Act 5, Scene 2 — Othello — Study Shakespeare

The argument Othello enters the sleeping Desdemona's chamber with a light. His 'Put out the light' soliloquy. He wakes her to tell her she must die; she protests innocence and asks for Cassio. Othello smothers her. Emilia calls from outside. Desdemona revives briefly: 'A guiltless death I die.' Emilia forces the truth out: the handkerchief was Iago's. Iago enters and kills Emilia. Montano and Lodovico arrive. Letters from Roderigo are found proving the scheme. Othello wounds Iago, who is arrested. Othello's final speech and suicide.

Desdemona in bed asleep; a light burning.

Enter Othello.

OTHELLO ≋ verse Othello's determined cruelty, ready to murder

It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,

Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!

It is the cause. Yet I’ll not shed her blood,

Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,

And smooth as monumental alabaster.

Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.

Put out the light, and then put out the light:

If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,

I can again thy former light restore,

Should I repent me. But once put out thy light,

Thou cunning’st pattern of excelling nature,

I know not where is that Promethean heat

That can thy light relume. When I have pluck’d thy rose,

I cannot give it vital growth again,

It must needs wither. I’ll smell it on the tree.

Yes. Have you said your prayers?

Yeah. Have you prayed?

prayers? have you?

"It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul" The 'Put out the light' speech opens with this half-articulated framing: Othello is preparing himself by recasting the murder as an act of justice — he is executing a cause, not killing a person. The three repetitions of 'cause' are his attempt to maintain that framing against his own grief.

"Put out the light, and then put out the light" The double meaning: put out the candle, then put out Desdemona's life. The syntactic repetition makes both acts sound identical — and Othello knows they are not. The candle can be relit; she cannot. This speech is the most explicit acknowledgment in the play that he knows what he is doing and cannot stop.

Why it matters Othello enters with a light and approaches the sleeping Desdemona. He is already performing the murder in his mind — speaking of not shedding her blood, not scarring her skin. The murder, for him, is a ritual necessity. That framing is all that stands between him and the knowledge of what he is doing.

[_Kissing her._]

O, balmy breath, that dost almost persuade

Justice to break her sword! One more, one more.

Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,

And love thee after. One more, and this the last.

So sweet was ne’er so fatal. I must weep,

But they are cruel tears. This sorrow’s heavenly,

It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.

DESDEMONA Emilia's outraged denunciation of Othello

Who’s there? Othello?

She was faithful! You're wrong! Iago lied to you! He manipulated you! I know because I'm his wife!

She was faithful! Iago lied to you! I know because I'm married to him!

faithful iago lied manipulated you i know i'm his wife

Why it matters The 'Put out the light' speech is one of the greatest soliloquies in Shakespeare — not because it is eloquent (though it is) but because it shows a man who knows the difference between right and wrong, knows which one he is doing, and is doing the wrong thing anyway. This is not madness or ignorance; it is knowledge without the power to change course.

OTHELLO Othello's horrified realization, the truth dawning

Ay, Desdemona.

What? No. She had the handkerchief. Cassio had the handkerchief.

No! She had the handkerchief! Cassio had it!

handkerchief cassio had it proof

DESDEMONA Emilia's revelation of the truth, Iago's crime exposed

Will you come to bed, my lord?

That handkerchief? I gave it to my husband Iago! He took it from Desdemona and planted it with Cassio! It was all a lie! All his manipulation!

I gave it to Iago! He stole it from Desdemona and gave it to Cassio! It was all a lie!

i gave it to iago he stole it from desdemona planted it cassio all lie

OTHELLO Othello's complete breakdown, realizing what he's done

Have you pray’d tonight, Desdemona?

No! Oh no! I've killed her! An innocent woman! I'm destroyed! Everything is destroyed!

No! I killed her! She was innocent! I'm done!

no killed her innocent destroyed i'm done

DESDEMONA Iago appearing, his plot finally exposed

Ay, my lord.

Yes, I did it. I lied. I manipulated all of you. And now it's done.

Yeah, I did it. I lied about everything. So what.

yes i did it lied manipulated done

OTHELLO ≋ verse Othello's desperate attempt to kill Iago

If you bethink yourself of any crime

Unreconcil’d as yet to heaven and grace,

Solicit for it straight.

You! You did this! You destroyed everything!

You! You destroyed it all!

you destroyed all everything

DESDEMONA Iago's defiant silence, refusing remorse

Alack, my lord, what may you mean by that?

I will not say another word.

I'm not saying nothing.

silence no more words

"Have you prayed tonight, Desdemona?" Othello is asking because he wants her to have time to confess her sins before death — he is still framing the murder as an execution, giving the condemned a moment for last rites. This is also the last moment she has to understand what is happening.

OTHELLO ≋ verse Othello's final tragic realization and suicide

Well, do it, and be brief, I will walk by.

I would not kill thy unprepared spirit,

No, heaven forfend! I would not kill thy soul.

I took an oath. I was the general. I was supposed to be honorable. Instead I killed an innocent woman based on lies. There's nothing left for me but this.

I was supposed to be a general. A leader. Instead I murdered an innocent woman. I can't live with this.

was general supposed to be honorable killed innocent based on lies nothing left but this

DESDEMONA Othello's last words, his suicide

Talk you of killing?

It is over.

It's done.

over finis

OTHELLO Emilia's final words over the tragedy

Ay, I do.

A good man destroyed. An innocent woman murdered. All because of one man's lies and jealousy. This is the tragedy of it all.

A good man destroyed. An innocent woman dead. All because Iago lied. This is how it ends.

destroyed innocent murdered lies jealousy tragedy end

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

Then heaven have mercy on me!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Amen, with all my heart!

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

If you say so, I hope you will not kill me.

🎭 Dramatic irony Desdemona's last words protect Othello: 'Nobody — I myself.' She calls him her 'kind lord.' He has just murdered her. She dies defending him, which is both the fullest expression of her love and the most devastating verdict on his crime.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Hum!

DESDEMONA ≋ verse [DESDEMONA]

And yet I fear you, for you are fatal then

When your eyes roll so: why I should fear I know not,

Since guiltiness I know not, but yet I feel I fear.

And yet I fear you, for you are fatal then When your eyes roll so: why I should fear I know not, Since guiltiness I know not, but yet I feel I fear.

And yet I fear you, for you are fatal then When your eyes roll so: why I should fear I know not, Sin

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Think on thy sins.

Think on your sins.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

They are loves I bear to you.

Why it matters Desdemona weeps when told Cassio is dead — naturally, because she cared for him as a friend. Othello reads this as grief for a lover. This is the play's final terrible misreading: her virtue and her loyalty are the things that damn her in his eyes.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Ay, and for that thou diest.

Ay, and for that you diest.

DESDEMONA ≋ verse [DESDEMONA]

That death’s unnatural that kills for loving.

Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?

Some bloody passion shakes your very frame.

These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope,

They do not point on me.

That death’s unnatural that kills for loving. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope, They do not point on me.

That death’s unnatural that kills for loving. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody pas

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Peace, and be still!

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

I will so. What’s the matter?

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee,

Thou gav’st to Cassio.

That handkerchief which I so loved and gave you, you gav’st to Cassio.

Why it matters Desdemona's last act is to protect Othello. She lies to Emilia to spare him. This is either the play's most profound act of love or its most devastating indictment of what that love costs her — or both simultaneously.

DESDEMONA ≋ verse [DESDEMONA]

No, by my life and soul!

Send for the man and ask him.

No, by my life and soul! Send for the man and ask him.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury,

Thou’rt on thy death-bed.

Sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury, you’rt on your death-bed.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

Ay, but not yet to die.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Yes, presently:

Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin.

For to deny each article with oath

Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception

That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.

Yes, presently: Therefore confess you freely of your sin. For to deny each article with oath Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception That I do groan with. you art to die.

Yes, presently: Therefore confess you freely of your sin. For to deny each article with oath Cannot

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

Then, Lord have mercy on me!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

I say, amen.

↩ Callback to 3-3 The handkerchief chain is finally fully exposed here. Dropped accidentally in 3-3, picked up by Emilia, given to Iago, planted on Cassio, seen by Othello — the entire tragic mechanism was set in motion by an accident.

🎭 Dramatic irony Emilia's revelation — that she found the handkerchief accidentally and gave it to Iago unknowingly — is the disclosure the whole play has been building toward. The 'ocular proof' that destroyed Othello's marriage was a piece of cloth found on the ground.

DESDEMONA ≋ verse [DESDEMONA]

And have you mercy too! I never did

Offend you in my life, never lov’d Cassio

But with such general warranty of heaven

As I might love. I never gave him token.

And have you mercy too! I never did Offend you in my life, never lov’d Cassio But with such general warranty of heaven As I might love. I never gave him token.

And have you mercy too! I never did Offend you in my life, never lov’d Cassio But with such general

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in ’s hand.

O perjur’d woman, thou dost stone my heart,

And mak’st me call what I intend to do

A murder, which I thought a sacrifice.

I saw the handkerchief.

By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in ’s hand. O perjur’d woman, you do stone my heart, And mak’st me call what I intend to do A murder, which I thought a sacrifice. I saw the handkerchief.

By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in ’s hand. O perjur’d woman, you do stone my heart, And mak’st me

↩ Callback to 4-3 Emilia dies singing the Willow Song — the same ballad Desdemona sang in 4-3. Two women, connected by the handkerchief, both killed by the same man's scheme, both dying in music.

DESDEMONA ≋ verse [DESDEMONA]

He found it then.

I never gave it him. Send for him hither.

Let him confess a truth.

He found it then. I never gave it him. Send for him here. Let him confess a truth.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

He hath confess’d.

He has confess’d.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

What, my lord?

Why it matters Emilia's 'I may never go home again' is her full awareness that she is choosing truth over safety. She knows what Iago is capable of. She speaks anyway.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

That he hath us’d thee.

That he has us’d you.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

How? Unlawfully?

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Ay.

Why it matters Emilia's refusal is the moral climax of the play. She knows what it costs. She has said 'I may never go home again.' She refuses anyway. In a play built on lies, manipulation, and silence, Emilia's 'I will not' is the act that undoes everything — too late to save Desdemona, but not too late to name the truth.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

He will not say so.

Why it matters This is the revelation that unmakes everything. The handkerchief — 'trifles light as air,' Iago called it — was a found object, accidentally dropped, given to Iago by his own wife who had no idea what it would be used for. The entire edifice of Othello's certainty was built on this.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

No, his mouth is stopp’d.

Honest Iago hath ta’en order for ’t.

No, his mouth is stopp’d. Honest Iago has ta’en order for ’t.

"He stabs EMILIA" Iago kills his wife — the woman who gave him the handkerchief, who has served him loyally, who is the last person who could expose him. He does it in a crowded room and runs. This is the act that definitively strips the last possibility of sympathy from him: he murders his wife in public for telling the truth.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

O, my fear interprets! What, is he dead?

Why it matters Emilia's death in the Willow Song completes the scene's circular structure. The ballad Desdemona sang about a woman who died for love is now the ballad Emilia sings while dying for truth.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge

Had stomach for them all.

Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge Had stomach for them all.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

Alas, he is betray’d, and I undone!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Out, strumpet! Weep’st thou for him to my face?

Out, strumpet! Weep’st you for him to my face?

Why it matters The final speech is Othello's attempt to write his own epitaph while still alive. He knows he is going to kill himself; he is composing the record. The speech has been criticized as evasion — he is framing his crime as the result of love rather than jealousy — but it is also the only self-knowledge he has left, and it is more honest than it first appears.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not!

Why it matters The final tableau — Othello dead on Desdemona's body — is the play's last image. He could not live without her; he could not live with what he did to her. The suicide is the only resolution possible, which is also why it is no resolution at all.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Down, strumpet!

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Nay, if you strive,—

no, if you strive,—

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

But half an hour!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Being done, there is no pause.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

But while I say one prayer!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

It is too late.

[_Smothers her._]

[_Within._] My lord, my lord! what, ho! my lord, my lord!

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

What noise is this? Not dead? Not yet quite dead?

I that am cruel am yet merciful,

I would not have thee linger in thy pain.

So, so.

What noise is this? Not dead? Not yet quite dead? I that am cruel am yet merciful, I would not have you linger in your pain. So, so.

What noise is this? Not dead? Not yet quite dead? I that am cruel am yet merciful, I would not have

[_Within._] What, ho! my lord, my lord!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Who’s there?

[_Within._] O, good my lord, I would speak a word with you!

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Yes. ’Tis Emilia, by and by. She’s dead.

’Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio’s death;

The noise was high.—Ha! no more moving?

Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were’t good?

I think she stirs again; no. What’s best to do?

If she come in, she’ll sure speak to my wife.

My wife! my wife! what wife? I have no wife.

O, insupportable! O heavy hour!

Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse

Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe

Should yawn at alteration.

Yes. ’Tis Emilia, by and by. She’s dead. ’Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio’s death; The noise was high.—Ha! no more moving? Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were’t good? I think she stirs again; no. What’s best to do? If she come in, she’ll sure speak to my wife. My wife! my wife! what wife? I have no wife. O, insupportable! O heavy hour! I think it should be now a huge eclipse Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe Should yawn at alteration.

Yes. ’Tis Emilia, by and by. She’s dead. ’Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio’s death; The noise w

[_Within._] I do beseech you

EMILIA [EMILIA]

That I may speak with you, O, good my lord!

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

I had forgot thee: O, come in, Emilia.

Soft, by and by; let me the curtains draw.

Where art thou?

I had forgot you: O, come in, Emilia. Soft, by and by; let me the curtains draw. Where art you?

[_Unlocks the door._]

Enter Emilia.

What’s the matter with thee now?

EMILIA [EMILIA]

O, my good lord, yonder’s foul murders done!

O, my good lord, over there’s foul murders done!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

What, now?

EMILIA [EMILIA]

But now, my lord.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

It is the very error of the moon,

She comes more nearer earth than she was wont

And makes men mad.

It is the very error of the moon, She comes more nearer earth than she was wont And makes men mad.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Cassio, my lord, hath kill’d a young Venetian

Call’d Roderigo.

Cassio, my lord, has kill’d a young Venetian Call’d Roderigo.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Roderigo kill’d?

And Cassio kill’d?

Roderigo kill’d? And Cassio kill’d?

EMILIA [EMILIA]

No, Cassio is not kill’d.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Not Cassio kill’d! Then murder’s out of tune,

And sweet revenge grows harsh.

Not Cassio kill’d! Then murder’s out of tune, And sweet revenge grows harsh.

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

O, falsely, falsely murder’d!

EMILIA [EMILIA]

Alas, what cry is that?

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

That? What?

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Out, and alas! That was my lady’s voice.

Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again,

Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak!

Out, and alas! That was my lady’s voice. Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again, Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak!

Out, and alas! That was my lady’s voice. Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again, Sweet Desdemona!

DESDEMONA [DESDEMONA]

A guiltless death I die.

EMILIA [EMILIA]

O, who hath done this deed?

O, who has done this deed?

DESDEMONA ≋ verse [DESDEMONA]

Nobody; I myself. Farewell.

Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell!

Nobody; I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell!

"Nobody — I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord." Desdemona's last words. She protects Othello even in her last breath — she tells Emilia she killed herself. 'Commend me to my kind lord': she calls him kind. These are her last words about the man who just murdered her.

[_She dies._]

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Why, how should she be murder’d?

EMILIA [EMILIA]

Alas, who knows?

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

You heard her say herself, it was not I.

EMILIA [EMILIA]

She said so. I must needs report the truth.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

She’s like a liar, gone to burning hell.

’Twas I that kill’d her.

She’s like a liar, gone to burning hell. ’Twas I that kill’d her.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

O, the more angel she,

And you the blacker devil!

O, the more angel she, And you the blacker devil!

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

She turn’d to folly, and she was a whore.

EMILIA [EMILIA]

Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.

you do belie her, and you art a devil.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

She was false as water.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Thou art rash as fire, to say

That she was false: O, she was heavenly true!

you art rash as fire, to say That she was false: O, she was heavenly true!

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Cassio did top her; ask thy husband else.

O, I were damn’d beneath all depth in hell,

But that I did proceed upon just grounds

To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.

Cassio did top her; ask your husband else. O, I were damn’d beneath all depth in hell, But that I did proceed upon just grounds To this extremity. your husband knew it all.

Cassio did top her; ask your husband else. O, I were damn’d beneath all depth in hell, But that I di

EMILIA [EMILIA]

My husband?

"My husband?" Emilia asks 'My husband?' twice. The repetition mirrors Othello's earlier echoing of Iago's hints — but where Othello's echoes were in the process of being poisoned, Emilia's repetitions are in the process of arriving at an unbearable truth.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Thy husband.

your husband.

EMILIA [EMILIA]

That she was false to wedlock?

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Ay, with Cassio. Nay, had she been true,

If heaven would make me such another world

Of one entire and perfect chrysolite,

I’d not have sold her for it.

Ay, with Cassio. no, had she been true, If heaven would make me such another world Of one entire and perfect chrysolite, I’d not have sold her for it.

Ay, with Cassio. no, had she been true, If heaven would make me such another world Of one entire and

EMILIA [EMILIA]

My husband?

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Ay, ’twas he that told me first.

An honest man he is, and hates the slime

That sticks on filthy deeds.

Ay, ’twas he that told me first. An honest man he is, and hates the slime That sticks on filthy deeds.

Ay, ’twas he that told me first. An honest man he is, and hates the slime That sticks on filthy deed

EMILIA [EMILIA]

My husband?

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

What needs this iterance, woman? I say thy husband.

What needs this iterance, woman? I say your husband.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love!

My husband say that she was false?

O mistress, villainy has made mocks with love! My husband say that she was false?

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

He, woman;

I say thy husband: dost understand the word?

My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.

He, woman; I say your husband: do understand the word? My friend, your husband, honest, honest Iago.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

If he say so, may his pernicious soul

Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart.

She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.

If he say so, may his pernicious soul Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart. She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.

If he say so, may his pernicious soul Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart. She was too fond

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Ha!

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Do thy worst:

This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven

Than thou wast worthy her.

Do your worst: This deed of yours is no more worthy heaven Than you wast worthy her.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Peace, you were best.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Thou hast not half that power to do me harm

As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt!

As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed

(I care not for thy sword) I’ll make thee known,

Though I lost twenty lives. Help! help, ho! help!

The Moor hath kill’d my mistress! Murder, murder!

you have not half that power to do me harm As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt! As ignorant as dirt! you have done a deed (I care not for your sword) I’ll make you known, Though I lost twenty lives. Help! help, ho! help! The Moor has kill’d my mistress! Murder, murder!

you have not half that power to do me harm As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt! As ignorant as dirt

Enter Montano, Gratiano and Iago.

MONTANO [MONTANO]

What is the matter? How now, general?

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

O, are you come, Iago? You have done well,

That men must lay their murders on your neck.

O, are you come, Iago? You have done well, That men must lay their murders on your neck.

GRATIANO [GRATIANO]

What is the matter?

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Disprove this villain, if thou be’st a man.

He says thou told’st him that his wife was false.

I know thou didst not, thou’rt not such a villain.

Speak, for my heart is full.

Disprove this villain, if you be’st a man. He says you told’st him that his wife was false. I know you did not, you’rt not such a villain. Speak, for my heart is full.

Disprove this villain, if you be’st a man. He says you told’st him that his wife was false. I know y

IAGO ≋ verse [IAGO]

I told him what I thought, and told no more

Than what he found himself was apt and true.

I told him what I thought, and told no more Than what he found himself was apt and true.

EMILIA [EMILIA]

But did you ever tell him she was false?

IAGO [IAGO]

I did.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

You told a lie, an odious, damned lie;

Upon my soul, a lie; a wicked lie.

She false with Cassio? Did you say with Cassio?

You told a lie, an odious, damned lie; Upon my soul, a lie; a wicked lie. She false with Cassio? Did you say with Cassio?

You told a lie, an odious, damned lie; Upon my soul, a lie; a wicked lie. She false with Cassio? Did

IAGO [IAGO]

With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak.

My mistress here lies murder’d in her bed.

I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak. My mistress here lies murder’d in her bed.

ALL [ALL]

O heavens forfend!

EMILIA [EMILIA]

And your reports have set the murder on.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Nay, stare not, masters, it is true indeed.

no, stare not, masters, it is true indeed.

GRATIANO [GRATIANO]

’Tis a strange truth.

MONTANO [MONTANO]

O monstrous act!

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Villany, villany, villany!

I think upon’t, I think I smell’t; O villany!

I thought so then. I’ll kill myself for grief.

O villany, villany!

Villany, villany, villany! I think upon’t, I think I smell’t; O villany! I thought so then. I’ll kill myself for grief. O villany, villany!

Villany, villany, villany! I think upon’t, I think I smell’t; O villany! I thought so then. I’ll kil

IAGO [IAGO]

What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak.

’Tis proper I obey him, but not now.

Perchance, Iago, I will ne’er go home.

Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak. ’Tis proper I obey him, but not now. Perchance, Iago, I will ne’er go home.

Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak. ’Tis proper I obey him, but not now. Perchance, Iago, I

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

O! O! O!

[_Hanging over his wife._]

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

Nay, lay thee down and roar;

For thou hast kill’d the sweetest innocent

That e’er did lift up eye.

no, lay you down and roar; For you have kill’d the sweetest innocent That e’er did lift up eye.

[_Rising._] O, she was foul!

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

I scarce did know you, uncle, there lies your niece,

Whose breath indeed these hands have newly stopp’d.

I know this act shows horrible and grim.

I scarce did know you, uncle, there lies your niece, Whose breath indeed these hands have newly stopp’d. I know this act shows horrible and grim.

I scarce did know you, uncle, there lies your niece, Whose breath indeed these hands have newly stop

GRATIANO ≋ verse [GRATIANO]

Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father’s dead.

Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief

Shore his old thread in twain: did he live now,

This sight would make him do a desperate turn,

Yea, curse his better angel from his side,

And fall to reprobance.

Poor Desdemona! I am glad your father’s dead. your match was mortal to him, and pure grief Shore his old thread in twain: did he live now, This sight would make him do a desperate turn, Yea, curse his better angel from his side, And fall to reprobance.

Poor Desdemona! I am glad your father’s dead. your match was mortal to him, and pure grief Shore his

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

’Tis pitiful. But yet Iago knows

That she with Cassio hath the act of shame

A thousand times committed; Cassio confess’d it,

And she did gratify his amorous works

With that recognizance and pledge of love

Which I first gave her; I saw it in his hand.

It was a handkerchief, an antique token

My father gave my mother.

’Tis pitiful. But yet Iago knows That she with Cassio has the act of shame A thousand times committed; Cassio confess’d it, And she did gratify his amorous works With that recognizance and pledge of love Which I first gave her; I saw it in his hand. It was a handkerchief, an antique token My father gave my mother.

’Tis pitiful. But yet Iago knows That she with Cassio has the act of shame A thousand times committe

EMILIA [EMILIA]

O heaven! O heavenly powers!

IAGO [IAGO]

Come, hold your peace.

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

’Twill out, ’twill out. I peace?

No, I will speak as liberal as the north.

Let heaven and men and devils, let them all,

All, all, cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.

’Twill out, ’twill out. I peace? No, I will speak as liberal as the north. Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, All, all, cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.

’Twill out, ’twill out. I peace? No, I will speak as liberal as the north. Let heaven and men and de

IAGO [IAGO]

Be wise, and get you home.

EMILIA [EMILIA]

I will not.

"I will not." Two words. Emilia refuses to go home — refusing her husband's direct command, refusing safety, refusing silence. These two words are the turning point of the entire final movement of the play.

[_Iago offers to stab his wife._]

GRATIANO ≋ verse [GRATIANO]

Fie!

Your sword upon a woman?

Fie! Your sword upon a woman?

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief thou speak’st of

I found by fortune and did give my husband;

For often with a solemn earnestness,

More than indeed belong’d to such a trifle,

He begg’d of me to steal it.

O you dull Moor, that handkerchief you speak’st of I found by fortune and did give my husband; For often with a solemn earnestness, More than indeed belong’d to such a trifle, He begg’d of me to steal it.

O you dull Moor, that handkerchief you speak’st of I found by fortune and did give my husband; For o

"He begged of me to steal it" The complete reversal: Emilia did not steal the handkerchief — she found it after it was accidentally dropped, and she gave it to Iago because he asked. She never knew what he wanted it for. The chain of causation, which has driven the entire play since 3-3, is finally exposed.

IAGO [IAGO]

Villanous whore!

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

She give it Cassio! no, alas, I found it,

And I did give’t my husband.

She give it Cassio! no, alas, I found it, And I did give’t my husband.

IAGO [IAGO]

Filth, thou liest!

Filth, you liest!

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen.

O murderous coxcomb! What should such a fool

Do with so good a wife?

OTHELLO

Are there not stones in heaven

But what serve for thunder? Precious villain!

By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen. O murderous coxcomb! What should such a fool Do with so good a wife? OTHELLO Are there not stones in heaven But what serve for thunder? Precious villain!

By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen. O murderous coxcomb! What should such a fool Do with so go

[_Iago stabs Emilia and then runs out._]

GRATIANO [GRATIANO]

The woman falls. Sure, he hath kill’d his wife.

The woman falls. Sure, he has kill’d his wife.

EMILIA [EMILIA]

Ay, ay. O, lay me by my mistress’ side.

GRATIANO [GRATIANO]

He’s gone, but his wife’s kill’d.

MONTANO ≋ verse [MONTANO]

’Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon,

Which I have here recover’d from the Moor.

Come, guard the door without, let him not pass,

But kill him rather. I’ll after that same villain,

For ’tis a damned slave.

’Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon, Which I have here recover’d from the Moor. Come, guard the door without, let him not pass, But kill him rather. I’ll after that same villain, For ’tis a damned slave.

’Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon, Which I have here recover’d from the Moor. Come, gua

[_Exit Montano and Gratiano._]

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

I am not valiant neither,

But every puny whipster gets my sword.

But why should honour outlive honesty?

Let it go all.

I am not valiant neither, But every puny whipster gets my sword. But why should honour outlive honesty? Let it go all.

I am not valiant neither, But every puny whipster gets my sword. But why should honour outlive hones

EMILIA ≋ verse [EMILIA]

What did thy song bode, lady?

Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan,

And die in music.

What did your song bode, lady? Hark, canst you hear me? I will play the swan, And die in music.

[_Sings._] _Willow, willow, willow._

Moor, she was chaste. She lov’d thee, cruel Moor,

So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;

So speaking as I think, I die, I die.

[_She dies._]

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

I have another weapon in this chamber,

It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook’s temper.

O, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.

I have another weapon in this chamber, It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook’s temper. O, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.

I have another weapon in this chamber, It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook’s temper. O, here it is

[_Within._] If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear;

GRATIANO [GRATIANO]

Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer.

you have no weapon, and by force must suffer.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Look in upon me then, and speak with me,

Or, naked as I am, I will assault thee.

Look in upon me then, and speak with me, Or, naked as I am, I will assault you.

Enter Gratiano.

GRATIANO [GRATIANO]

What is the matter?

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Behold, I have a weapon.

A better never did itself sustain

Upon a soldier’s thigh: I have seen the day

That with this little arm and this good sword

I have made my way through more impediments

Than twenty times your stop. But, O vain boast!

Who can control his fate? ’Tis not so now.

Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon’d.

Here is my journey’s end, here is my butt,

And very sea-mark of my utmost sail.

Do you go back dismay’d? ’Tis a lost fear.

Man but a rush against Othello’s breast,

And he retires. Where should Othello go?

Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starr’d wench,

Pale as thy smock, when we shall meet at compt,

This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven,

And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl!

Even like thy chastity.

O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils,

From the possession of this heavenly sight!

Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulphur,

Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire!

O Desdemon! Dead, Desdemon! dead! Oh, oh!

Behold, I have a weapon. A better never did itself sustain Upon a soldier’s thigh: I have seen the day That with this little arm and this good sword I have made my way through more impediments Than twenty times your stop. But, O vain boast! Who can control his fate? ’Tis not so now. Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon’d. Here is my journey’s end, here is my butt, And very sea-mark of my utmost sail. Do you go back dismay’d? ’Tis a lost fear. Man but a rush against Othello’s breast, And he retires. Where should Othello go? Now, how do you look now? O ill-starr’d wench, Pale as your smock, when we shall meet at compt, This look of yours will hurl my soul from heaven, And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl! Even like your chastity. O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils, From the possession of this heavenly sight! Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulphur, Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire! O Desdemon! Dead, Desdemon! dead! Oh, oh!

Behold, I have a weapon. A better never did itself sustain Upon a soldier’s thigh: I have seen the d

Enter Lodovico, Montano, Cassio carried in a chair, and Officers with

Iago prisoner.

LODOVICO [LODOVICO]

Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

That’s he that was Othello. Here I am.

LODOVICO [LODOVICO]

Where is that viper? Bring the villain forth.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

I look down towards his feet; but that’s a fable.

If that thou be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee.

I look down towards his feet; but that’s a fable. If that you be’st a devil, I cannot kill you.

[_Wounds Iago._]

LODOVICO [LODOVICO]

Wrench his sword from him.

IAGO [IAGO]

I bleed, sir, but not kill’d.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

I am not sorry neither. I’d have thee live,

For in my sense ’tis happiness to die.

I am not sorry neither. I’d have you live, For in my sense ’tis happiness to die.

LODOVICO ≋ verse [LODOVICO]

O thou Othello, that wert once so good,

Fall’n in the practice of a damned slave,

What shall be said to thee?

O you Othello, that wert once so good, Fall’n in the practice of a damned slave, What shall be said to you?

O you Othello, that wert once so good, Fall’n in the practice of a damned slave, What shall be said

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Why, anything;

An honourable murderer, if you will.

For naught did I in hate, but all in honour.

Why, anything; An honourable murderer, if you will. For naught did I in hate, but all in honour.

LODOVICO ≋ verse [LODOVICO]

This wretch hath part confess’d his villany.

Did you and he consent in Cassio’s death?

This wretch has part confess’d his villany. Did you and he consent in Cassio’s death?

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Ay.

CASSIO [CASSIO]

Dear general, I never gave you cause.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.

Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil

Why he hath thus ensnar’d my soul and body?

I do believe it, and I ask your pardon. Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil Why he has thus ensnar’d my soul and body?

I do believe it, and I ask your pardon. Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil Why he has thus ens

IAGO ≋ verse [IAGO]

Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.

From this time forth I never will speak word.

Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word.

LODOVICO [LODOVICO]

What, not to pray?

GRATIANO [GRATIANO]

Torments will ope your lips.

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

Well, thou dost best.

Well, you do best.

LODOVICO ≋ verse [LODOVICO]

Sir, you shall understand what hath befall’n,

Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter

Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo,

And here another. The one of them imports

The death of Cassio, to be undertook

By Roderigo.

Sir, you shall understand what has befall’n, Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo, And here another. The one of them imports The death of Cassio, to be undertook By Roderigo.

Sir, you shall understand what has befall’n, Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter Found

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

O villain!

CASSIO [CASSIO]

Most heathenish and most gross!

LODOVICO ≋ verse [LODOVICO]

Now here’s another discontented paper,

Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems,

Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain,

But that, belike, Iago in the interim

Came in and satisfied him.

Now here’s another discontented paper, Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems, Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain, But that, belike, Iago in the interim Came in and satisfied him.

Now here’s another discontented paper, Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems, Roderigo meant t

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

O the pernicious caitiff!

How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief

That was my wife’s?

O the pernicious caitiff! How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief That was my wife’s?

CASSIO ≋ verse [CASSIO]

I found it in my chamber.

And he himself confess’d but even now,

That there he dropp’d it for a special purpose

Which wrought to his desire.

I found it in my chamber. And he himself confess’d but even now, That there he dropp’d it for a special purpose Which wrought to his desire.

I found it in my chamber. And he himself confess’d but even now, That there he dropp’d it for a spec

OTHELLO [OTHELLO]

O fool! fool! fool!

CASSIO ≋ verse [CASSIO]

There is besides in Roderigo’s letter,

How he upbraids Iago, that he made him

Brave me upon the watch, whereon it came

That I was cast. And even but now he spake,

After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him,

Iago set him on.

There is besides in Roderigo’s letter, How he upbraids Iago, that he made him Brave me upon the watch, whereon it came That I was cast. And even but now he spake, After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him, Iago set him on.

There is besides in Roderigo’s letter, How he upbraids Iago, that he made him Brave me upon the watc

LODOVICO ≋ verse [LODOVICO]

You must forsake this room, and go with us.

Your power and your command is taken off,

And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,

If there be any cunning cruelty

That can torment him much and hold him long,

It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest,

Till that the nature of your fault be known

To the Venetian state. Come, bring away.

You must forsake this room, and go with us. Your power and your command is taken off, And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave, If there be any cunning cruelty That can torment him much and hold him long, It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest, Till that the nature of your fault be known To the Venetian state. Come, bring away.

You must forsake this room, and go with us. Your power and your command is taken off, And Cassio rul

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

Soft you; a word or two before you go.

I have done the state some service, and they know’t.

No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,

When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,

Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate,

Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak

Of one that loved not wisely, but too well;

Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,

Perplex’d in the extreme; of one whose hand,

Like the base Judean, threw a pearl away

Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdu’d eyes,

Albeit unused to the melting mood,

Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees

Their medicinal gum. Set you down this.

And say besides, that in Aleppo once,

Where a malignant and a turban’d Turk

Beat a Venetian and traduc’d the state,

I took by the throat the circumcised dog,

And smote him, thus.

Soft you; a word or two before you go. I have done the state some service, and they know’t. No more of that. I pray you, in your letters, When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, Perplex’d in the extreme; of one whose hand, Like the base Judean, threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdu’d eyes, Albeit unused to the melting mood, Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their medicinal gum. Set you down this. And say besides, that in Aleppo once, Where a malignant and a turban’d Turk Beat a Venetian and traduc’d the state, I took by the throat the circumcised dog, And smote him, thus.

Soft you; a word or two before you go. I have done the state some service, and they know’t. No more

"one that loved not wisely, but too well" Othello's most quoted self-description. It is simultaneously self-exculpating and accurate: he did love too well — his love was absolute and exclusive, which is why when it was turned to suspicion it became absolute and murderous. The line has been endlessly debated: is this self-knowledge or self-serving rhetoric? Probably both.

"I have done the state some service, and they know't" Othello begins his final speech by reminding the audience of his decades of military service. This is not arrogance — it is a man trying to ensure that the whole story of his life is told, not just its catastrophic ending.

[_Stabs himself._]

LODOVICO [LODOVICO]

O bloody period!

GRATIANO [GRATIANO]

All that’s spoke is marr’d.

OTHELLO ≋ verse [OTHELLO]

I kiss’d thee ere I kill’d thee. No way but this,

Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

I kiss’d you before I kill’d you. No way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

"to die upon a kiss" Othello's final action is to fall onto Desdemona's body and die kissing her. The scene ends where the murder scene began — with the two of them in the bed, together, the candle still lit. The 'put out the light' that began the scene was not extinguished after all.

[_Falling upon Desdemona._]

CASSIO ≋ verse [CASSIO]

This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,

For he was great of heart.

This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon, For he was great of heart.

[_To Iago._] O Spartan dog,

LODOVICO ≋ verse [LODOVICO]

More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea,

Look on the tragic loading of this bed.

This is thy work. The object poisons sight,

Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep the house,

And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor,

For they succeed on you. To you, lord governor,

Remains the censure of this hellish villain.

The time, the place, the torture, O, enforce it!

Myself will straight aboard, and to the state

This heavy act with heavy heart relate.

More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea, Look on the tragic loading of this bed. This is your work. The object poisons sight, Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep the house, And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor, For they succeed on you. To you, lord governor, Remains the censure of this hellish villain. The time, the place, the torture, O, enforce it! Myself will straight aboard, and to the state This heavy act with heavy heart relate.

More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea, Look on the tragic loading of this bed. This is your wor

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

The play's last scene is the longest, and it is structured as a series of irreversible actions: the murder, the brief revival, the revelation, the second murder, the unmasking, the suicide. Each event closes a door that cannot be reopened. What makes the scene so devastating is the specific way Shakespeare handles time: Desdemona revives after the smothering — long enough to say she dies guiltless, to protect Othello's name in her last breath — and then dies. The revelation comes too late. The truth arrives after the point at which it could have done any good. And Othello's final speech — 'one that loved not wisely but too well' — is one of the great articulations of self-knowledge arriving at the last possible moment, when knowing makes nothing better.

If this happened today…

Someone is going to do something catastrophically wrong to the person they love most, and they are going to do it slowly, with enormous deliberateness, and with full awareness of what they are doing, because they have been convinced by someone who lied to them that it must be done. And then the truth is going to emerge, immediately after, from the person who could have prevented everything if only they had asked one more question six hours earlier.