Act 1 Scene 1

At night, in a street outside Brabanzio’s house in Venice, two men whisper their secret griefs. Roderigo is angry because he believes that Iago has cheated him# and Iago is full of hatred for someone he calls “the Moor”. They rouse Brabanzio from his bed with news of his daughter’s rebellion — although Iago deserts Roderigo before the angry father arrives on stage. Brabanzio institutes a search for Desdemona.
1	Tush, never tell me: “Rubbish, don’t try to make me believe that”# the play opens in the middle of a conversation.
3	strings: which fastened the purse# Iago has been using Roderigo’s money as though it were his own.
4	’Sblood: Iago swears by God’s blood# the violent oath is fitting for the soldier.
hear me: listen to me.
8	great ones: important men.
9	In personal suit: Went to him themselves.
lieutenant: second-in-command.
10	Off-capped: Took off their hats (as a sign of respect).
11	my price: what I’m worth.
12	as loving: preferring.
13	a bombast circumstance: some fancy reason (bombast was a kind of cotton stuffing, used for padding clothes).
14	epithets of war: military jargon.
15	Non-suits: Refuses their request.
Certes: To be sure.
18	Forsooth . . . arithmetician: Iago scorns Cassio because he is nothing but an administrator: he understands the theory of warfare, but not the practice.
19	a Florentine: In the sixteenth century, Florence was a centre of commerce and banking.
20	damned in a fair wife: In the play Cassio is unmarriedut see p.126. Iago seems to be saying that a weakness for women will be the ruin of Cassio — or perhaps his marriage to a pretty woman will ruin him because (in the opinion of a cynic like Iago) all pretty women are false to their husbands.
21	set . . . field: placed a company of soldiers on the battlefield for a “pitched”, or formal, battle (rather than a casual skirmish).
22	division: devising — the strategical placing of soldiers.
23	a spinster: someone (usually a woman) whose job is to spin wool.
unless the bookish theoric: except for what he has read in books.
24	togaed: wearing a toga — the dress of peace in ancient Rome.
propose: give advice.
26	had th’election: got the job.
27	proof: proven ability.
29	beleed: i.e. like a sailing ship that is forced into the calm waters where it cannot find any wind.
30	debitor and creditor: a mere book-keeper (one who works out debits and credits).
counter-caster: one who adds sums, using metal counters# Iago continues to think of Cassio as an “arithmetician”.
32	God bless the mark: God help us# an exclamation of impatience.
his Moorship’s ensign: his Moorish lordship’s ensign (= standard-bearer).
34	’Tis . . . service: That’s the trouble with this job.
35	Preferment goes by: Promotion depends on.
letter: academic qualifications.
affection: favouritism.
36	by old gradation: according to seniority, as it used to.
38	in any just term: in any reasonable way.
affined: bound.
40	follow him: serve under his command.
41	content you: don’t you worry.
42	serve my turn upon him: use him for my own advantage.
45	knee-crooking: bowing, bending his knees.
46	doting on: enjoying.
48	provender: food and drink.
cashiered: dismissed, sacked.
49	Whip me: A contemptuous dismissal.
50	trimmed . . . duty: showing all outward signs of obedience.
51	Keep . . . themselves: Think of themselves.
52	throwing . . . lords: only giving the appearance that they are working for their masters.
53	well thrive: succeed.
lined their coats: made a profit for themselves.
54	Do . . . homage: Have a good opinion of themselves.
soul: spirit.
57	Were . . . Iago: This is a cryptic remark, which sounds very well but means very little.
59	Heaven . . . duty: Iago claims to be telling the honest truth, that he does not serve Othello for love or out of a sense of duty.
60	peculiar: personal.
61	outward action: action which can be seen.
62	native act: real action.
figure: nature.
63	compliment extern: outward show.
64	wear . . . sleeve: Serving-men wore badges on the sleeves of their uniforms.
65	daws: jackdaws (thought to be very foolish birds)# the Folio text has “doves”, which are very mild, gentle birds.
I am not what I am: I am not what I appear to be.
66	full: good.
the thick-lips: an insulting reference to the man whom Iago calls “the Moor” — and an indication that he is negroid.
owe: own.
67	carry’t thus: get away with it, succeed.
her father: Desdemona’s father, Brabanzio.
69	him: i.e. Othello.
make after: follow.
68	Proclaim him: Denounce him as a thief.
70	though . . . flies: although he’s happy now, let’s spoil things for him. The famous “plague of flies” was sent to the Egyptians who were oppressing the Hebrews and refusing to let them seek out the Promised Land (Exodus 8:20).
71	his joy be joy: his happiness is true happiness.
72	throw . . . vexation: suggest such possibilities of trouble.
73	lose some colour: fade, become doubtful.
75	timorous: frightening.
76	by night and negligence: the fire is seen at night, and was caused by negligence.
80	bags: money-bags.
81sd	above: Some Elizabethan playhouses seem to have had a balcony at the back of the stage, which could be used here to represent the upper floor of Brabanzio’s house.
86	’Swounds: Iago swears by God’s wounds.
89	tupping: copulating with (Iago uses the language of sheep-farmers).
90	snorting: snoring.
91	the devil: In some traditions, the devil is depicted as black.
grandsire: grandfather.
93	Most reverend signor: Roderigo is extremely respectful.
know my voice: the figures cannot be recognized in the dark.
97	charged: ordered.
haunt about: hang around.
98	in honest plainness: plain, straightforward language.
99	for thee: intended for you to marry.
100	distempering draughts: intoxicating drink.
101	Upon malicious bravery: With mischievous impudence.
102	start: disturb.
104	thou must needs be sure: you can rest assured.
105	spirit: courage.
place: position.
107	This . . . grange: Brabanzio’s house is not some lonely country farm, but is situated in a busy city.
109	In simple and pure soul: With the most honest intentions.
110	you are . . . bid you: i.e. “you are the sort of person who will not take good advice because you dislike the man who offers it”.
113	covered with: mated with.
113	Barbary horse: the Barbary coast of North Africa was famous for horse-breeding.
115	coursers: racehorses.
cousins: kindred.
jennets: mules (also small Spanish horses).
germans: blood relations.
118	making the beast with two backs: having sexual intercourse.
120	senator: The name does not insult Brabanzio, but the tone in which it is uttered must indicate Iago’s scorn.
121	know thee, Roderigo: Brabanzio assumes that the abusive language was spoken by Roderigo.
122	answer: pay for (i.e. insulting him).
123	“If it is with your agreement and permission”.
124	partly: to some extent (since Brabanzio seems unconcerned).
125	odd-even: after midnight.
dull: sleepy time.
watch: division of the night.
127	common hire: available for general hire (not the servant of any private family).
128	clasps: embraces.
129	your allowance: has your consent.
130	saucy: insolent.
131	my manners: code of conduct.
132	We have . . . rebuke: You are wrong to reproach us.
133	from . . . civility: contrary to all decent behaviour.
134	trifle with: treat lightly.
your reverence: a nobleman like you.
136	revolt: rebellion.
137	Tying. . . In: Trusting . . . to.
138	extravagant: wandering.
wheeling: free-ranging.
stranger: foreigner.
139	Of here and everywhere: Who doesn’t belong anywhere.
Straight: Immediately.
satisfy yourself: see for yourself.
142	Strike on the tinder: Make a light (i.e. with flint and tinder box).
143	taper: candle.
144	This accident: What has happened.
146	Farewell: Iago slips away as soon as there is any risk of discovery.
147	meet: suitable.
nor wholesome to my place: not good for my job.
148	produced: called as a witness.
150	gall: hurt.
check: rebuke.
151	cast: dismiss.
embarked: engaged.
152	loud: good.
153	even now: at this very moment.
stands in act: are being fought.
for their souls: for all that they are worth.
154	fathom: ability.
155	lead their business: conduct their affairs.
In which regard: For this reason (i.e. that Othello is the best man for the job of leading the Venetian forces).
156	hell pains: the torments of hell.
157	for . . . life: because my living at present depends on it.
158	show . . . love: give all appearances of loyalty# Iago’s metaphor comes appropriately from one who is a standard-bearer.
159	but sign: only an appearance.
That: So that.
surely: be certain to.
160	Sagittary: The Sagittarius, an inn whose sign was that of the armed centaur (half-man, half-horse) in the zodiacal sign.
raisesearch: the search-party that he must raise.
162sd	nightgown: dressing-gown.
163	what’s . . . bitterness: Brabanzio fears that the rest of his life will be nothing but misery, since he will be scorned by society (for having a disobedient daughter).
164	Now, Roderigo: Brabanzio’s attitude to Roderigo is beginning to change.
165	unhappy: unfortunate.
168	Past thought: More than I could ever have thought.
171	Treason of the blood: Desdemona’s passion (“blood”) has betrayed her reason# and Desdemona’s rebellion against her father is a betrayal of her family (“blood”).
172	from hence: From this example.
173	Is: Elizabethan grammar permitted the singular form where modern English would demand “Are”.
174	property: nature — i.e. innocence.
175	May: Can.
177	would . . . her: I wish you had married her.
178	Some . . . another: Brabanzio directs the servants to go in different directions.
183	I may . . . most: Brabanzio is an important citizen who has influence over most of the people in Venice, and can get assistance from most families.
184	special officers of night: The Venetian State had a special police force for night duties.
185	I will . . . pains: I’ll reward you for your trouble.