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Othello · Act 1, Scene 2

Brabantio monologue from Othello

Brabantio’s monologue from the play Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 1, Scene 2). A classical piece for men with a playing age of 30s–60s, running about 1:15.

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The full speech. Read it out loud twice before you start working it.

Brabantio’s monologue

BARBANTIO: 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 bound,

Whether a maid so tender, fair and happy,

So opposite to marriage that she shunned

The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,

Would ever have, to incur a general mock,

Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom

Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight.

Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense

That thou hast practised on her with foul charms,

Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals

That weaken motion: I'll have't disputed on;

'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.

I therefore apprehend and do attach thee

For an abuser of the world, a practiser

Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.

Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,

Subdue him at his peril.

Public domain text.

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About Othello

Play by William Shakespeare · c. 1603–1604

  • Shakespeare based Othello on a story by the Italian writer Cinthio.
  • Iago speaks more lines than Othello, the play's title character.
  • The action moves from Venice to the island of Cyprus.

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