we think of it?
A segregation of the Turkish fleet.
The Turkish fleet must be broken up.
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
Just stand at the shore and see.
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds,
The wind seems to be striking hard.
The wind-shak’d surge, with high and monstrous main, Seems to cast water on the burning Bear, And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole;
The waves are so wild and high that they seem to be reaching the stars in the sky and putting their lights out.
I never did like molestation view On the enchafed flood.
I have never seen such turmoil in the sea.
If that the Turkish fleet Be not enshelter’d, and embay’d, they are drown’d.
If the Turkish fleet did not find any shelter, it must have drowned now.
It is impossible to bear it out.
It is impossible for any fleet to survive this storm.
News, lads! Our wars are done.
News, boys! The war is over!
The desperate tempest hath so bang’d the Turks That their designment halts.
The desperate storm has hit the Turks so hard that their plans failed.
A noble ship of Venice Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance On most part of their fleet.
One of our ship from Venice has seen a serious destruction and suffering of most of their fleet.
How? Is this true?
What? Is this true?
The ship is here put in,
The ship has been docked here.
A Veronessa; Michael Cassio, Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello, Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea, And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
A Venetian; Michael Cassio, lieutenant to the commander Moor Othello has come on the shore, while the Moor is himself at the sea and is on the way to Cyprus with a full commission.
I am glad on’t.’
I am glad that he is here.
Tis a worthy governor.
He is a worthy governor.
But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,
His lieutenant Cassio speaks of comfort and brings the news of Turkish loss, yet he looks sad.
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted With foul and violent tempest.
He fears for the safety of Moor for they were seperated due to the terrible storm in the sea.
Pray heavens he be;
Pray to God for his well being;
For I have serv’d him, and the man commands Like a full soldier.
For I have served under him, and I know how good a commander he is.
Let’s to the sea-side, ho! As well to see the vessel that’s come in As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
Come on! Let’s go to the harbour to welcome the ship that has just docked and also look out for the brave Othello.
Even till we make the main and the aerial blue An indistinct regard.
We will stay at the shore until the distinction between sea and sky blurs out.
Come, let’s do so;
Come, let’s do so;
For every minute is expectancy Of more arrivance.
For every minute, we expect more ships to arrive.
Thanks you, the valiant of this warlike isle, That so approve the Moor!
Thank you, the brave men who defended this island and respect Moor so much.
O, let the heavens Give him defence against the elements, For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.
May God protect him from the storm as I lost sight of him in this turmoil.
Is he well shipp’d?
Is his ship sturdy enough?
His bark is stoutly timber’d, and his pilot Of very expert and approv’d allowance;
The wood is of the best quality and its pilot is an expert and is highly experienced man.
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death, Stand in bold cure.
Therefore, I am still optimistic yet my hopes are not too high.
[
] A sail, a sail, a sail!
] A sail, a sail, a sail!
] A sail, a sail, a sail!
What noise?
What is that noise?
The town is empty; on the brow o’the sea
Everyone in the town has gone to the shore.
Stand ranks of people, and they cry“A sail!”
Everyone is shouting - A sail!
My hopes do shape him for the governor.
I hope it’s the governor, Othello.
They do discharge their shot of courtesy. Our friends at least.
They have fired a shot of courtesy, it’s surely our friends.
I pray you, sir, go forth, And give us truth who’tis that is arriv’d.
Sir, I request you to please go and find out. Please tell us who has come.
I shall.
I will.
But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv’d?
But, hey lieutenant, Is your general married?
Most fortunately: he hath achiev’d a maid That paragons description and wild fame, One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
Most fortunately, he is married to a lady that defines excellence and wild fame, one that is beyond any possible description.
And in the essential vesture of creation Does tire the ingener.
She is God’s wonder. Anyone who tries to define her would be exhausted in doing so.
How now? Who has put in?
Who is it? Who has arrived?
’Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
A man named Iago, ensign to the general.
He has had most favourable and happy speed:
He has had the most favourable and happy luck.
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds, The gutter’d rocks, and congregated sands, Traitors ensteep’d to clog the guiltless keel, As having sense of beauty, do omit Their mortal natures, letting go safely by The divine Desdemona.
See how the storm, high seas, howling winds, rocks and congregated sands, traitors who are there to impede the ship as though having a sense of beauty have escaped their nature, and allowed Desdemona to pass safely.
What is she?
who is she?
She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,
She is the one I spoke of, our great Captain’s wife.
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago; Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts A se’nnight’s speed.
Othello left her behind in Venice and ordered Iago to bring her to Cyprus. But Iago has arrived a week earlier than anticipated, at lightspeed.
Great Jove, Othello guard, And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath, That he may bless this bay with his tall ship, Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms, Give renew’d fire to our extincted spirits, And bring all Cyprus comfort!
Great God, protect Othello, and help his ship sail with your own powerful breath. I pray that Othello reach here safely with his huge ship, make love to Desdemona and be with each other, and provide renewed fire to our lost spirits, and bring comfort to the entire city of Cyprus!
O, behold, The riches of the ship is come on shore!
Look! Desdemona has arrived on the shore.
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees. Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven, Before, behind thee, and on every hand, Enwheel thee round!
All men of Cyprus, kneel before her and hail to the lady! May God bless you! Welcome lady!, Enwheel thee round!
I thank you, valiant Cassio. What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
I thank you, brave Cassio. What information can you provide me of my lord?
He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught But that he’s well, and will be shortly here.
He has not yet arrived, and I know this much that he is well and he will arrive here shortly.
O, but I fear—How lost you company?
Oh, but I am afraid. How did you lose sight of him?
[
] A sail, a sail!
] A sail, a sail!
] A sail, a sail!
The great contention of the sea and skies Parted our fellowship. But, hark! a sail.
The great turmoil in the sea parted us. Look! There is a ship.
They give their greeting to the citadel. This likewise is a friend.
They fired a shot as a greeting. This ship belongs to a friend.
See for the news.
Go and find out what is happening.
Good ancient, you are welcome.
Ensign, you are welcome to Cyprus.
[
] Welcome, mistress.
] Welcome, mistress.
] 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.
Don’t be upset with me Iago for kissing your wife’s hand, it is a mere courtesy. This is how we welcome women where I was brought up.
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, You would have enough.
Sir, If she gave you as much lips as much as she gives me of her talkative tongue, You would have too much of it.
Alas, she has no speech.
On the contrary, she is a very soft spoken women.
In faith, too much.
Really, she talks too much.
I find it still when I have list to sleep.
I find her talking even when I am asleep.
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant, She puts her tongue a little in her heart, And chides with thinking.
In Fact, in your presence my lady, I agree that she holds her tongue a little in her heart, and keeps her thoughts restrained within her mind.
You have little cause to say so.
You have no reason to say that.
Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,
Come on, come on; you are quiet in front of people but as noisy as ringing bells are in the parlour or stormy like wild-cats, when you are in your kitchen.
Bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens, Saints in your injuries, devils being offended, Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.
You act like saints when you are injured but if you are offended, you turn into devils. You do not do your duties as housewives and act like hussies in beds.
O, fie upon thee, slanderer!
Shame on you, liar!
Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk.
No, it is true or else I am a Turk.
You rise to play, and go to bed to work.
You get up and play all day and get to work only when you get to bed.
You shall not write my praise.
You will never praise me. Will you?
No, let me not.
No, I will not.
What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?
What would you say of me, if you had to praise me?
O gentle lady, do not put me to’t,
Oh dear lady, do not put me on the spot.
For I am nothing if not critical.
For I am nothing if not critical.
Come on, assay.—There’s one gone to the harbour?
Come on, attempt it. Has someone gone to the harbour?
Ay, madam.
Yes, madam.
I am not merry, but I do beguile
I am putting up a show to be happy.
The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.—
I am trying not to show how worried I am.
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
Come on, tell me, how would you praise me?
I am about it, but indeed, my invention
I am trying to think but I am not able to imagine anything as of now.
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze, It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours, And thus she is deliver’d.
It comes out just like a twig comes out of a cliff, just like that it plucks out my brains but I am working hard. Ah, there it is.
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, The one’s for use, the other useth it.
If she is fair and wise, she will use her wisdom to make use of her beauty.
Well prais’d! How if she be black and witty?
Well said! What if I she is black and smart?
If she be black, and thereto have a wit, She’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
If she is black, and also have some wits, she will find a man suitable for her appearance.
Worse and worse.
Worse and worse.
How if fair and foolish?
What if she is fair but foolish?
She never yet was foolish that was fair, For even her folly help’d her to an heir.
There cnnot be any woman who is fair and stupid. if she is fair, even her stupidity would help her find a good man.
These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i’the alehouse.
These are old silly paradoxes to make fools laugh in the pubs.
What miserable praise hast thou for her that’s foul and foolish?
What would you say to a woman that’s both ugly and stupid?
There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto, But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
There is no woman so ugly and foolish who cannot play the same tricks that fair and wise ones do.
O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best.
What ignorance! You give the best praise to the worst women.
But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed, one that in the authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?
But what praise can you give to a deserving woman, one who is so full of merit that even pure evil would vouch for her?
She that was ever fair and never proud, Had tongue at will and yet was never loud, Never lack’d gold and yet went never gay, Fled from her wish, and yet said,“Now I may”;
She who that was beautiful but never proud, spoke when she wanted to but was never too loud, never lacked gems and yet never appeared gaudy, practised self-restraint even when she could get what she wanted.
She that, being anger’d, her revenge being nigh, Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly;
She, who never took revenge, who never took anyone’s words to heart.
She that in wisdom never was so frail To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail; She that could think and ne’er disclose her mind,
One who is too wise to be silly, one who could change cod’s head for the salmon.
See suitors following and not look behind; She was a wight, if ever such wight were—
She, who could think without revealing much, ignore men who flirt, she would be one of a kind, if she ever exists, that’s the sort of a woman -
To do what?
To do what?
To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.
To have sex with fools and raise their babies.
O most lame and impotent conclusion!—
Oh, What a lame and helpless conclusion!
Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband.—
Do not listen to him Emilia, even though he is your husband.
How say you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor?
What do you have to say Cassio? Does he not say the most obscene and profane things?
He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar.
He speaks bluntly, madam. He is more of a soldier than a scholar. [CASSIO takes DESDEMONA’S hands]
[
] Cassio is holding her hand.
] He takes her by the palm.
] Cassio is holding her hand.
Ay, well said, whisper. With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.
Yes, great, go ahead and whisper to her. With something as trivial as this, I will create a trap for Cassio just like a web knit to catch a fly.
Ay, smile upon her, do. I will gyve thee in thine own courtship.
Yes, smile Cassio, smile. I will create shackles around this relationship.
You say true,’tis so, indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in.
That’s right, smile indeed. The manners of yours around women will strip you out of your lieutenantry. It would have been better if you had not kissed her hands so often, something which you keep doing in that gentleman’s way. Very good. Well kissed, an excellent courtesy!
Very good; well kissed, an excellent courtesy!’Tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers to your lips? Would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!
Indeed. Yet again. Her fingers to your lips? Very well. Are they some kind of surgical instruments for you!
The Moor! I know his trumpet.
It is the Moor! I know his trumpet.
’Tis truly so.
Indeed it is.
Let’s meet him, and receive him.
Let’s go and welcome him.
Lo, where he comes!
Here he comes.
O my fair warrior!
Oh my fair warrior!
My dear Othello!
My dear Othello!
It gives me wonder great as my content To see you here before me.
I am surprised and delighted to see you here before me.
O my soul’s joy!
My soul is overjoyed.
If after every tempest come such calms, May the winds blow till they have waken’d death! And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas Olympus-high, and duck again as low As hell’s from heaven!
If the calm after the storms are this wonderful, may the winds blow till they have awakened dead, and let the tides be so high that it climb hills of seas, magnificently-high, and then go again as low as hell is from heaven!
If it were now to die, ’Twere now to be most happy, for I fear My soul hath her content so absolute That not another comfort like to this Succeeds in unknown fate.
If I were to die now, I would be completely satisfied, for I fear that my soul will never feel such contentment again, there is no other comfort in the future that I can think of.
The heavens forbid But that our loves and comforts should increase Even as our days do grow!
God willing, our loves and comforts will increase as we grow old.
Amen to that, sweet powers!
Amen to that, sweet Desdemona!
I cannot speak enough of this content.
I cannot talk enough about this joy.
It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
It’s too much joy:
And this, and this, the greatest discords be [
]
] That e’er our hearts shall make!
]
[
] Oh, he is all joyful and happy now. But I will ruin your happiness no matter how honest you may think I am.
] O, you are well tun’d now, But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am.
] Oh, he is all joyful and happy now. But I will ruin your happiness no matter how honest you may think I am.
Come, let us to the castle.—
Come Desdemona, let’ go to the castle.
News, friends, our wars are done, the Turks are drown’d.
Friends, the good news is that our war is over. The Turks are all drowned.
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?
How is my old friends from Cyprus?
Honey, you shall be well desir’d in Cyprus; I have found great love amongst them.
Desdemona - Honey, you will be loved here in Cyprus. I have found great love and respect from these people.
O my sweet, I prattle out of fashion, and I dote In mine own comforts.
Oh my dear, I am talking foolishly, and I am lost in my own happiness.
—I prithee,good Iago, Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.
I request you, good Iago, Go to the shore and bring my luggage.
Bring thou the master to the citadel; He is a good one, and his worthiness Does challenge much respect.
Bring your captain to the citadel. He is a good man, and he deserves all the respect.
—Come, Desdemona, Once more well met at Cyprus.
Come Desdemona, It is so wonderful to see you here at Cyprus!
Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither.
[TO ATTENDANTS] Come with me to the harbour.
If thou be’st valiant—as, they say, base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them—list me.
[TO RODERIGO] Come here.You have the determination? As they say, when lousy men are in love, they find a kind of noble character in their natures much more than they truly are.
The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard: first, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.
Tonight, Cassio is taking the guard. And let me tell you this, Desdemona is head over heels in love with him.
With him? Why,’tis not possible.
In love with him? That is impossible.
Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.
Be quiet and listen to me.
Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies. And will she love him still for prating? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed. And what delight shall she have to look on the devil?
Do you remember how furiously she loved the Moor for his made up stories and all the bragging ? Do you think she still loves him for his stories? Do not think of it for a second. She must be fed up with him. And what delight will she get to look at the black old Moor now?
When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners, and beauties; all which the Moor is defective in: now, for want of these required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor, very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice.
When she gets bored with having sex, there should be something more to inflame her lust and give it a fresh apetite. someone lovely, similiar in her age, manners, and beauty, all of which the Moor is lacking. Now, in her desire for these necessities, her delicate youth will find itself wasted, and begin to feel rebellious. She might leave him and hate him forever. That is nature. It will instruct her to leave the Moor and compel her to find a second choice.
Now sir, this granted (as it is a most pregnant and unforced position) who stands so eminently in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden loose affection? Why, none, why, none! A slipper and subtle knave, a finder out of occasions; that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself: a devilish knave! 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.
Now sir, this is what will naturally happen. Who can be that second choice? Who can be better than Cassio?, a dishonest and a fluent man, nothing more than a pretence of civility and politeness, all to fulfill his lust and hidden unproper desire for sex. Nobody else! A slimy and dishonest man, one looking for a chance and counterfeit advantage, though true advantage never presents itself: a devilish unscrupulous man! Besides, the man is handsome, young, and has all those requirements in him that foolish and naive minds look for. A destructive, dishonest man, and the woman has found him already.
I cannot believe that in her, she is full of most blessed condition.
I cannot believe that. Desdemona is a moral woman.
Blest fig’s end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor.
Ridiculous! She is just like everyone else. If she was so unique, she would never have loved the Moor.
Blessed pudding! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that?
Good lord! Did you not see her play with the palm of Cassio’s hand? Didn’t you notice that?
Yes, that I did. But that was but courtesy.
Yes, I did. But that was just out of courtesy.
Lechery, by this hand. An index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts.
Lust, not courtesy. This sort of thing leads to lust and evil thoughts.
They met so near with their lips that their breaths embrac’d together.
They met so close with their lips that their breaths embraced together.
Villainous thoughts, Roderigo! When these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion.
Horrible thoughts, Roderigo! When the actions start this way, it soon reaches the state of physical intimacy, the final act of sex.
Pish! 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. Cassio knows you not. I’ll not be far from you. Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline, or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.
Disgusting! Let me tell you sir. I have called you here from Venice. Wait for my command tonight. Cassio does not know you. I will be around. You should find some way to make Cassio angry, either by speaking too loudly, or commenting on his discipline, or whatever other means you find at that time.
Well.
Okay.
Sir, he is rash, and very sudden in choler, and haply with his truncheon may strike at you:
Roderigo, Cassio is rash and very sudden in his temperament. There is a chance that he might hit you in his response.
provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio.
Provoke him so that he does.I will use that situation to create circumstances for Cassio that proves him to be a rebellion, and might even displace him from his ranks.
So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them, and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
This will give you a way to meet your desires as I will remove Cassio from your way. With him in the scene, your plans cannot be achieved.
I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.
I will do it if you give me a chance.
I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
I promise I will. Meet me at the citadel in some time. I need to get Othello’s luggage from the ship. Goodbye!
Adieu.
Goodbye!
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; That she loves him,
Cassio loves her, and I believe that she loves him too.
’tis apt, and of great credit: The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not, Is of a constant, loving, noble nature; And, I dare think, he’ll prove to Desdemona A most dear husband.
I hate the Moor, but I have to admit that he is a man of loving and noble nature and I am sure that he is the most dearest husband to Desdemona.
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,
Now I love her too, but that is not out of absolute lust (although that is also there) but partly because of my hunger for revenge from him.
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leap’d into my seat. The thought whereof Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards, And nothing can or shall content my soul Till I am even’d with him, wife for wife, Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong That judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do,
I suspect that the lusty Moor has slept with my wife. This thought stays with me like a poison and eats me from inside everyday. Nothing can or will ever content my soul until I am even with him, wife for wife. Even if I fail, I will plant the seeds of jealousy in the Moor so strong that it will prevail in his mind forever.
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
This will all work out only if that poor trash of Venice, Roderigo, who I am using as my hunting dog, is able to complete his task well.
I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip, Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb (For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too)
If all goes well, I’ll have Michael Cassio on the run and use him against the Moor in the power war. (For I fear Cassio with my position too)
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me For making him egregiously an ass And practicing upon his peace and quiet Even to madness.
I would make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me for making him an outstanding fool. He will try to stay quiet and peaceful that will drive him to madness.
’Tis here, but yet confus’d. Knavery’s plain face is never seen till us’d.
The plan is all set but yet not executed. Cassio has no idea what is going to happen to him.