Act 1 Scene 2


Scene Summary Iago talks to Othello and pretends to be concerned that Brabantio seeks to dissolve the marriage. However, Othello appears confident that his military record and reputation will protect him. Cassio arrives and tells Othello that the Duke requires him urgently. Iago tells Cassio that Othello is married.


Brabantio confronts Othello and accuses him of bewitching Desdemona. Othello and Brabantio go to see the Duke.


Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants with torches. IAGO


Though in the trade of war I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff1 To do no contrived2


o’ the conscience murder. I lack iniquity


Sometimes to do me service.3 I had thought to have yerked4


OTHELLO ’Tis better as it is.


IAGO Nay, but he prated,5


And spoke such scurvy6 Against your honour


10 and provoking terms


That, with the little godliness I have, I did full hard forbear him.7 Are you fast8


That the magnifico9 But, I pray you, sir,


married? For be sure of this, is much beloved,


And hath in his effect a voice potential As double as the Duke’s.10


He will divorce you,


Or put upon you what restraint and grievance The law, with all his might to enforce it on, Will give him cable.11


OTHELLO Let him do his spite.


My services which I have done the Signiory12 Shall out-tongue13


20


From men of royal siege,15 May speak unbonneted17


14


Which, when I know that boasting is an honour, I shall promulgate14


and my demerits16 to as proud a fortune


his complaints. ’Tis yet to know, – – I fetch my life and being


12 the Signiory: the parliament of Venice 13 out-tongue: out speak


14 promulgate: proclaim publicly 15 I fetch…siege: I am descended from


royalty 16


demerits: merits


17 May speak unbonneted: Are equal


5 prated: spoke foolishly 6 scurvy: despicable


7 I did…forbear him: I found it difficult to


put up with him 8


Brabantio 10


fast: firmly/properly 9 magnifico: Venetian nobleman, i.e.


a voice…the Duke’s: great influence. It was thought (incorrectly) that the Duke had a deciding vote as well as his own vote in all matters. Iago is saying that Brabantio is so influential that it is as if


he too has a ‘double’ vote. 11


Will…cable: Will allow him to do Nine or ten times him, here under the ribs.


1 very stuff: the essence 2 contrived: planned


3 I lack…service: I am sometimes too


lacking in wickedness for my own good 4


yerked: stabbed


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184  |  Page 185  |  Page 186  |  Page 187  |  Page 188  |  Page 189  |  Page 190  |  Page 191  |  Page 192  |  Page 193  |  Page 194  |  Page 195  |  Page 196  |  Page 197  |  Page 198  |  Page 199  |  Page 200  |  Page 201  |  Page 202  |  Page 203  |  Page 204  |  Page 205  |  Page 206  |  Page 207  |  Page 208  |  Page 209  |  Page 210  |  Page 211  |  Page 212  |  Page 213  |  Page 214  |  Page 215  |  Page 216  |  Page 217  |  Page 218  |  Page 219  |  Page 220  |  Page 221  |  Page 222  |  Page 223  |  Page 224