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No Fear Shakespheare

Othello

William Shakespeare

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Act 1, Scene 3

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Enter DUKE, SENATORS, and OFFICERS
The DUKE enters with SENATORS and OFFICERS.


DUKE
There’s no composition in this news
That gives them credit.
 DUKE
These reports are inconsistent. You can’t trust them.


FIRST SENATOR
Indeed, they are disproportioned.
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
 FIRST SENATOR
It’s true, they’re inconsistent. My letters say there are a hundred and seven ships.

5		 DUKE
And mine a hundred and forty.
 DUKE
And mine say a hundred and forty.





SECOND SENATOR
    And mine, two hundred.
But though they jump not on a just account—
As in these cases, where the aim reports
'Tis oft with difference—yet do they all confirm
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.
 SECOND SENATOR
And mine say two hundred. But often in these cases, reports are just estimates. The important thing is that they all say a Turkish fleet is approaching Cyprus.

10


 DUKE
Nay, it is possible enough to judgment.
I do not so secure me in the error,
But the main article I do approve
In fearful sense.
 DUKE
Yes, we get the idea. The inconsistency doesn’t make me think that the reports are all wrong. I have no doubt about what they’re basically saying, and it’s frightening.


SAILOR
(within)
    What, ho, what, ho, what, ho!
 SAILOR
(offstage) Hello! Hey, hello!

15		 OFFICER
A messenger from the galleys.
 OFFICER
It’s a messenger from the warships.
Enter SAILOR
A SAILOR enters.

DUKE
Now, what’s the business?
 DUKE
Why are you here?



SAILOR
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes,
So was I bid report here to the state
By Signior Angelo.
 SAILOR
Signor Angelo told me to come here and tell you that the Turkish fleet is heading for Rhodes, not Cyprus.
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