Othello - William Shakespeare ः Important Explanations

1.

You shall mark

Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,

That doting on his own obsequious bondage

Wears out his time, much like his master's ass.

For nought but provender, and when he's old,

cashier'd Whip me such honest knaves.

Word Meanings: Duteous-dutiful (f); knove-scoundrel, a dishonest man (, ); obsequious-making a great effort to please or agree with somebody (चापलूस); bondage-slavery ( गुलामी ) ।

Reference to the Context: The given lines have been extracted from Act 1 Scene I of the tragic play Othello by William Shakespeare. In these lines, lago is telling Roderigo regarding his philosophy behind serving Othello.

Explanation: To clarify his point to Roderigo, Iago divides the servants into two groups. The first being slave-like who are fully devoted to their masters and serve them with full honesty. They are ready to do anything for their masters just for food. Ingo did not like such slave-like servants and they should be whipped for their honest servitude.

2.

Others there are

Who trimm'd in forms and visages of duty.

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 lin'd their coats

Do themselves homage. These fellows have some soul.

And such a one do I profess myself.

Word Meanings: visage - expression, look (fa,); thrive - to grow or develop well (-); homage respect, tribute (3, 4); Profess to state honestly that you have a particular belief, feeling etc.

Reference to the Context: These lines have been taken from Act 1, Scene 1 the famous Shakespearean tragedy Othello. The scene opens in a street of Venice.Iago has told Roderigo that Othello has made Michael Cassio, his lieutenant an hence lago is not pleased with the Moor. He has further said, "We cannot all masters nor all masters truly followed."

Explanation: Iago says that he is not a sycophant. He belongs to the other category. Such loyal persons are dutiful and train themselves in a wise manner. They show their devotion, and side by side they are conscious of their own interests also. When they receive benefits fromtheir lords, they thank their stars fortheir cleverness. Such persons are worth something. Iago belongs to this class.

3.

Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,

The gutter'd rocks and congregated sands,

Traitors ensteeped to clog the guiltless keel,

As having sense of beauty, do omit

Their mortal natures, letting go safely by

The divine Desdemona.

Word Meanings: Tempest-a violent storm (); howling-to make a long loud sound Congregated-disperse, to come together in a crowd or grous (एकत्रित, इकट्ठा); clog-to block (अवरूद्ध हो जाना); mortal-that cannot live former

Reference to the Context: These lines occur in Act II, Scene I of the tragic play Othello by William Shakespeare. In these lines Cassio is speaking to lago about Desdemona whose ship is about to come in Cyprus seaport. There is a tempest.

Explanation: Cassio tells Iago that being charmed by the gracious beauty of Desdemona even the violent forces of nature such as tempests, the gluttered rocks, floods and congregated sands forget their fierce nature and let her go safely in her ship.

4. One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,

And in the essential vesture of creation

Does tire the ingener.

Word Meanings: excel-to be very good at doing something (fast Hamd); quirks-a strange thing (fafeexhibit; vesture-dress, clothing (CRI blazoning-display,

Reference and Context: These lines occur in Act II, Scene I of the famous, tragic play Othello by William Shakespeare. In these lines, Cassio is introducing Desdemona to the Governor of Cyprus.

Explanation: Cassio tells the Governor that. Desdemona is a perfect beauty. Desdemona is an excellent creation of nature and she is unrivalled. She is so beautiful that even the most gifted poetic genius would get tired of describing her. Comments: These lines show Cassio as one of the greatest admirer of Desdemona.

5. O, you are well tun'd now!

But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,

As honest as I am.

Word Meanings: peg-nail, to fix something as a certain level (fer ); honest-truthful (R)

Reference to the Context: These lines have been taken from the first scene of the second act of Othello a tragic drama by William Shakespeare. This is Iago's speech pronounced in the form of an 'aside'.

Explanation: Desdemona has arrived at Cyprus and now she and Othello are in perfect harmony with each other. He compares this harmony with that of a musical instrument. A stringed musical instrument has a very good time if its strings are properly tied up to their pegs. But Iago says that he will loosen the strings so that the music of Desdemona's and Othello's happiness could be disturbed.

6. "Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:

He'll watch the horologe a double set,

If drink rock not his cradle.

Word Meanings: Prologue-introduction (R); Cradle-a small bed for baby (बच्चे का पालना )

Reference to the Context: These lines occur in the third scene of the second act of Othello a major tragedy by William Shakespeare. In these lines Iago is speaking about Cassio's addiction to drinking.

Explanation: In the given lines, lago says that drink must take Cassio to sleep in the same as a prologue introduces a play. And if he is not lead to sleep by the drink he'll keep awake for twenty hours.

7. By heavens, I say my handkerchief in his hand:

O Pexjur'd woman, thou dost stone thy heart,

And makest me call what I intend to do A murder,

which I thought a sacrifice,

I saw the handerkerchief.

Word Meanings: Intend-to plan to do something (RIFT); sacrifice-to give up something (af); thou-you, thy-yourl

Reference to the Context: These lines have been taken from the Act V scene II of the renowned drama, "Othello" authored by William Shakespeare. These selective remarks are uttered by Othello to Desdemona. In this scene, the suspicion between Desdemona and Othello on the issue of handkerchief being gone in the hands of third person (Cassio) comes to its climax (finalization). In spite of Desdemona's repeated denial of not giving the handkerchief to Cassio as a token of love with her own hands; Othello does not accept her assurance.

Explanation: In the selective lines under discussion, Othello confidently tells Desdemona swearing by God that he has seen his handkerchief in Cassio's hands with his own eyes. He calls Desdemona à great liar who has not only deceived but also broken his loveful heart for her. He also calls her a stone hearted woman who is worthy to be murdered right now. He further tells her that her murder will be as a sacrifice (perhaps he thinks her murder as no sin for himself). Once again, he repeatedly says that he has seen the handkerchief in third person's hand. Later, in the coming scene we see that in spite of Desdemona's repeated assurances of not giving handkerchief to him with her own hands and begging for the survival of her life one more day, Othello kills her at the spot.

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