Othello: Act 2, Scene 1
Enter MONTANO and two
GENTLEMEN.
MONTANO
1
What from the cape can you discern at sea?
First Gentleman
2
Nothing at all: it is a highwrought flood;
3
I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,
3. main: open sea.
4
Descry a sail.
4. Descry: catch sight of.
MONTANO
5
Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;
6
A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:
7
If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,
7. ruffian'd: raged.
8
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
8. ribs of oak: i.e., ship. mountains: huge waves.
9
Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?
9. hold the mortise: hold their joints together. . . . more What shall we hear of this?: i.e., What is going to happen because of this storm?
Second Gentleman
10
A segregation of the Turkish fleet:
10. segregation of the Turkish fleet: i.e., the Turkish fleet will be broken up and scattered.
11
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
12
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;
13
The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous main,
14
seems to cast water on the burning bear,
14. burning bear: i.e., the starry bear; the constellation Ursa Major.
15
And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:
15. guards: the two stars Dubhe and Merak. . . . more
16
I never did like molestation view
16. like molestation: comparable uproar.
17
On the enchafed flood.
17. enchafed: angry.
MONTANO
If that the Turkish fleet
18
Be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd:
19
It is impossible they bear it out.
Enter a [third] GENTLEMAN.
Third Gentleman
20
News, lads! our wars are done.
21
The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks,
22
That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice
22. designment: plan. halts: is crippled.
23
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance
23. sufferance: disaster, damage.
24
On most part of their fleet.
MONTANO
25
How! is this true?
Third Gentleman
The ship is here put in,
26
A Veronesa; Michael Cassio,
26. Veronesa: a type of ship associated with Verona.
27
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
28
Is come on shore: the Moor himself at sea,
29
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
28. is in full commission here for Cyprus: i.e., has full authority from the Venetian Senate to govern Cyprus.
MONTANO
30
I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.
Third Gentleman
31
But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
32
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,
33
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted
34
With foul and violent tempest.
MONTANO
Pray heavens he be;
35
For I have served him, and the man commands
36
Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!
36. full: perfect.
37
As well to see the vessel that's come in
38
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
39
Even till we make the main and the aerial blue
40
An indistinct regard.
40. An indistinct regard: indistinguishable to the sight.
Third Gentleman
Come, let's do so:
41
For every minute is expectancy
42
Of more arrivance.
41-42. every minute is expectancy / Of more arrivance: i.e., every minute we expect another arrival of a ship.
Enter CASSIO.
CASSIO
43
Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,
44
That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
44. approve: commend, admire.
45
Give him defence against the elements,
46
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.
MONTANO
47
Is he well shipp'd?
CASSIO
48
His bark is stoutly timber'd, his pilot
49
Of very expert and approved allowance;
49. Of very expert and approved allowance: i.e., of acknowledged and proved skill.
50
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
51
Stand in bold cure.
50-51. my hopes, not surfeited to death, / Stand in bold cure: my hopes, not fatally over-fed, are very healthy.
[A cry] within, "A sail, a sail, a sail!"
[Enter a fourth Gentleman.]
CASSIO
52
What noise?
Fourth Gentleman
53
The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea
54
Stand ranks of people, and they cry "A sail!"
CASSIO
55
My hopes do shape him for the governor.
55. My hopes do shape him for the governor: i.e., My hopes make me think I see the new governor (Othello) coming.
[Guns heard.]
Second Gentlemen
56
They do discharge their shot of courtesy:
57
Our friends at least.
CASSIO
I pray you, sir, go forth,
58
And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.
Second Gentleman
59
I shall.
Exit.
MONTANO
60
But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?
CASSIO
61
Most fortunately: he hath achieved a maid
62
That paragons description and wild fame;
62. paragons . . . fame: surpasses whatever praise is uttered of her.
63
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
63. quirks: poetic flourishes. blazoning pens: i.e., writers who list her beauties.
64
And in the essential vesture of creation
65
Does tire the ingener.
64-65. in the essential . . . ingener: i.e., just the fact that she lives in her natural beauty defeats all attempts of the inventive poet to praise her adequately.
Enter [second] GENTLEMAN.
65. put in: come into the harbor.
How now! who has put in?
Second Gentleman
66
'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
CASSIO
67
H'as had most favorable and happy speed:
67. favorable and happy speed: excellent good fortune.
68
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
69
The gutter'd rocks and congregated sands
69. gutter'd: jagged. congregated sands: sand bars.
70
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,
70. ensteep'd: submerged. clog: encumber, obstruct.
71
As having sense of beauty, do omit
72
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
71-72. do omit / Their mortal natures: do not act in accordance with their deadly natures.
73
The divine Desdemona.
MONTANO
What is she?
CASSIO
74
She that I spake of, our great captain's captain,
75
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,
76
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
76. footing: landing, arrival. anticipates our thoughts: runs ahead of our expectations.
77
A se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,
77. se'nnight's: week's.
78
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
79
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
80
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
81
Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits
82
And bring all Cyprus comfort!
Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO,
RODERIGO, and EMILIA.
O, behold,
83
The riches of the ship is come on shore!
84
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
85
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,
86
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
87
Enwheel thee round!
DESDEMONA
I thank you, valiant Cassio.
88
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
88. my lord: my husband (Othello).
CASSIO
89
He is not yet arrived: nor know I aught
90
But that he's well and will be shortly here.
DESDEMONA
91
O, but I fearHow lost you company?
91. How lost you company?: how did you lose contact with Othello's ship?
CASSIO
92
The great contention of the sea and skies
93
Parted our fellowship.
For Nebraska Shakespeare's
production of Othello
(Shakespeare On Tour 2019)
Cassio was portrayed by Sam Cheeseman.
Within "A sail, a sail!"
93
But, hark! a sail.
Second Gentleman
94
They give their greeting to the citadel;
95
This likewise is a friend.
CASSIO
95
See for the news.
[Exit Second Gentleman.]
96
Good ancient, you are welcome.
[To Emilia.]
96
Welcome, mistress.
97
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
98
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
98. extend: show.
99
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.
98-99. 'tis . . . courtesy: i.e., the way I was brought up makes me believe that kissing your wife is the courteous thing to do.
[Kissing her.]
IAGO
100
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
101
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
102
You would have enough.
DESDEMONA
Alas, she has no speech.
IAGO
103
In faith, too much;
104
I find it still, when I have list to sleep:
104. list: inclination.
105
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
105. before your ladyship: in your ladyship's presence.
106
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
106. She . . . heart: i.e., she doesn't say as much as she usually does.
107
And chides with thinking.
107. chides with thinking: i.e., scolds with thoughts.
EMILIA
108
You have little cause to say so.
IAGO
109
Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,
109. pictures out of doors: picture-perfect in public.
110
Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens,
110. Bells: belles, gracious ladies.
111
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
111. Saints in your injuries: [hypocritically] saintly when you injure others.
112
Players in your huswifery, and huswives in your beds.
112. Players: actors, fakers. huswifery: housekeeping. huswives: hussies. A moment later Iago sums up his opinion about the way housewives earn their living: "You rise to play and go to bed to work"; in other words, housewives are actually hussies. Of course, he says it with a smile and makes everyone laugh.
DESDEMONA
113
O, fie upon thee, slanderer!
IAGO
114
Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk:
115
You rise to play and go to bed to work.
Mark Rylance as Iago
Shakespeare's Globe, 2018
EMILIA
116
You shall not write my praise.
IAGO
No, let me not.
DESDEMONA
117
What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst
praise me?
IAGO
118
O gentle lady, do not put me to't;
119
For I am nothing, if not critical.
DESDEMONA
120
Come on, assay. There's one gone to the harbor?
120. assay: try.
IAGO
121
Ay, madam.
DESDEMONA
122
I am not merry; but I do beguile
123
The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.
123. The thing I am: i.e., my anxious self. Remember that she still doesn't know where Othello's ship is.
124
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
IAGO
125
I am about it; but indeed my invention
126
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze;
126. birdlime: sticky substance used to catch small birds. frieze: coarse woolen cloth
127
It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labors,
128
And thus she is deliver'd.
129
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
130
The one's for use, the other useth it.
130. The one's for use, the other useth it: i.e., her cleverness will make use of her beauty.
DESDEMONA
131
Well praised! How if she be black and witty?
131. black: dark complexioned, unattractive.
IAGO
132
If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
133
She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
133. a white: a fair, attractive person. Iago could also be punning on "wight," which means "person."
DESDEMONA
134
Worse and worse.
EMILIA
135
How if fair and foolish?
IAGO
136
She never yet was foolish that was fair;
137
For even her folly help'd her to an heir.
137. folly: 1) foolishness; 2) "wantonness" or "lechery." to an heir: i.e., to bear a child.
DESDEMONA
138
These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i'
138. fond: foolish.
139
the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for
140
her that's foul and foolish?
140. foul: ugly.
IAGO
141
There's none so foul and foolish thereunto,
142
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
DESDEMONA
143
O heavy ignorance! thou praisest the worst
144
best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a
145
deserving woman indeed,one that, in the authority
145-146. in the authority of: by virtue of. put on the vouch of: compel favorable testimony from.
146
of her merit, did justly put on the vouch of very
147
malice itself?
IAGO
148
She that was ever fair and never proud,
149
Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,
150
Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay,
150. gay: extravagantly dressed.
151
Fled from her wish and yet said "Now I may,"
151. Fled from her wish and yet said "Now I may": i.e., knew when to exercise restraint and when to let loose.
152
She that being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,
153
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,
153. Bade her wrong stay: Commanded her justified anger to stop short.
154
She that in wisdom never was so frail
155
To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;
155. change the cod's head for the salmon's tail: Obscure. Perhaps "give up something common but valuable in exchange for something showy but worthless."
156
She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,
157
See suitors following and not look behind,
158
She was a wight, if ever such wight were,
DESDEMONA
159
To do what?
IAGO
160
To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.
160. suckle fools and chronicle small beer: nurse babies and keep petty household accounts.
DESDEMONA
161
O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn
162
of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say
163
you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal
163. liberal: licentious, free-spoken.
164
counsellor?
CASSIO
165
He speaks home, madam: You may relish him more
165. home: bluntly.
166
in the soldier than in the scholar.
166. in: in the character of.
IAGO [Aside.]
167
He takes her by the palm: ay, well said,
168
whisper: with as little a web as this will I
169
ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon
170
her, do; I will gyve thee in thine own courtship.
170. gyve: entangle, shackle. courtship: courtesy, display of courtly manners.
171
You say true; 'tis so, indeed: if such tricks as
172
these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had
173
been better you had not kissed your three fingers so
174
oft, which now again you are most apt to play the
174. sir: fine gentleman, gallant.
175
sir in. Very good; well kissed! an excellent
176
courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers
176. courtesy: bow? air kiss?
177
to your lips? would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!
177. clyster-pipes: enema tubes.
[Trumpet within.]
178
The Moor! I know his trumpet.
CASSIO
179
'Tis truly so.
DESDEMONA
180
Let's meet him and receive him.
CASSIO
181
Lo, where he comes!
Enter OTHELLO and Attendants.
OTHELLO
182
O my fair warrior!
DESDEMONA
My dear Othello!
OTHELLO
183
It gives me wonder great as my content
184
To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!
185
If after every tempest come such calms,
186
May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!
187
And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas
188
Olympus-high and duck again as low
189
As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,
190
'Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear,
191
My soul hath her content so absolute
192
That not another comfort like to this
193
Succeeds in unknown fate.
193. Succeeds in unknown fate: i.e., can follow in the unknown future.
DESDEMONA
The heavens forbid
194
But that our loves and comforts should increase,
195
Even as our days do grow!
Eamonn Walker as Othello and Zoe Tapper as Desdemona
Shakespeare's Globe, London, 2007
OTHELLO
Amen to that, sweet powers!
196
I cannot speak enough of this content;
197
It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
198
And this, and this, the greatest discords be
[They kiss.]
199
That e'er our hearts shall make!
IAGO [Aside.]
199
O, you are well tuned now!
200
But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,
200. set down the pegs: i.e., untune the instrument (and so produce discords).
201
As honest as I am.
OTHELLO
Come, let us to the castle.
202
News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd.
203
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?
204
Honey, you shall be well desir'd in Cyprus;
204. desir'd: welcomed, loved.
205
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
206
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
206. out of fashion: irrelevantly or unconventionally.
207
In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,
208
Go to the bay and disembark my coffers:
208. coffers: official baggage.
209
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
209. master: ship's captain.
210
He is a good one, and his worthiness
211
Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,
211. challenge: claim, deserve.
212
Once more, well met at Cyprus.
Exeunt Othello and Desdemona [with all but
Iago and Roderigo].
IAGO [To an attendant.]
213
Do thou meet me presently at the harbour.
[To Roderigo.]
214
Come hither. If thou be'st valiant, as, they say, base
214-215. base men: men of low birth.
215
men being in love have then a nobility in their
216
natures more than is native to themlist me. The
216. native: natural. list me: listen to me.
217
lieutenant tonight watches on the court of
218
guard. First, I must tell thee thisDesdemona is
217-218. watches on the court of guard: has charge of the soldiers on night watch.
219
directly in love with him.
RODERIGO
220
With him! why, 'tis not possible.
IAGO
221
Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.
221. thus: i.e., on your lips.
222
Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor,
223
but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies: To
224
love him still for pratinglet not thy discreet heart
224. still: always.
225
think it. Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall
226
she have to look on the devil? When the blood is
226. the devil: In Shakespeare's time, devils are always black and grotesque. . . . more
227
made dull with the act of sport, there should be, again
228
to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite,
229
loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, manners and
229. favor: face, appearance. sympathy: similarity.
230
beauties; all which the Moor is defective in: now, for
231
want of these required conveniences, her delicate
231. conveniences: compatibilities.
232
tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the
233
gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will
232-233. heave the gorge: vomit.
234
instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice.
234. instruct . . . choice: i.e. teach her a lesson and make take make her choose a different man for her lover.
235
Now, sir, this granted,as it is a most pregnant and
235. pregnant: evident, readily believable, obvious.
236
unforced positionwho stands so eminent in the degree
237
of this fortune as Cassio does? a knave very voluble;
238. conscionable: bound by considerations of conscience.
238
no further conscionable than in putting on the mere
239
form of civil and humane seeming, for the better
239. civil and humane: polite and courteous.
240
compassing of his salt and most hidden loose affection?
240. salt: licentious, lewd. affection: passion.
241
why, none; why, none: a slipper and subtle knave, a
241. slipper: slippery.
242
finder of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and
242. stamp: coin, manufacture.
243
counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never
243. counterfeit advantages: counterfeit opportunities.
244
present itself; a devilish knave. Besides, the knave
245
is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in
246
him that folly and green minds look after: a pestilent
246. folly: wantonness. green: youthful, lusty.
247
complete knave; and the woman hath found him
247. found him: sized him up.
248
already.
RODERIGO
249
I cannot believe that in her; she's full of
250
most blessed condition.
250. condition: disposition. character.
IAGO
251
Blessed fig's-end! the wine she drinks is made of
252
grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never
253
have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou
254
not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst
255
not mark that?
RODERIGO
256
Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.
IAGO
257
Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue
257. index: table of contents at the beginning of a book.
258
to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met
259
so near with their lips that their breaths embraced
260
together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo! when these
261
mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes
261. mutualities: exchanges, intimacies. hard at hand: very soon after.
262
the master and main exercise, the incorporate
262. incorporate: carnal.
263
conclusion, Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me: I
264. Watch you: serve as a member of the watch.
264
have brought you from Venice. Watch you tonight;
265. lay't upon you: arrange for your orders.
265
for the command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows
266
you not. I'll not be far from you: do you find
267
some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking
268
too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what
268. tainting: disparaging, discrediting. his discipline: his conduct as an officer.
269
other course you please, which the time shall more
270
favorably minister.
RODERIGO
271
Well.
IAGO
272
Sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply
272. rash: impetuous. choler: anger. haply: perchance.
273
may strike at you: provoke him, that he may; for
274
even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to
275
mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true
275. mutiny: riot.hello
276
taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So
275-276. whose . . Cassio: i.e., only the firing of Cassio will calm the riot and restore normalcy.
277
shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by
278
the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the
278. prefer them: i.e., give your desires advantages.
279
impediment most profitably removed, without the
280
which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
RODERIGO
281
I will do this, if I can bring it to any
282
opportunity.
IAGO
283. I warrant thee: I guarantee you'll have opportunity. by and by: immediately.
283
I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel:
284
I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
RODERIGO
285
Adieu.
Exit.
IAGO
286
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;
287
That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit.
287. apt and of great credit: likely and credible.
288
The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
289
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,
290
And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
291
A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too;
292
Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure
293
I stand accountant for as great a sin,
293. accountant: accountable.
294
But partly led to diet my revenge,
294. diet: feed.
295
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
296
Hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof
297
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
298
And nothing can or shall content my soul
299
Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife,
300
Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor
301
At least into a jealousy so strong
302
That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,
303
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace
303. trace: put in harness; i.e., use for my own purposes.
304
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
304. stand . . . on: be effective when the moment comes.
305
I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
305. on the hip: in a position where I can throw him (wrestling term).
306
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb
306. rank garb: coarse fashion.
307
For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too
307. with my night-cap: i.e., as a sexual rival. Iago apparently believes that his wife might be having affairs with both Othello and Cassio.
308
Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me.
309
For making him egregiously an ass
310
And practising upon his peace and quiet
311
Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:
312
Knavery's plain face is never seen till used.
Exit.