Act 1 Scene 3

The Duke and the Venetian senators are trying to assess the power of the Turkish fleet: reports are contradictory, and it is not even sure whether the ships are heading for Cyprus or for Rhodes. A message from the Governor of Cyprus settles the problems. But the meeting is interrupted by the angry Brabanzio, who accuses Othello of having seduced Desdemona and stolen her away from her father. The Moor defends himself with powerful dignity. The Duke is impressed, especially when Othello speaks of his courtship# after Desdemona has declared her love for Othello the Duke gives his blessing to the marriage, and speaks words of consolation to Brabanzio. He commissions Othello with the leadership of the Venetian force against the Turks, and Desdemona requests permission to accompany her husband to Cyprus. When the senators and the lovers have departed, Iago gives his own interpretation of the episode, urging Roderigo to make further efforts to win Desdemona. Finally Iago is alone on the stage, and he voices his plans for ruining the happiness of Othello and Desdemona.
1	composition: agreement# the inconsistency of the different reports is itself very worrying.
news: reports.
2	gives them credit: makes them credible.
disproportioned: inconsistent.
5	jump not: do not agree.
just account: precise reckoning.
6	the aim reports: the reckoning is given by guesswork.
8	bearing up: sailing towards.
9	possible enough to judgement: understandable.
10	secure me in the error: allow myself to feel safe because of the mistake (i.e. in giving the number of ships).
11	article: issue.
approve: accept.
12	in fearful sense: with a feeling of fear.
14	preparation: force.
makes for: is heading towards.
16	Signor Angelo: Presumably this is some naval commander# he is not mentioned again.
17	How say you: What do you think of.
change: i.e. of direction — the fleet was first said to be sailing towards Cyprus.
19	assay: test# the Senator’s language is formal and pompous.
pageant: show.
20	in false gaze: looking the wrong way.
21	importancy: importance.
20	Not only is Cyprus more important than Rhodes, but it is also easier for the Turks to capture it.
24	facile question: easy attack.
bear: capture.
25	For that: since.
brace: readiness.
26	abilities: equipment.
27	dressed in: ready with.
make thought: consider.
29	latest: last.
30	an . . . gain: to try something that will be easy and profitable.
31	wage: risk, gamble with.
32	No, we can be sure he’s not heading for Rhodes.
34	Ottomites: Turks (from the Ottoman Empire).
reverend and gracious: The Messenger addresses the Duke.
36	injointed: linked up.
after: following.
38	sail: ships.
restem: retrace.
39	with frank appearance: undisguised.
40	Signor Montano: The Governor of Cyprus.
41	servitor: servant.
42	with . . . thus: This is not just another spy’s report, but an official message — with words of formal greeting — from Montano.
44	Marcus Luccicos: Another unknown — probably military — character who is never heard of again.
49	general: public.
52	Good your grace: A formal address to the Duke.
53	place: i.e. as a senator.
55	Take hold on me: worry me.
particular: personal.
56	floodgate: When the flood-gates are opened, the torrent pours through them.
o’erbearing: overwhelming.
57	engluts: engulfs.
59	My daughter: Brabanzio’s distress breaks through the restraints of his formal speech.
61	of mountebanks: from quack doctors.
62	preposterously: unnaturally# Brabanzio emphasizes the strangeness of Desdemona’s behaviour, suggesting that she must be under the influence of drugs or witchcraft.
to err: to stray from itself.
63	deficient: morally defective.
lame of sense: lacking in intelligence.
64	Sans: Without.
66	beguiled . . . herself: cheated your daughter out of her senses.
67	The Duke seems to be promising that Brabanzio shall himself act as judge and pronounce the grim sentence written in the legal statutes.
69	proper: own.
70	Stood . . . action: Was named in your accusation.
72	mandate: order.
74	part: defence.
75	Brabanzio’s impatient interruption increases the tension before Othello can speak.
76	potent: mighty.
reverend: respected.
77	approved: esteemed.
masters: Othello pays great respect to the senators, acknowledging their power over him — he is their servant.
80	head and front: height and breadth (i.e. the full extent)# Othello uses military terms.
81	Rude: Plain# Othello’s language must be compared with the complicated phrasing of the First Senator’s speeches, or even those of Roderigo.
82	soft phrase of peace: elegant diction of civilians.
83	pith: strength.
84	moons: months.
wasted: past.
used: been accustomed to doing.
85	dearest action: most important work.
tented field: battlefield (where the armies pitched their tents).
87	broil: fighting.
90	round: plain.
unvarnished: without decoration.
92	conjuration: incantations.
93	charged withal: accused of.
95	motion: desire.
97	credit: reputation.
99, 100, 101	It is . . . nature: Only a warped imagination could believe that one so perfect [as Desdemona] could fall into such unnatural error.
101	must be driven: The subject of the verb is “one” (= any reasonable person).
102	find out: suggest.
103	vouch: assert.
105	dram . . . effect: magic potion concocted for this purpose.
106	wrought: worked a spell.
vouch: assert.
107	more wider: fuller.
overt test: obvious evidence.
108	these . . . likelihoods: rather poorly presented (thinly clad) guesswork.
109	Of modern seeming: About what appears quite ordinary.
prefer: object.
111	by indirect . . . forcecourses: by cunning and force.
112	Subdue: Seduce.
113	request: consent.
fair question: honest discussion.
117	foul: wicked, culpable.
122	as truly . . . blood: Othello confesses his sins to God — a regular part of Christian worship.
125	thrive: proceed.
131	ran it through: recounted it all.
even . . . boyish days: right from my childhood.
133	chances: happenings.
134	moving accidents: exciting adventures.
by flood and field: on sea and land.
135	hair-breadth scapes: narrow escapes.
i’th’imminent deadly breach: in that dangerous moment when a fortification is broken open.
137	redemption: rescue (by being ransomed).
138	portance: conduct.
139	antres: caves.
idle: barren.
141	process: narrative.
143	Anthropophagi: Man-eaters.
145	incline: bow her head, listening intently (“seriously”).
146	still: always.
house affairs: household chores.
147	As soon as she could get them done.
148	again: back.
150	pliant hour: favourable moment.
151	prayer of earnest heart: sincere request.
152	pilgrimage: travels.
dilate: recount in detail.
153	by parcels: in bits.
154	intentively: altogether, paying proper attention.
155	beguile her of her tears: steal tears from her, cause her to weep.
158	pains: troubles.
159	passing: very.
160	wondrous: exceedingly.
162	made her such a man: This could mean either “made her a man so that she could be like Othello”# or “made such a man for her husband”.
165	hint: opportunity.
166	passed: endured.
167	that: because.
169	witness: give evidence.
172	take . . . best: make the best of a bad job.
173	It is better to use a weapon which is broken than no weapon at all (i.e. “bare hands”).
175	half the wooer: i.e. shared the responsibility for her seduction.
176	bad blame: curse.
177	Light: Fall.
180	a divided duty: In another play, King Lear, Shakespeare shows a great interest in the triangular relationship of father — daughter — husband.
181	education: upbringing.
182	learn: instruct me.
184	hitherto: so far.
187	challenge: claim.
188	God b’wi’you: God be with you.
189	May it please your grace, let’s get on with affairs of state.
190	get: beget.
192	that: something (i.e. Desdemona).
193	but thou hast already: except that you have it already.
195	at soul: in my heart.
196	escape: elopement.
197	clogs: blocks of wood fastened to the legs of horses to prevent their escape.
198	like yourself: like your better self — the Duke appeals to Brabanzio’s reason and commonsense.
lay a sentence: speak some words of wisdom# the Duke proceeds to utter a series of banal commonplaces. The rhymes of the couplets, and their heavy rhythm, emphasize the trite words — and it is not surprising that Brabanzio finds no comfort in them.
199	grece: another word for “step”.
201 The troubles (“griefs”) are over when we know the cure (“remedies”) we hoped for until recently (“late”) is impossible, and the worst has happened.
203	mischief: problem.
204	next way: best way.
draw . . . on: cause more problems.
205	If you can’t keep something that pure chance takes from you, you can scoff at the loss (“injury”) by accepting it with patience.
207	A man who has been robbed and yet smiles, deprives the thief of something.
208	bootless: useless.
209	So: In that case# Brabanzio parodies the Duke’s words of wisdom.
beguile: cheat.
211 A man can suffer (bear) this moralizing (“sentence”) well when he has nothing except this easy advice to suffer.
214	pay grief: in order to endure his sorrow.
poor patience borrow: has to resort to mere patience.
215	to sugar . . . gall: whether sweet or bitter.
216	equivocal: of equal value.
218	piercethrough the ear: mended by talking.
219	proceed to: get on with.
220	After the rhymes, it is refreshing to find a speech in prose where the Duke adopts a more businesslike manner.
220	preparation: armed force.
220	makes for: is heading towards.
221	fortitude: strength.
222	substitute: deputy, i.e. Montano.
223	allowed sufficiency: recognized efficiency.
opinion: public opinion.
222	a more . . . effects: which makes the final decision in these matters.
223	throws . . . you: votes for you as the safer choice.
224	slubber: tarnish.
227	boisterous: violent.
expedition: assignment.
229	flinty and steel: rough and hard.
230	thrice-driven . . . down: like a bed of the finest down (made by three times fanning the feathers to get the very lightest down).
I do agnize: recognize in myself.
231	A natural . . . hardness: A natural inclination and readiness for hardship.
234	bending . . . state: bowing to your authority.
235	disposition: arrangements.
236	Due . . . place: treatment appropriate to her position.
exhibition: financial allowance.
237	besort: service.
238	levels: suits.
244	in his eye: in his sight.
245	unfolding: proposal.
lend . . . ear: listen favourably.
246	charter: permission.
247	simpleness: innocence.
249	downright violence: bold action.
250	trumpet: boldly declare.
subdued: obedient.
251	Even . . . lord: To whatever it is that Othello wants.
252	Othello’s . . . mind: Othello’s mind, not his face, is what mattered to Desdemona.
253	parts: qualities.
256	A moth: Moths, although pretty, are useless# they may even be destructive.
257	rites: i.e. the marriage rites — her sexual pleasure with her husband.
bereft me: taken away from me.
258	heavy interim: boring interval.
support: endure.
259	his dear absence: the absence of one who is dear.
260	voice: approval.
261	Vouch with me heaven: As heaven is my witness.
262	These lines have puzzled many commentators# I think Othello is requesting Desdemona’s company not because she is the particular object of his passion and would “please the palate of my desire”, and not because he needs a woman to satisfy (“comply with”) the natural desires (“heat”) of his body — which are not so urgent now that the passions (“affects”) of youth are dead (“defunct”)# nor even to give him the “proper satisfaction” that the wife should give to her husband. Rather he wants to enjoy her company — her “mind”.
266	that you think: if you think.
267	scant: neglect.
268	light-winged toys: trivialities.
269	feathered Cupid: The Roman god of love is depicted as a blindfolded, winged boy.
seel: close up.
wanton dullness: frivolous blindness.
270	speculative and officed instruments: his mind and eyes, which are intended to think (“speculative”), and have been given a job to do (“officed”).
271	disports: enjoyments.
taint: spoil.
272	skillet: saucepan.
helm: helmet.
273	indign: unworthy.
274	Make head against: Attack.
estimation: reputation.
275	privately determine: personally decide.
276	cries: demands.
281	commission: the official documents.
282	of quality and respect: which are important and relevant.
283	import: concern.
my ensign: Othello introduces Iago to the Duke.
285	conveyance: escort.
286	needful: necessary.
289	If . . . lack: If virtue in itself is beautiful.
delighted: charming.
294	My life . . . faith: Othello would stake his life on Desdemona’s faithfulness.
295	to thee: to your care.
296	prithee: pray you.
297	in the best advantage: at the most convenient time.
298	but: only.
299	worldly matter: business.
direction: instructions.
300	obey the time: do what the situation demands.
301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374	The formal dignity of the ducal court gives place to the colloquial cynicism of Iago’s conversation with Roderigo.
303	will: shall.
305	incontinently: immediately.
306	after: afterwards.
307	silly: simple-minded.
309	prescription: doctor’s order.
314	Ere: Before.
315	guinea-hen: woman# the term is abusive, and suggests that the woman can be bought# but it is not as strong as “prostitute”.
317	my shame . . . so fond: I am ashamed to be so foolish.
318	virtue: power.
319	Virtue: Iago uses the word with overtones of morality.
a fig: a contemptuous remark, usually accompanied with an obscene gesture.
322	set: plant.
323	gender: kind.
distract: vary.
324	sterile with idleness: barren because we are too lazy to look after them.
325	corrigible: correcting.
326	beam: balance# the image is of weighing-scales, in which two pans are suspended from a beam and balanced against each other.
327	scale: weighing-pan.
peise: counterpoise.
329	preposterous: unnatural.
330	motions: desires.
carnal stings: fleshly urges.
331	unbitted: unbridled.
332	sect or scion: cutting or graft.
334	permission of the will: i.e. Roderigo could control the lust of his blood, but his will gives consent to his desire.
336	blind puppies: unwanted puppies are drowned as soon as they are born, before their eyes have opened.
337	deserving: deserts.
338	perdurable: everlasting.
stead: help.
339	Follow . . . wars: Follow Othello to the war in Cyprus.
340	defeat . . . beard: Hide your face with a false beard (the implication is that Roderigo is not man enough to grow his own beard).
342	continue her love: go on loving.
345	answerable sequestration: corresponding separation.
put but money: just put money.
348	locusts: carobs (a sweet Mediterranean fruit).
349	coloquintida: the bitter-apple (colocynth), used as a purgative.
for youth: for a younger man.
352	damn thyself: i.e. by committing suicide, which is forbidden by God.
354	sanctimony: piety.
a frail vow: Iago is contemptuous of the marriage vows.
erring: pagan.
355	super-subtle: over-sophisticated.
356	the tribe of hell: the devils# Iago seems to place himself amongst the devils.
enjoy her: i.e. sexually.
357	A pox o’ drowning thyself: Iago is contemptuous.
358	clean out of the way: quite the wrong thing to do.
Seek: Prefer.
359	compassing: achieving.
361	fast: true.
365	hearted: sincere, heart-felt.
366	be conjunctive: join together.
369	delivered: brought to birth.
Traverse: About turn (a military term).
373	betimes: early.
375	Iago’s soliloquy, where he plans the next moves in his campaign against Othello, uses the intimacy of verse and contrasts with the looser prose of the preceding lines.
375	ever: always.
my fool my purse: make a profit out of a fool.
376	gained knowledge: experience.
profane: abuse.
377	expend: waste.
snipe: a marsh-bird, with a long beak.
378	But: Only.
379	abroad: generally.
’twixt my sheets: in my bed.
380	my office: what I ought to do (i.e. he has slept with Iago’s wife).
381	for mere . . . kind: just because I suspect that sort of thing.
382	do . . . surety: act as though I were certain.
holds me well: thinks highly of me.
383	purpose: plan.
384	proper: handsome.
Let me see now: We can see Iago’s mind working.
385	place: job.
plume up my will: give myself a bit of fun.
386	double knavery: i.e. tricking both Othello and Cassio.
387	to abuse Othello’s ear: to deceive Othello by telling him.
388	he: i.e. Cassio.
389	person: agreeable appearance.
smooth dispose: charming manner.
390	To be suspected: To arouse suspicion.
framed: designed.
391	free and open: honest and trusting.
393	tenderly: easily.
led by th’nose: fooled.
394	asses: The donkey’s nose is sensitive, and only a slight pressure is needed to make the animal follow.
395	ingendered: conceived.