Mojo, The Bard, & Me

 

Such as she says my lord did say I was.

 

Desdemona
Othello                            Act IV, Scene ii, Line 130

 

I have to admit that this line looks confusing. But it’s not. And you don’t need Pete’s Version; you just need a little context. So here you go.

Othello is now completely convinced that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. He’s just had it out with Desdemona, called her a whore, and stormed out on her. Emilia overheard the whole thing, and now Iago has come in and he and Emilia are trying to console Desdemona. Emilia tells Iago what Othello said, and Desdemona asks Iago, Am I that name, Iago? He answers with, What name, fair Lady? She replies, Such as she says my lord did say I was. In other words, The name that Emilia says Othello called me. Oops, I ended up giving you Pete’s Version.

Well I hope you realize, with the context and the Pete’s Version, that it’s a pretty simple line after all. N’est pas? And perfect iambic pentameter: ten one syllable words. And look how each pair of words, each foot of the pentameter, is a set, a pair, by itself.

Such as

She says

My lord

Did say

I was

It’s pretty neat, if you think about it; perhaps e’en if to think ‘bout it you don’t.

Perhaps

E’en if

To think

‘Bout it

You don’t. 

Oh no, not again!