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No Fear Shakespeare – Othello (by SparkNotes, transcription by Alex Woelffer) -16-
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Being strong on both sides, are equivocal.
But words are words. I never yet did hear
That the bruised heart was piercèd through the ears.
I humbly beseech you, proceed to th' affairs of state.
DUKE
The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for
Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best
known to you, and though we have there a substitute
of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign
mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on
you. You must therefore be content to slubber the
gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn
and boist'rous expedition.
OTHELLO
The tyrant custom, most grave senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down. I do agnize
A natural and prompt alacrity
I find in hardness, and do undertake
These present wars against the Ottomites.
Most humbly therefore bending to your state,
Act 1, Scene 3, Page 10
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I crave fit disposition for my wife.
Due reference of place and exhibition,
With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding.
DUKE
Why, at her father’s.
BRABANTIO
I’ll not have it so.
OTHELLO
Nor I.
DESDEMONA
Nor would I there reside,
To put my father in impatient thoughts
By being in his eye. Most gracious Duke,
To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear
And let me find a charter in your voice,
T' assist my simpleness.
DUKE
What would you, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA
That I did love the Moor to live with him,
My downright violence and storm of fortunes
May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued
Even to the very quality of my lord.
I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
And to his honors and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
So that, dear lords, if I be left behind
A moth of peace and he go to the war,
else’s words. Please, I’m asking you, go ahead
and get back to your state affairs.
DUKE
The Turks are heading for Cyprus with a
powerful fleet. Othello, you understand better
than anyone how the defenses for Cyprus work.
Even though we have a very good officer in
charge there already, everyone says you’re the
better man for the job. So I’ll have to ask you to
put a damper on your marriage celebrations and
take part in this dangerous expedition.
OTHELLO
I’ve gotten used to the hardships of a military life.
I rise to the occasion when faced with difficulties.
I will take charge of this war against the Turks.
But I humbly ask you to make appropriate
arrangements for my wife,
giving her a place to live and people to keep her
company that suit her high rank.
DUKE
She can stay at her father’s house.
BRABANTIO
I won’t allow it.
OTHELLO
Neither will I.
DESDEMONA
And I wouldn’t stay there. I don’t want to upset
my father by being in his house. Dear Duke,
please listen to what I have to say.
DUKE
What do you want to do, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA
When I fell in love with Othello I made up my
mind that I wanted to live with him. You can see
how much I wanted to be with him by how
violently I threw away my old life. I feel like I’m a
part of him now, and that means I’m part of a
soldier. I saw Othello’s true face when I saw his
mind. I gave my whole life to him because of his
honor and bravery. If I were left at home
uselessly while he went off to war, then I’m