No Fear Shakespeare
Othello
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 2, Scene 1, Page 4
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
|
MONTANO
But good lieutenant, is your general wived?
|
MONTANO
Good lieutenant, is your general married?
|
|
|
65 |
CASSIO
Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid
That paragons description and wild fame,
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And in th' essential vesture of creation
Does tire the ingener.
|
CASSIO
Yes, and he’s very lucky to have married the woman he
did. His wife defies description. She’s God’s
masterpiece, and she’d exhaust whoever tried to do her
justice while praising her.
|
Enter SECOND GENTLEMAN
|
The SECOND GENTLEMAN
enters. |
|
|
How now? Who has put in?
|
Who’s arrived in the harbor?
|
|
|
70 |
SECOND GENTLEMAN
'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
|
SECOND GENTLEMAN
A man named Iago, the general’s ensign.
|
|
75 |
CASSIO
He’s had most favorable and happy speed.
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The guttered rocks and congregated sands,
Traitors ensteeped to enclog the guiltless keel,
As having sense of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.
|
CASSIO
He made good time. You see how the storm, the jagged rocks, and
the sand banks that trap ships all appreciate a beautiful woman.
They let the heavenly Desdemona arrive safe and sound.
|
|
MONTANO
What is she?
|
MONTANO
Who’s that?
|
|
|
80 85 |
CASSIO
She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
A se'nnight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello
guard,
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms,
Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits
And bring all Cyprus comfort!
|
CASSIO
She’s the one I was talking about, the
general’s wife. The brave Iago was put in charge of
bringing her here, and he’s arrived a week sooner than we
expected. Dear God, please protect Othello and help him arrive here
safely, so he and Desdemona can be in each other’s arms,
and Othello can cheer us up and bring comfort to Cyprus.
|
Enter DESDEMONA,
EMILIA, IAGO,
RODERIGO with attendants |
DESDEMONA, IAGO,
RODERIGO and EMILIA
enter. |
