Othello Translated Into Modern English: The most accurate line-by-line translation available, alongside original English, stage directions and historical notes

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Othello filled in the rest – her dragging him to their bedroom. He was going to feed Cassio’s nose to the dogs. I learnt it in England where they’re great boozers,’ said Iago. ‘Your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied Hollander… Hey, more wine!… are nothing to your English.’ Iago got up and looked down at him. He smiled. He put his foot on his head. ‘Work on, my medicine, work,’ he whispered. ‘This is how gullible fools are caught, and so many worthy and chaste women too, all innocent, but condemned.’ He heard someone coming. He knelt down beside Othello and took his face gently in his hands. ‘’Wake up, my lord!’ he said. ‘My lord, I say! Othello!’ My lord,’ said Iago, ‘forgive me. ‘Although I’m bound to you in every act of duty, I’m not bound, as even slaves are not, to utter my thoughts. What if they are vile and false? And whose mind doesn’t sometimes have foul intruders? Who has such a pure heart that some unclean considerations don’t sit alongside lawful ones?’ Who’s ringing the bell?’ said Iago. He tried to stop the fighting again but the lieutenant and the governor were clinging to each other, each one trying to get the upper hand. ‘Your’re disturbing the town. For God’s sake, Lieutenant, stop! You’ll be shamed forever!’

When they were near Iago stopped Othello with a hand on his shoulder. ‘It’s Brabantio, General. Be careful, he’s dangerous.’ Desdemona arrived just then, attended by some soldiers and a group of women. Othello stretched his hand out to her. Iago smiled. ‘Her honour is invisible: they often have it when they don’t. But as for the handkerchief…’ Othello took a step towards him and looked him squarely in the eyes. ‘What are you talking about?’ he said.Othello sprang up. ‘By heaven, I’ve been trying to forget that! You told me – oh it comes to my memory like the raven visiting the infectious house, boding ill to all in it – he had my handkerchief.’

I marry her!’ Cassio laughed even louder. What! A customer! Please! Give my intelligence more credit; don’t think it’s so low.’ More laughter.

And you may be. But how? Satisfied in what way, my lord? Would you be a voyeur, crudely watching? See her topped?’

Well,’ he said. ‘How did this start? Have we become Turks that we are doing what the Ottomites’ religion has forbidden even them? For Christian shame, stop this barbarous brawl. Whichever of you moves again has no regard for his soul: he dies instantly.’ He turned to one of his attendants. ‘Silence that dreadful bell. It’s disturbing the people of the island.’ Othello raised his hand in a fist. ‘Do you hear, Iago? I will control myself and I will be patient, but – do you hear? – most bloody.’ Act 4, scene 2 Othello questions Emilia about Cassio and Desdemona’s relationship, acting as if Emilia is the mistress of a brothel and Desdemona one of her prostitutes. Othello denounces Desdemona to her face as a whore. Desdemona turns for help to Iago, who reassures her.Roderigo, protesting to Iago that his gifts to Desdemona have won him no favor from her, threatens to ask for the return of the gifts. Iago counters this threat by telling Roderigo that Desdemona will leave for Mauritania with Othello unless Roderigo can delay them. The best way to do this, says Iago, is by killing Cassio.

Entire Play In Venice, at the start of Othello, the soldier Iago announces his hatred for his commander, Othello, a Moor. Othello has promoted Cassio, not Iago, to be his lieutenant.Iago crudely informs Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, that Othello and Desdemona have eloped. Before the Venetian Senate, Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching Desdemona. The Senators wish to send Othello to Cyprus, which is under threat from Turkey. They bring Desdemona before them. She tells of her love for Othello, and the marriage stands. The Senate agrees to let her join Othello in Cyprus.In Cyprus, Iago continues to plot against Othello and Cassio. He lures Cassio into a drunken fight, for which Cassio loses his new rank; Cassio, at Iago’s urging, then begs Desdemona to intervene. Iago uses this and other ploys—misinterpreted conversations, insinuations, and a lost handkerchief—to convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. Othello goes mad with jealousy and later smothers Desdemona on their marriage bed, only to learn of Iago’s treachery. He then kills himself. All of our upcoming public events and our St Pancras building tours are going ahead. Read our latest blog post about planned events for more information. I would rather beg him to despise me than to impose such a pathetic, drunken, indiscreet officer on such a good commander. Drunk! And talk nonsense! And fight! Swagger! Swear! And talk rubbish to myself! Oh, you invisible evil of wine. If there was no other name to call you we could call you devil.’ Why did I marry?’ said Othello. ‘This honest creature no doubt sees and knows much more than he’s telling me.’ Being poor and content is to be rich, and rich enough. But unlimited riches are as poor as winter to him who is always afraid that he is going to be poor. Dear God defend the souls of all my tribe from jealousy.’

They walked along a dark canalside alley, passing beneath the stone arches that supported the wealthy houses in that part of Venice. Yes,’ said Iago. ‘That’s the point.. To be quite frank, to reject so many proposed marriages to men of her own country, colour and position, which would be the most natural thing …. Foh! One could interpret that as having too strong a will, foully disproportionate, unnatural thoughts. But forgive me, I’m not talking about her specifically, although I could have cause to fear that her will, giving way to her better judgment may begin to compare you with her own countrymen so that perhaps she will be regretting marrying you.’ Othello was staring at him. ‘Go now, go. And if you notice anything more tell me. Get your wife to watch her. Leave me, Iago.

Generous madam,’ said Cassio. ‘Whatever happens to Michael Cassio, he will always be your true servant.’ Iago placed his hand on Othello’s head. ‘Don’t rise yet,’ he said, and facing him, knelt too. ‘I swear,’ he said, ‘before the lights of heaven and the elements that surround us, I swear that Iago surrenders his mind, hands and heart to the service of wronged Othello. Let him command, and to obey, whatever it may be, will be my goal, however bloody the business is.’ Act 3, scene 1 Cassio arrives with musicians to honor Othello and Desdemona. As Iago has recommended, Cassio asks Emilia to arrange a meeting with Desdemona, even though Emilia assures him that Desdemona is already urging Othello to reinstate him. And,’ Montano was saying, ‘it’s a great pity that the noble Moor should risk putting someone with such a failing in the position of second in command. It would be an act of honesty to tell the Moor.’