Othello
Page 7
I.2 The street in front of the Sagittary 2 very stuff the essence 5 yerked
struck or (as with a horse) kicked under the ribs 6 prated babbled 10 did
full hard forbear i.e., barely tolerated 11 fast securely 12 magnifico aristocrat (i.e., Brabantio) 13-14 a voice . . . duke's i.e., an influence twice as
great as the duke's 17 give him cable i.e., allow him freedom 18 signory
Venetian political establishment
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know -
Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
I shall promulgate - I fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege, and my demerits
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
As this that I have reached. For know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea's worth. But look, what lights come yond?
Enter Cassio [and Officers] with Torches.
IAGO
Those are the raised father and his friends.
You were best go in.
OTHELLO Not I; I must be found.
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
IAGO
By Janus, I think no.
OTHELLO
The servants of the duke? And my lieutenant?
The goodness of the night upon you, friends!
What is the news?
CASSIO The duke does greet you, general,
And he requires your haste-posthaste appearance
Even on the instant.
OTHELLO What is the matter, think you?
CASSIO
Something from Cyprus, as I may divine. 19 yet to know still not generally known 21 promulgate broadcast, make known 22 siege seat (i.e., rank or status); demerits merits, deserts (obsolete form) 23-24 May speak . . . have reached i.e., can without boasting claim worldly success equal to that of Desdemona's family (this that I have reached) 26-27 my unhoused . . . and confine i.e., trade the outdoors for domesticity, my independence for limits 29 raised roused, alarmed 31 parts abilities; perfect soul clear conscience 32 manifest me i.e., make my case 33 Janus the two-faced Roman god 39 as I may divine i.e., I suppose
It is a business of some heat. The galleys
Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
This very night at one another's heels,
And many of the consuls, raised and met,
Are at the duke's already. You have been hotly called for;
When being not at your lodging to be found,
The Senate hath sent about three several quests
To search you out.
OTHELLO 'Tis well I am found by you.
I will but spend a word here in the house,
And go with you. [Exit.]
CASSIO Ancient, what makes he here?
IAGO
Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack.
If it prove lawful prize, he's made forever.
CASSIO
I do not understand.
IAGO He's married.
CASSIO To who?
[Enter Othello.]
IAGO
Marry, to - Come, captain, will you go?
OTHELLO Have with you.
CASSIO
Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, with Officers and Torches.
IAGO
It is Brabantio. General, be advised.
He comes to bad intent.
OTHELLO Holla! stand there!
RODERIGO
Signor, it is the Moor.
BRABANTIO Down with him, thief!
[They draw on both sides.]
40 heat intensity or urgency 41 sequent consecutive 46 sent about sent out; several separate 50 Faith by my faith, in faith (a mild oath); carrack treasure ship 53 Marry (a mild form of the oath "By the Virgin Mary")
IAGO
You, Roderigo! Come, sir, I am for you.
OTHELLO
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
Good signor, you shall more command with years
Than with your weapons.
BRABANTIO
O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter?
Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,
So opposite to marriage that she shunned
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
Would ever have, t' incur a general mock,
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thou - to fear, not to delight.
Judge me the world if 'tis not gross in sense
That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms,
Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
That weakens motion. I'll have't disputed on;
'Tis probable, and palpable to thinking.
I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
For an abuser of the world, a practicer
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.
Lay hold upon him. If he do resist,
Subdue him at his peril.
OTHELLO Hold your hands,
Both you of my inclining and the rest.
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter. Where will you that I go 58 am for you challenge you 59 Keep up i.e., sheathe, put away 69 a general mock universal laughter 72 gross in sense obvious 75 motion perception; disputed on brought to law 77 attach arrest
To answer this your charge?
BRABANTIO To prison, till fit time
Of law and course of direct session
Call thee to answer.
OTHELLO What if I do obey?
How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
Whose messengers are here about my side
Upon some present business of the state
To bring me to him?
OFFICER 'Tis true, most worthy signor.
The duke's in council, and your noble self
I am sure is sent for.
BRABANTIO How? The duke in council?
In this time of the night? Bring him away.
Mine's not an idle cause. The duke himself,
Or any of my brothers of the state,
Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;
For if such actions may have passage free,
Bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be. Exeunt.
I.3 Enter Duke, Senators, and Officers [with lights].
DUKE
There's no composition in this news
That gives them credit.
FIRST SENATOR Indeed they are disproportioned. My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
DUKE
And mine a hundred forty.
SECOND SENATOR And mine two hundred.
But though they jump not on a just account - 86 direct session regular trial 95 idle inconsequential I.3 The Venetian Senate Chamber 1 composition consistency; news newly received information 5 jump agree; just account precise estimate
As in these cases where the aim reports
'Tis oft with difference - yet do they all confirm
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.
DUKE
Nay, it is possible enough to judgment.
I do not so secure me in the error
But the main article I do approve
In fearful sense.
SAILOR Within What, ho! what, ho! what, ho! Enter Sailor.
OFFICER
A messenger from the galleys.
DUKE Now, what's the business?
SAILOR
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes.
So was I
bid report here to the state
By Signor Angelo.
DUKE
How say you by this change?
FIRST SENATOR This cannot be
By no assay of reason. 'Tis a pageant
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
Th' importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
And let ourselves again but understand
That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
So may he with more facile question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace,
But altogether lacks th' abilities
That Rhodes is dressed in - if we make thought of this,
We must not think the Turk is so unskillful
To leave that latest which concerns him first, 6 aim guess 10-12 I do not . . . sense the discrepancies of the reports aren't enough to cancel the frightening substance (main article) of them 14 preparation forces, assembled fleet 18 assay test, effort; pageant sideshow 19 in false gaze looking the wrong way 23 with . . . it capture it more easily 24 brace state of defense 28 latest last
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
DUKE
Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes.
OFFICER
Here is more news.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
FIRST SENATOR
Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?
MESSENGER
Of thirty sail; and now they do restem
Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signor Montano,
Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
With his free duty recommends you thus
And prays you to believe him.
DUKE
'Tis certain then for Cyprus.
Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
FIRST SENATOR
He's now in Florence.
DUKE
Write from us to him post-posthaste. Dispatch!
FIRST SENATOR
Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.
Enter Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo, and
Officers. 30 wake and wage rouse and risk 33 Ottomites Turkish fleet (Turks and Ottomites seem to have been identified in the Elizabethan mind); reverend and gracious (honorific term of address to the assembly) 34 due direct 35 injointed combined (themselves); after fleet a subordinate or secondary navy 37 restem steer again 38 with frank appearance openly, without deceit 41 free duty unlimited loyalty; recommends informs
DUKE
Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman.
[To Brabantio]
I did not see you. Welcome, gentle signor.
We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.
BRABANTIO
So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me.
Neither my place, nor aught I heard of business,
Hath raised me from my bed; nor doth the general care
Take hold on me; for my particular grief
Is of so floodgate and o'erbearing nature
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows,
And it is still itself.
DUKE Why, what's the matter?
BRABANTIO
My daughter! O, my daughter!
ALL Dead?
BRABANTIO Ay, to me.
She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks;
For nature so prepost'rously to err,
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,
Sans witchcraft could not.
DUKE
Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself,
And you of her, the bloody book of law
You shall yourself read in the bitter letter
After your own sense; yea, though our proper son
Stood in your action. 48 straight straightaway, immediately 53 place position (as senator) 56 of so floodgate so torrential 57 engluts gulps down 60 abused deceived 61 mountebanks quacks or scam artists (for which Venice was notorious) 63 deficient feebleminded 67-69 bloody . . . sense i.e., you may interpret the law in the strictest sense that suits you 69 our proper my own 70 Stood in your action were the object of your charges
BRABANTIO Humbly I thank your grace. Here is the man - this Moor, whom now, it seems, Your special mandate for the state affairs Hath hither brought.
ALL We are very sorry for't.
DUKE [To Othello]
What, in your own part, can you say to this?
BRABANTIO
Nothing, but this is so.
OTHELLO
Most potent, grave, and reverend signors,
My very noble and approved good masters,
That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
It is most true; true I have married her.
The very head and front of my offending
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace;
For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used
Their dearest action in the tented field;
And little of this great world can I speak
More than pertains to feats of broils and battle;
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
I will a round unvarnished tale deliver
Of my whole course of love - what drugs, what
charms,
What conjuration, and what mighty magic
(For such proceeding I am charged withal)
I won his daughter.
BRABANTIO A maiden never bold;
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion 77 approved tested by experience 81 Rude unskilled, unpolished 83 pith strength 84 wasted gone by 85 dearest most valuable 87 broils strife, hurly-burly 90 round plain 95-96 her motion / Blushed her own feelings caused her to blush
Blushed at herself; and she - in spite of nature,
Of years, of country, credit, everything -
To fall in love with what she feared to look on!
It is a judgment maimed and most imperfect
That will confess perfection so could err
Against all rules of nature, and must be driven
To find out practices of cunning hell
Why this should be. I therefore vouch again
That with some mixtures pow'rful o'er the blood,
Or with some dram, conjured to this effect,
He wrought upon her.
DUKE To vouch this is no proof,
Without more wider and more overt test
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming do prefer against him.
SENATOR
But, Othello, speak.
Did you by indirect and forced courses
Subdue and poison this young maid's affections?
Or came it by request, and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth?
OTHELLO I do beseech you,
Send for the lady to the Sagittary
And let her speak of me before her father.
If you do find me foul in her report,
The trust, the office, I do hold of you
Not only take away, but let your sentence
Even fall upon my life.
DUKE Fetch Desdemona hither.
97 credit reputation 101-2 must be driven . . . hell i.e., the reasonable mind must seek diabolical plots 103 vouch claim 104 blood passions, sexual appetite 105 dram s
mall portion; conjured bewitched, magically produced (accent on second syllable) 107 more wider . . . overt more thorough and manifest (i.e., convincing) 108-9 these thin . . . seeming i.e., these flimsy signs and conclusions drawn from ordinary appearances 111 forced (1) unnatural, (2) coercive 113 question talk, conversation 117 foul ugly (also "dark," perhaps Othello's ironic reference to his own color)
OTHELLO
Ancient, conduct them; you best know the place.
[Exit two or three Officers with Iago.]
And till she come, as truly as to heaven
I do confess the vices of my blood,
So justly to your grave ears I'll present
How I did thrive in this fair lady's love,
And she in mine.
DUKE
Say it, Othello.
OTHELLO
Her father loved me, oft invited me,
Still questioned me the story of my life
From year to year - the battles, sieges, fortunes
That I have passed.
I ran it through, even from my boyish days
To th' very moment that he bade me tell it.
Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances,
Of moving accidents by flood and field;
Of hairbreadth scapes i' th' imminent deadly breach;
Of being taken by the insolent foe
And sold to slavery. Of my redemption thence
And portance in my traveler's history,
Wherein of anters vast and deserts idle,
Rough quarries, rocks, and hills whose heads touch
heaven,
It was my hint to speak - such was my process;
And of the cannibals that each other eat,
The anthropophagi, and men whose heads
Do grow beneath their shoulders. These things to hear
Would Desdemona seriously incline; 129 Still constantly 134 disastrous unlucky (Latin "ill-starred") 135 accidents by flood and field occurrences on sea and land 136 in . . . deadly breach gap in a defense inviting immediate disaster 137 insolent (1) arrogant, (2) insulting 139 portance behavior, bearing; traveler's history (a minor sub-genre of writing c. 1600, often containing tall tales) 140 anters caves 142
hint occasion, opportunity; process drift 144 anthropophagi man-eaters
But still the house affairs would draw her thence,
Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,
She'd come again, and with a greedy ear
Devour up my discourse. Which I observing,
Took once a pliant hour, and found good means
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
Whereof by parcels she had something heard,
But not intentively. I did consent,
And often did beguile her of her tears
When I did speak of some distressful stroke
That my youth suffered. My story being done,
She gave me for my pains a world of kisses.
She swore in faith 'twas strange, 'twas passing strange;
'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful.
She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished
That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked