Speeches (Lines) for Montano
in "Othello"
Total: 24

1

II,1,764

(stage directions). [Enter MONTANO and two Gentlemen]

Montano. What from the cape can you discern at sea?

2

II,1,768

First Gentleman. Nothing at all: it is a highwrought flood;
I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,
Descry a sail.

Montano. Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;
A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:
If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?

3

II,1,781

Second Gentleman. A segregation of the Turkish fleet:
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;
The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,
seems to cast water on the burning bear,
And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafed flood.

Montano. If that the Turkish fleet
Be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd:
It is impossible they bear it out.

4

II,1,790

Third Gentleman. News, lads! our wars are done.
The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks,
That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance
On most part of their fleet.

Montano. How! is this true?

5

II,1,796

Third Gentleman. The ship is here put in,
A Veronesa; Michael Cassio,
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
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.

6

II,1,801

Third Gentleman. But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted
With foul and violent tempest.

Montano. Pray heavens he be;
For I have served him, and the man commands
Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!
As well to see the vessel that's come in
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
Even till we make the main and the aerial blue
An indistinct regard.

7

II,1,816

Cassio. Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,
That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
Give him defence against the elements,
For I have lost us him on a dangerous sea.

Montano. Is he well shipp'd?

8

II,1,834

(stage directions). [Exit]

Montano. But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?

9

II,1,850

Cassio. Has had most favourable and happy speed:
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The gutter'd rocks and congregated sands—
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,—
As having sense of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.

Montano. What is she?

10

II,3,1198

Cassio. 'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.

Montano. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am
a soldier.

11

II,3,1219

Cassio. To the health of our general!

Montano. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.

12

II,3,1250

(stage directions). [Exit]

Montano. To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch.

13

II,3,1259

Iago. You see this fellow that is gone before;
He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
And give direction: and do but see his vice;
'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in.
On some odd time of his infirmity,
Will shake this island.

Montano. But is he often thus?

14

II,3,1263

Iago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:
He'll watch the horologe a double set,
If drink rock not his cradle.

Montano. It were well
The general were put in mind of it.
Perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,
And looks not on his evils: is not this true?

15

II,3,1272

(stage directions). [Exit RODERIGO]

Montano. And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor
Should hazard such a place as his own second
With one of an ingraft infirmity:
It were an honest action to say
So to the Moor.

16

II,3,1283

Cassio. You rogue! you rascal!

Montano. What's the matter, lieutenant?

17

II,3,1289

(stage directions). [Striking RODERIGO]

Montano. Nay, good lieutenant;
[Staying him]
I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

18

II,3,1294

Cassio. Let me go, sir,
Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.

Montano. Come, come,
you're drunk.

19

II,3,1309

Othello. What is the matter here?

Montano. 'Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.

20

II,3,1343

Othello. Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;
The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted, and your name is great
In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter,
That you unlace your reputation thus
And spend your rich opinion for the name
Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.

Montano. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:
Your officer, Iago, can inform you,—
While I spare speech, which something now
offends me,—
Of all that I do know: nor know I aught
By me that's said or done amiss this night;
Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,
And to defend ourselves it be a sin
When violence assails us.

21

II,3,1366

Othello. Now, by heaven,
My blood begins my safer guides to rule;
And passion, having my best judgment collied,
Assays to lead the way: if I once stir,
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
How this foul rout began, who set it on;
And he that is approved in this offence,
Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,
Shall lose me. What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
To manage private and domestic quarrel,
In night, and on the court and guard of safety!
'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?

Montano. If partially affined, or leagued in office,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no soldier.

22

V,2,3505

(stage directions). [Enter MONTANO, GRATIANO, IAGO, and others]

Montano. What is the matter? How now, general!

23

V,2,3527

Gratiano. 'Tis a strange truth.

Montano. O monstrous act!

24

V,2,3588

Gratiano. He's gone, but his wife's kill'd.

Montano. 'Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon,
Which I have here recover'd from the Moor:
Come, guard the door without; let him not pass,
But kill him rather. I'll after that same villain,
For 'tis a damned slave.