Iago 'Thus do I ever make my fool my purse' from Othello by William Shakespeare - Arthur L Wood

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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 is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if't be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well;
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio's a proper man: let me see now:
To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery--How, how? Let's see:--
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected, framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are.
I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.

[@floriandiazpesantes573]

Brilliant!

[@rayhowland9211]

I'm not sure how you do this! I've never been a fan of Shakespeare, in fact l had no patience with him. However l love the opera Othello,and that's what drew me to your narrative, after your superb rendition of Lady Of Shalott. I try to avoid clichés or sounding trite, but you bring such realism to the character you display and gives me a hunger to understand more. It's like relatively recently, when l found out that when Juliet said to Romeo 'wherefore art thou' it meant 'why art thou' to say that must it be him, her star-crossed lover. I believe wherefore comes from the word Varför meaning why. Anyhow, l truly thank you for your postings. Best wishes. '

[@floriandiazpesantes573]

What an interesting comment! Which composer’s opera you prefer?

[@ArthurLWood]

Thank you very much indeed! And yes, I also assumed wherefore meant where for the longest time, but yes it means why?! Glad to hear I have opened the door for Shakespeare for you, there are so many riches in his work, certainly don’t hold on to your initial distaste for him. I didn’t like Shakespeare until I was 18 and was encouraged to memorise a speech from Julius Caesar; from that moment I have found his work one of the greatest pleasures available to me!