III.iv.103 (461,2) ’Tis not a year, or two, shews us a man] From this line it may be conjectured, that the author intended the action of the play to be considered as longer than is marked by any note of time.  Since their arrival at Cyprus, to which they were hurried on their wedding-night, the fable seems to have been in one continual progress, nor can I see any vacuity into which a year or two, or even a month or two, could be put.  On the night of Othello’s arrival, a feast was proclaimed; at that feast Cassio was degraded, and immediately applies to Desdemona to get him restored.  Iago indeed advises Othello to hold him off a while, but there is no reason to think, that he has been held off long.  A little longer interval would increase the probability of the story, though it might violate the rules of the drama.  See Act. 5.  Sc. 2. (see 1765, VIII, 416, 1)

III.iv.113 (461,3) the duty of my heart] —­the office of my heart_.] The elder quarto reads,

  —­the duty of my heart.

The author used the more proper word, and then changed it, I suppose, for fashionable diction; but, as fashion is a very weak protectress, the old word is now ready to resume its place.

III.iv.119 (462,4)

  But to know so, must be my benefit]

  “Si nequeo placidas affari Caesaris aures,
  “Saltem aliquis veniat, qui mihi dicat, abi.”

III.iv.125 (462,7) in favour] In look, in countenance.

III.iv.128 (462,8) within the blank of his displeasure] Within the shot of his anger.

III.iv.141 (463,9) some unhatch’d practice] Some treason that has not taken effect.

III.iv.146 (463,1)

  for let our finger ach,
  And it endues our other healthful members
  Even to that sense of pain]

Endue with a sense of pain, is an expression, which, though it might be endured, if it were genuine, cannot deserve to be introduced by artifice.  The copies, both quarto and folio, read, Endue our other healthful members even to a sense of pain.  I believe it should be rather, SUBDUE our other healthful members to a sense of pain.

III.iv.151 (463,2) (unhandsome warrior as I am)] [W:  wrangler] Unhandsome warrior, is evidently unfair assailant.

III.iv.178 (464,3) a more continuate time]—­more convenient time] The folio has,

  —­more continuate time;

Time less interrupted, time which I can call more my own.  It gives a more distinct image than convenient.

III.iv.180 (464,4) Take me this work out] The meaning is not, “Pick out the work, and leave the ground plain;” but, “Copy this work in another handkerchief.”

IV.i.5 (466,6)

  Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm? 
  It is hypocrisy against the devil]

Hypocrisy against the devil, means hypocrisy to cheat the devil.  As common hypocrites cheat men, by seeming good, and yet living wickedly, these men would cheat the devil, by giving him flattering hopes, and at last avoiding the crime which he thinks them ready to commit.