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My Fool My Purse

A thriller monologue from Othello by William Shakespeare. About 1 min.

Alone, Iago admits his hatred of Othello and hatches his plan to destroy him.

Iago
late 20s to 40s. A trusted officer passed over for promotion

  1. Roderigo, whom he has just talked into selling his land, has gone.

  2. Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.

  3. For I mine own gain’d knowledge should profane If I would time expend with such a snipe But for my sport and profit.

  4. I hate the Moor,

  5. And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets He has done my office.

  6. I know not if ’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety.

  7. He holds me well, The better shall my purpose work on him.

  8. Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now,

  9. To get his place, and to plume up my will In double knavery. How, how? Let’s see.

  10. After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear That he is too familiar with his wife.

  11. He hath a person and a smooth dispose, To be suspected, fram’d to make women false.

  12. The Moor is of a free and open nature That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,

  13. And will as tenderly be led by the nose As asses are.

  14. I have’t. It is engender’d.

  15. Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.

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Public domain, William Shakespeare, 1604. Text from Project Gutenberg #1531.

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