“Othello” Monologue Act 2, Sc. 3, Lines 391-410

Line 1 How poor are they that have not patience!
Line 2 What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
Line 3 Thou know’st we work by wit and not by witchcraft,
Line 4 And wit depends on dilatory time.
Line 5 Dost not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,
Line 6 And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashiered Cassio.
Line 7 Though other things grow fair against the sun,
Line 8 Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe.
Line 9 Content thyself awhile. By th’ Mass, ’tis morning!
Line 10 Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
Line 11 Retire thee; go where thou art billeted.
Line 12 Away I say! Thou shalt know more hereafter.
Line 13 Nay, get thee gone. (Roderigo exits)
Line 14 Two things are to be done.
Line 15 My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress.
Line 16 I’ll set her on.
Line 17 Myself the while to draw the Moor apart
Line 18 And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Line 19 Soliciting his wife. Ay, that’s the way.
Line 20 Dull not device by coldness and delay.
Summary This scene takes place shortly after Iago has convinced Roderigo to get drunk and make a fool of Cassio. Cassio has been fired, and he confides in Iago who tells him to confide in Desdemona. Roderigo also confides in Iago and this is where the scene I will recite takes place. Iago tells Roderigo to get rest because today has been a long day and then he reveals his plan to ruin Othello: by setting up his wife to intercede with Desdemona on Cassio’s behalf and bring Othello to her Cassio saying he is sleeping with his wife
July 29, 2019