Act 5 Scene 1

It is now late at night — “between twelve and one”, as Iago promised Roderigo at the end of Act 4, Scene 2. The two men are close to Bianca’s house, where they are lying in wait for Cassio. There is a scuffle in which both Cassio and Roderigo are wounded. Othello surveys the scene, misinterpreting — but approving — Iago’s work# then he hurries off to Desdemona. Iago appears to investigate the disturbance and, fearing lest Roderigo should betray the plot, kills him. When Bianca tries to help, Iago accuses her of conspiracy# he then ensures that Cassio is carried to safety, and insists that Othello must be informed. After the peaceful sadness of the last scene in Desdemona’s chamber, the action bursts into violence.
1	bulk: projecting wall — which on the stage would be represented by a pillar.
Straight: immediately.
2	bare: unsheathed.
put it home: thrust it in deeply.
3	at thy elbow: near at hand, ready to help.
4	makes . . . us: makes our fortunes, or else ruins us — a proverbial expression.
5	resolution: determination.
6	miscarry: make a mistake.
7	take thy stand: stand firm — don’t run away# it is characteristic of Iago that he should make Roderigo strike the first blow.
8	devotion to: enthusiasm for.
11	young quat: little spot.
sense: quick — where it hurts most.
14	makes my gain: I win.
Live Roderigo: If Roderigo lives.
15	calls me to: demands from me.
large: full.
16	bobbed from him: cheated him out of.
19	daily beauty: Iago recognizes in Cassio an admirable quality of life which is there for all to see.
21	unfold: expose.
22	so: hush.
23	gait: footsteps.
25	coat: probably Cassio is wearing a leather jerkin.
26	make proof of: test.
27s.d.	above: on the balcony behind the stage.
30	even so: Othello seems to mistake Roderigo’s voice for Cassio’s.
34	Minion: A term of abuse (or affection).
dear: beloved.
35	unblessed fate: cursed end.
hies: is coming fast.
36	blotted: wiped out.
37	lust-stained: defiled with lust.
lust’s blood: the blood of your lustful body.
37s.d.	Gratiano: He has just arrived from Venice with the news of Brabanzio’s death (see Act 5, Scene 2, line 211).
38	watch: night-watchman.
passage: passers-by.
39	mischance: accident.
direful: in great distress.
43	heavy: dark.
44	counterfeits: impostors.
45	into the cry: to the rescue# Lodovico and Gratiano are strangers in a foreign town, and their hesitation is understandable.
48	one: someone# Iago appears as though he has been roused from his bed.
55	spoiled: wounded.
undone: injured.
59	make away: escape.
68	Judge us (to be good or evil) when you know who we are.
70	cry you mercy: beg your pardon.
79	may you suspect: can you guess?
80	mangled: wounded.
83	garter: Either a man or a woman could supply this — to fix the bandage made with Iago’s shirt.
86	trash: Iago insults Bianca.
87	be a party: have a share in.
100	said: done.
103	Save you your labour: Stop interfering.
108	ghastness: look of terror.
115	scaped: escaped.
119	know of: find out from.
121	I therefore shake not: I’m not afraid to say so.
122	charge: order.
126	dressed: have his wound attended to.
129	happed: chanced.
131	fordoes: ruins.
quite: utterly.