Act 1 Scene 2

Iago now presents himself as Othello’s friend, willing to defend his honour, and anxious for his safety now that he is married to Desdemona. Othello speaks confidently of his love, but he is interrupted by the approach of a search party — Cassio is seeking Othello on the Duke’s orders. Another search-party arrives, this time led by Brabanzio, who accuses and insults Othello. The Moor maintains his dignity, and it is decided to discuss matters before the Duke.
1	trade of war: as a professional soldier.
2	very stuff: the essence.
3	contrived: calculated, in cold blood.
iniquity: evil-mindedness.
4	to do me service: for my own good.
5	yerked: thrust at.
him: Iago speaks of Roderigo.
6	’Tis better as it is: Othello speaks calmly, in contrast to Iago’s lying excitement.
prated: talked nonsense.
7	scurvy: insulting.
10	full hard: with difficulty.
11	fast: definitely.
12	magnifico: Venetian nobleman (i.e. Brabanzio).
13	hath . . . potential: has a voice whose effect is very powerful.
14	double: influential (perhaps the Duke had twice as much power as an ordinary senator — and likewise Brabanzio).
15	grievance: hardship.
17	give him cable: allow him.
do his spite: the worst that his spite can do# Othello is still calm and speaks with great dignity.
18	the signory: the Venetian government.
19	out-tongue: speak louder than.
’Tis yet to know: No one knows yet.
20	when . . . honour: when I learn that boasting is an honourable thing to do# Othello is restrained and modest about his birth and achievements.
21	promulgate: make generally known.
22	siege: rank.
demerits: deserts.
23	speak: lay claim.
unbonneted: on equal terms (without my hat on).
26	unhousefree: unfettered (without the ties of property).
27	into . . . confine: under restriction and restraint.
28	yond: yonder.
30	Iago counsels flight, but Othello is fearless.
31	parts: natural qualities.
title: entitlement, rights (as Desdemona’s husband).
perfect soul: clear conscience.
33	Janus: Iago swears, appropriately, by the two-faced Roman god.
37	haste-post-haste: speediest possible.
39	divine: guess.
40	heat: urgency.
41	sequent: one after the other.
44	hotly: urgently.
46	several: separate.
49	makes he here: is he doing here# Cassio appears not to know of Othello’s marriage, although we are told later (in Act 2) that he accompanied Othello when he was courting Desdemona.
50	Faith: In faith, indeed.
boarded: taken possession of.
carack: treasure ship.
51	made: financially secure.
53	Marry: Iago swears by the Virgin Mary (and perhaps puns on “marry” = wed).
54	Have with you: “I’ll go with you”.
55	for you: ready to fight with you.
60	Keep up: Put away# Othello silences the hostile Venetians with a few words of authority.
61	with years: because of your age.
63	stowed: hidden.
64	enchanted: bewitched.
65	refer me: appeal.
all things of sense: any common sense.
68	opposite: opposed.
69	curledarlings: attractive (with curled hair) favourites.
70	a general mock: everybody’s scorn.
71	guardage: guardianship.
73	Judge me the world: Let all the world judge for me.
gross in sense: quite obvious.
74	practised: performed.
75	minerals: i.e. poisonous substances.
76	motion: will-power.
disputed on: formally (legally) discussed.
77	probable: can be proved.
palpable to thinking: may very easily be thought.
78	apprehend: seize.
attach: arrest.
79	abuser: corrupter.
the world: i.e. Venetian society.
80	arts inhibited: forbidden arts — i.e. black magic.
out of warrant: unlawful.
82	at his peril: at whatever risk to Othello.
83	of my inclining: on my side.
84	cue . . . prompter: Othello uses the language of the theatre — without being in the least “theatrical”.
85	will you: do you wish?
87	course: procedure.
direct session: immediate trial.
91	present: urgent.
95	In: At.
Bring: Take.
96	idle: trivial.
97	brothers of the state: i.e. the nobility of Venice.
99	passage free: free pardon.
100	Bondslaves: We learn in the next scene that Othello had been a slave.