Shakespeare William - Othello

expression of disbelief much unkindly with great resentment/dissatisfaction

i.e. Desdemona and Othellos elopement

i.e. Othello

i.e. noble, influential men/official dignitaries

formal request, entreaty

removed their hats (a mark of respect)

elaborate evasive talk, wordy circumlocution

military terms

thwarts the request of my intermediaries (from the legal term nonsuit meaning the withdrawal of a lawsuit)Certes certainly

in truth arithmetician i.e. mere theorist (in military matters)/mathematician (Florence was known for its bankers)

person from Florence (then a city-state in northern Italy)

a man with a beautiful wife was damned because he was bound to be cuckolded; perhaps Shakespeare originally intended Cassio to be married, or else the line refers to an imminent or a narrowly avoided wedding (Bianca later claims that Cassio is going to marry her); but editors have struggled to make sense of the line, and a printers error is possible; the most satisfactory emendation would be limned (depicted, portrayed), which fits with Iagos emphasis on Cassios effeminacy, as he compares him first to a wife and then to a spinster

group of soldiers in a square formation/small detachment of soldiers

disposition of a battalion

woman who stays at home spinning unless except for theoric theory

toga-wearing councillors toga garment worn by citizens of ancient Rome propose discourse, hold forth

idle talk

was chosen

i.e. Othellos

island in the Mediterranean Sea, between Cyprus and Greece Cyprus Mediterranean island to the south of Turkey

converted to Christianity beleed unable to move, as a ship is without wind (the nautical metaphor continues with calmed)

i.e. bookkeeping/a bookkeeper (another dig at the arithmetician Cassio)counter-caster one who employs counters in making calculations, an accountant

opportunely (sarcastic)

apologetic expression used to excuse the mention of something unpleasant or profane his Moorship a contemptuous reference to Othello, varying his worship or his lordship; the term moor could be applied to a person of either African or Middle Eastern origin, and was often used to refer to someone from Barbary in north Africa; it was also used to mean Muslimancient ensign (i.e. soldier who carries the military banner)

being a servant/military duty

promotion letter and affection personal recommendation and favoritism

the traditional way of advancing steadily up the ranks

manner, way affined bound

serve

serve my own purposes (serve plays on the notion of being a servant)

loyally mark note, observe

bowing

lifetime/time as a servant

food cashiered (hes) dismissed/discarded

whip (me is emphatic)

dressed up, adorned visages outward appearances

waiting on, serving

i.e. got all they can/lined their purses

serve their own interests exclusively

if I were Othello I would not wish to be a servant like me/if I were in Othellos position I would not be fooled by a self-seeking servant

I am not one for, I do not serve out of

personal

display, manifest

innate, natural figure form/appearance

external show

jackdaws (small birds of the crow family, proverbially foolish)/fools

perfect, complete owe own

carry it off, manage it

pursue

denounce

even though

although

possibilities

that may cause it to

such terrifying tones

moneybags

i.e. on the upper staging level or gallery

why

coat/senators robes

a proverbially lustful beast

mounting sexually; the ram was proverbially lusty, hence slang for lecher

snoring (also picks up on the bestial imagery of the previous lines)bell alarm bell

i.e. Othello (the devil was popularly imaged as black) grandsire grandfather

respected

ordered haunt loiter, lurk

intoxicating drinks

startle, disrupt

disposition and my position of authority

isolated house in the country

dignified, respected

honest

a term for copulation between a stallion and a mare

i.e. Othello Barbary region in northern Africa including Morocco, Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis nephews grandsons

large powerful horses jennets small Spanish horses

close relatives

irreverent/foulmouthed

i.e. having sex

answer for, be held responsible for

wish

time that is neither day nor nighti.e. around midnight

be transported by

i.e. than knave servant, lackey

lustful/vile

permission

insolent

contrary to civility civilized behavior

the respect due to you/you, a respected person

permission

monstrous, flagrant/indecent

intelligence, good sense

i.e. to extravagant and wheeling roaming and roving stranger foreigner

immediately

i.e. strike a light

candle

event

appropriate wholesome beneficial, conducive place position (as Othellos ensign)

produced as a witness

annoy check reprimand

cast off, dismiss embarked engaged, committed

resounding support

are under way for i.e. to save

ability

livelihood

show, display (plays on the sense of military flag)

in order that

inn or house named after Sagittarius, a centaur (half-man, half-horse) famed for his archery; centaurs were associated with lust, so Sagittarius, always depicted with bow and arrow, may be seen as a type of bestial Cupid raisd search search party roused from sleep

the miserable remainder of my life/the remainder of my life in which I will be scorned for what has happened

misfortune-causing/ill-fated

beyond belief (or understanding)

rebellion against her family/revolt of the (sexual) passions

spells, enchantments

rightful nature maidhood girlhood, virginity

reveal

have the authority to demand aid

reward you for your trouble

(mercantile) dealings/craft

fundamental material (stuff maintains the metaphor of trade with its senses of fabric or goods for exchange/materials for manufacture)

premeditated iniquity wickedness

stabbed with a sudden movement him i.e. Rodorigo

spoke insolently/told tales, blabbed

contemptible

I restrained myself with great difficulty from attacking him/I tolerated him with great difficulty

firmly

i.e. Brabantio, one of the foremost noblemen, or Magnifici, in Venice

at his disposal adukes a powerful influence/an influence that is potentially double that of the duke voice influence/vote

whatever grievance hardship, oppression

rope, i.e. scope

Venetian governing body

it is not yet known

declare publicly

throne, i.e. rank