Select the best translation for the following term or phrase duke

OTHELLOHer father loved me, oft invited me,

Still questioned me the story of my life 150

From year to year—the battles, sieges, fortunesThat I have passed.I ran it through, even from my boyish daysTo th’ very moment that he bade me tell it,

Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances: 155

Of moving accidents by flood and field,Of hairbreadth ’scapes i’ th’ imminent deadlybreach,Of being taken by the insolent foe

And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence, 160

And portance in my traveler’s history,Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,Rough quarries, rocks, and hills whose headstouch heaven,

It was my hint to speak—such was my process— 165

And of the cannibals that each other eat,The Anthropophagi, and men whose headsDo grow beneath their shoulders. These things tohear

Would Desdemona seriously incline. 170

But still the house affairs would draw her thence,Which ever as she could with haste dispatchShe’d come again, and with a greedy earDevour up my discourse. Which I, observing,

Took once a pliant hour, and found good means 175

To draw from her a prayer of earnest heartThat I would all my pilgrimage dilate,Whereof by parcels she had something heard,But not intentively. I did consent,

And often did beguile her of her tears 180

When I did speak of some distressful strokeThat my youth suffered. My story being done,She gave me for my pains a world of sighs.She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing

strange, 185

’Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.She wished she had not heard it, yet she wishedThat heaven had made her such a man. She thankedme,

And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, 190

I should but teach him how to tell my story,And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake.She loved me for the dangers I had passed,And I loved her that she did pity them.

This only is the witchcraft I have used. 195

Here comes the lady. Let her witness it.

Othello gives them an earful. He says Brabantio used to invite him over all the time to hear his fantastic tales, including, but not limited to: daring escapes within a hair's breadth of death; being sold into slavery and getting his freedom back; and traveling over the world's caves, deserts, quarries, and hills. Also, there were cannibals, and men whose heads were in their chests. When Othello shared his stories, he noticed that Brabantio's daughter, Desdemona, was always eager to listen in. So...one day Othello made a point of relaxing around the house, making himself available for Desdemona to approach. (Kind of like hanging around near her locker.) When she did, she asked him to tell her all of his tales in full because she'd only heard bits and pieces. He talked, she swooned, and then she told him she wished there was a guy out there like Othello for her. Also (wink, wink) if Othello knew anyone with stories like that who happened to loved Desdemona, she'd definitely love him back. Othello took the hint, and they've been in love ever since.

Page 2

MONTANO
How? Is this true?

THIRD GENTLEMAN The ship is here put in,A Veronesa. Michael Cassio,

Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello, 30

Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,

And is in full commission here for Cyprus.

MONTANO
I am glad on ’t. ’Tis a worthy governor.

THIRD GENTLEMANBut this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort

Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly 35

And prays the Moor be safe, for they were parted

With foul and violent tempest.

MONTANO Pray heaven he be;For I have served him, and the man commands

Like a full soldier. Let’s to the seaside, ho! 40

As well to see the vessel that’s come inAs to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,Even till we make the main and th’ aerial blue

An indistinct regard.

THIRD GENTLEMAN Come, let’s do so; 45For every minute is expectancy

Of more arrivance.

Enter Cassio.

CASSIOThanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens

Give him defense against the elements, 50

For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.

MONTANO Is he well shipped?

CASSIOHis bark is stoutly timbered, and his pilotOf very expert and approved allowance;

Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death, 55

Stand in bold cure.

Voices cry within. “A sail, a sail, a sail!

A Gentleman informs Montano that Cassio's ship is docking, but that Cassio is a bit preoccupied. He's worried about Othello. When Cassio enters, he thanks Cyprus for being so welcoming and prays that Othello will make it safely to shore.

Page 3

Source: Folger Shakespeare Library

Enter Othello’s Herald with a proclamation.

HERALD It is Othello’s pleasure, our noble and valiantgeneral, that upon certain tidings now arrived,importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet,every man put himself into triumph: some to

dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what 5

sport and revels his addition leads him. For besidesthese beneficial news, it is the celebration of hisnuptial. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimedAll offices are open, and there is full

liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till 10

the bell have told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of

Cyprus and our noble general, Othello!

He exits.

We're now back on the streets of Cyprus to hear Othello's herald make a public announcement: in celebration of the Turkish fleet's destruction, Othello has declared that tonight will be a party night in Cyprus. Every man can do what pleases him best.