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Shakespeare on Stage
American Shakespeare Center, The Duchess of Malfi. To Jun. 15, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Love's Labour's Lost. To Jun. 15, 2013.
Folger Shakespeare Library, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 9, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 16, 2013.
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Othello (Modern)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Jessica Slights
Not Peer Reviewed

1.2

Enter Othello, Iago, [and] attendants, with torches.
Iago Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
205Yet do I hold it very stuff o'th'conscience
To do no contrived murder; I lack iniquity
Sometime to do me service. Nine or ten times
I had thought t'have yerked him here under the ribs.
Othello
'Tis better as it is.
210Iago
Nay, but he prated,
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
Against your honor
212.1That with the little godliness I have
I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir,
Are you fast married? Be assured of this,
215That the magnifico is much beloved
And hath in his effect a voice potential
As double as the duke's. He will divorce you,
Or put upon you what restraint or grievance
The law, with all his might to enforce it on,
220Will give him cable.
Othello
Let him do his spite;
My services, which I have done the signory,
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know--
Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
225I shall promulgate -- I fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege; and my demerits
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
As this that I have reached. For know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
230I would not my unhousèd free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the seas' worth. But look, what lights come yond?
Enter Cassio [and officers] with torches.
Iago Those are the raisèd father and his friends;
235You were best go in.
Othello
Not I; I must be found.
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
Iago By Janus, I think no.
240Othello The servants of the duke? And my lieutenant?
The goodness of the night upon you, friends.
What is the news?
Cassio
The duke does greet you, general,
245And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
Even on the instant.
Othello
What is the matter, think you?
Cassio Something from Cyprus, as I may divine.
It is a business of some heat. The galleys
250Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
This very night at one another's heels,
And many of the consuls, raised and met,
Are at the duke's already. You have been hotly called for,
When being not at your lodging to be found,
255The Senate hath sent about three several quests
To search you out.
Othello
'Tis well I am found by you.
I will but spend a word here in the house
And go with you.
[Exit Othello.]
260Cassio
Ancient, what makes he here?
Iago Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack.
If it prove lawful prize, he's made forever.
Cassio
I do not understand.
Iago
He's married.
265Cassio
To who?
Iago
Marry to--
[Enter Othello.]
--Come Captain, will you go?
Othello
Have with you.
Cassio Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, [and] officers [with] torches [and weapons].
270Iago It is Brabantio. General, be advised;
He comes to bad intent.
Othello
Holla, stand there.
Roderigo
Signor, it is the Moor.
Brabantio
Down with him, thief.
275Iago You, Roderigo? Come, sir, I am for you.
Othello Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
Good signor, you shall more command with years
Than with your weapons.
Brabantio O thou foul thief, 280where hast thou stowed my daughter?
Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;
For I'll refer me to all things of sense
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,
285So opposite to marriage that she shunned
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
Would ever have, t'incur a general mock,
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thou--to fear, not to delight.
290Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense
That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms,
Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
That weaken motion. I'll have't disputed on--
'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.
295I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
For an abuser of the world, a practiser
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.
Lay hold upon him; if he do resist,
Subdue him at his peril.
300Othello
Hold your hands,
Both you of my inclining and the rest.
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter. Whither will you that I go
To answer this your charge?
305Brabantio
To prison, till fit time
Of law and course of direct session
Call thee to answer.
Othello
What if I do obey?
How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
310Whose messengers are here about my side
Upon some present business of the state
To bring me to him?
Officer
'Tis true, most worthy signor.
The duke's in council, and your noble self
315I am sure is sent for.
Brabantio
How? The duke in council?
In this time of the night? Bring him away!
Mine's not an idle cause. The duke himself,
Or any of my brothers of the state,
320Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;
For if such actions may have passage free,
Bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.
Exeunt.