Act 5, Scene 1

Original Text

SCENE I. Cyprus. A Street. Enter Iago and Roderigo. IAGO. Here, stand behind this bulk. Straight will he come. Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home. Quick, quick, fear nothing; I’ll be at thy elbow. It makes us, or it mars us, think on that, And fix most firm thy resolution. RODERIGO. Be near at hand, I may miscarry in ’t.

Modern English

*Cyprus. A street. Iago and Roderigo enter.* IAGO. Stand here, behind this wall. He'll come by any second. Draw your sword and be ready to strike. Quick, quick — don't be afraid. I'll be right at your elbow. This either makes us or breaks us — keep that in mind and hold your nerve. RODERIGO. Stay close. I might mess this up. IAGO. Right here, at hand. Be bold. Take your position. *He steps back.*

Original Text

IAGO. Here, at thy hand. Be bold, and take thy stand. [_Retires to a little distance._] RODERIGO. I have no great devotion to the deed; And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons. ’Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword; he dies. [_Goes to his stand._] IAGO. I have rubb’d this young quat almost to the sense, And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo, He calls me to a restitution large

Modern English

RODERIGO. I'm not exactly eager for this, but he did give me convincing reasons. It's just one man dead. Come on, sword — he dies. *He takes his position.* IAGO. I've rubbed this young fool nearly raw, and now he's angry. Whether he kills Cassio or Cassio kills him, or they kill each other, every outcome benefits me. If Roderigo lives, he'll demand back all the gold and jewels I skimmed from him — money I claimed was gifts for Desdemona. That can't happen.

Original Text

Of gold and jewels that I bobb’d from him, As gifts to Desdemona. It must not be. If Cassio do remain, He hath a daily beauty in his life That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril. No, he must die. But so, I hear him coming. Enter Cassio. RODERIGO. I know his gait; ’tis he. Villain, thou diest! [_Rushes out, and makes a pass at Cassio._]

Modern English

If Cassio survives, his daily decency makes me look ugly by comparison. And besides, the Moor might expose me to him. That's too dangerous. No — Cassio has to die. Listen — I hear him coming. *Cassio enters.* RODERIGO. I know that walk. It's him. Villain, you die! *He rushes out and lunges at Cassio.* CASSIO. That thrust would have killed me if my coat weren't better armor than you knew. Let me test yours. *He draws his sword and wounds Roderigo.*

Original Text

CASSIO. That thrust had been mine enemy indeed, But that my coat is better than thou know’st. I will make proof of thine. [_Draws, and wounds Roderigo._] RODERIGO. O, I am slain! [_Iago rushes from his post, cuts Cassio behind in the leg, and exit._] CASSIO. I am maim’d forever. Help, ho! murder, murder!

Modern English

RODERIGO. Oh, I'm killed! *Iago darts from hiding, slashes Cassio's leg from behind, and escapes.* CASSIO. I'm crippled! Help! Murder, murder! *He falls.* *Othello enters.* OTHELLO. That's Cassio's voice. Iago kept his word. RODERIGO. Oh, what a villain I am! OTHELLO. It's done.

Original Text

[_Falls._] Enter Othello. OTHELLO. The voice of Cassio. Iago keeps his word. RODERIGO. O, villain that I am! OTHELLO. It is even so. CASSIO. O, help, ho! light! a surgeon!

Modern English

CASSIO. Help! A doctor! OTHELLO. That's him. O brave Iago, honest and just, who feels his friend's wrongs so nobly! You've taught me something. As for you, my darling — your lover lies dead, and your cursed fate is rushing toward you. Whore, I'm coming! Your eyes, those charms, are wiped from my heart. Your bed, stained with lust, will be spotted with blood. *He exits.*

Original Text

OTHELLO. ’Tis he. O brave Iago, honest and just, That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong! Thou teachest me,—minion, your dear lies dead, And your unbless’d fate hies. Strumpet, I come! Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted; Thy bed, lust-stain’d, shall with lust’s blood be spotted. [_Exit._] Enter Lodovico and Gratiano. CASSIO. What, ho! No watch? No passage? murder, murder!

Modern English

*Lodovico and Gratiano enter.* CASSIO. Help! Nobody on watch? No one passing by? Murder! GRATIANO. Something's wrong. That cry sounded terrible. CASSIO. Help me! LODOVICO. Listen! RODERIGO. Oh, miserable villain! LODOVICO. Two or three people groaning. It's a dark night. These could be a trap. Let's not rush in without backup.

Original Text

GRATIANO. ’Tis some mischance; the cry is very direful. CASSIO. O, help! LODOVICO. Hark! RODERIGO. O wretched villain! LODOVICO. Two or three groan. It is a heavy night. These may be counterfeits. Let’s think’t unsafe To come in to the cry without more help.

Modern English

RODERIGO. Nobody coming? I'll bleed to death then. *Iago enters carrying a light.* LODOVICO. Listen! GRATIANO. Someone's coming in his shirtsleeves, with a light and weapons. IAGO. Who's there? Who's crying murder? LODOVICO. We don't know. IAGO. Didn't you hear a shout? CASSIO. Over here! For God's sake, help me! IAGO. What happened?

Original Text

RODERIGO. Nobody come? Then shall I bleed to death. Enter Iago with a light. LODOVICO. Hark! GRATIANO. Here’s one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons. IAGO. Who’s there? Whose noise is this that cries on murder? LODOVICO. We do not know.

Modern English

GRATIANO. That's Othello's ensign, I believe. LODOVICO. The same — a very brave fellow. IAGO. Who's here, crying out in such agony? CASSIO. Iago? Oh, I've been ruined — attacked by villains! Help me. IAGO. Oh no, lieutenant! What villains did this? CASSIO. I think one of them is still nearby and can't get away. IAGO. Treacherous villains! [To Lodovico and Gratiano.] Who are you over there? Come in and help.

Original Text

IAGO. Did not you hear a cry? CASSIO. Here, here! for heaven’s sake, help me! IAGO. What’s the matter? GRATIANO. This is Othello’s ancient, as I take it. LODOVICO. The same indeed, a very valiant fellow.

Modern English

RODERIGO. Oh, help me over here! CASSIO. That's one of them. IAGO. You murderous wretch! Villain! *He stabs Roderigo.* RODERIGO. Oh, damned Iago! You inhuman dog! IAGO. Killing men in the dark! Where are these bloody thieves? How quiet this town is! Murder! Murder! And who might you be? Friend or enemy? LODOVICO. Judge us by our actions. IAGO. Signior Lodovico? LODOVICO. Yes.

Original Text

IAGO. What are you here that cry so grievously? CASSIO. Iago? O, I am spoil’d, undone by villains! Give me some help. IAGO. O me, lieutenant! What villains have done this? CASSIO. I think that one of them is hereabout, And cannot make away. IAGO. O treacherous villains! [_To Lodovico and Gratiano._] What are you there?

Modern English

IAGO. My apologies. Cassio's been hurt by criminals. GRATIANO. Cassio! IAGO. How are you, brother? CASSIO. My leg is nearly cut in half. IAGO. God forbid! Here — I'll bandage it with my shirt. *Bianca enters.* BIANCA. What's happening? Who was screaming? IAGO. Who was screaming? BIANCA. Oh, my dear Cassio! My sweet Cassio! Oh, Cassio!

Original Text

Come in and give some help. RODERIGO. O, help me here! CASSIO. That’s one of them. IAGO. O murderous slave! O villain! [_Stabs Roderigo._] RODERIGO. O damn’d Iago! O inhuman dog!

Modern English

IAGO. Notorious woman! Cassio, do you have any idea who did this to you? CASSIO. No. GRATIANO. I'm sorry to find you like this. I was looking for you. IAGO. Someone get me a belt for a tourniquet. — And a chair to carry him out of here! BIANCA. He's fainting! Oh, Cassio, Cassio!

Original Text

IAGO. Kill men i’ the dark! Where be these bloody thieves? How silent is this town! Ho! murder! murder! What may you be? Are you of good or evil? LODOVICO. As you shall prove us, praise us. IAGO. Signior Lodovico? LODOVICO. He, sir. IAGO. I cry you mercy. Here’s Cassio hurt by villains.

Modern English

IAGO. Gentlemen, I suspect this woman had something to do with this attack. Be patient, Cassio. — Come now, give me a light. Do we know this face? My God — my friend, my dear countryman — Roderigo? No — yes, it is! Good God. Roderigo. GRATIANO. From Venice? IAGO. The same, sir. Did you know him? GRATIANO. Know him? Of course.

Original Text

GRATIANO. Cassio! IAGO. How is’t, brother? CASSIO. My leg is cut in two. IAGO. Marry, heaven forbid! Light, gentlemen, I’ll bind it with my shirt. Enter Bianca.

Modern English

IAGO. Signior Gratiano? I beg your pardon. This bloody mess must excuse my rudeness in not greeting you properly. GRATIANO. I'm glad to see you. IAGO. How are you, Cassio? — We need a chair! GRATIANO. Roderigo! IAGO. Yes, it's him. *A chair is brought in.*

Original Text

BIANCA. What is the matter, ho? Who is’t that cried? IAGO. Who is’t that cried? BIANCA. O my dear Cassio, my sweet Cassio! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio! IAGO. O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect Who they should be that have thus mangled you? CASSIO. No.

Modern English

Good — the chair. Someone carry him carefully away from here. I'll go get the general's surgeon. [To Bianca.] As for you, madam — save your crocodile tears. The man lying dead here, Cassio, was my dear friend. What quarrel was there between you? CASSIO. None whatsoever. I don't even know the man. IAGO. [To Bianca.] Why do you look so pale? — Get Cassio indoors. *Cassio and Roderigo are carried off.* Stay here, gentlemen. — Notice how pale she is? Keep watching her. We'll hear more soon. Look at her carefully, please. Don't you see, gentlemen? Guilt will speak even when the tongue can't.

Original Text

GRATIANO. I am sorry to find you thus; I have been to seek you. IAGO. Lend me a garter. So.—O, for a chair, To bear him easily hence! BIANCA. Alas, he faints! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio! IAGO. Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash To be a party in this injury. Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come; Lend me a light. Know we this face or no? Alas, my friend and my dear countryman Roderigo? No. Yes, sure; O heaven! Roderigo.

Modern English

*Emilia enters.* EMILIA. What happened? What's going on, husband? IAGO. Cassio was ambushed in the dark by Roderigo and his accomplices — they got away. Cassio is badly wounded, and Roderigo is dead. EMILIA. Oh, poor gentleman! Poor Cassio! IAGO. This is what comes of whoring. Emilia, please — go find out where Cassio had dinner tonight. [To Bianca.] What — you're trembling? BIANCA. He had dinner at my place, but that's not why I'm shaking. IAGO. Oh, did he? I insist you come with me.

Original Text

GRATIANO. What, of Venice? IAGO. Even he, sir. Did you know him? GRATIANO. Know him? Ay. IAGO. Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon. These bloody accidents must excuse my manners, That so neglected you. GRATIANO. I am glad to see you.

Modern English

EMILIA. Shame on you, whore! BIANCA. I'm not a whore. I live as honestly as you, who attacks me this way. EMILIA. As honest as me? How dare you! IAGO. Gentlemen, let's go see to poor Cassio's wounds. Come, madam — you'll need to tell a different story. Emilia, run to the citadel and tell the general and his lady what's happened. Will you go ahead? [Aside.] Tonight is the night that either makes me or destroys me completely. *They exit.*