Othello

William Shakespeare

• Publisher: Miller Press
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9781473370494
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Shakespeare Drama
• Index: Literature

Classic Books Library presents this new beautiful edition of William Shakespeare's tragedy, "Othello" (1622), featuring a specially commissioned new biography of William Shakespeare. "Othello" is a play often adapted for opera. Set in Venice, the play explores the difficult position held by Moorish general, Othello, after he secretly marries Desdemona, a Senator's daughter. Desdemona falls victim to a spiteful plot, as jealousy, accusations and betrayal lead the characters down a violent path. As a 'Moor', Othello is notably portrayed as a dark-skinned leading character, though his ethnic origin remains ambiguous. William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is considered to be the greatest writer in the English language and is celebrated as the world's most famous dramatist.

ACT III.

SCENE I. Before the castle.

[Enter Cassio and some Musicians.]

CASSIO.
Masters, play here, I will content your pains; Something that's brief; and bid "Good morrow, general."

[Music.]

[Enter Clown.]

CLOWN.
Why, masters, have your instruments been in Naples, that
they speak i' the nose thus?

FIRST MUSICIAN.
How, sir, how?

CLOWN.
Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?

FIRST MUSICIAN.
Ay, marry, are they, sir.

CLOWN.
O, thereby hangs a tail.

FIRST MUSICIAN.
Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

CLOWN.
Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters, here's money for you; and the general so likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it.

FIRST MUSICIAN.
Well, sir, we will not.

CLOWN.
If you have any music that may not be heard, to't again;
but, as they say, to hear music the general does not greatly
care.

FIRST MUSICIAN.
We have none such, sir.

CLOWN.
Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away.
Go, vanish into air, away!

[Exeunt Musicians.]

CASSIO.
Dost thou hear, my honest friend?

CLOWN.
No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.

CASSIO.
Prithee, keep up thy quillets. There's a poor piece of gold
for thee. If the gentlewoman that attends the general's wife be
stirring, tell her there's one Cassio entreats her a little favor
of speech. Wilt thou do this?

CLOWN.
She is stirring, sir. If she will stir hither, I shall seem
to notify unto her.

CASSIO.
Do, good my friend.

[Exit Clown.]

[Enter Iago.]

In happy time, Iago.

IAGO.
You have not been abed, then?

CASSIO.
Why, no; the day had broke
Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,
To send in to your wife. My suit to her
Is that she will to virtuous Desdemona
Procure me some access.

IAGO.
I'll send her to you presently;
And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way, that your converse and business
May be more free.

CASSIO.
I humbly thank you for't.

[Exit Iago.]

I never knew
A Florentine more kind and honest.

[Enter Emilia.]

EMILIA.
Good morrow, good lieutenant. I am sorry
For your displeasure, but all will sure be well.
The general and his wife are talking of it,
And she speaks for you stoutly. The Moor replies
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cy...