William Shakespeare - The Complete Works/William Shakespeare - The Complete Works on CD-ROM.iso/library/line/oth/oth3.txt

Text File | 1994-05-22 | 16.7 KB | 512 lines

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 ù the fleet was first said
to be sailing towards Cyprus.
19    assay: test; the SenatorÆs 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 heÆs 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
spyÆs report, but an official message ù with words
of formal greeting ù from Montano.
44    Marcus Luccicos: Another unknown ù
probably military ù 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.
oÆerbearing: overwhelming.
57    engluts: engulfs.
59    My daughter: BrabanzioÆs distress breaks
through the restraints of his formal speech.
61    of mountebanks: from quack doctors.
62    preposterously: unnaturally; Brabanzio
emphasizes the strangeness of DesdemonaÆs
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    BrabanzioÆs 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 ù he is their
servant.
80    head and front: height and breadth (i.e.
the full extent); Othello uses military terms.
81    Rude: Plain; OthelloÆs language must be
compared with the complicated phrasing of the
First SenatorÆs 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
ôoneö (= 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 ù 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.
iÆthÆimminent 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
(ôseriouslyö).
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 ômade her a man so that she could be like
Othelloö; or ômade such a man for her husbandö.
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. ôbare handsö).
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 ù daughter ù
husband.
181    education: upbringing.
182    learn: instruct me.
184    hitherto: so far.
187    challenge: claim.
188    God bÆwiÆyou: God be with you.
189    May it please your grace, letÆs 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 ù the
Duke appeals to BrabanzioÆs 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 ù
and it is not surprising that Brabanzio finds no
comfort in them.
199    grece: another word for ôstepö.
201 The troubles (ôgriefsö) are over when we
know the cure (ôremediesö) we hoped for until
recently (ôlateö) is impossible, and the worst has
happened.
203    mischief: problem.
204    next way: best way.
draw . . . on: cause more problems.
205    If you canÆt keep something that pure
chance takes from you, you can scoff at the loss
(ôinjuryö) 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
DukeÆs words of wisdom.
beguile: cheat.
211 A man can suffer (bear) this moralizing
(ôsentenceö) 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    pierce through 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    OthelloÆs . . . mind: OthelloÆs 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 ù 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
DesdemonaÆs company not because she is the
particular object of his passion and would ôplease
the palate of my desireö, and not because he needs
a woman to satisfy (ôcomply withö) the natural
desires (ôheatö) of his body ù which are not so
urgent now that the passions (ôaffectsö) of youth
are dead (ôdefunctö); nor even to give him the
ôproper satisfactionö that the wife should give to
her husband. Rather he wants to enjoy her
company ù her ômindö.
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
(ôspeculativeö), and have been given a job to do
(ôofficedö).
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 DesdemonaÆs 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 - 374    The formal dignity of the ducal court
gives place to the colloquial cynicism of IagoÆs
conversation with Roderigo.
303    will: shall.
305    incontinently: immediately.
306    after: afterwards.
307    silly: simple-minded.
309    prescription: doctorÆs 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 ôprostituteö.
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 oÆ 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    IagoÆs 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.
Ætwixt my sheets: in my bed.
380    my office: what I ought to do (i.e. he has
slept with IagoÆs 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 IagoÆs 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 OthelloÆs 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 thÆnose: fooled.
394    asses: The donkeyÆs nose is sensitive, and
only a slight pressure is needed to make the animal
follow.
395    ingendered: conceived.