Othello: Act 1, Scene 2
Enter OTHELLO, IAGO,
ATTENDANTS with torches.
with torches: Having characters carry torches is Shakespeare's way of telling his audience that it's night.
IAGO
1
Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
1. in the trade of war: i.e., as a soldier.
2
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience
2. stuff: essential substance.
3
To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity
3. contrived: premeditated.
4
Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times
5
I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.
5. yerk'd: stabbed.
OTHELLO
6
'Tis better as it is.
IAGO
Nay, but he prated,
7
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
8
Against your honor
9
That, with the little godliness I have,
10
I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir,
10. did full hard forbear him: had a hard time keeping my hands off him.
11
Are you fast married? Be assured of this,
12
That the magnifico is much beloved,
12. magnifico: Venetian grandee, i.e., Brabantio.
13
And hath in his effect a voice potential
13. in his effect: at his command. potential: powerful.
14
As double as the duke's: he will divorce you;
14. double: of double strength (like the Duke's voting power in the Senate).
15
Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
16
The law, with all his might to enforce it on,
17
Will give him cable.
17. cable: scope (cf. "give one rope enough").
OTHELLO
Let him do his spite:
18
My services which I have done the signiory
18. signiory: Venetian government.
19
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,
19. yet to know: not yet public knowledge.
20
Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
21
I shall promulgateI fetch my life and being
21. promulgate: make publicly known.
22
From men of royal siege, and my demerits
22. siege: seat, i.e., rank. demerits: deserts, merits.
23
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
23. unbonneted: bare-headed; i.e., without the least embarrassment.
24
As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,
25
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
26
I would not my unhoused free condition
26. unhoused: unconfined, undomesticated.
27
Put into circumscription and confine
28
For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?
28. the sea's worth: all the treasure in the sea.
IAGO
29
Those are the raised father and his friends:
30
You were best go in.
OTHELLO
Not I; I must be found:
31
My parts, my title and my perfect soul
31. parts: qualities, personal merits. title: position. perfect soul: clear conscience, conviction that I have done no wrong.
32
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
IAGO
33
By Janus, I think no.
33. Janus: In Roman mythology, Janus is the two-faced god of doorways, gates, beginnings, and endings. In short, he is the god of reversals. In this situation, Iago's expectations have been reversed; he expected a group of Othello's enemies to show up, but instead a group of Othello's friends arrive.
Enter CASSIO with [OFFICERS and] torches.
OTHELLO
34
The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant.
35
The goodness of the night upon you, friends!
36
What is the news?
Cory Misek as Cassio Flatwater Shakespeare, 2011 |
CASSIO
The duke does greet you, general,
37
And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
38
Even on the instant.
OTHELLO
What is the matter, think you?
38. matter: issue, problem.
CASSIO
39
Something from Cyprus as I may divine:
40
It is a business of some heat: the galleys
41
Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
41. sequent: successive, one after another.
42
This very night at one another's heels,
43
And many of the consuls, raised and met,
43. consuls: senators.
44
Are at the duke's already: you have been hotly call'd for;
45
When, being not at your lodging to be found,
46
The senate hath sent about three several quests
46. several: separate. quests: search parties.
47
To search you out.
OTHELLO
'Tis well I am found by you.
48
I will but spend a word here in the house,
49
And go with you.
[Exit.]
CASSIO
Ancient, what makes he here?
49. what makes he here?: what is he doing here?
IAGO
50
'Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carack:
50. carack: large trading ship.
51
If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
51. prize: booty. he's made for ever: he'll be rich forever.
CASSIO
52
I do not understand.
IAGO
He's married.
CASSIO
To who?
[Re-enter OTHELLO.]
IAGO
53. Marry: indeed.
53
Marry, toCome, captain, will you go?
OTHELLO
Have with you.
53. Have with you: i.e., yes, we'll go together.
CASSIO
54
Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO,
with OFFICERS [with] torches [and
weapons.]
IAGO
55
It is Brabantio. General, be advised;
55. advised: on your guard.
56
He comes to bad intent.
OTHELLO
Holla! stand there!
56. stand there: stop where you are; don't come any closer.
RODERIGO
57
Signior, it is the Moor.
BRABANTIO
Down with him, thief!
[They draw on both sides.]
IAGO
58
You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.
OTHELLO
59
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
59. Keep up: keep in their scabbards. for the dew will rust them: This is Othello's ironic way of saying that swords will do no good in this situation.
60
Good signior, you shall more command with years
61
Than with your weapons.
BRABANTIO
62
O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter?
63
Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;
63. enchanted: cast a spell upon.
64
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
64. refer me to all things of sense: i.e., submit my case to the court of ordinary common sense.
65
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
66
Whether a maid so tender, fair and happy,
67
So opposite to marriage that she shunned
68
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
69
Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
70
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
70. guardage: protection (of her father).
71
Of such a thing as thou to fear, not to delight!
72
Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense
72. gross in sense: obvious to perception.
73
That thou hast practised on her with foul charms,
73. practised on her with foul charms: abused her by means of black magic.
74
Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
75
That weaken motion: I'll have't disputed on;
75. motion: vital faculties, the mental powers. I'll have't disputed on: I'll submit it to experts for judgment.
76
'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.
77
I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
77. attach: arrest.
78
For an abuser of the world, a practiser
79
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.
79. inhibited: prohibited. out of warrant: unwarrantable, illegal.
80
Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,
81
Subdue him at his peril.
OTHELLO
Hold your hands,
82. inclining: following, party.
82
Both you of my inclining, and the rest:
83
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
84
Without a prompter. Where will you that I go
85
To answer this your charge?
BRABANTIO
To prison, till fit time
86
Of law and course of direct session
86. course of direct session: regular legal proceedings.
87
Call thee to answer.
OTHELLO
What if I do obey?
88
How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
89
Whose messengers are here about my side,
90
Upon some present business of the state
91
To bring me to him?
Officer
'Tis true, most worthy signior;
92
The duke's in council and your noble self,
93
I am sure, is sent for.
BRABANTIO
How! the duke in council!
94
In this time of the night! Bring him away:
94. Bring him away: i.e., bring Othello along with us to the Senate. Brabantio is speaking as though Othello is in his custody, though we can clearly see that that is not the case.
95
Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,
96
Or any of my brothers of the state,
97
Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;
98
For if such actions may have passage free,
99
Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.
Exeunt.