Act 2 Scene 1

In Cyprus, Montano and two gentlemen are waiting for the arrival of Othello. There has been a dreadful storm at sea; many of the ships belonging to the Turkish enemy fleet have been wrecked, but Cassio’s ship has landed safely. Cassio has no sooner given the news of Othello’s marriage when Desdemona, accompanied by Iago and his wife, also arrives in Cyprus. There is a period of tension until Othello’s ship comes to land; Desdemona tries not to show her anxiety, joking with Iago to distract her mind. Eventually, however, the Moor and his wife are re-united, and Othello describes his great joy. The scene ends as Iago gives further instructions to Roderigo, and at last confides his plans for the audience to hear — although the details are still unclear.
2	high-wrought flood: tempestuous sea.
4	Descry: Detect.
5	Methinks: It seems to me.
6	fuller: more violent.
7	ruffianed: raged.
8	ribs of oak: wooden sides of a ship.
mountains melt: mountainous waves cascade.
9	hold the mortise: hold together. A “mortise” is a socket or joint.
What . . . this: What will come of this?
10	segregation: scattering.
12	chidden billow: waves which have been thrown back by the land.
pelt: throw water on.
13	wind-shaked surge: wind-blown sea.
mane: comparing the sea to a wild horse.
14	burning Bear: the constellation known as the Little Bear, two of whose brightest stars are called the “Guardians” or guards.
15	Pole: The pole star, much used in navigation.
16	like molestation: such disturbance.
17	enchaf;aged flood: angry sea.
If that: If.
18	ensheltered and embayed: sheltered in a bay.
19	bear it out: ride out the storm.
21	banged: beaten.
22	designment halts: their plans have been stopped.
23	wrack: shipwreck.
sufferance: damage.
24	On: Of.
26	put in: anchored.
29	at sea: is on the seas (i.e. on his way to Cyprus).
30	in full commission: in complete charge.
31	a worthy governor: this is high praise for Othello, since it comes from the man whose position he is taking.
33	Touching: With regard to.
sadly: worried.
36	served him: served under him.
37	full: excellent.
39	throw out our eyes: look out.
40	Even . . . regard: Until the sea and blue of the sky become indistinct to us.
43	arrivance: arrivals.
45	so approve: speak so well.
48	Is . . . shipped: Does he have a good ship?
49	barque: vessel.
stoutly timbered: well built (of wood).
50	approved allowance: tested experience.
51	Therefore . . . cure: Cassio seems to be saying that he has never worried too much about Othello’s safety, and he is now hopeful that all will be well.
52sd	within: offstage.
54	brow: edge.
55	ranks: crowds.
56	I hope it is the governor.
57	discharge . . . courtesy: fire a friendly shot.
59	give us truth: find out for certain.
61	wived: married.
62	fortunately: happily.
achieved: won.
63	paragons: beats.
fame: rumour.
64	quirks: fantasies.
blazoning: describing; the word is particularly used in heraldry.
65	essential . . . creation: in the perfect beauty of her created being.
66	tire the engineer: exhaust the designer (he has used up all his skill in perfecting Desdemona).
70	guttered: splintered.
congregated sands: sands heaped together (i.e. sandbanks).
71	ensteeped: submerged.
guiltless: unwary.
keel: ship.
72	As having: As though they had.
sense: appreciation.
omit: forget.
73	mortal: deadly.
74	divine Desdemona: This speech, building to a climax on the last line here, introduces Desdemona to Cyprus, heralding her arrival with a fanfare of verse just as the trumpet (at line 180) gives notice of Othello’s arrival.
77	footing: landing.
anticipates our thoughts: is sooner than we had expected.
78	A sennight’s speed: A week (seven nights) early; Desdemona was to have been brought to Cyprus after Othello sailed from Venice.
Jove: king of the gods of Roman mythology.
80	bless . . . ship: the arrival of Othello would confer a blessing on the harbour.
tall: handsome; Othello is sailing in the biggest of the three ships.
82	extincted: extinguished.
84	riches: i.e. Desdemona.
85	have your knees: bow to her — but there is the suggestion also of kneeling in prayer to the “divine Desdemona”.
88	Enwheel: Encircle.
89	tidings: news.
90	aught: anything.
93	contention: battle.
96	hark: Cassio calls attention to the shout “within”.
97	their greeting: the shots are being fired as a salvo, or friendly salute to the island (represented by its “citadel”).
98	likewise: the salute is friendly, so the ship must also be a friend.
See for the news: Go to see what has happened.
100	gall: annoy.
101	extend my manners: show my respects (to Emilia).
’Tis my breeding: I was brought up this way.
103	so much . . . me: if she gave you her lips (in kissing) as much as she lets me hear her tongue (in talking).
106	has no speech: does not talk much.
108	still: always.
109	before your ladyship: in your ladyship’s presence.
grant: admit.
110	She keeps her tongue to herself for a time, and only nags in her thoughts.
112	The quick drop into prose assures a relief of the audience’s tension as it waits for Othello.
112	pictures: i.e. silent, unspeaking images.
out of door: in public.
113	Bells: i.e. noisy, tongued instruments.
parlours: at home.
114	Saints in your injuries: sanctimonious when giving offence.
being offended: when you are offended.
115	Players: actors, deceivers.
housewifery: housekeeping.
116	fie upon thee: shame on you.
118	rise to play: i.e. at being good housekeepers.
to work: i.e. as prostitutes.
121	put me to’t: give me the task.
123	essay: make an attempt.
one: someone; Desdemona’s thoughts are not with Iago’s foolery.
125	beguile: disguise.
126	The thing I am: i.e. worried.
129	pate: head.
as . . . frieze: i.e. a slow, sticky, process; lime was used to trap birds, and if it got on to fabric (“frieze” = a coarse woollen cloth) it was difficult to pull it off.
130	my muse: inspiration; the classical Muses were the goddesses responsible for artistic creation.
labours: is struggling with it.
131	is delivered: has given birth.
134	black: brunette (as opposed to “fair” = blonde).
witty: clever.
136	white: Iago has a pun on “wight” (= man).
139	folly: wantonness.
144	thereunto: as well.
148	authority of her merit: whose virtue deserves so much.
149	put on the vouch: compel the approval.
151	The couplets emphasize the triviality of Iago’s thoughts.
151	ever: always.
fair: both “beautiful” and “virtuous”.
152	Had tongue at will: Could speak easily.
153	gay: garish.
154	Did not do as she wished, and yet knew she had power.
155	her . . . nigh: when revenge was possible.
156	Accepted the injury and refused to be angry.
157	frail: Shakespeare uses this word frequently to refer to woman’s sexual weakness; its presence suggests that “the cod’s head” and “the salmon’s tail” are intended with sexual overtones.
158	cod: a sea-fish; also a slang word for “penis”.
salmon’s tail: a fish found in some British rivers; “tail” is also a term for the sexual organs.
161	wight: person.
163	chronicle small beer: keep the household accounts.
164	impotent: feeble.
167	liberal: licentious.
168	home: plainly.
relish: appreciate.
170	takes her by the palm: holds her hand.
well said: well done.
171	web: spider’s web.
173	gyve: fetter.
courtship: courtly behaviour.
174	strip you out of: lose your job for you.
175	kissed . . . fingers: an Italian courtly gesture.
177	apt: ready.
play the sir in: act the courtly gentleman.
179	Would: I wish.
clyster-pipes: tubes for injecting an enema.
181	his trumpet: each commander had his own trumpet-call; Iago recognizes Othello’s signal.
183	The greetings of Othello and Desdemona initiate one of the great moments in the play; for a few lines all the other characters, and the business of war, are forgotten as the two lovers share in the bliss of their reunion.
188	labouring barque: struggling ship.
189	Olympus-high: As high as Mount Olympus, home of the gods in classical mythology.
duck: dive down.
190	it were now to die: I were to die now.
192	content: happiness.
absolute: perfect.
194	Succeeds: Follows.
unknown fate: the life to come.
196	as . . . grow: as long as our lives last.
Amen: Othello responds to Desdemona’s prayer.
198	stops me here: chokes me.
199	this: i.e. the kiss.
be: may be.
200	Iago picks up and continues Othello’s musical imagery.
201	set down the pegs: loosen the screws (thereby slackening the strings of a musical instrument like the lute).
204	my old acquaintance: the people I used to know; after the intense moment of joy, Othello turns to the everyday world of common good manners, recognizing the existence of other people again.
205	Honey: A term of affection for Desdemona.
well desired: well received.
207	I prattle . . . fashion: I shouldn’t be talking like this.
207	I dote . . . comforts: Othello has so much good news to impart that he cannot speak sensibly.
209	disembark my coffers: unload my luggage.
210	master: i.e. of the ship.
212	challenge: demand.
215	presently: immediately.
217	is native to them: they are born with.
218	list: listen.
watches: keeps the night watch.
219	court of guard: guard-room.
220	directly: definitely.
222	Lay . . . thus: Put your finger on your lips: i.e. keep quiet.
thy soul: yourself.
223	Mark me: Remember.
224	but: only.
224	love him still: continue to love him.
225	prating: boasting.
discreet heart: commonsense.
226	fed: satisfied.
227	the devil: Othello’s blackness identifies him (for Iago) as the devil.
the blood: passion.
228	act of sport: sexual intercourse.
228	to inflame it: to arouse desire.
229	give . . . appetite: further stimulation to desire that is already satisfied.
230	favour: appearance.
sympathy in years: agreement in age.
manners: culture.
232	required conveniences: necessary qualifications.
233	heave the gorge: feel sick.
disrelish: lose her taste for.
234	Very nature: Her own nature.
236	pregnant . . . position: obvious and natural assumption.
237	who stands . . . fortune: who is so well placed to be next to receive this fortune.
238	voluble: smooth-tongued.
239	no further conscionable: with no more conscience.
239	mere form . . . seeming: only the outward appearance of good manners and sensitivity.
240	compass of: achievment of.
241	salt: lecherous.
loose affection: immoral desires.
242	slipper: slippery.
242	finder out of occasions: one who will take every opportunity.
243	stamp and counterfeit advantages: forge false advantage (as though he were forging coins).
247	green: young, unripe.
look after: want.
248	found: recognized his nature and intentions.
250	blessed condition: innocence.
251	fig’s end: rubbish; the exclamation would be accompanied with an obscene gesture.
251	The wine . . . grapes: i.e. she’s only human.
253	pudding: nonsense.
254	paddle with: caress.
257	index . . . prologue: like the index to a book, it shows what is to come, but the introduction to the book cannot immediately be understood.
259	near: close.
261	mutualities: intimacies.
marshal: lead.
hard at hand: close behind.
262	incorporate: bodily.
263	be . . . me: do as I shall tell you.
264	Watch: Keep guard (as Cassio will be doing).
264	For . . . you: I’ll give you your instructions.
267	tainting: questioning.
269	minister: provide.
271	sudden: quick to act.
in choler: when he’s angry.
haply: perhaps.
272	even out of that: for that reason.
274	qualification: pacifying.
275	displanting: dismissal.
277	prefer: promote.
278	profitably: usefully.
279	prosperity: success.
282	warrant: promise.
by and by: shortly.
283	his necessaries: Othello’s luggage.
285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311	Iago’s soliloquy, as usual, is in verse; he is thinking aloud, and the audience is able to over-hear his thoughts.
286	apt and of great credit: likely, and could well be believed.
287	howbe’t: although; even Iago must confess Othello’s nobility.
290	dear: not only “loving” and “beloved”, but also “costly”.
291	Not . . . lust: not simply for lust.
peradventure: perhaps.
292	accountant: accountable.
293	diet: feed.
294	lusty: lustful.
295	leaped into my seat: i.e. made love to Emilia.
296	inwards: guts.
298	evened: get even.
302	trash: rubbish.
303	stand . . . on: will do what I want.
304	on the hip: at my mercy; the hip, or haunch, of the deer is the part usually grabbed by the hunting hounds.
305	Abuse: Slander.
the rank garb: a foul manner — by accusing him of adultery.
306	with my nightcap: i.e. in bed with Emilia.
308	egregiously: extraordinarily.
309	practising upon: plotting against.
310	Even to madness: To drive him mad.
’Tis here: i.e. the plot is in Iago’s mind already.