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Othello · Act 3, Scene 3

Iago monologue from Othello

Iago’s monologue from the play Othello by William Shakespeare (Act 3, Scene 3). A classical piece for men with a playing age of 20s–50s, running about 1:00.

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

Iago’s monologue

Think'st thou I'ld make a lie of jealousy,

To follow still the changes of the moon

With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt

Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,

When I shall turn the business of my soul

To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,

Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous

To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,

Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well;

Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:

Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw

The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;

For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago;

I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;

And on the proof, there is no more but this,—

Away at once with love or jealousy!

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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