Act 1 Scene 1 Nor the division of a battle14 knows More than a spinster – unless the bookish theoric15


Wherein the toged consuls can propose As masterly as he.16


Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election!18 And I – of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus19


30


Christian and heathen – must be lee’d and calmed20 By debitor and creditor.21


and on other grounds This counter-caster,22


He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, And I – God bless the mark! – his Moorship’s ancient!23


RODERIGO By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.


IAGO Why, there’s no remedy; ’tis the curse of service: Preferment goes by letter and affection,24 And not by old gradation,25


where each second


Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself, Whether I in any just term am affined26 To love the Moor.


RODERIGO I would not follow him then. 40


IAGO O, sir, content you.


I follow him to serve my turn upon him:27 We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,28 That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,29 Wears out his time, much like his master’s ass, For nought but provender,30


50 27


serve…upon him: take advantage of him


28 knee-crooking knave: kneeling


servant 29


and when he’s old, cashiered.31


Whip me such honest knaves! Others there are Who, trimmed in forms and visages of duty,32 Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves, And, throwing but shows of service on their lords, Do well thrive by them, and, when they have lined their coats,33


Do themselves homage. These fellows have some soul; And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir, It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.34


6


servile duty 30


doting…bondage: valuing his provender: food


31 cashiered: fired 32 trimmed…of duty: appear dutiful – Mere prattle, without practice,17


military theory learnt from books 16


much as him 17


Othello


14 division of a battle: military strategy 15 unless...theoric: unless you count


Wherein the toged…as he: about which toga-wearing senators know as


without experience 18


Mere prattle…practice: Just talk had the election!: was selected!


19 proof…Cyprus: evidence of my


military ability in Rhodes and in Cyprus 20


be lee’d and calmed: be slowed down/held back (as if a ship on the


sea) 21


22 debitor and creditor: accountants


counter-caster: bookkeeper (Cassio is presented as a bureaucrat or theorist


rather than a real soldier) 23


ancient: flag bearer 24


Preferment…affection: promotion depends on who you know and


favouritism 25


gradation: rank 26 affined: duty-bound


33


lined their coats: lined their pockets (enriched themselves)


34


Were I…be Iago: If I was Othello I wouldn’t be Iago. Possibly meaning: 1. If I was Othello I wouldn’t want to be Iago 2. If I was honest like Othello I wouldn’t be myself


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