The plot of Hamlet Acts 1 and 2

Characters

The Duke of Venice

Senator Brabantio

Brother of Gratiano Brabantio

Lodovico, relative of Brabantio

Othello, a Moorish nobleman, serving in the Venetian government

Second-general of Cassio Othello

Iago Othello's bannerman

Rodeligo the Venetian gentleman

Montano, governor of Cyprus, Othello's predecessor

O the Clown Servant of Thurlow

Desdemona, daughter of Brabantio, wife of Othello

Emilia, wife of Iago

Bean Cascasio's mistress

Senator, sailor, clerk, officer, messenger, musician, herald, attendant, etc.

Place

Act 1 In Venice; the remaining acts are at the mouth of the island of Cyprus

Act 1

Scene 1 Venice. Street

Enter Roderigo and Iago.

Rodrigo Hey! Say not to me, Iago; you are not a friend enough to be their accomplice when I leave my purse at your disposal to spend as you please.

Iago Damn it! You won't listen to me anymore. If I dream about such things, don't treat me like a human being.

Rodrigo, you told me you hated him.

Iago If I don't hate him, you can ignore me from now on. Three important people in the city personally greeted him and recommended me to be his lieutenant general. In good conscience, I know my own worth, so can I not be a lieutenant general? But he only had eyes for himself and no one else, and he rejected their requests with a set of empty words full of military mantra; because, he said, "I have already chosen my general." What was he chosen? Where are people? Huh, a great mathematician, a Florentine named Michael Cassio, a guy who almost ruined his life by marrying a sweet wife; he has never led a group of soldiers on the battlefield, and he has no idea about setting up battle formations. His knowledge is no more than that of a woman who has always been a concubine; even if he understands some theories in books, those senior senators in toga will speak more eloquently than him; only empty talk is unrealistic. That's all his military qualifications. But, man, he has been appointed; he has seen with his own eyes all the military exploits I performed in Rhodes, Cyprus, and other lands of Christians and pagans, and now he must bow his head. Don't make up your mind to be commanded by a philistine. The shopkeeper actually became his deputy general, while I - God forgive me for saying this - only served as a flag officer under this black general.

Rodeligo God, I'd rather be his executioner.

Iago There is no other way. It is really annoying to say that promotion in the army can be done in accordance with the rank of each person, regardless of the ancient laws. As long as the person is strong and can win the favor of the superior, he can be promoted. Now, brother, tell me what reason I have for being friendly with this Moor.

Rodrigo If it were me, I wouldn't want to follow him.

Iago Ah, my dear fellow, be of good cheer; I follow him only to use him for my own ends. Not everyone of us can be a master, and not every master should have his servants follow him faithfully. You can see that there is a generation of born slaves. They are groveling, trying their best to please their masters, and are willing to be whipped by their masters. Like donkeys, they sell their lives for some food and grass. When they get old, their masters will Drive them away; such honest slaves deserve a whipping.

There is also a kind of people who, although they pretend to be bowing on the surface, are actually planning for themselves; they appear to be doing things for their masters, but in fact they rely on their masters to develop their own power, and when they have made enough money, they will You can know that what he respects is actually himself; people like this still have some brains; I admit that I myself belong to this category. Because, man, just as you are Roderigo and no one else, so had I been the Moor, I wouldn't have been Iago. There is nothing wrong in the same way. Although I follow him, I am actually following myself. God is my notary, and I am so careful with him, not out of loyalty or obligation, but just for my own benefit, so I put on this fake face. If my outward respectful behavior betrayed my inner workings, I would soon have my heart out for the crows to peck at. The me that the world knows is not the real me.

Rodrigo If that thick-lipped 66 guy has such a skill, he will be in great luck!

Iago Call her father; do not spare him, interrupt his mirth, proclaim his guilt in every street; outrage her kinsmen. Even though he lives in a place with a pleasant climate, he is not immune to the nuisance of mosquitoes and flies. Although he enjoys great joy, he is not immune to being entangled by troubles.

Rodeligo This is her father's house; I will shout.

Iago Well, cry out, as people in a populous city shout with fear when a fire breaks out by accident in the night.

Rodeligo Hey, hey, Brabantio! Mr. Brabantio, hello!

Iago Wake up! Hey, hey! Brabantio! Catch the thief! Catch the thief! Catch the thief! Watch your house, your daughter, and your pocketbook! Catch the thief! Catch the thief!

Brabantius from the upper window.

Brabantio, what is all this fuss about? What happened?

Rodrigo, Sir, are you not lacking in your family?

Iago Are your doors locked?

Brabantio Hey, why do you ask me that?

Iago Humph! Sir, someone has stolen your things. Why don't you put on your robe quickly? Your heart is broken, half your soul has been lost; and now, at this very moment, an old black sheep is mating with your white ewe. Get up, get up! Ring the bell to wake up the snoring citizens, or the devil will make you carry your grandchild. Hey, get up!

Brabantio What! Are you crazy?

Rodeligo, most respectable old gentleman, can you hear my voice?

Brabantio I can’t hear you; who are you?

Rodelgo My name is Roderigo.

Brabantio Disgusting! I asked you not to walk in front of my door; I have told you honestly and plainly that my daughter cannot marry you; now you are full of food, drunk, crazy, and have evil intentions. , coming to disturb my peace again.

Rodeligo Sir, sir, sir!

Brabantio But you must understand that I am not an easy person to talk to. If you make me angry, depending on my position, you will complain endlessly as long as I use a little strength.

Rodeligo, good sir, don't be angry.

Brabantio, what do you mean whether there are thieves or not? This is Venice; my house is not an exclusive farm.

Rodeligo Most dignified Brabantio, I inform you with sincerity.

Iago Hey, sir, you too are one of those people who cast aside God because the devil told him to worship Him. You regard us as bad people, so you regard our good intentions as malice. You would rather let your daughter be ridden by a black horse, give birth to some horses and grandchildren for you, and climb some horses to marry the horses.

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Brabantio, what kind of bastard are you to talk nonsense like this?

Iago Sir, I am here to tell you the news that your daughter-in-law is doing that beastly thing with the Moor.

Brabantio, you are a bastard!

Iago You are a—senator.

Brabantio, be careful; Roderigo, I know you.

Rodrigo, sir, I am willing to take all the responsibility; but please allow me to say a word. What if, with your wise consent, my daughter-in-law allowed a lowly boatman who could be hired by anyone to take her to a greedy Moor in the middle of the night, without anyone around to protect her? In the rough embrace - if you not only know about this matter, but also acquiesce - in my opinion, you have given her at least part of the consent - then we are indeed too presumptuous and presumptuous; but if you really don't Knowing this, politely speaking, you should not speak harshly to us. Am I so ignorant of the rules that I dare to tease an elderly person like you? I say again, if my daughter, without your permission, abandons her duties, her beauty, her wisdom, and her property to a wandering foreigner who makes her home everywhere, then she has indeed done something. A major retrograde. 136 You can immediately investigate and find out. If she is in her room or in your house, then I have deceived you, and you can punish me according to the national law.

Brabantio Hey, light the fire! Give me a candle! Call all my servants! The event resembled a nightmare of mine, and its overwhelming possibility weighed heavily on my mind. Hey, bring the fire! Bring the fire! (From top to bottom.)

I will not accompany Iago when we meet again; if I don’t go, I will have to testify against the Moor, which is not only inappropriate, but also in my position. for I knew that whatever censure he might receive for it, the Government could not yet remove him from office; and the war in Cyprus was going on, and the situation was so urgent that, had he not been sent at once, they would not have fought till the end of the war. Two people with talents like him can take on this important task. So although I hate him as much as I hate the punishment in hell, for the sake of actual necessity, I have to pretend to deal with him, which is just perfunctory on the surface. When you wait for them to come out to look for someone, just take them to the Centaur Inn and you will definitely find him; I will be with him there. goodbye. (Part 2.)

Brabantio led his servants to come up from below holding torches.

Brabantio What a disaster! She is gone; only sorrow and resentment will accompany me for the rest of my decaying years! Roderigo, where did you see her? —Ah, unfortunate child! ——You said you were with the Moor? ——Who wants to be a father! ——How did you know it was her? ——Oh, I never thought she would deceive me like this! ——What did she say to you? —Bring more candles! Awaken all my kin! ——Do you think they got married?

Rodeligo To be honest, I think they are already married.

Brabantio Oh my God! How did she get out? Ah, the rebellion of flesh and blood! Fathers, from now on, you must pay attention to your daughters' actions and do not trust their thoughts. Is there a witchcraft in the world that induces young girls to lose their virginity? Roderigo, have you ever read about anything like this in a book?

Rodeligo Yes, sir, I did read that.

Brabantio Call my brother! Alas, I regret not letting you marry her! You guys go and look for me separately! Do you know where we can catch her with the Moor?

Rodeligo I think I can find his traces, if you are willing to send a few more capable men with me.

Brasius, please lead the way. I will search every house; most houses are under my power.

Hey, bring more weapons! Call some policemen on night watch! Go, good Roderigo, I will thank you for your hard work. (Same as below.)

Scene 2 Another Street

Othello, Iago and attendants enter holding torches.

Iago Although I have killed many people on the battlefield, I always feel that intentional killing is against my conscience. The lack of evil instinct often prevents me from doing what I want to do. Many times I wanted to drive my sword under his ribs.

Othello Let him say so.

Iago But he babbled so many ugly words to destroy your reputation that even a ridiculous guy like me couldn't suppress the anger in his heart. But let me ask you, coach, have you completed the wedding? You should note that this senator is very popular, and his potential power is twice as great as that of the Duke; he will break up your marriage and try his best to use the power of the law to suppress and persecute you.

OTHELLO Let him vent his wrath as he pleases; my service to the nobles will refute his charge. The world does not yet know—if it were a glorious thing to boast, I would proclaim it everywhere—that I am a descendant of noble ancestors, and that I am fully qualified to enjoy the fortunate fortune I am now blessed with. Let me tell you, Iago, if I had not truly loved the gentle Desdemona, even if I were given all the treasures in the sea, I would not be willing to give up my unrestrained free life to submit to the constraints of my family. But look! Who are those people coming over there holding torches?

Iago Her father comes to you with his relatives and friends; you had better go in and hide.

Othello No, I will let them see me; my character, my rank, my innocence will speak for me. Is it them?

Iago By Two-Faced God, I think not.

Enter Cassio and some of the officials, bearing torches.

Othello It turns out they are the Duke’s men, and my lieutenant. Good night, friends! What's the news?

Cassio, sir, the Duke greets you and asks you to come over immediately.

Othello Do you know why?

Cassio: As I guess, it’s probably a matter in Cyprus. It seems to be very urgent. On this night, twelve envoys were sent from the warship to ask for help; many senators were awakened from their sleep and gathered in the Duke's Palace. They are looking for you everywhere; since you are not at home, the Senate sent three teams of people to look for you separately.

Othello Fortunately I found it for you. Let me come into this room and say a word, and I will come with you. (Exit.)

Cassio What brings him here?

Iago, to tell you the truth, he boarded a large ship on land this night; and if it can be proved that it is a legitimate booty, he will start a family and a family.

Cassio I don’t understand you.

Iago He is married.

Who will Cassio marry?

Reenter Othello.

Iago Well, come with--Come, Master, let's go.

Othello Well, I'll go with you.

Cassio Another group of people is coming for you.

Iago That's Brabantio. Coach, please be careful; he's here with bad intentions.

Enter Brabantio, Roderigo and the clerks, armed with torches and weapons.

Othello Hello! stop!

Rodeligo, sir, this is the Moor.

Brabantio Kill him, the thief! (Both sides draw their swords.)

Iago You, Roderigo! Come, let's compete.

Othello Put away your shining swords, for they will rust with dew.

Old sir, if a person as young and virtuous as you can't order us, why would you use force?

Brabantio O you evil thief! Where did you hide my daughter? Don't you think about who you are, daring to use witchcraft to seduce her; we just need to judge based on reason, a young, beautiful, pampered girl like her will not be able to look down on many of the rich, powerful and handsome children in our country. If you are not possessed by a demon, how could you not be afraid of other people's jokes and run into the arms of an ugly nigger like you, behind your back? ——Then she would have been frightened long ago, how fun would it be! The world can judge for me, is it obvious that you used evil spells to deceive her delicate mind, and used medicinal baits to confuse her consciousness? I want to ask everyone to judge in court, is this kind of thing? Very likely. So I am arresting you now; disturbing morals and practicing sorcery are your crimes. Seize him; if he resists, subdue him by force.

Othello, those who help me and those who oppose me, put down your hands! If I wanted to fight, I would know when to do it. Where do you want me to go to answer your complaint?

Brabantio Go to prison and speak again when you are summoned before the court.

Othello If I obey your advice, how shall I answer the Duke? His messenger was by my side, waiting to take me to see him because of urgent business.

Historian Indeed, my lord; the Duke is holding a meeting, and I believe he has sent for you.

Brabantio What! The Duke is holding a meeting! In this late night! Take him there. Nor is my case a trivial one; the duke and my colleagues will feel the insult as if it were upon themselves. If such conduct could be left unchecked, slaves and infidels would preside over our government. (Same as below.)