That thou so many princes, at a shot, So bloodily hast struck? 1 Amb. The sight is dismal; And our affairs from England come too late: The ears are senseless, that should give us hearing, To tell him, his commandment is fulfill'd, That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead: Where should we have our thanks? Hor. Not from his mouth, Had it the ability of life to thank you; He never gave commandment for their death. But since, so jump upon this bloody question, You from the Polack wars, and you from England, Are here arriv'd; give order, that these bodies High on a stage, be placed to the view; And let me speak, to the yet unknowing world, How these things came about: So shall you hear Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts; Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters; Of deaths put on by cunning, and forc'd cause; And, in this upshot, purposes mistook Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I I the dramas of Shakspeare were to be characterised, each by the particular excellence which distinguishes it from the rest, we must allow to the tragedy of Hamlet the praise of variety. The incidents are so numerous, that the argument of the play would make a long tale. The scenes are interchange ably diversified with merriment and solemnity: with merriment that includes judicious and instructive observations; and solemnity not strained by poetical violence above the natural sentiments of man. New characters appear from time to time in continual succession, exhibiting various forms of life, and particular modes of conversation. The pretended madness of Hamlet causes much mirth, the mournful distraction of Ophelia fills the heart with tenderness, and every personage produces the effect intended, from the apparition that in the first act chills the blood with horror, to the fop in the last, that exposes affectation to just contempt. The conduct is perhaps not wholly secure against objections. The action is indeed for the most part in continual progression, but there are some scenes which neither forward nor retard it. Of the feigned madness of 11amlet there appears no adequate cause, for he does nothing which he might not have done with Truly deliver. Fort. with sorrow I embrace my fortune; Let us haste to hear it, Hor. Of that I shall have also cause to speak, Let four captains Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage; For he was likely, had he been put on, To have prov'd most royally: and, for his passage, The soldier's music, and the rites of war, Speak loudly for him. Take up the bodies:-Such a sight as this Becomes the field, but here shews much amiss. Go, bid the soldiers shoot. [A dead March. [Exeunt, bearing off the dead bodies; after which a peal of ordnance is shot off. the reputation of sanity. He plays the madman most, when he treats Ophelia with so much rudeness, which seems to be useless and wanton cruelty. Hamlet is, through the whole piece, rather an instrument than an agent. After he has, by the stratagem of the play. convicted the king, he makes no attempt to punish him; and his death is at last effected by an incident which Hamlet had no part in producing. The catastrophe is not very happily produced; the exchange of weapons is rather an expedient of necessity, than a stroke of art. A scheme might easily be formed to kill Hamlet with the dagger, and Laertes with the bowl. The poet is accused of having shewn little regard to poetical justice, and may be charged with equal neglect of poetical pro bability. The apparition left the regions of the dead to little purpose; the revenge which he demands is not obtained, but by the death of him that was required to take it: and the gratin cation, which would arise from the destruction of an usurper and a murderer, is abated by the untimely death of Ophelia, the young, the beautiful, the harmless, and the pious.-JOHNSON. OTHELLO. THIS tragedy, which Malone supposes to have been written so early as 1604, was first entered at Stationers' Hall, Oct. 6, 1621, and printed the year following. The story is taken from the seventh tale, in the third decad, of Cynthio's Novels: a work, of which it is not believed that any English translation existed in Shakspeare's time; and with the contents of which he must have become acquainted by his knowledge either of the Italian or the French language. "The time of this play," says Read, "may be ascertained from the following circumstances: Selymus the Second formed his design against Cyprus in 1569, and took it in 1571. This was the only attempt the Turks ever made upon that island after it came into the hands of the Venetians, (which was in the year 1473,) wherefore the time must fall in with some part of that interval. We learn from the play that there was a junotion of the Turkish fleet at Rhodes, in order for the invasion of Cyprus, that it first came sailing towards Cyprus, then went to Rhodes, there met another squadron, and then resumed its way to Cyprus. These are real historical facts which happened when Mustapha, Selymus's general, attacked Cyprus in May, 1570, which therefore is the true period of this performance. See Knolles's History of the Turks, p. 838. 846.867." Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicians, SCENE,-for the First Act, in VENICE; during the rest of the Play, at a Sea-Port in CYPRUS. ACT I. SCENE I.-Venice. A Street. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. Rod. Tush, never tell me. I take it much unkindly, That thou, Iago,-who hast had my purse, As if the strings were thine,- should'st know of this. Iago. 'Sblood, but you will not hear me :If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod.Thou told'st me, thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the In personal suit to make me his lieutenant. [city. Off-capp'd to him :-and, by the faith of man, My mediators; for, certes, says he, And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, As masterly as he : mere prattle, without practice, their coats, Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Rod. Rod. [nice; Most grave Brabantio, In simple, and pure soul I come to you. Iago. 'Zounds, sir, you are one of those, that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service, you think we are ruffians: You'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse : you'll have your nephews neigh to you you'll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans. Bra. What profane wretch art thou? Iago. I am one, sir, that comes to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beas Bra. This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Ro- Rod. What a full fortune does the thick lips owe, But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, Iago. Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor,- I thus would play and trifle with your reverence: || Bra. Against the Moor: For, I do know, the state,- : To lead their business in which regard, I must shew out a flag and sign of love, me Rod. Yes, sir; I have indeed. [her! - Bra. Call up my brother.-O, that you had had Some one way, some another.-Do you know Where we may apprehend her and the Moor? Rod. I think, I can discover him; if you please To get good guard, and go along with me. Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call, I may command at most ;-Get weapons, ho! And raise some special officers of night.On, good Roderigo;-I'll deserve your pains. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Another street. Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants. lago. Though in the trade of war I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience, To do no contriv'd murder; I lack iniquity Sometimes, to do me service: Nine or ten times - I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs. Oth. 'Tis better as it is. Iago. That, with the little godliness I have, I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir. And hath, in his effect, a voice potential Let him do his spite: Oth. My services, which I have done the signiory, Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know, (Which, when I know that boasting is an honour, I shall promulgate,) I fetch my life and being From men of royal siege; and my demerits May speak, unbonnetted, to as proud a fortune As this that I have reach'd: For know, Iago, But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition Put into circumscription and contine For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Officers with torches. Oth. [yonder? Iago. These are the raised father, and his friends: You were best go in. Not I: I must be found; My parts, my title, and my perfect soul, Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they? lago. By Janus, I think no. Oth. The servants of the duke, and The goodness of the night upon you, friends! my What is the news? Cas. lieutenant. The duke does greet you, general; And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant. Oth. What is the matter, think you' Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine; It is a business of some heat: the gallies Have sent a dozen sequent messengers This very night, at one another's heels; And many of the consuls, rais'd, and met, Are at the duke's already: You have been hotly call'd When, being not at your lodging to be found, [for; The senate hath sent about three several quests, To search you out. Oth. 'Tis well I am found by you. I will but spend a word here in the house, And go with you. [Exit. Cas. Ancient, what makes he here? lago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack; If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. Cas. I do not understand. For I'll refer me to all things of sense, How may the duke be therewith satisfied; of. 'Tis true, most worthy signior, and your noble self, SCENE III.-The same. A Council-Chamber. The DUKE, and Senators, sitting at a table; Officers attending. Duke. There is no composition in these news, That gives them credit. 1 Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say, a hundred and seven gallies. Duke. And mine a hundred and forty. 2 Sen. And mine, two hundred: But though they jump not on a just account, (As in these cases, where the aim reports, 'Tis oft with difference,) yet do they all confirm A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus. Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to judgment; I do not so secure me in the error, But the main article I do approve In fearful sense. Sailor. [Within.] What ho! what ho! what ho! Enter an Officer, with a Sailor. Off. A messenger from the gallies. Duke. Now? the business? Sail. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes, So was I bid report here to the state, By signior Angelo. Duke. How say you by this change? 1 Sen. To keep us in false gaze: When we consider That Rhodes is dress'd in: if we make thought of this, Duke. Nav, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes. Enter a Messenger. Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, Have there injointed them with an after fleet. 1 Sen. Ay, so I thought:- How many, as you guess? Mess. Of thirty sail: and now do they re-stem Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance Their purposes toward Cyprus.-Signior Montano. Your trusty and most valiant servitor, With his free duty, recommends you thus, Duke. 'Tis certain then for Cyprus.- 1 Sen. He's now in Florence. [despatch. Duke. Write from us; wish him post-post-haste: 1 Sen. Here comes Brabantio, and the valiant Moor. Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Officers. Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you Against the general enemy Ottoman. I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior, [TO BRABANTIO, We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night. Duke. Sen. Bra. [care Ay, to me She is abus'd, stol'n from me, and corrupted By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks : For nature so preposterously to err, Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, Sans witchcraft could not Duke. Whoe'er he be, that, in this foul proceeding Hath thus beguil'd your daughter of herself, And you of her, the bloody book of law You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, After your own sense; yea, though our proper son Stood in your action. Bra. Humbly I thank your grace. Here is the man, this Moor; whom now, it seems, Your special mandate, for the state affairs, Hath hither brought. Duke & Sen. We are very sorry for it. Duke. What, in your own part, can you say to this? [TOTHELLO Bra. Nothing, but this is so. Oth. Most potent, grave. and reverend siguiors. This cannot be My very noble and approv'd good masters, That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter. By no essay of reason; 'tis a pageant, It is most true; true, I have married her, Duke. Oth. I do beseech you, Duke. Duke. Say it, Othello. Oth. Her father lov'd me; oft invited me; I ran it through, even from my boyish days, Of hair-breadth scapes i'the imminent deadly breach [hear. Would Desdemona seriously incline: Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, and Attendants. Take up this mangled matter at the best: Bra. [too. I pray you, hear her speak; If she confess, that she was half the wooer, Destruction on my heal, if my bad blame Light on the man!- Come hither, gentle mistress ; Do you perceive in all this noble company, Where most you owe obedience? Des. I do perceive here a divided duty: My noble fathe, To you, I am bound for life, and education; Bra. I here do give thee that with all my heart, tence, Which, as as grise, or step, may help these lovers When remedies are past, the griefs are ended, [thief; |