Original
Modern English
Will you think so?
Do you think so?
Think so, Iago?
Think what, Iago? What do you mean?
What, To kiss in private?
What? just because they kissed in private?
An unauthoriz’d kiss.
An illegitimate kiss!
Or to be naked with her friend in bed An hour or more, not meaning any harm?
Or maybe she was just naked in bed with her friend for an hour or so, and did not do anything?
Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm?
Naked in bed, Iago? and no harm done?
It is hypocrisy against the devil: They that mean virtuously and yet do so,
It is hypocrisy against the devil itself. If this was just an act and they had pure intentions,
The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.
they were tempted by the devil and they were tempting gods to damn them.
So they do nothing,’tis a venial slip.
As long as they do not do anything in bed, it’s a pardonable sin.
But if I give my wife a handkerchief—
But if I give my wife a handkerchief, and...
What then?
What then?
Why then,’tis hers, my lord, and being hers, She may, I think, bestow’t on any man.
Then it belongs to her. And if its hers, she can give it to any man she wants.
She is protectress of her honour too. May she give that?
Her dignity is her responsibility too. Can she give away that too?
Her honour is an essence that’s not seen; They have it very oft that have it not:
Her dignity is something you can not see. People often show it even when they don’t have it.
But for the handkerchief—
But as for the handkerchief -
By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.
For God Sake, I would gladly like to forget it.
Thou said’st (O, it comes o’er my memory, As doth the raven o’er the infected house, Boding to all) he had my handkerchief.
You told me (When it comes to memory such as these, it is like a raven living in an infected house) - Cassio has my handkerchief.
Ay, what of that?
Yes, and what about it?
That’s not so good now.
That’s not so good now.
What If I had said I had seen him do you wrong? Or heard him say (as knaves be such abroad, Who having, by their own importunate suit, Or voluntary dotage of some mistress, Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose But they must blab.)
What if I told you that I have seen him do things to hurt you? Or heard him say wrong things about you. (You know some dishonest men brag about their time with other woman)
Hath he said anything?
Has he said anything?
He hath, my lord, but be you well assur’d, No more than he’ll unswear.
He has, my lord, but be rest assured that he will deny it if you ask him now.
What hath he said?
What did he say?
Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.
Well, he said that he did - I do not know what he really did.
What? What?
What? What?
Lie.
He said, he lied --
With her?
With her?
With her, on her, what you will.
With her, on top of her, however you want to say it.
Lie with her! lie on her!—We say lie on her when they belie her.—Lie with her! that’s fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief!
Lied in bed with her? On top of her? We kept on thinking that she was lying whereas it was he, who was lying on her - with her. It’s so consuming. Handkerchief - confessions - handkerchief!
To confess, and be hanged for his labour. First, to be hanged, and then to confess. I tremble at it.
Should he confess first and then be hanged for his crime? No, I will kill him first and he can confess later. I am trembling with hate.
Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction.
I would not behave like this if I did not know the truth within. It has to be more than just a rumour.
It is not words that shake me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is’t possible?—Confess?—handkerchief?—O devil!—
Noses, ears and lips. Is that possible? I need a confession - I need to see that handkerchief - Oh devil!
Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught,
[To HIMSELF] - Let the poison work! This is how the most credible fools are caught.
And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, All guiltless, meet reproach.
Many worthy and innocent (virgin like) women are damned on the charges of extra marital affairs.
What, ho! my lord! My lord, I say! Othello!
[To OTHELLO] - My lord! My lord!
How now, Cassio!
Hey, Cassio?
What’s the matter?
What’s the matter?
My lord is fallen into an epilepsy.
My lord, Othello is having some sort of fits.
This is his second fit. He had one yesterday.
This is his second time he has had one of these. He had one yesterday.
Rub him about the temples.
Rub him near the temples.
No, forbear; The lethargy must have his quiet course. If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by Breaks out to savage madness.
No, don’t. The fit has to run through its course. If it does not, he will foam at the mouth and go crazy.
Look, he stirs: Do you withdraw yourself a little while, He will recover straight.
Look, he is moving. You go away for a while, he will recover soon.
When he is gone, I would on great occasion speak with you.
Once he leaves, I want to talk in private about something important to you.
How is it, general? Have you not hurt your head?
How are you feeling, general? Did you hit your head?
Dost thou mock me?
Are you mocking me?
I mock you? No, by heaven.
I mock you? No, for God Sake.
Would you would bear your fortune like a man!
I wish you could bear your misfortune like a man.
A horned man’s a monster and a beast.
A man who has been cheated on isn’t a man anymore. He acts like a monster with cuckold’s horns, and becomes a beast.
There’s many a beast, then, in a populous city, And many a civil monster.
Well, then it would mean that there are many monsters in the city and many of them pass for men.
Did he confess it?
Did Cassio confess it?
Good sir, be a man. Think every bearded fellow that’s but yok’d May draw with you.
Sir, be a man. Every married man has experienced what you are feeling right now.
There’s millions now alive That nightly lie in those unproper beds Which they dare swear peculiar:
There are millions of wives who sleep every night in beds swearing that it belongs only to their husbands.
your case is better. O,’tis the spite of hell, the fiend’s arch-mock, To lip a wanton in a secure couch, And to suppose her chaste!
Your case is still better. You are aware of reality. The worst thing is to kiss your wife thinking she is innocent when she is a whore.
No, let me know, And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.
No, I would prefer to know the truth, just like I know who I am, I should know who she exactly is.
O, thou art wise,’tis certain.
It is for certain that you are wise.
Stand you awhile apart, Confine yourself but in a patient list.
Stand away for a while. Hide yourself and stay calm.
Whilst you were here o’erwhelmed with your grief, (A passion most unsuiting such a man) Cassio came hither.
While you were being overtaken by your grief (something that does not suit a man like you), Cassio came here.
I shifted him away, And laid good’scuse upon your ecstasy,
I sent him away and made up an excuse for your fits.
Bade him anon return, and here speak with me, The which he promis’d.
I asked him to return and speak with me and he has promised that he will.
Do but encave yourself, And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns, That dwell in every region of his face;
So hide here and watch his expressions while I speak with him, how he laughs at you, insults you, mocks you.
For I will make him tell the tale anew, Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when He hath, and is again to cope your wife:
I will make him tell the entire story himself, where and when he met your wife, how often and how long ago and when he plans to sleep with your wife in future.
I say, but mark his gesture.
Just notice his gestures.
Marry, patience, Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen, And nothing of a man.
But please be patient or you will prove that you are completely ruled by your emotions and is not a real man.
Dost thou hear, Iago?
Do you hear, Iago?
I will be found most cunning in my patience; But,—dost thou hear?—most bloody.
I am most cunning when I am patient but do you hear me? I am not done with him yet.
That’s not amiss. But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
That is alright. But you stay calm for now. Will you please step back and hide now?
Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, A housewife that by selling her desires Buys herself bread and clothes:
[IAGO To HIMSELF] - Now I will question Cassio about Bianca, a prostitute who sells her body to fetch a living.
it is a creature That dotes on Cassio, (as’tis the strumpet’s plague To beguile many and be beguil’d by one.)
She loves Cassio and it’s her curse to attract so many men but be attracted by one.
He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.
When he talks about her, he will not be able to stop laughing. Here he comes.
As he shall smile Othello shall go mad,
[IAGO to HIMSELF] - As we talk, Cassio’s laugh will make Othello go crazy.
And his unbookish jealousy must construe Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behaviour Quite in the wrong.
In his misplaced jealousy, he will totally misunderstand Cassio’s smile, gestures, and behaviour.
How do you now, lieutenant?
[IAGO to CASSIO] - How are you, lieutenant?
The worser that you give me the addition Whose want even kills me.
When you call me a lieutenant, it gets worse. It kills me within.
Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.
Keep requesting Desdemona, and you will surely get back your place.
[
] Now, if it were Bianca who had the influence to help you, you would be running to her as fast you could.
] Now, if this suit lay in Bianca’s power, How quickly should you speed!
] Now, if it were Bianca who had the influence to help you, you would be running to her as fast you could.
Alas, poor caitiff!
Yes, poor thing!
[
] Look how he is laughing already!
] Look how he laughs already!
] Look how he is laughing already!
I never knew a woman love man so.
I have never seen a woman love a man like the way she loves you.
Alas, poor rogue! I think, i’faith, she loves me.
Alas, poor girl! I really think that she loves me a lot.
[
] He is denying his crime now and is laughing at it.
] Now he denies it faintly and laughs it out.
] He is denying his crime now and is laughing at it.
Do you hear, Cassio?
Did you hear about it, Cassio?
Now he importunes him To tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.
Now Iago is persevering him to tell the story again. Go on, Well done, Well done!
She gives it out that you shall marry her. Do you intend it?
Bianca tells everyone that you are going to marry her. Is that true?
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?
You are laughing like a Roman general because you think you won? Did you win?
I marry her? What? A customer?
Marry Bainca? What? A whore?
I prithee, bear some charity to my wit, do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!
I urge you to give some credit to my wisdom. I am not that stupid. Ha, ha, ha!
So, so, so, so. They laugh that wins.
So, so, so, so. They are laughing because he has won her over.
Faith, the cry goes that you shall marry her.
Believe me, the word around is that you are going to marry her.
Prithee say true.
Come on, it’s not true.
I am a very villain else.
If I am lying, I am a villain.
Have you scored me? Well.
Have you given me bastards to raise too? Well..
This is the monkey’s own giving out.
This rumour must have been started by herself.
She is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.
She is convinced that I will marry her, because she loves me unconditionally, and not because I ever promised her.
Iago beckons me. Now he begins the story.
Iago is signalling me to come closer. Now Cassio is beginning the story.
She was here even now. She haunts me in every place.
She was here just now. She follows me everywhere.
I was the other day talking on the sea-bank with certain Venetians, and thither comes the bauble, and falls thus about my neck.
The other day, I was talking to some city folks by the shore and the fool showed up and - I swear - she put her hands around my neck like this -
Crying,“O dear Cassio!”as it were: his gesture imports it.
From his gestures, it looks like he is saying - ,“Oh dear Cassio!”. That’s what his gestures indicate.
So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so hales and pulls me. Ha, ha, ha!
She hangs on me, and relaxes, and weeps upon my shoulder, and shakes and pulls me towards her. Ha, ha, ha!
Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber.
Now he is talking about how she dragged him to our bedroom.
O, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.
Oh Cassio, I see your nose now but I can’t find the dog I am going to feed it to.
Well, I must leave her company.
Well, I must get away from her.
Before me! look where she comes.
Look! she is coming here.
’Tis such another fitchew! Marry, a perfum’d one. What do you mean by this haunting of me?
It’s the whore we were talking about - she smells of the same cheap perfume. Why are you always following me?
Let the devil and his dam haunt you!
Let the devil and his wife follow you around.
What did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now?
Why did you give me the handkerchief just now?
I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the work?
I was such an idiot to take it. You want me to copy the pattern?
A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber and not know who left it there!
What a good story? You found it your room and have no idea, who left it there.
This is some minx’s token, and I must take out the work? There, give it your hobby-horse.
This is a token of love from another whore and you want me to copy it. Are you insane?
Wheresoever you had it, I’ll take out no work on’t.
Give it back to your new mistress. I am not going to copy it for you.
How now, my sweet Bianca? How now, how now?
What happened now, my sweet Bianca? What’s the matter?
By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!
Oh my God, this must be my handkerchief.
If you’ll come to supper tonight, you may.
If you like, come and have dinner with me tonight.
If you will not, come when you are next prepared for.
If you can’t, then wait for when I call you next - which will be never.
After her, after her.
You should go after her.
Faith, I must; she’ll rail in the street else.
I believe I should, else she would create a scene on the streets.
Will you sup there?
Will you go for dinner to her place?
Faith, I intend so.
Yes, I think so.
Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain speak with you.
Well, I might come and see you there as I have something important to talk to you.
Prithee come, will you?
Please come to the dinner then, will you?
Go to; say no more.
I will, you must go now.
[
] How should I kill him, Iago?
] How shall I murder him, Iago?
] How should I kill him, Iago?
Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
Did you see how he laughed at his immoral acts?
O Iago!
Oh, Iago!
And did you see the handkerchief?
And did you see the handkerchief?
Was that mine?
Was that mine?
Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife!
Yes, I am certain. Did you see how you much your foolish wife mean to him?
she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore.
Desdempna gave such a precious thing to him and he turns around and gives it to a whore.
I would have him nine years a-killing.
If I could, I would kill him slowly for nine years straight.
A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!
Such a fine woman! Fair and beautiful! Fine woman!
Nay, you must forget that.
No, you must forget about her now.
Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live.
Yes, let her rot and die and be cursed as she won’t live after tonight.
No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand.
My heart has turned into stone. If I hit my heart, it hurts my hand.
O, the world hath not a sweeter creature.
Oh, the world has never seen a more sweet creature.
She might lie by an emperor’s side, and command him tasks.
She could have married an emperor and he would have obeyed her commands.
Nay, that’s not your way.
No, but that’s not your nature.
Hang her, I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle, an admirable musician!
Hang her! But I am just telling what she is now. She is so skilled at embroidery and an admirable musician.
O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear! Of so high and plenteous wit and invention!
Oh, she sings so well that she can put a bear to calm! She is witty and imaginative!
She’s the worse for all this.
Then it’s all the more worse that she stooped down to this level.
O, a thousand, a thousand times: and then of so gentle a condition!
Oh, a thousand times worse, a thousand times. She is such a gentle person.
Ay, too gentle.
Yes, too gentle.
Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
No, that’s certain. Such a shame, Iago! Oh Iago, What a pity, Iago!
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend,
If you are still fond of her after her immoral behaviour, give her the liberty to cheat on you.
for if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.
If it does not bother you, it will not concern anyone else.
I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!
I will chop her up into pieces. How could she cheat on me?
O,’tis foul in her.
Oh, that’s the devil in her.
With mine officer!
That too, with my officer!
That’s fouler.
That’s even worse.
Get me some poison, Iago; this night.
Get me some poison tonight, Iago.
I’ll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago.
I’ll not get into an argument with her, so that her body and beauty does not distract me. Tonight, Iago.
Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.
Do not kill her with poison. Instead, strangle her in her bed, the same bed that she contaminated with another man.
Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very good.
Good! This will be poetic justice! Very good!
And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker.
And for Cassio, let me handle him.
You shall hear more by midnight.
You will hear more about it from me by midnight.
Excellent good.
Excellent good.
[
] What’s the trumpet for?
] What trumpet is that same?
] What’s the trumpet for?
Something from Venice, sure.
Someone from Venice has come, I think.
’Tis Lodovico Come from the duke. See, your wife is with him.
It’s Lodovico. He is coming on behalf of the duke. Look, your wife is with him.
Save you, worthy general!
Greetings, general!
With all my heart, sir.
Greetings, sir.
The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
The duke and senators of Venice sends you their greetings.
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
I will obey whatever command they have for me.
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?
I am very glad to see you, signior. Welcome to Cyprus.
I am very glad to see you, sir. Welcome to Cyprus.
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
Thank you. How is Lieutenant Cassio doing?
Lives, sir.
Well, he is alive, sir.
Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord An unkind breach, but you shall make all well.
Cousin, there is a trifle between him and my lord, an unfortunate one, but you can now fix it.
Are you sure of that?
Are you sure of that?
My lord?
What are you saying, my lord?
[
]“Do not fail to do this, since you will — ”
]“This fail you not to do, as you will—”
]“Do not fail to do this, since you will — ”
He did not call; he’s busy in the paper.
He wasn’t talking to you, Desdemona. He is reading the letter, the duke has sent him.
Is there division’twixt my lord and Cassio?
Is there a dispute between Othello and Cassio?
A most unhappy one. I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
Unfortunately, yes. I would do anything to bring them back together, since I really care for Cassio.
Fire and brimstone!
Fire and brimstone!
My lord?
My lord?
Are you wise?
Are you in your senses?
What, is he angry?
Why is he getting angry?
May be the letter mov’d him;
May be the letter has upset him.
For, as I think, they do command him home, Deputing Cassio in his government.
I think they want him to return to Venice and appoint Cassio in charge, here in Cyprus.
Trust me, I am glad on’t.
Trust me, I am glad.
Indeed!
Indeed!
My lord?
My lord?
I am glad to see you mad.
I am glad to see that you are angry.
Why, sweet Othello?
What are you talking about, my sweet Othello?
Devil!
You Devil!
I have not deserv’d this.
I have not done anything to deserve such a behaviour.
My lord, this would not be believ’d in Venice, Though I should swear I saw’t:
My lord, nobody in Venice would believe what you just did, even though I have seen it with my own eyes.
’tis very much. Make her amends. She weeps.
This is too much. You should apologise to her. She is crying.
O devil, devil!
Oh you devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight!
If that the earth can be filled with the tears of women, it will all be fake tears. Get lost!
I will not stay to offend you.
I will not stay here if it offends you.
Truly, an obedient lady. I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
Truly, an obedient lady. I request you lord, call her back.
Mistress!
Mistress!
My lord?
Yes, my lord?
What would you with her, sir?
What do you want with her, sir?
Who, I, my lord?
Me, my lord?
Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn.
Yes, You wanted me to make her turn around and come back here.
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, And turn again.
She can turn around just fine, she is very good at that.
And she can weep, sir, weep; And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient, Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears.
She can cry, sir, cry, and she is obedient, very obedient - keep crying
Concerning this, sir,
[To LODOVICO] - About this letter, Sir
—O well-painted passion!
[To DESDEMONA] - What a well crafted act!
I am commanded home.
[To LODOVICO] - I know that I am ordered to return to Venice.
—Get you away; I’ll send for you anon.
[To DESDEMONA] - Go away! I will send for you later.
—Sir, I obey the mandate, And will return to Venice.
[To LODOVICO] - Sir, I will obey the orders and return to Venice.
—Hence, avaunt!
[To DESDEMONA] - Get lost! Go away from here.
Cassio shall have my place.
Cassio can have my place.
And, sir, tonight, I do entreat that we may sup together. You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats and monkeys!
And, sir, I request you to have dinner with me tonight. You are welcome to Cyprus, sir. Oh, goats and monkeys!
Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate Call all in all sufficient?
Is this the same noble Moor, whom our senators consider so capable?
Is this the nature Whom passion could not shake?
Is this the person who never gets emotional?
whose solid virtue The shot of accident nor dart of chance Could neither graze nor pierce?
A man, whose moral standards can never be lost or shaken by any accident or by any fortune thrown at him.
He is much chang’d.
He is a changed man now.
Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?
Is he in his senses? Is he losing his mind?
He’s that he is. I may not breathe my censure What he might be.
He is what he is. I will express my disapproval for what he might be.
If what he might he is not, I would to heaven he were!
If he isn’t what he has the potential to be, then I wish to God he was!
What, strike his wife?
Why did he hit his wife?
Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew That stroke would prove the worst!
Yes, that was not correct but I wish I could say, that was the worst he will do.
Is it his use?
Is that his habit?
Or did the letters work upon his blood, And new-create this fault?
Or did the letter he was reading made him angry and he did this for the first time?
Alas, alas! It is not honesty in me to speak What I have seen and known.
That’s too bad! It is not my place to tell you what I have heard and seen.
You shall observe him, And his own courses will denote him so That I may save my speech:
You will see for yourself. His own actions will explain to you what he is, so that I don’t have to tell it myself.
do but go after, And mark how he continues.
Just go after him and see what he does next.
I am sorry that I am deceiv’d in him.
I am sorry that I was so mistaken about him.