Othello: Act 1, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 1, Scene 2 of Othello from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Othello, Iago, Attendants, with Torches. IAGO Though in the trade of war I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff o’ th’ conscience To do no contrived murder. I lack iniquity Sometimes to do me service. Nine or ten times I had thought t’ have yerked him here under the 5 ribs.	Othello, the Moor, is with Iago on another street in Venice. Iago is going on about how he's murdered a lot of people, but he really doesn't like to do it, because he's such an upstanding guy. Still, he tells Othello, he had a hard time not killing Brabantio, mostly because of the awful things he was saying about Othello. (Iago conveniently leaves out that he's the one who inspired Brabantio to trash-talk Othello in the first place. Oh, the treachery!)
OTHELLO ’Tis better as it is. IAGO Nay, but he prated And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms Against your Honor, 10 That with the little godliness I have I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir, Are you fast married? Be assured of this, That the magnifico is much beloved, And hath in his effect a voice potential 15 As double as the Duke’s. He will divorce you Or put upon you what restraint or grievance The law (with all his might to enforce it on) Will give him cable.	Othello is calm, and says it's a good thing Iago didn't kill his father-in-law. Iago prattles on, asking if Othello's marriage is "fast" and "secure." It seems Iago is asking whether Othello's had sex with Desdemona yet, as marriages that had yet to be consummated (or sealed by having sex) could still be annulled. Iago is wagging in the Moor's ear that Brabantio is a Senator, and one who is so powerfully persuasive that he's almost twice as influential as the Duke of Venice. Iago is sure that Brabantio will try to have his daughter and Othello divorced, or otherwise raise hell for poor Othello.
OTHELLO Let him do his spite. 20 My services which I have done the signiory 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 25 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 unhousèd free condition Put into circumscription and confine 30 For the sea’s worth. But look, what lights come yond?	Othello isn't going to stress about it. In fact, he's certain his record as a general and his service to Venice will stand up against any of Brabantio's complaints in Venice's eyes. Further, Othello says he simply loves Desdemona; he wouldn't have given up his freedom as a bachelor for anything less.
IAGO Those are the raisèd father and his friends. You were best go in. OTHELLO Not I. I must be found. 35 My parts, my title, and my perfect soul Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they? IAGO By Janus, I think no. Enter Cassio, with Officers, and Torches. OTHELLO The servants of the Duke and my lieutenant! The goodness of the night upon you, friends. 40 What is the news?	Their conversation is interrupted by some commotion. Iago assumes it's the warring Brabantio, and he encourages Othello to run off and hide, but Othello decides to stand and face his father-in-law like a man. Actually, the interruption is not the father-in-law mob at all, but Michael Cassio (the great arithmetician, and Othello's second-in-command) with many other officers.
CASSIO The Duke does greet you, general, And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant. OTHELLO What is the matter, think you? 45 CASSIO Something from Cyprus, as I may divine. 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, 50 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. 55 OTHELLO ’Tis well I am found by you. I will but spend a word here in the house And go with you. He exits.	Cassio brings the grave news that a dozen messengers have been coming with growing news of a war from Cyprus. The Duke of Venice and the Senate have been searching for Othello, who wasn't at his house. The Duke demands Othello's presence to deal with this matter immediately, even though it's the middle of the night.
CASSIO Ancient, what makes he here? IAGO Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack. 60 If it prove lawful prize, he’s made forever. CASSIO I do not understand. IAGO He’s married. CASSIO To who? IAGO Marry, to— 65 Reenter Othello. Come, captain, will you go?	Othello rushes off, leaving Cassio with Iago and just enough time for Iago to tell Cassio that the reason Othello wasn't around is that he was busy stealing away and getting married. Before Cassio can hear that Othello's new wife is Brabantio's daughter, Desdemona, Othello returns to get Cassio to go with him.
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. 70 OTHELLO Holla, stand there! RODERIGO Signior, it is the Moor. BRABANTIO Down with him, thief! They draw their swords. IAGO You, Roderigo! Come, sir, I am for you. 75 OTHELLO Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Good signior, you shall more command with years Than with your weapons.	Just then, their exit is cut off by Brabantio, who's finally arrived with Roderigo and officers in tow. They're here to raise a riot against Othello. Swords are lifted all around. Othello and Brabantio's men plan to go at it with one another, but Othello stops them to ask what exactly Brabantio thinks he's doing.
BRABANTIO O, thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my 80 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, 85 So opposite to marriage that she shunned The wealthy curlèd 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! 90 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. 95 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. 100	Brabantio explains that he's just come to clear up the little matter of Othello bewitching and stealing his daughter. Brabantio says his daughter was so anti-marriage prior to meeting Othello that she wouldn't marry even the wealthiest boys in the kingdom. Brabantio is sure his daughter's sudden marriage to Othello is the result of witchcraft, and he'd like to have Othello locked up for practicing black magic.
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.—Whither will you that I go To answer this your charge? 105 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, 110 Whose messengers are here about my side, Upon some present business of the state, To bring me to him? OFFICER ’Tis true, most worthy signior. The Duke’s in council, and your noble self 115 I am sure is sent for.	Othello, still calm, says that even if he wanted to go to prison, it would only get Brabantio in trouble. The Duke is waiting to hear from Othello about this business with Cyprus, and he would be none-too-happy if his favorite general was locked up for marriage-related reasons.
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, 120 Cannot but feel this wrong as ’twere their own. For if such actions may have passage free, Bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be. They exit.	Brabantio insists that his matter is important, too, regardless of what's keeping the Duke up at this hour. If the Duke or any of the other men of state knew a senator's daughter was out cavorting with a Moor and were comfortable with it, then all of Venice might have "bond-slaves and pagans" for their representatives—which is not a nice thing to say about Othello.