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Speeches (Lines) for Desdemona
in "Othello"

Total: 165

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# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

I,3,528

My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty:
To you I am bound for life and education;
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;
I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband,
And so much duty as my mother show'd
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor my lord.

2

I,3,593

Nor I; I would not 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,
To assist my simpleness.

3

I,3,600

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 honour 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,
The rites for which I love him are bereft me,
And I a heavy interim shall support
By his dear absence. Let me go with him.

4

II,1,867

I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?

5

II,1,871

O, but I fear—How lost you company?

6

II,1,889

Alas, she has no speech.

7

II,1,900

O, fie upon thee, slanderer!

8

II,1,905

What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst
praise me?

9

II,1,909

Come on assay. There's one gone to the harbour?

10

II,1,911

I am not merry; but I do beguile
The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?

11

II,1,920

Well praised! How if she be black and witty?

12

II,1,923

Worse and worse.

13

II,1,927

These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i'
the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for
her that's foul and foolish?

14

II,1,932

O heavy ignorance! thou praisest the worst best.
But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving
woman indeed, one that, in the authority of her
merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?

15

II,1,947

To do what?

16

II,1,949

O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn
of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say
you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal
counsellor?

17

II,1,969

Let's meet him and receive him.

18

II,1,973

My dear Othello!

19

II,1,985

The heavens forbid
But that our loves and comforts should increase,
Even as our days do grow!

20

II,3,1403

What's the matter?

21

III,3,1626

Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
All my abilities in thy behalf.

22

III,3,1630

O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.

23

III,3,1636

I know't; I thank you. You do love my lord:
You have known him long; and be you well assured
He shall in strangeness stand no further off
Than in a polite distance.

24

III,3,1646

Do not doubt that; before Emilia here
I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article: my lord shall never rest;
I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle every thing he does
With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio;
For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away.

25

III,3,1658

Why, stay, and hear me speak.

26

III,3,1661

Well, do your discretion.

27

III,3,1672

How now, my lord!
I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.

28

III,3,1676

Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
If I have any grace or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take;
For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
I have no judgment in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back.

29

III,3,1684

Ay, sooth; so humbled
That he hath left part of his grief with me,
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

30

III,3,1688

But shall't be shortly?

31

III,3,1690

Shall't be to-night at supper?

32

III,3,1692

To-morrow dinner, then?

33

III,3,1695

Why, then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn;
On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:
I prithee, name the time, but let it not
Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;
And yet his trespass, in our common reason—
Save that, they say, the wars must make examples
Out of their best—is not almost a fault
To incur a private cheque. When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,
What you would ask me, that I should deny,
Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,
That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time,
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much,—

34

III,3,1712

Why, this is not a boon;
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
To your own person: nay, when I have a suit
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight
And fearful to be granted.

35

III,3,1723

Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my lord.

36

III,3,1725

Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you;
Whate'er you be, I am obedient.

37

III,3,1942

How now, my dear Othello!
Your dinner, and the generous islanders
By you invited, do attend your presence.

38

III,3,1946

Why do you speak so faintly?
Are you not well?

39

III,3,1949

'Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again:
Let me but bind it hard, within this hour
It will be well.

40

III,3,1955

I am very sorry that you are not well.

41

III,4,2174

Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?

42

III,4,2176

Why, man?

43

III,4,2179

Go to: where lodges he?

44

III,4,2181

Can any thing be made of this?

45

III,4,2185

Can you inquire him out, and be edified by report?

46

III,4,2188

Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him I have
moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be well.

47

III,4,2193

Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?

48

III,4,2195

Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse
Full of crusadoes: and, but my noble Moor
Is true of mind and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are, it were enough
To put him to ill thinking.

49

III,4,2201

Who, he? I think the sun where he was born
Drew all such humours from him.

50

III,4,2204

I will not leave him now till Cassio
Be call'd to him.
[Enter OTHELLO]
How is't with you, my lord

51

III,4,2212

Well, my good lord.

52

III,4,2214

It yet hath felt no age nor known no sorrow.

53

III,4,2222

You may, indeed, say so;
For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.

54

III,4,2226

I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.

55

III,4,2228

I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.

56

III,4,2231

Here, my lord.

57

III,4,2233

I have it not about me.

58

III,4,2235

No, indeed, my lord.

59

III,4,2252

Is't possible?

60

III,4,2260

Indeed! is't true?

61

III,4,2262

Then would to God that I had never seen't!

62

III,4,2264

Why do you speak so startingly and rash?

63

III,4,2267

Heaven bless us!

64

III,4,2269

It is not lost; but what an if it were?

65

III,4,2271

I say, it is not lost.

66

III,4,2273

Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now.
This is a trick to put me from my suit:
Pray you, let Cassio be received again.

67

III,4,2277

Come, come;
You'll never meet a more sufficient man.

68

III,4,2280

I pray, talk me of Cassio.

69

III,4,2282

A man that all his time
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,
Shared dangers with you,—

70

III,4,2286

In sooth, you are to blame.

71

III,4,2290

I ne'er saw this before.
Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief:
I am most unhappy in the loss of it.

72

III,4,2300

How now, good Cassio! what's the news with you?

73

III,4,2314

Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio!
My advocation is not now in tune;
My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him,
Were he in favour as in humour alter'd.
So help me every spirit sanctified,
As I have spoken for you all my best
And stood within the blank of his displeasure
For my free speech! you must awhile be patient:
What I can do I will; and more I will
Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.

74

III,4,2333

I prithee, do so.
[Exit IAGO]
Something, sure, of state,
Either from Venice, or some unhatch'd practise
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,
Hath puddled his clear spirit: and in such cases
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,
Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;
For let our finger ache, and it indues
Our other healthful members even to that sense
Of pain: nay, we must think men are not gods,
Nor of them look for such observances
As fit the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia,
I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find I had suborn'd the witness,
And he's indicted falsely.

75

III,4,2353

Alas the day! I never gave him cause.

76

III,4,2358

Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind!

77

III,4,2360

I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout:
If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit
And seek to effect it to my uttermost.

78

IV,1,2655

And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico?

79

IV,1,2660

Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord
An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.

80

IV,1,2663

My lord?

81

IV,1,2667

A most unhappy one: I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.

82

IV,1,2670

My lord?

83

IV,1,2672

What, is he angry?

84

IV,1,2676

Trust me, I am glad on't.

85

IV,1,2678

My lord?

86

IV,1,2680

Why, sweet Othello,—

87

IV,1,2682

I have not deserved this.

88

IV,1,2690

I will not stay to offend you.

89

IV,1,2695

My lord?

90

IV,2,2764

My lord, what is your will?

91

IV,2,2766

What is your pleasure?

92

IV,2,2769

What horrible fancy's this?

93

IV,2,2775

Upon my knees, what doth your speech import?
I understand a fury in your words.
But not the words.

94

IV,2,2779

Your wife, my lord; your true
And loyal wife.

95

IV,2,2785

Heaven doth truly know it.

96

IV,2,2787

To whom, my lord? with whom? how am I false?

97

IV,2,2789

Alas the heavy day! Why do you weep?
Am I the motive of these tears, my lord?
If haply you my father do suspect
An instrument of this your calling back,
Lay not your blame on me: If you have lost him,
Why, I have lost him too.

98

IV,2,2813

I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.

99

IV,2,2819

Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?

100

IV,2,2831

By heaven, you do me wrong.

101

IV,2,2833

No, as I am a Christian:
If to preserve this vessel for my lord
From any other foul unlawful touch
Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.

102

IV,2,2838

No, as I shall be saved.

103

IV,2,2840

O, heaven forgive us!

104

IV,2,2855

'Faith, half asleep.

105

IV,2,2857

With who?

106

IV,2,2859

Who is thy lord?

107

IV,2,2861

I have none: do not talk to me, Emilia;
I cannot weep; nor answer have I none,
But what should go by water. Prithee, tonight
Lay on my bed my wedding sheets: remember;
And call thy husband hither.

108

IV,2,2868

'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet.
How have I been behaved, that he might stick
The small'st opinion on my least misuse?

109

IV,2,2874

I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes
Do it with gentle means and easy tasks:
He might have chid me so; for, in good faith,
I am a child to chiding.

110

IV,2,2882

Am I that name, Iago?

111

IV,2,2884

Such as she says my lord did say I was.

112

IV,2,2888

I do not know; I am sure I am none such.

113

IV,2,2893

It is my wretched fortune.

114

IV,2,2896

Nay, heaven doth know.

115

IV,2,2902

If any such there be, heaven pardon him!

116

IV,2,2917

O good Iago,
What shall I do to win my lord again?
Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,
I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:
If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love,
Either in discourse of thought or actual deed,
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,
Delighted them in any other form;
Or that I do not yet, and ever did.
And ever will—though he do shake me off
To beggarly divorcement—love him dearly,
Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much;
And his unkindness may defeat my life,
But never taint my love. I cannot say 'whore:'
It does abhor me now I speak the word;
To do the act that might the addition earn
Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.

117

IV,2,2937

If 'twere no other—

118

IV,3,3022

Your honour is most welcome.

119

IV,3,3025

My lord?

120

IV,3,3028

I will, my lord.

121

IV,3,3031

He says he will return incontinent:
He hath commanded me to go to bed,
And bade me to dismiss you.

122

IV,3,3035

It was his bidding: therefore, good Emilia,.
Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu:
We must not now displease him.

123

IV,3,3039

So would not I. my love doth so approve him,
That even his stubbornness, his cheques, his frowns—
Prithee, unpin me,—have grace and favour in them.

124

IV,3,3043

All's one. Good faith, how foolish are our minds!
If I do die before thee prithee, shroud me
In one of those same sheets.

125

IV,3,3047

My mother had a maid call'd Barbara:
She was in love, and he she loved proved mad
And did forsake her: she had a song of 'willow;'
An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune,
And she died singing it: that song to-night
Will not go from my mind; I have much to do,
But to go hang my head all at one side,
And sing it like poor Barbara. Prithee, dispatch.

126

IV,3,3056

No, unpin me here.
This Lodovico is a proper man.

127

IV,3,3059

He speaks well.

128

IV,3,3062

[Singing] The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
Sing all a green willow:
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
Sing willow, willow, willow:
The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans;
Sing willow, willow, willow;
Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones;
Lay by these:—
[Singing]
Sing willow, willow, willow;
Prithee, hie thee; he'll come anon:—
[Singing]
Sing all a green willow must be my garland.
Let nobody blame him; his scorn I approve,-
Nay, that's not next.—Hark! who is't that knocks?

129

IV,3,3078

[Singing] I call'd my love false love; but what
said he then?
Sing willow, willow, willow:
If I court moe women, you'll couch with moe men!
So, get thee gone; good night Ate eyes do itch;
Doth that bode weeping?

130

IV,3,3085

I have heard it said so. O, these men, these men!
Dost thou in conscience think,—tell me, Emilia,—
That there be women do abuse their husbands
In such gross kind?

131

IV,3,3090

Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

132

IV,3,3092

No, by this heavenly light!

133

IV,3,3095

Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

134

IV,3,3098

In troth, I think thou wouldst not.

135

IV,3,3106

Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong
For the whole world.

136

IV,3,3111

I do not think there is any such woman.

137

IV,3,3132

Good night, good night: heaven me such uses send,
Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!

138

V,2,3325

Who's there? Othello?

139

V,2,3327

Will you come to bed, my lord?

140

V,2,3329

Ay, my lord.

141

V,2,3333

Alas, my lord, what do you mean by that?

142

V,2,3337

Talk you of killing?

143

V,2,3339

Then heaven
Have mercy on me!

144

V,2,3342

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

145

V,2,3344

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.

146

V,2,3348

They are loves I bear to you.

147

V,2,3350

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.

148

V,2,3356

I will so. What's the matter?

149

V,2,3359

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

150

V,2,3363

Ay, but not yet to die.

151

V,2,3369

Then Lord have mercy on me!

152

V,2,3371

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

153

V,2,3380

He found it then;
I never gave it him: send for him hither;
Let him confess a truth.

154

V,2,3384

What, my lord?

155

V,2,3386

How? unlawfully?

156

V,2,3388

He will not say so.

157

V,2,3391

O! my fear interprets: what, is he dead?

158

V,2,3394

Alas! he is betray'd and I undone.

159

V,2,3396

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

160

V,2,3398

Kill me to-morrow: let me live to-night!

161

V,2,3400

But half an hour!

162

V,2,3402

But while I say one prayer!

163

V,2,3444

O, falsely, falsely murder'd!

164

V,2,3450

A guiltless death I die.

165

V,2,3452

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

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