(the handkerchief.)

Othello monologues, printed in full

Iago has twenty-four speeches here, most of them to the audience. Othello's eleven, Desdemona's five, and Emilia's one on husbands, which wins more rooms than it gets credit for. Public domain, printed whole.

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1
Desdemona from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dramatic · 1:13 min
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…
2
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · defiant · 1:40 min
Despise me if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capp’d to him; and by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worse…
3
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:44 min
O, sir, content you. I follow him to serve my turn upon him: We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly follow’d. You shall mark Many a duteous and knee-crooking…
4
Roderigo from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · defiant · 1:27 min
Sir, I will answer anything. But I beseech you, If ’t be your pleasure, and most wise consent, (As partly I find it is) that your fair daughter, At this odd-even and dull watch o’…
5
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:12 min
Farewell; for I must leave you: It seems not meet nor wholesome to my place To be produc’d, as if I stay I shall, Against the Moor. For I do know the state, However this may gall…
6
Brabantio from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · defiant · 1:21 min
O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow’d my daughter? Damn’d as thou art, thou hast enchanted her, For I’ll refer me to all things of sense, (If she in chains of magic were not…
7
First Senator from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · contemplative · 0:53 min
This cannot be By no assay of reason. ’Tis a pageant To keep us in false gaze. When we consider The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk; And let ourselves again but understand That,…
8
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · defiant · 1:17 min
Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, My very noble and approv’d good masters: That I have ta’en away this old man’s daughter, It is most true; true, I have married her. The…
9
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · contemplative · 2:54 min
Her father lov’d me, oft invited me, Still question’d me the story of my life, From year to year—the battles, sieges, fortunes, That I have pass’d. I ran it through, even from my…
10
Desdemona from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 0:50 min
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…
11
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · defiant · 0:54 min
Let her have your voice. Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not To please the palate of my appetite, Nor to comply with heat, the young affects In me defunct, and proper…
12
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · philosophical · 1:08 min
Virtue! a fig! ’Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set…
13
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 2:15 min
It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies. I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit…
14
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:37 min
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. For I mine own gain’d knowledge should profane If I would time expend with such a snipe But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor, And it…
15
Cassio from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · joyful · 0:56 min
She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain, Left in the conduct of the bold Iago; Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts A se’nnight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,…
16
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 2:12 min
Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies. And will she love him…
17
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:02 min
Lechery, by this hand. An index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips that their breaths embrac’d together. Villainous…
18
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:52 min
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; That she loves him, ’tis apt, and of great credit: The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not, Is of a constant, loving, noble nature;…
19
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:07 min
If I can fasten but one cup upon him, With that which he hath drunk tonight already, He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence As my young mistress’ dog. Now my sick fool Roderigo,…
20
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · defiant · 0:59 min
Now, by heaven, My blood begins my safer guides to rule, And passion, having my best judgement collied, Assays to lead the way. Zounds, if I stir, Or do but lift this arm, the…
21
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dramatic · 1:46 min
Touch me not so near. I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio. Yet I persuade myself, to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong…
22
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · philosophical · 0:50 min
As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got…
23
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:06 min
You, or any man living, may be drunk at a time, man. I’ll tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now the general; I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted…
24
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:50 min
And what’s he then, that says I play the villain? When this advice is free I give and honest, Probal to thinking, and indeed the course To win the Moor again? For ’tis most easy…
25
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:22 min
How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees? Thou know’st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft, And wit depends on dilatory time. Does’t not…
26
Desdemona from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 1:07 min
Why then tomorrow 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…
27
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · defiant · 1:13 min
Why, why is this? Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy, To follow still the changes of the moon With fresh suspicions? No. To be once in doubt Is once to be resolv’d:…
28
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 0:54 min
I am glad of it, for now I shall have reason To show the love and duty that I bear you With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound, Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.…
29
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · contemplative · 0:53 min
(Returning.) My lord, I would I might entreat your honour To scan this thing no further. Leave it to time: Though it be fit that Cassio have his place, For sure he fills it up…
30
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 1:30 min
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard, Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,…
31
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:02 min
Be not acknown on’t, I have use for it. Go, leave me. (Exit Emilia.) I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin, And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous…
32
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:11 min
I do not like the office, But sith I am enter’d in this cause so far, Prick’d to ’t by foolish honesty and love, I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately, And being troubled with a…
33
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 1:00 min
That is a fault. That handkerchief Did an Egyptian to my mother give. She was a charmer, and could almost read The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept it, ’Twould…
34
Desdemona from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 0:59 min
I prithee do so. (Exit Iago.) Something sure of state, Either from Venice, or some unhatch’d practice Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, Hath puddled his clear spirit, and…
35
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 1:05 min
Stand you awhile apart, Confine yourself but in a patient list. Whilst you were here o’erwhelmed with your grief, (A passion most unsuiting such a man) Cassio came hither. I…
36
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 0:54 min
That’s not amiss. But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw? (Othello withdraws.) Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, A housewife that by selling her desires Buys herself…
37
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 1:13 min
Had it pleas’d heaven To try me with affliction, had they rain’d All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head, Steep’d me in poverty to the very lips, Given to captivity me and…
38
Desdemona from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 1:11 min
Alas, 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…
39
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 0:59 min
Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups tonight with a harlotry, and thither will I go to him. He knows not yet of his honourable fortune. If you will watch his…
40
Emilia from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · defiant · 1:32 min
Yes, a dozen; and as many to the vantage as would store the world they played for. But I do think it is their husbands’ faults If wives do fall: say that they slack their duties,…
41
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · dark · 0:54 min
I have rubb’d this young quat almost to the sense, And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, Every way makes my gain. Live…
42
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 1:42 min
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,…
43
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 1:48 min
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…
44
Othello from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · anguished · 1:19 min
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…
45
Iago from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · sarcastic · 1:02 min
(Aside.) He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper. With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do. I will gyve thee in thine…
46
Herald from Othello
William Shakespeare · play · joyful · 0:52 min
It is Othello’s pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into…

Length is estimated at a spoken pace of about 150 words a minute. Public-domain pieces are printed in full on their own page; copyrighted ones list the character and the source.

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