Maybe she was just naked in bed with him for an hour or so, but
they didn't do anything.
OTHELLO
5
Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm!
It is hypocrisy against the devil.
They that mean virtuously, and yet do so,
The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.
OTHELLO
Naked in bed together, but without doing anything? Come on, Iago.
That would be like playing a trick on the devil: they'd
make him think they're going to commit adultery, but then
back off. Anyone who acted like that would be letting the devil
tempt them, and tempting God to condemn them.
IAGO
So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip.
10
But if I give my wife a handkerchief—
IAGO
As long as they didn't do anything, it would only be a
minor sin. But if I gave my wife a handkerchief—
OTHELLO
What then?
OTHELLO
Then what?
IAGO
Why then 'tis hers, my lord, and, being hers,
She may, I think, bestow 't on any man.
IAGO
Then it's hers. And if it's hers, I guess
she can give it to any man she wants.
OTHELLO
She is protectress of her honor too.
15
May she give that?
OTHELLO
Her reputation is also her own. Can she give that away too?
