Othello

Introduction

Othello is the story of a black man in a white world. He is the first sympathetic black character to grace the Elizabeathan stage. He is a capable military commander, respected by the state he serves. However, Iago, a soldier under Othello’s command, is very upset about being overlooked for a promotion and determines to destroy his commander. He also suspects Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. He knows that Othello is wooing Desdemona and so he tells her father that Othello is sleeping with his daughter. Iago then proceeds to plague Othello with accusations about Desdemona and Cassio, the soldier who got the promotion that Iago coveted. Iago is openly vicious in his racial attacks on the Moor. Othello himself frequently refers to his black background, which he blames for his quick temper and jealous nature. Iago has found Othello’s vulnerability as the commander becomes absolutely consumed by a jealousy he cannot control. Iago intends to destroy Othello by poisoning Othello’s relationship with the altogether innocent Desdemona. Othello has no idea he is being duped by Iago and in a final desperate act, he smothers Desdemona to death. Emilia, Desdemona’s maid and Iago’s wife, discovers the truth and reveals it. Iago kills his own wife for this betrayal and Othello commits suicide when he realizes that this jealousy was all a product of Iago’s fiction and that Desdemona was entirely innocent. Iago is taken way for a very harsh and torturous punishment.

Othello is a very successful and proud man. He is an African prince who has risen to the top of Venetian society by virtue of his own merit. His only vulnerability is in his private life and his marriage to Desdemona and this is precisely where Iago pounces. As Iago increasingly convinces Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, we witness the collapse of a great man into the ruins of his private life. Othello’s jealousy gathers steam right from the beginning, when Desdemona’s father warns Othello to watch her closely. It is noted that as much as Othello genuinely loves Desdemona, they never actually consummate their relationship. Ironically, he kills her for what he believes are her sexual crimes and yet she dies a virgin. Iago represents the archetypal villain, with his soliloquies to the audience describing exactly what he is going to do in order to destroy Othello. Only Hamlet and Falstaff exceed the wit displayed by Iago in his Ahab like obsession with Othello – Moby Dick – whom he simply must harpoon. Othello is a great soul hopelessly outclassed by the motivational drive displayed by Iago. Critics have long proposed that Hamlet, Falstaff, Cleopatra, Rosalind, Macbeth and Iago were Shakespeare’s grandest inventions. One of the most difficult aspects of watching or reading Othello is that there is no counterforce to Iago. The story may be named after the Moor General but make no mistake: this is Iago’s play, as Othello is powerless against him. It is difficult to imagine a villain in all of literature that rivals Iago. Perhaps we may consider Cormac McCarthy’s judge in Blood Meridian a possible equivalent in terms of evil incarnate. Desdemona is a truly tragic figure and her death is the most troubling of all of Shakespeare’s victims, as we are fully aware that she is completely innocent and that it has been Iago’s scheming alone that condemns her. I find the death of Desdemona the most unendurable moment in any Shakespeare play. She dies so piteously that Shakespeare risks alienating us, his audience, forever. She may well be the most admirable image of love in all of Shakespeare. Much of the tragedy is that Othello trusts Iago and believes him altogether. So when Othello smothers Desdemona to death with a pillow we witness the destruction of two very good persons, while the real guilty party, Iago, sees his plan succeed entirely, until his very wife, Emilia, exposes his treachery in the end. Emilia is another loyal and devoted innocent and her death is very difficult to observe as well. All the principle characters are killed off in that one final scene. Othello kills Desdemona, Iago kills Emilia, Othello kills himself and Iago is led away, no doubt, to a torturous death. He may technically survive the play but his torment begins where the play ends, first with earthly punishments and then with eternal damnation. Like Coriolanus, there is nothing funny about Othello and there are no comic interludes. The only pleasure Iago acknowledges are sadomasochistic.

This play begins about a proud and capable military commander and turns into a play about jealousy, suspicion and mistrust. Iago successfully pulls off his evil intentions because everyone sees him as the honourable model soldier and citizen. Only we know better, thanks to Iago’s relationship to the audience and the soliloquies he delivers to us alone, of which there are eight. Othello and Desdemona soar and then under Iago’s influence they crash hard and burn. In the final analysis this is a story about a villain’s wanton destruction of a domestic marriage. It is a tragedy of undeserved suffering.

Act I (3 scenes)

Scene I

Venice. A Street

Enter Roderigo and Iago

Roderigo: “Thou told me thou did hold him in your hate.”

Iago: “Despise me if I do not. Says he ‘I have already chosen my officer’, one Michael Cassio, a Florentine, that never set a squadron in the field – mere prattle, without practice, is all his soldiership. He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, and I, his Moorship’s ancient. Why, there’s no remedy.”

Roderigo: “What a full fortune does thick lips owe, if he can carry thus.”

Iago: “Call up her father. Rouse him, poison his delight.”

Roderigo: “Here is her father’s house. I’ll call aloud. ‘What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!”

Iago: “Awake! What, ho, Brabantio! Thieves, thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your daughter. Thieves, thieves!”

Brabantio appears in his window

Brabantio: “What is the reason of this terrible summons? What is the matter?”

Iago: “Sir, you’re robbed. Even now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!”

Brabantio: “What, have you lost your wits? What are you?”

Roderigo: “My name is Roderigo.”

Brabantio: “The worse welcome! Thou has heard me say that me daughter is not for thee.”

Iago: “Because we come to do you service, and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse.”

Brabantio: “What profane wretch art thou?”

Iago: “I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.”

Brabantio: “Thou art a villain.”

Roderigo: “Your daughter, if you have not given her leave, hath made a gross revolt; straight satify yourself. If she be in her chamber or your house, let loose on me the justice of the state for thus deluding you.”

Brabantio: “Give me a taper; call up all my people. This accident is not unlike my dream. Belief of it oppresses me already.”

Enter Brabantio in his night gown, with servants and torches.

Brabantio: “It is too true an evil. Gone she is; now, Roderigo, where did thou see her? With the Moor? Are they married, think you?”

Roderigo: “Truly, I think they are.”

Brabantio: “O heaven! How got she out? Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters’ minds by what you see them act. Call up my brother! Do you know where we may apprehend her and the Moor?”

Roderigo: “I think I can discover him, if you go along with me.”

Brabantio: “Pray, lead me on! Get weapons, ho! On, good Roderigo; I’ll deserve your pains.”

Analysis

We meet the play’s villain right at the start and learn that he feels hard done by concerning Othello, who has chosen Cassio for promotion as his lieutenant over Iago, even though he has no military experience in the field. Iago goes right to the home of Desdemona’s father, to report the news that his daughter has secretly married the black Moor. ‘She is covered with a Barbary horse.’ At first Brabantio can’t believe it but checks and indeed she is gone from his home. He is furious and goes in search of the Moor. We do not meet Othello in the opening scene, even though it is all about him and his promotion of Cassio and his marriage of Desdemona. We never even hear his name. Instead he is referred to as ‘he’, ‘the Moorship’, ‘thick lips’, ‘an old black ram’, ‘the devil’, ‘a Barbary horse’ and ‘the lascivious Moor’. We only learn of Othello through the words of those who despise him: Iago because he passed him up for promotion, Roderigo because he desires Desdemona and Brabantio because he has just discovered that his daughter has run off and married Othello. Iago clearly establishes himself as the villain right from the get go, so that we take his profile of Othello with a grain of scepticism. Otherwise, our impression of Othello would not be very good. He has passed over his friend for a promotion he was way more qualified for than the man who was promoted and he has stolen the daughter of a senator right from under his eyes.

Act I

Scene ii

Venice. Another street

Enter Othello, Iago and attendants with torches

Iago: “I pray, sir, are you fast married? For be assured of this, the magnifico is much beloved, and hath in his effect a voice potential as double as the Duke’s. He will divorce you.”

Othello: “Let him do his spite. For know, Iago, but that I love the gentle Desdemona.”

Enter Cassio and officers with torches

Iago: “Those are the raised father and his friends. You were best to go in.”

Othello: “Not I; must be found. My title and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly. What is the news?”

Cassio: “The Duke does greet you, general; and he rehires your haste-post-haste appearance even on the instant.”

Othello: “What is the matter, think you?”

Cassio: “Something from Cyprus, as I may divine. You have been hotly called for; the Senate has sent about three quests to search you out. Here comes another troop to seek for you.”

Iago: “It is Brabantio. General, be advised; he comes to bad intent.”

Roderigo: “Signor, it is the Moor.”

Brabantio: “Down with him, thief!”

They draw their swords on both sides

Brabantio: “O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter? Damned as thou art, thou has enchanted her. I’ll have it disputed. I therefore apprehend and do attach thee for an abuser of the world. If he do resist, subdue him at his peril.”

Othello: “Where would you that I go to answer this your charge?”

Brabantio: “To prison.”

Officer: “The Duke’s in council.”

Brabantio: “How! The Duke in council! In this time of the night! Bring him away.”

Analysis

Clearly, Othello has no idea of what evil lurks in Iago. He will trust him completely, right up to the final scene of the play. Iago warns Othello that Desdemona’s father is quite upset and Othello assures Iago of his love for Desdemona. Othello is being called to the Duke, as there is vital military news out of Cyprus, requiring General Othello’s immediate attendance. But he is also pursued by Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, who is angered over his daughter’s disappearance and apparent sudden marriage to Othello. Officers are leading Othello to the Duke’s palace as the scene ends. There clearly appear to be two different Othello’s present here. One comes from the man himself, who appears dignified, morally righteous and deeply in love with Desdemona. But the Othello of reputation seems indeed sullied by the words of Roderigo, Brabantio, but especially Iago. It will be the position of the Duke which will matter most and he’s up next.

Act I

Scene iii

Venice. A council chamber

Enter The Duke and Senators

1 Senator: “My letter say a hundred and seven galleys.”

Duke: “And mine a hundred and forty.”

2 Senator: “And mine two hundred – yet do they all confirm a Turkish fleet bearing up to Cyprus.

Enter a sailor

Sailor: “The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes. Their purpose is toward Cyprus.”

Enter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo and officers

Duke: “Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you against the general enemy, the Ottoman.”

Brabantio: “Take hold on me; for my particular grief is of so overbearing a nature that it swallows other sorrows.”

Duke: “Why, what’s the matter?”

Brabantio: “My daughter! O, my daughter!”

All: “Dead?”

Brabantio: “Ay, to me. She is abused, stolen from me and corrupted.”

Duke: “Whoever he be that in this foul proceeding hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself, and you of her, the bloody book of law you shall yourself read.”

Brabantio: “Here is the man – this Moor.”

Duke: (to Othello) “What, in your own part, can you say to this?”

Brabantio: “Nothing, but this is so.”

Othello: “Most potent and reverend signiors, that I have taken away this old man’s daughter, it is most true. I have married her. Rude am I in my speech, and little blessed in the soft phrase of peace. Little of this great world can I speak more than to feats of broil and battle.”

Brabantio: “A maiden never bold, to fall in love with what she fears to look on!”

1 Senator: “But, Othello, speak. Did you by indirect and forced courses subdue and poison this young maid’s affections?”

Othello: “I do beseech you, send for the lady, and let her speak of me before her father. If you do find me foul in her report, let your sentence even fall upon my life.”

Duke: “Fetch Desdemona hither.”

Othello: “And, till she comes, I’ll present how I did thrive in this fair lady’s love.”

Duke: “Say it, Othello.”

Othello: “Her father loved me, often invited me; still questioned me the story of my life from year to year – the battles and sieges that I have passed. This to hear would Desdemona seriously incline; she’d come again, and with a greedy ear devour up my discourse. My story being done, she gave me for my pains a world of sighs; she wished that heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me; and bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, and that would woo her. She loved me for the dangers I had passed; and I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used. Here comes the lady; let her witness it.”

Enter Desdemona and Iago

Duke: “I think this tale would win my daughter too.”

Brabantio: “I pray you hear her speak.”

Desdemona: “My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty; to you I am bound for life and education; I am hitherto your daughter; but here’s my husband, and so much duty as my mother showed to you , so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor, my lord.”

Brabantio: “Moor: I here do give thee that with all my heart which with all my heart I would keep from thee. I have done, my lord. I humbly beseech you to proceed to the affairs of state.”

Duke: “The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you.”

Othello: “I do undertake this present war with the Ottomans. Therefore, bending to your state, I crave fit disposition for my wife, with such accommodation as levels with her breeding.”

Duke: “What would you, Desdemona?”

Desdemona: “That I did love the Moor to live with him. Dear lords, if I be left behind, and he go to the war, the rites for why I love him are bereft me; let me go with him.”

Duke: “Be it as you will privately determine, either for her stay or going; and speed must answer it. You must away tonight.”

Othello: “So please your Grace, my ancient; a man he is of honesty and trust. To his conveyance I assign my wife.”

Duke: “Let it be so. (to Brabantio) And, noble signer, your son-in-law is far more fair than black.”

1 Senator: “Adieu, brave Moor; use Desdemona well.”

Brabantio: “Look to her, Moor, if thou has eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee.“

Exit Duke, Senator and officers

Othello: “My life upon her faith! Honest Iago, my Desdemona must I leave to thee. I prithee, let thy wife attend on her. Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour of love to spend with thee. We must obey the time.”

Roderigo: “I will incontinently drown myself.”

Iago: “Thy silly gentleman!”

Roderigo: “It is silliness to live when to live is torment. What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so fond.”

Iago: “It is merely a lust of the blood. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Put money in thy purse; follow thou the wars; it cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor. These Moors are changeable in their wills. Fill thy purse with money. When she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice. Make all the money thou can; thou shalt enjoy her.”

Roderigo: “Will thou be fast to my hopes?”

Iago: “I re-tell thee again and again I hate the Moor. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him. If thou can cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure and me a sport. We will have more of this tomorrow. Adieu.”

Exit Roderigo

Iago: I hate the Moor; and it is thought broad that ‘twixt my sheets’ has done my office. I know not if it be true; he holds me well; the better shall my purpose work him. Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now: to plume up my will in double knavery. How, how? To abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with his wife. The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so; and will as tenderly be lead by the nose as asses are.”

Analysis

The Duke meets with the Senate and soldiers to address the fact that a Turkish navy is at Rhodes and intended for Cyprus. Brabantio suddenly arrives and insists that all matters of state by put aside while his grievance against Othello is addressed. The Duke is close to both Brabantio and Othello, but he desperately needs Othello to command the military response to the Turks. The Duke asks Othello to tell his version of how he came to marry Desdemona and he reports that her father had repeatedly invited him over to tell old war stories and that his daughter, Desdemona, would listen in and was deeply moved. ‘She loved me for the dangers I faced and I loved her that she did pity them.’ Desdemona confirms her love of Othello and they move on to matters of state and the pending war against the Turks. It is decided that Desdemona will stay with Iago and be looked after by his wife, Emilia. Before he leaves, Brabantio warns Othello that just as Desdemona has betrayed her father, so may she do likewise to her husband. “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.’ This is the first bit of unsettling word regarding Desdemona that Othello hears. Pretty much Iago will fill in the rest. Roderigo considers drowning himself, now that Desdemona has married Othello. Iago recommends Roderigo head off to the wars and make lots of money, reminding him again of how much he hates he Moor. Once Roderigo leaves Iago speaks to the audience about his hatred of the Moor and how it is rumoured abroad that Othello has even slept with Iago’s wife. More motivation for his hatred. He then plans double knavery against both Othello and Cassio, who got the promotion that Iago so desired, by suggesting to Othello that Cassio has been too familiar with Desdemona. He believes Othello to have such an open nature that he will believe men to be honest when they but seem to be so. He could be speaking of either Cassio or himself.

Act II (3 scenes)

Scene i

Cuprus. A seaport

Enter Montano, Governor of Cyprus with two gentlemen.

Montano: “If that the Turkish fleet be not sheltered, they are drowned; it is impossible they bear it out.”

Gentleman: “News, lads! Your wars are done. The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turk that a noble ship of Venice hath seen a grievous wreck of most of their fleet. The ship is here put in and Michael Cassio, lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello, is come ashore. The Moor himself is still at sea.”

Montano: “I have served Othello, and the man commands like a full soldier. Let’s to the seaside, to throw out our eyes for brave Othello.”

Enter Cassio

Cassio: “Thanks you that so approve the Moor, for I have lost him on a dangerous sea!”

Enter a messenger

Messenger: “On the brow of the sea stand ranks of people, and they cry ‘a sail!’

Cassio: “Give us truth who ’tis that has arrived.”

Gentleman: “‘Tis one Iago, ancient to the General.”

Enter Desdemona, Iago, Emilia and Roderigo

Desdemona: “What tidings can you tell me of my lord?”

Cassio: “He is not yet arrived.”

Desdemona: “O, but I fear. How lost your company?”

Cassio: “The great contention of the sea and skies parted our fellowship.”

Iago: (aside) “He takes her by the palm and with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do.”

A trumpet

Iago: “The Moor! I know his trumpet.”

Desdemona: “Let’s meet him, and receive him.”

Enter Othello

Desdemona: “My dear Othello!”

Othello: “It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me. O, my soul’s joy!”

They kiss

Iago: (aside) “O, you are well tuned now! But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music, as honest as I am.”

Othello: “News, friends: our wars are done; the Turks are drowned. I prithee, good Iago, go to the bay, and disembark my coffers.”

Exit all but Iago and Roderigo

Iago: (to Roderigo) “Come hither. The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard. First, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.”

Roderigo: “With him! ‘Tis not possible.”

Iago: “Let thy soul be instructed. Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? Very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice. Now sir, ’tis granted who stands so eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does? Why, none; why, none. A devilish knave! Besides, the knave is handsome; a pestilent complete knave, and the woman hath found him already.”

Roderigo: “I cannot believe that in her; she’s full of most blessed condition.”

Iago: “If she had been blest, she would never have loved the Moor. Did thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand?”

Roderigo: “Yes, that I did; but that was just courtesy.”

Iago: “They met so near with their lips that their breaths embraced together. Cassio knows you not; I’ll not be far from you. Find some occasion to anger Cassio. He is rash, and very sudden in choler, and happily with his truncheon may strike at you; provoke him that he may. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires.’

Roderigo: “I will do this, adieu.”

Exit Roderigo

Iago: “That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it. The Moor is of a constant, loving, noble nature; and I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona a most dear husband. Now I do love her too; Not out of absolute lust, but partly led to diet my revenge, for that I do suspect the lustful Moor hath leaped into my seat; the thought whereof doth gnaw my inwards; and nothing can nor shall content my soul till I am even with him, wife for wife; or failing so, yet that I put the Moor at least into a jealousy. Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.”

Analysis

In Cyprus it is reported that the Turkish fleet has been destroyed in the raging storm. First Cassio’s ship arrives safely, then Iago’s, which also carries Desdemona, Emilia and Roderigo. There is no sign yet of Othello’s ship. Iago notices Cassio comforting Desdemona and holding her hand and decides to use this to frame Cassio so that he loses his promotion and to make Othello jealous. Othello arrives safely. Iago pulls Roderigo aside and explains to him that Cassio and Desdemona are involved with each other, as she needs more than just Othello. He also instructs Roderigo to start a fight with Cassio in the streets of this Cyprus town, as this will ensure that Cassio falls out of favour with Othello. Alone, Iago speaks in a soliloquy to the audience about how he believes that Cassio is in love with Desdemona and that he, Iago, is as well, but not out of lust, but rather because he believes Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia, and he wants revenge, wife for wife. Short of that he intends to drive Othello mad with jealousy.

Act II

Scene ii

Cyprus. A street

Enter Ohello’s herald with a proclamation

Herald: “It is Othello’s pleasure that every man put himself into triumph. It is the celebration of his nuptial. There is full liberty of feasting from this present hour. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello.”

Analysis

This is a domestic story, not a political one. The great general Othello was to lead a military campaign here in Cyprus, but the Turkish fleet was destroyed by the storm, so now the celebration is about Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. This was a great public figure, who has triumphed repeatedly as a commander and statesman in Venice. But now we focus on the private Othello and Iago will do everything in his power, for the remainder of the story, to destroy this great hero’s domestic bliss.

Act II

Scene iii

Cyprus. The citadel

Enter Othello, Desdemona and Cassio

Othello: “Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.”

Cassio: “Iago hath direction what to do; I will look to it.”

Othello: “Iago is most honest. (to Desdemona) Come, my dear love, the purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; the profit’s yet to come twixt me and you. Good night.”

Exit Othello and Desdemona

Enter Iago

Cassio: “Wecome, Iago; we must to the watch.”

Iago: “Not this hour, lieutenant; ’tis not yet ten o’clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona.”

Cassio: “She is a most exquisite lady.”

Iago: “And when she speaks, is it not an alarm to love?”

Cassio: “She is indeed perfection.”

Iago: “Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine.”

Cassio: “Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking; I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.”

Iago: “What man? `Tis a night of revels. The gallants desire it.”

Cassio: “Where are they?”

Iago: “Here at the door.”

Cassio: “I’ll do it, but it dislikes me.”

Exit Cassio

Iago: “If I can fashion but one cup upon him, with that which he hath drunk tonight already, he’ll be full of quarrel and offence. Now, amongst this flock of drunkards am I to put our Cassio in some action that may offend the isle.”

Re-enter Cassio and Montano

Cassio: “To the health of our general! Do not think, gentlemen, that I am drunk. I can stand well enough, and speak well enough. You must not think, then, that I am drunk.”

Exit Cassio

Iago: (to Montano) “You see this fellow that is gone before: ’tis pity of him. I fear the trust Othello puts in him, will shake this island.”

Enter Roderigo

Iago: “How now, Roderigo! I pray you, after the lieutenant, go!”

Voices calling for help

Re-enter Cassio

Montano: “What’s the matter, lieutenant?”

Cassio: “A knave teach me my duty! I’ll beat the knave.”

Roderigo: “Beat me?”

Cassio strikes Roderigo

Montano: “Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir.”

Cassio: “Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you over.”

Montano: “Come, come. You’re drunk.”

Cassio: “Drunk?”

Montano and Cassio fight

Iago: (aside to Roderigo) “Away, I say. Go out and cry a mutiny. Lieutenant, hold. You’ll be ashamed forever.”

Re-enter Othello and gentlemen with weapons.

Othello: “What is the matter here?”

Montano: “Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death”.

Othello: “Hold, for your lives!”

Iago: “Hold, ho! Lieutenant. Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold! The general speaks to you. Hold, for shame!”

Othello: “How now? From whence ariseth this? For Christian shame, put by this barbrous brawl. What’s the matter, masters? Honest Iago, speak. Who began this? How comes it, Michael?”

Cassio: “I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.”

Othello: “Worthy Montano, your name is great. Why’s the matter that you unlace your reputation thus, and spend your rich opinion for the name of a night brawler? Give me answer to it. Give me to know how this foul rout began and who set it on. ‘Tis monstrous. Iago, who began it?”

Iago: “Touch me not so near; I would rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offence to Michael Cassio; there comes a fellow crying out for help, and Cassio following him with determined sword, to execute upon him. I found them closer together at blow and thrust. More of this matter can I not report; yet surely Cassio, I believe, received from him that fled some strange indignity which patience could not pass.”

Othello: “I know, Iago, thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee, but never more be officer of mine.”

Desdemona: “What is the matter, dear?”

Othello: “All’s well now. Iago, look with care about the town, and silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.”

Exit all but Iago and Cassio

Iago: “What, are you hurt, lieutenant?”

Cassio: “Ay, past all surgery.”

Iago: “God forbid.”

Cassio: “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is beastial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!”

Iago: “I thought you had received some bodily wound. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; often got without merit, and lost without deserving. There are more ways to recover the General again. Sue to him and he is yours.”

Cassio: “Drunk! O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee Devil!”

Iago: “Who was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you?”

Cassio: “I know not. I remember a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me I am a drunkard.”

Iago: “Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used; exclaim no more against it. I’ll tell you what you shall do. Our General’s wife is now the General. Confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again; she is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than is requested. This crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.”

Cassio: “You advise me well. I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me.”

Iago: “You are in the right, lieutenant.”

Cassio: “Good night, honest Iago.”

Exit Cassio

Iago: (aside) “And what’s he, then, who says I play the villain? How am I, a villain, to counsel Cassio to this parallel course, directly to his good? For whiles this honest fool plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes, and she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, I’ll pour this pestilence in his ear, that she repeals him for her body’s lust; she shall undo her credit with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue into pitch; and out of her own goodness, make the net that shall enmesh them all.”

Enter Roderigo

Iago: “How now, Roderigo?”

Roderigo: “My money is almost spent; I have been tonight exceedingly well cudgelled.”

Iago: “How poor are they that have not patience. What wound did ever heal but by degrees? Cassio hath beaten thee, and thou, by that small hurt, hath cashiered Cassio. Content thyself awhile. Retire thee; go where thou art billeted. Away, I say; get thee gone.”

Exit Roderigo

Iago: (aside) “Two things are to be done: my wife must move for Cassio to her mistress; I’ll set her on; myself awhile to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife. Ay, that’s the way.”

Analysis

Othello assigns Cassio to the night’s guard. Iago convinces Cassio that Desdemona is indeed a temptress, but at first Cassio cannot believe it. Cassio does not drink but Iago persuades him to drink in order to honour Othello and the revels that are set for the night. Once Cassio is drunk, Iago convinces Roderigo to start a brawl involving Cassio, so that Cassio falls out of favour with Othello. That will make it easier for Iago to discredit Cassio and have him stripped of his promotion that should have gone to Iago and it will make Roderigo believe that he is next in line to flirt with Desdemona. So Roderigo initiates a brawl with Cassio and Montano steps in to stop the fighting and drunk Cassio attacks Montano. An alarm is sounded and Othello arrives on the scene, demanding to know what has happened and who is responsible. Iago ‘reluctantly’ admits to Othello that Cassio was drunk and initiated the brawl and Othello immediately fires Cassio as his lieutenant. Cassio is distraught over the damage to his reputation and Iago suggests he appeal to Desdemona, as her kindheartedness might well persuade Othello to restore Cassio back to the general’s good graces. Of course this means that Cassio will be spending more time with Desdemona, which Iago plans to exploit by suggesting to Othello that there is something untoward occurring between Cassio and Desdemona. ‘Honest’ Iago is spinning a terrible web of intrigue around Desdemona and Othello and nobody suspects a thing. And he has really only just begun as we transition into Act III.

Act III (4 scenes)

Scene i

Cyprus before the citadel

Enter Cassio with musicians and Othello’s fool

Cassio: “Masters, play here; I will content your pains.”

Fool: “Masters, here’s money for you; and the General so likes your music that he desires you to make no more noise with it. If you have any music that may not be heard, then do it again.”

Musician: “We have none such, sir.”

Fool: “Then put up your pipes in your bag. Go; vanish into air; away.”

Cassio: “There’s a poor piece of gold for thee. If the gentlewoman that attends the General’s wife be stirring, tell her there’s one Cassio who entreats her a little favour of speech. Will thou so this?”

Fool: “I shall seem to notify her.”

Enter Iago

Cassio: “I have made bold, Iago, to send in to your wife: my suit to her is that she will to virtuous Desdemona procure me some access.”

Iago: “I’ll send her to you presently; and I’ll devise a mean to draw the Moor out of the way, that your converse may be more free.”

Cassio: “I humbly thank you.”

Exit Iago

Cassio: “I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest.”

Enter Emilia

Emilia: “Good morrow, good lieutenant. I am sorry for your displeasure; but all will sure be well. The General and his wife are talking of it; and she speaks for you stoutly; the Moor replies that he you hurt, Governor Montano, is of great fame in Cyprus, and that in wholesome wisdom he might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you.”

Cassio: “Yet, I beseech you, give me advantage of some brief discourse with Desdemona alone.”

Emilia: “Pray you come in. I will bestow you where you shall have time to speak your bosom freely.”

Cassio: “I am much bound to you.”

Analysis

Cassio sends musicians to play under Othello’s window in an attempt to get back in his good graces, but Othello sends his fool to tell them to go away. Emilia tells Cassio that Desdemona and Othello are discussing his case presently and that, while he loves Cassio, Othello cannot promote him back to being his lieutenant again because the man Cassio hurt was the Governor of Cyprus. Iago promises Cassio he will find a way to get Cassio to conference privately with Desdemona. Poor Cassio only wants to be trusted by Othello again. Ironically, he has become the person Othello trusts least in the entire world because Iago is subtly but quite effectively convincing Othello that Cassio and Desdemona need to be watched. This is a play whose theme is jealousy. Iago is jealous that Cassio got the promotion to be Othello’s lieutenant over him and now Iago is in the process of destroying both Cassio and Othello by making Othello jealous over Cassio, even though Cassio and Desdemona are 100% innocent. Nonetheless, both Cassio and Othello completely trust ‘honest Iago’ and have no idea what he is doing to them.

Act III

Scene ii

Cyprus. The citadel.

Enter Othello and Iago

Othello: “This letter give, Iago, to the pilot; and by him do my duties to the Senate.”

Iago: “Well, my good lord, I’ll do it.”

A six line scene where Othello has letters he gives Iago for the Senate back in Venice. Othello, like Cassio, has no idea that the real villain is Iago, as we see Iago mingling free and friendly with both men he is attempting to destroy.

Act III

Scene iii

Cyprus. The garden of the citadel

Enter Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia

Desdemona: “Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do all my abilities on thy behalf.”

Emilia: “Good madam, do. I warrant it grieves my husband as if the case were his.”

Desdemona: “O, that’s an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio, but I will have my lord and you again as friendly as you were.”

Cassio: “Bounteous madam, whatever shall become of Michael Cassio, he’s never anything but your true servant.”

Desdemona: “I know it and I thank you. You do love my lord; he shall in strangeness stand no farther off than in a politic distance.”

Cassio: Ay, but, lady, my general will forget my love and service.”

Desdemona: “Assure thee, my lord shall never rest. I’ll intermingle everything he does with your suit. Therefore, be merry, Cassio.”

Enter Othello and Iago

Cassio: “Madam, I’ll take my leave.”

Exit Cassio

Iago: “Ha! I like not that.”

Othello: “What dost thou say?”

Iago: “Nothing, my lord; or if – I know not what.”

Othello: “Was not that Cassio departed from my wife?”

Iago: “Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it, that he would sneak away so guilty like, seeing you coming.”

Othello: “I do believe it was he.”

Desdemona: “How now, my lord? I have been talking with a suitor here, a man who languishes in your displeasure.”

Othello: “Who is it you mean?”

Desdemona: “Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord, if I have any grace or power to move you, his present reconciliation take. I prithee, call him back.”

Othello: “Not now, sweet Desdemona.”

Desdemona: “But shall it be shortly? Shall it be tonight at supper?”

Othello: “No, not tonight.”

Desdemona: “Tomorrow dinner, then? Why then Tuesday morn? Ot Tuesday noon or night, or Wednesday morn? I prithee, name the time; but let it not exceed three days. In faith, he’s penitent. When shall he come? Tell me, Othello.”

Othello: “I do beseech thee grant me this, to leave me but a little to myself.”

Desdemona: “Farewell, my lord.”

Exit Desdemona and Emilia

Othello: “Excellent wretch! But I do love thee; and when I love thee not chaos is come again.”

Iago: “My noble lord!”

Othello: “What dost thou say, Iago?”

Iago: “For a satisfaction of my thought – no further harm.”

Othello: “Why of thy thought, Iago? Is he not honest?”

Iago: “Honest, my lord?”

Othello: “Honest? Ay, honest. What dost thou think?”

Iago: “Think, my lord?”

Othello: “Thou dost mean something. If thou dost love me, show me thy thought.”

Iago: “My lord, you know I love you.”

Othello: “I think thou dost. Therefore, these stops of thine affright me the more.”

Iago: “For Michael Cassio, I dare presume I think that he is honest.”

Othello: “I think so too.”

Iago: “Men should be that they seem.”

Othello: “Certainly, men should be what they seem. But yet, there’s more in this. I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, as thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts the worst of words.”

Iago: “Good my lord, pardon me. Though I am bound to every act of duty, I am not bound to utter my thoughts. Why, say they are vile and false.”

Othello: “By heaven, I’ll know thy thoughts.”

Iago: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger.”

Othello: “O, misery!”

Iago: “Good god, the souls of all my tribe defend from jealousy!”

Othello: “Why is this? Think I’d make a life of jealousy, with fresh suspicions? ‘Tis not to make me jealous to say my wife is fair, loves company, is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well; Where virtue is, these are more virtuous. Nor from my own weak merits will I draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt; for she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago; away at once with love or jealousy!”

Iago: “I am glad of this; for now I shall have reason to show the love and duty that I bear you with frank spirit. I speak not yet of proof. Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio. Look to it. I know your country disposition well: in Venice they do let God see the pranks they dare not show their husbands; their best conscience is not to leave it undone, but keep it unknown.”

Othello: “Dost thou say so?”

Iago: “She did deceive her father, marrying you.”

Othello: “I am bound to thee forever.”

Iago: “I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.”

Othello: “Not a jot.”

Iago: “I fear it has. I hope you will consider what is spoke comes from my love; but I do see you are moved. I am to pray you not to strain my speech to grosser issues nor to larger reach than to suspicion.”

Othello: “I will not.”

Iago: “My lord, I see you are moved.”

Othello: “No, not much moved. I do not think but Desdemona’s honest.”

Iago: “Ay, there’s the point: as – to be bold with you – whereto we see in all things nature tends, one may smell rank, foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural. But pardon me, I do not in position distinctly speak of her; though I may fear her will, recoiling to her better judgment.”

Othello: “Farewell. If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.”

Exit Iago

Othello: “Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless sees and knows more, much more than he unfolds.”

Iago: (returning) “My lord, I would I might entreat your honour to scan this thing no further; leave it to time. Yet if you please to hold him off awhile, you shall by that perceive him and his means. Note if your lady strains his entertainment with any strong or vehement importunity; much will be seen in that. I take my leave.”

Exit Iago

Othello: “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit of human dealing. She’s gone; I am abused; and my relief must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage, that we can call these delicate creatures ours, and not their appetites! I had rather be a toad, than keep a corner in the thing I love for others’ uses. Yet ’tis the plague of great ones; ‘Tis destiny unshunnable, like death. Look where she comes.”

Enter Desdemona and Emilia

Othello: “If she be false, O then heaven mocks itself! I’ll not believe it.”

Desdemona: “How now, my dear Othello? Are you not well?”

Othello: “I have a pain under my forehead here.”

Desdemona drops his handkerchief

Desdemona: “I am very sorry that you are not well.”

Exit Desdemona and Othello

Emilia: “I am glad I have found this napkin. This was her first remembrance from the Moor. He conjured her she should ever keep it. I’ll give it to Iago. What he’ll do with it heaven knows, not I.”

Enter Iago

Iago: “How now?”

Emilia: “I have a thing for you. What would you give me now for that same handkerchief, what the Moor first gave to Desdemona; that which so often you did bid me steal? She let it drop by negligence, and to the advantage, I being here, took it up. Look, here it is.”

Iago: “A good wench! Give it me.”

Emilia: “What will you do with it?”

Iago: “Why, what’s that to you.” (he snatches it)

Emilia: “Give me it again. Poor lady, she’ll run mad when she shall lack it.”

Iago: “I have use for it. Go, leave me.”

Exit Emilia

Iago: “I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin, and let him find it; this may do something. The Moor already changes with my poison. Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons which at the first are scarce found to distaste but, with a little act upon the blood, burn like the mines of sulphur.”

Enter Othello

Othello: “Ha! ha! False to me, to me?”

Iago: “Why, how now, General? No more of that.”

Othello: “Be gone! Thou has set me on the rack. I swear ’tis better to be much abused than but to know it a little.”

Iago: “How now, my lord!”

Othello: “What sense had I in her stolen hours of lust? I saw it not, thought it not, it harmed not me. I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and merry; I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips. He that is robbed, not wanting what is stolen, let him not know it, and he’s not robbed at all.”

Iago: “I am sorry to hear this.”

Othello: “I had been happy if the general camp had tasted her sweet body, so I had nothing known. O, now forever farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content! Othello’s occupation’s gone.”

Iago: “Is it possible, my lord?”

Othello: “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore – (taking Iago by the throat) – Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof; or thou had better been born a dog than answer my awakened wrath.”

Iago: “Is it come to this?”

Othello: “Make me to see it; or, at the least, so prove it, or woe upon thy life.”

Iago: “My noble lord -“

Othello: “If thou dost slander her and torture me never pray more; on horror’s head horrors accumulate.”

Iago: “O heaven forgive me! Are you a man? O wretched fool, that lives to make thine honesty a vice! O monstrous world! Take note, take note. I thank you for this profit, and from hence I’ll love no friend, since love breeds such offence.”

Othello: “Nay, stay. Thou should be honest.”

Iago: “I should be wise; for honesty’s a fool, and loses that it works for.”

Othello: “By the world, I think my wife be honest, and think she is not; I think that thou art just, and think thou art not. I’ll have some proof. Her name is now begrimed and black, as mine own face. Would I were satisfied!”

Iago: “I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion; I do repent me that I put it to you. You would be satisfied?”

Othello: “Would! Nay, and I will.”

Iago: “And may; but how – how satisfied, my lord? Would you behold her topped?”

Othello: “Death and damnation!”

Iago: “What shall I say? Where’s satisfaction? It is impossible you should see this, were they as hot as monkeys, and fools as gross as ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say, if strong circumstances which lead directly to the door of truth will give you satisfaction, you might have it.”

Othello: “Give me a living reason she’s disloyal.”

Iago: “I do not like the office; but since I am entered in this cause so far, I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately, and, being troubled with a raging tooth, I could not sleep. There are a kind of men so loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter their affairs: one of this kind is Cassio. In sleep I heard him say ‘sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves’, and then, sir, would he wring my hand, cry ‘O sweet creature!’ then kiss me hard – then laid his leg over my thigh – and sighed, and kissed, and then cried ‘cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!'”

Othello: “O monstrous! monstrous!”

Iago: “This may help to thicken other proofs that do demonstrate thinly.”

Othello: “I’ll tear her all to pieces.”

Iago: “Nay, but be wise; yet we see nothing done; she may be honest yet. Tell me but this: have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand?”

Othello: “I gave her such a one; twas my first gift.”

Iago: “Such a handkerchief did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with.”

Othello: “If it be that -“

Iago: “If it be that it speaks against her with the other proofs.”

Othello: “O that the slave had forty thousand lives! One is too poor, too weak, for my revenge. Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago – all my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. ‘Tis gone. Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell. Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate!”

Iago: “Yet be content.”

Othello: “O blood, blood, blood!”

Iago: “Patience, I say; you mind perhaps may change.”

Othello: “Never, Iago. My bloody thoughts, with violent pace, shall never look back, till that a capable and wide revenge swallow them up.”

Iago: “Witness that here Iago doth give up the execution of his wit, hands, heart, to wrong’d Othello’s service! Let him command.”

Othello: “I greet thy love, with acceptance bounteous. Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio’s not alive.”

Iago: “My friend is ready; ’tis done at your request. But let her live.”

Othello: “Damn her, lewd minx. O, damn her, damn her! I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.”

Iago: “I am your own forever.”

Analysis

Desdemona is committed to helping Cassio repair the damage to his relationship with Othello. Of course it is Iago who has engineered the rift, by orchestrating the brawl that sullied Cassio’s reputation and by hinting to Othello that he should keep an eye on Desdemona and Cassio. It turns out Othello needs very little prompting. His jealous nature is his character flaw and Iago has him right where he wants him, and no one suspects him of being anything other then honest. Iago and Othello see Cassio leaving Desdemona, where he was speaking to her about repairing the relationship with Othello. Iago makes it seem inappropriate and unfortunate that they see Cassio slipping away from Desdemona. Just then Desdemona peppers Othello about when he will meet with good Cassio, until Othello finally says ‘no more. Leave me to myself.’ Othello grills Iago about what he makes of all this and Iago plays it very coy, choosing not to say much, until Othello angrily insists. Iago tells Othello to beware of jealousy, the green-eyed monster, just before Iago ‘shows his love with franker spirit.’ ‘Look to your wife’ he tells Othello and reminds him that she has already deceived her own father by marrying Othello. Their dance is progressive, as Iago moves Othello bit by bit, toward a jealousy akin to madness. He claims to be abused and curses marriage. Then Iago gets a hold of the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona as a first gift. He plans to plant it in Cassio’s room. Othello is about to burst and actually grabs Iago by the throat and tells him to find the proof required for him to take action against Cassio and Desdemona. ‘I will be satisfied!’ ‘How satisfied?’ asks Iago. ‘Would you behold her topped?” That just about does it. But Iago claims that he is so far in that he will continue to inform Othello more of what he knows. He claims that he overheard Cassio talk in his sleep about how he and Desdemona should be wary and hide their love and then he said Cassio cried out ‘cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor.’ A this point Othello is prepared to ‘tear her to pieces’. He tells Iago to be sure that Cassio is not alive within three days and then declares Iago to be his lieutenant. Iago is in complete control and no one is the wiser, even though Desdemona and Cassio are completely innocent. There are no side stories in this play. It just continues with Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Iago and Emilia. And it is becoming more and more clear where it is headed. This is the toughest Shakespeare play to watch, knowing what we know and being helpless to stop it. Like Richard III, we know what no one on stage does about the villain. But its is our secret and will remain so until the bitterest of endings.

Act III

Scene iv

Cyprus, before the citadel

Enter Desdemona, Emilia and Othello’s fool

Desdemona: “Do you know, sir, where the lieutenant Cassio lies? Can you enquire him out? Seek him; bid him come hither; tell him I have moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be well.”

Exit the fool

Desdemona: “Where should I lose the handkerchief, Emilia? Believe me, I had rather lose my purse, but my noble Moor is true of mind, and made of no such baseness as jealous creatures are.”

Emilia: Is he not jealous?”

Desdemona: “Who, he?”

Enter Othello

Desdemona: “How is it with you, my lord?”

Othello: “Well, my good lady. How do you, Desdemona?”

Desdemona: “Well, my god lord.”

Othello: “Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady. Hot, hot, and moist.”

Desdemona: “Twas that hand that gave away my heart. I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.”

Othello: “What promise?”

Desdemona: “I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.”

Othello: “Lend me thy handkerchief; that which I gave you.”

Desdemona: “I have it not about me.”

Othello: “That’s a fault. That handkerchief did an Egyptian to my mother give. She dying, gave it to me, and bid me, when my fate would have me wive, to give it to her. I did so; and take heed on it; to lose it or give it away were such perdition as nothing else could match.”

Desdemona: “Why do you speak so startingly and rash?”

Othello: “Is it lost? Is it gone?”

Desdemona: “It is not lost. But what if it were?”

Othello: “Fetch it. Let me see it.”

Desdemona: “I will not now. This is a trick to put me from my suit: pray you let Cassio be received again.”

Othello: “Fetch me the handkerchief; my mind misgives.”

Desdemona: “Come, come; you’ll never meet a more sufficient man.”

Othello: “The handkerchief!”

Exit Othello rashly

Emilia: “Is not this man jealous?”

Desdemona: “I never saw this before. Sure there’s some wonder in this handkerchief. I am most unhappy in the loss of it.”

Emilia: “Tis not a year or two that shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; they eat us hungrily, and when they are full, they belch us.“

Enter Cassio and Iago

Desdemona: “How now, good Cassio?”

Cassio: “Madam, I do beseech you that by your virtuous means I may again exist, and be a member of his love.”

Desdemona: “Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio! My advocation is not now in tune; my lord is not my lord. You must awhile be patient. What I can do I will; and more I will than for myself I dare.”

Iago: “Is my lord angry?”

Emilia: “Certainly in strange unquietness.”

Iago: “I will go meet him. There’s matter in it indeed, if he be angry.”

Desdemona: “I prithee do so.”

Exit Iago

Desdemona: “Something sure of state either from Venice or here in Cyprus hath puddled his clear spirit.”

Emilia: “Pray heaven it be state matters, as you think, and no jealous toy concerning you.”

Desdemona: “Alas the day, I never gave him cause!”

Emilia: “But jealous souls will not be answered so; they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they are jealous. ‘Tis a monster begot upon itself, born on itself.”

Desdemona: “Heaven keep that monster from Othello’s mind!”

Emilia: “Lady, amen.”

Desdemona: “I will go seek him. Cassio, if I do find him fit, I’ll move your suit.”

Cassio: “I humbly thank your ladyship.”

Exit Desdemona and Emilia

Enter Bianca

Bianca: “Save you, friend Cassio.”

Cassio: “How is it with you, my most fair Bianca? I was coming to your house.”

Bianca: “What, keep a week away? O weary reckoning.”

Cassio: “Pardon me, Bianca. I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed.”

Cassio give Bianca Desdemona’s handkerchief

Bianca: “O Cassio, whence came this. This is some token from a newer friend.”

Cassio: “Go to, woman! You are jealous now that this is from some mistress. No, by my faith, Bianca.”

Bianca: “Why, whose is it?”

Cassio: “I know not. I found it in my chamber. Take it, and leave me for this time.”

Bianca: “Leave you! Wherefore?”

Cassio: “I do attend here on the General.”

Analysis

Desdemona continues to advance her case for Cassio, so that he and Othello may continue as friends. But Iago has stirred things up so badly that Othello is quite certain now that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello demands the handkerchief he gave Desdemona as a gift but we know that Iago has made it seem that Cassio has been given it by Desdemona. Othello storms out and Desdemona and Emilia simply hope that his erratic behaviour has to do with a matter of state. Bianca, a courtesan friend of Cassio’s, arrives and he gives her the handkerchief that mysteriously showed up in his room. Only we know that Iago planted it there. Iago has brilliantly set up the very good Cassio as a villain. It must be noted that Iago is ultimately going to be responsible for more than just the demise of Othello. Desdemona and Emilia will be likewise betrayed and enveloped in his scheme. And yet he remains good and honest Iago to all but us.

Act IV (3 scenes)

Scene i

Cyprus. Before the citadel.

Enter Othello and Iago

Iago: “Will you think so?”

Othello: “Think so, Iago?”

Iago: “To kiss in private?”

Othello: “An unauthorized kiss.”

Iago: “Or to be naked with her friend in bed an hour or more, not meaning any harm?”

Othello: “Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm! It is hypocrisy against the devil. They that mean virtuously and yet do so, the devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.”

Iago: “So they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip; but if I give my wife a handkerchief -“

Othello: “What then?”

Iago: “Why then, ’tis hers, my lord, and, being hers, she may, I think, bestow it on any man.”

Othello: “She is protectress of her honour too: may she give that?”

Iago: “Her honour is an essence that’s not seen; they have it very often that have it not. But for the handkerchief -“

Othello: “O, it comes over my memory as doth the raven over the infected house, boding to all – he had my handkerchief.”

Iago: “Ay, what of that? What if I had said I had seen him do you wrong? Or heard him say -“

Othello: “Hath he said anything?”

Iago: “He hath, my lord.”

Othello: “What hath he said?”

Iago: “Lie -“

Othello: “With her?”

Iago: “With her, on her; what you will.”

Othello: “Lie with her – lie on her? I tremble at it. Is it possible?”

Othello falls into a trance

Iago: “Work on, my medicine, work. Thus credulous fools are caught; and many worthy and chaste dames even thus, all guiltless, meet reproach. My lord, I say! Othello!”

Enter Cassio

Cassio: “What is the matter?”

Iago: “My lord has fallen into an epilepsy. Look, he stirs. Do you withdraw yourself; when he is gone, I would on great occasion speak with you.”

Exit Cassio

Iago: “How is it, General?”

Othello: “Dost thou mock me?”

Iago: “I mock you? No, by heaven!”

Othello: “O, thou art wise; ’tis certain.”

Iago: “While you were here overwhelmed by your grief, Cassio came hither; I shifted him away, bade him anon return, and here speak with me; do but encase yourself, and mark the jibes and notable scorns that dwell in every region of his face; for I will make him tell the tale anew – where, how, how often, how long ago and when, he hath, and is again to cope you wife. Will you withdraw?”

Othello withdraws

Re-enter Cassio

Iago: “Here he comes. As he shall smile Othello shall go mad. (to Cassio) How do you now, lieutenant? If this suit lay in Bianca’s dower, how quickly should you speed!”

Othello: “Look how he laughs already.”

Iago: “I never knew a woman loved man so.”

Cassio: “Alas, poor rogue! I think, in faith, she loves me.”

Othello: “Now he denies it faintly.”

Iago: “She gives it out that you shall marry her. Do you intend it?”

Cassio: “Ha, ha, ha!”

Othello: “Do you triumph, Roman?”

Cassio: “I marry her! What, a customer! Bear some charity to my wit; do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!”

Othello: “So, so, so, so, so – they laugh that wins.”

Cassio: “She is persuaded that I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise. She haunts me in every place. So she hangs and weeps upon me.”

Othello: “She he tells how she plucked him to my chamber.”

Cassio: “Well, I must leave her company.”

Enter Bianca

Iago: “Look where she comes.”

Cassio: “What do you mean by this haunting of me?”

Bianca: “What did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now? A likely piece of work that you should find it in your chamber and know not who left it there. There – give it your hobby-horse.”

Othello: “By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!”

Bianca: “And you’ll come to supper tonight.”

Exit Bianca

Iago: “Will you sup there?”

Cassio: “Faith, I intend so.”

Exit Cassio

Othello: (coming forward) “How shall I murder him, Iago?”

Iago: “Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?”

Othello: “O, Iago.”

Iago: “And did you see the handkerchief?”

Othello: “Was that mine?”

Iago: “Your wife gave it to him, and he hath given it to his whore.”

Othello: “Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight; for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone. Hang her! But yet the pity of it, Iago. I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!”

Iago: “O, ’tis foul in her.”

Othello: “With my officer!”

Iago: “That’s fouler.”

Othello: “Give me some poison, Iago – this night.”

Iago: “Do not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed she has contaminated.”

Othello: “Good, good; the justice of it pleases; very good.”

Enter Lodovico and Desdemona

Lodovico: “The Duke and Senators of Venice greet you.”

Lodovico gives Othello a packet. Othello opens the packet and reads

Lodovico: “How does lieutenant Cassio?”

Desdemona: “Cousin, there’s a fallout between him and my lord, an unkind breach; but you shall make all well.”

Othello: “Are you sure of that?”

Desdemona: “My lord?”

Lodovico: “Is there division twixt thy lord and Cassio?”

Desdemona: “A most unhappy one. I would do much to atone them, for the love that I bear to Cassio.”

Othello: “Fire and brimstone!”

Desdemona: “My lord? Is he angry?”

Lodovico: “It may be the letter moved him; for, as I think, they do command him home, deputing Cassio in his government.”

Desdemona: “By my troth, I am glad of it.”

Othello: “Indeed!”

Desdemona: “My lord?”

Othello: “I am glad to see you mad.”

Desdemona: “Why, sweet Othello?”

Othello: “Devil!”

Othello strikes Desdemona

Desdemona: “I have not deserved this.”

Lodovico: “My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, though I should swear I saw it. ‘Tis very much. Make her amends; she weeps.”

Othello: “O Devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with women’s tears, each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight!”

Desdemona: “I will not stay to offend you.”

Othello: “I am commanded home – get you away; I’ll send for you anon. Sir, I will return to Venice – Hence, avaunt!”

Exit Desdemona

Lodovico: “Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature whom passion could not shake.”

Iago: “He is much changed.”

Lodovico: “Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?”

Iago: “He is that he is. What he might be, if what he might he is not, I would to heaven he were!”

Lodovico: “What, strike his wife! I am sorry that I am deceived in him.”

Analysis

Increasingly, Iago drives Othello mad with jealousy. He has orchestrated the handkerchief so that it appears that Desdemona has given it to Cassio. He pretends to know much but does not want to say much to Othello. Finally he relents and admits that Cassio told him that he did, in fact, lie with Desdemona. Othello swoons into a fainting spell. Iago arranges to speak with Cassio and advises Othello to conceal himself in order to overhear the conversation. Iago and Cassio discuss his prostitute girlfriend, Bianca, and all the while Othello thinks he is making light of his intimacy with Desdemona. Bianca arrives with the handkerchief Cassio gave her and she accuses him of having been given it by his other woman. After Cassio and Bianca leave Othello discusses how he will kill Desdemona, while Iago promises to kill Cassio. Lodovico arrives with a letter from Venice ordering Othello home. He can hardly believe the way Othello is behaving toward Desdemona. Othello is nowhere near the man Lodovico recalls. ‘This would not be believed in Venice.’ Iago has turned Othello inside out with a jealous rage, bordering on madness.

Act IV

Scene ii

Cyprus. The citadel.

Enter Othello and Emilia

Othello: “You have seen nothing, then?”

Emilia: “Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect.”

Othello: “Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together.”

Emilia: “But then I saw no harm. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, lay down my soul at a stake. If you think other, remove your thought – it doth abuse your bosom. If any wretch have put this in your head, let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse; for if she be not honest, chaste and true, there’s no man happy; the purest of their wives is foul as slander.”

Othello: “Bid her come hither. Go.”

Exit Emilia

Othello: “She says enough; yet she’s a simple baud. This is a subtle whore.”

Re-enter Emilia with Desdemona

Desdemona: “My lord, what is your will?”

Othello: “Come hither. Let me see your eyes; look in my face.”

Desdemona: “What doth your speech import? I understand a fury in your words, but not the words.”

Othello: “Why, what art thou?”

Desdemona: “Your wife, my lord; your true and loyal wife.”

Othello: “Come, swear it, damn thyself; swear thou art honest.”

Desdemona: “Heaven doth truly know it.”

Othello: “Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.”

Desdemona: “To whom, my lord? With whom? How am I false?”

Ohello: “Ah, Desdemona! Away! Away! Away!”

Desdemona: “Why do you weep? Am I the motive of these tears, my lord? I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.”

Othello: “O thou weed who art so lovely fair and smells so sweet. Would thou had never been born!”

Desdemona: “Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?”

Othello: “What committed! Committed! O thou public commoner! I should make very forges of my cheeks that would to cinders burn up modesty, did I but speak thy deeds. What committed! Impudent strumpet!”

Desdemona: “By heaven, you do me wrong.”

Othello: “Are you not a strumpet?”

Desdemona: “No, as I am a Christian. If to preserve this vessel for my lord from any other foul unlawful touch be not to be a strumpet, I am none.”

Othello: “What, not a whore?”

Desdemona: “No, as I shall be saved.”

Othello: “Is it possible?”

Desdemona: “O, heaven forgive us!”

Othello: “I cry you mercy, then. I took you for that cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello. You, mistress, that have the office opposite to St Peter and keeps the gates of hell.”

Re-enter Emilia

Exit Othello

Emilia: “Alas, what does this gentleman conceive? How do you, my good lady? What’s the matter with my lord? “

Desdemona: “Do not talk to me, Emilia; I cannot weep.”

Exit Emilia

Re-enter Emilia with Iago

Iago: “What is your pleasure. What is the matter, lady?”

Emilia: “Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhor’d her, thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her that true hearts cannot bear it.”

Desdemona: “Am I that name, Iago?”

Iago: “What name, dear lady?”

Emilia: “He called her a whore.”

Iago: “Why did he so?”

Desdemona: “I do not know.”

Iago: “Do not weep.”ftyh

Emilia: “I will be hanged if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue, some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, have not devised this slander; I’ll be hanged else.”

Iago: “Fie, there is no such man; it is impossible.”

Desdemona: “If any such there be, heaven pardon him!”

Emilia: “A halter pardon him! And hell gnaw his bones! Why should he call her whore? The Moor’s abused by some outrageous knave, some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.”

Desdemona: “O god! Iago, what shall I do to win my lord again? Good friend, go to him; for I know not how I lost him, though he do shake me off to beggarly divorcement. Unkindness may do much; and his unkindness may defeat my life, but never taint my love.”

Iago: “I pray you be content; ’tis but his humour. The business of the state does him offence, and he does chide with you. It is but so, I warrant. Go in and weep not; all things shall be well.”

Exit Desdemona and Emilia

Enter Roderigo

Iago: “How now, Roderigo?”

Roderigo: “I do not find that thou deals justly with me. I will, indeed, no longer endure it.”

Iago: “Will you hear me, Roderigo?”

Roderigo: “Faith, I have heard too much.”

Iago: “You charge me most unjustly.”

Roderigo: “With naught but truth. I will make myself known to Desdemona.”

Iago: “Give me thy hand, Roderigo. Thou has taken against me a most just exception; but yet, I protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair.”

Roderigo: “It hath not appeared.”

Iago: “I grant, indeed, it hath not appeared; and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast in thee indeed, which I have greater reason to believe now than ever – I mean purpose, courage and valour – this night show it; if thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery.”

Roderigo: “What is is? Is it within reason and compass?”

Iago: “Sir, there is a special commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othello’s place.”

Roderigo: “Is that true? Why, then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice.”

Iago: “O, no; he goes to Mauritania, and takes away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered here by some accident; wherein none can be so determinate as the removing of Cassio.”

Roderigo: “How do you meaning removing of him?”

Iago: “Why, by making him uncapable of Othello’s place – knocking out his brains.”

Roderigo: “And that you have me to do?”

Iago: “Ay, he sups tonight with a harlot. He knows not yet of his honourable fortune. If you will watch his going hence, you may take him at your pleasure. I will be near to second your attempt, and he shall fall between us. Go along with me. I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him.”

Analysis

Othello is trying to get his bearings straight and understand what is happening to him. Iago has him paralyzed and he seeks assurance from Emilia, who is certain that Desdemona is entirely innocent. When Othello is alone once more with Desdemona he goes at her hard with accusations of being a strumpet and a whore. There is nothing Desdemona can say to Othello to unravel the web Iago has spun within his brain. Emilia brings in Iago to see if she and Desdemona can learn anything of how this has come to be. Emilia believes there is a villain afoot, who is convincing Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful. Iago, being precisely that villain, denies this and rather claims that matters of state importance are clouding Othello’s mind. He assures Desdemona that all will be well. Roderigo arrives to speak with Iago. He is furious that his love for Desdemona appears to be in vain. But Iago tells him that Cassio is being promoted to Othello’s position and Othello and Desdemona are being relocated to Mauritania. Iago tells Roderigo that his only chance of still winning Desdemona is to kill Cassio, so then Othello and Desdemona cannot leave Cyprus.

Othello has thoroughly lost his way. Desdemona and Emilia are very clear regarding Desdemona’s innocence, but he is so poisoned by Iago that there is nothing the two women can say to him to alter his belief that she has become a whore. Such is the consuming nature of intense jealousy. Iago is a superbly effective villain. Not even his own wife knows that the villain is him. Everyone trusts the ‘good, honest Iago’. His is truly a master performance, explaining why he remains for many in the ultimate Shakespearean pantheon, along with Hamlet, Falstaff and Cleopatra.

Act IV

Scene iii

Cyprus. The citadel

Enter Othello, Desdemona, Lodovico and Emilia

Othello: “O Desdemona! Get you to bed on the instant; I will be returned forthwith. Dispatch your attendant.”

Desdemona: “I will, my lord.”

Exit Othello and Lodovico

Emilia: “How goes it now?”

Desdemona: “He hath commanded me to me bed, and bade me to dismiss you.”

Emilia: “Dismiss me!”

Desdemona: “Therefore, good Emilia, give me my nightly wearing, and adieu.”

Emilia: “I would you had never seem him.”

Desdemona: “Dost thou in conscience think – tell me, Emilia – that there be women who do abuse their husbands in such gross kind?”

Emilia: “There be some such, no question.”

Desdemona: “Would thou do such a deed for all the world?”

Emilia: “Why, would not you?”

Desdemona: “No, by this heavenly light!”

Emilia: “Nor I neither, by this heavenly light; I might do it as well in the dark.”

Desdemona: “Would thou do such a deed for all the world?”

Emilia: “The world’s a huge thing. It is a great price for a small vice.”

Desdemona: “Good troth, I think thou would not.”

Emilia: “By my troth, I think I should; and undo it when I had done it. Marry, I would not do such a thing for any petty exhibition; but for all the whole world, who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for it.”

Desdemona: “Beshrew me, if I should do such a wrong for the whole world.”

Emilia: “Why, the wrong is but a wrong in the world; and having the world for your labour, ’tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right. But I do think it is their husbands’ faults if wives do fall. Let husbands know their wives have sense like them; what is it that they do when they change us for others? Is it sport? I think it is. And doth affection breed it? I think it doth. Is it frailty that thus errs? It is so too. And have not we affections, desires for sport, and frailty, as men have? Then let them use us well; else let them know the ills we do their ills instruct us so.”

Analysis

Othello instructs Desdemona to bed, saying that he will be there soon. She complies and seems to accept her fate. She asks Emilia if she would ever cheat on her husband for all the world. Emilia surprises her by stating that the world is a huge prize for the committing of so small a vice. She goes on to say that it is generally the husband’s fault when the wife falls and that the ills of the husbands instruct well the ills of the wives. Desdemona believes in being true to her husband without qualification, whereas Emilia thinks that, like men, if women are unhappy, perhaps they should look elsewhere for satisfaction, if not happiness. Act V beckons… and it ain’t pretty.

Act V (2 scenes)

Scene i

Cyprus. A street

Enter Iago and Roderigo

Iago: “Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come. Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home; fear nothing; I’ll be at thy elbow. Fix firm thy resolution.”

Roderigo: “Be near at hand; I may miscarry in it.”

Iago: “Be bold, and take thy stand.”

Iago withdraws

Roderigo: “I have no great devotion to the deed.”

Iago: “Now, whether he kills Cassio or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo, he calls me to a restitution large of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him as gifts to Desdemona; if Cassio do remain, he hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly; and besides, the Moor may unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril; no, he must die. Be it so. I hear him coming.”

Enter Cassio

Roderigo: “Villain, thou diest.”

Roderigo thrusts his sword toward Cassio. Cassio draws and wounds Roderigo

Roderigo: “O, I am slain!”

Iago stabs Cassio from behind in the leg and exits

Cassio: “I am maimed forever. Help, ho! Murder!”

Enter Othello at a distance

Othello: “The voice of Cassio. Iago keeps his word.”

Roderigo: “O, villain that I am!”

Cassio: “O, help, ho! A surgeon!”

Othello: “‘Tis he. O brave Iago, honest and just. Strumpet, I come. Thy bed, lust stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted.”

Exit Othello

Enter Lodovico and Gratiano at a distance

Cassio: “Murder! Murder!”

Gratiano: “‘Tis some mischance; the voice is very direful.”

Cassio: “O help!”

Roderigo: “O wretched villain!”

Lodovico: “Two or three groan. ‘Tis heavy night; these may be counterfeits; let’s think it unsafe to come in to the cry without more help.”

Roderigo: “Nobody come? Then shall I bleed to death.”

Enter Iago

Iago: “Who’s there? Whose noise is this that cries on murder?”

Cassio: “Here, here! For heaven’s sake, help me! Iago? I am spoiled, undone by villains! Give me some help.”

Iago: “O me, lieutenant! What villains have done this?”

Cassio: “I think that one of them is hereabout, and cannot make away.”

Iago: “O treacherous villains.”

Roderigo: “O, help me there!”

Cassio: “That’s one of them.”

Iago: “O murderous slave! O villain!”

Iago stabs Roderigo

Roderigo: “O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!”

Iago: “Kill men in the dark!”

Gratiano: “Cassio!”

Iago: “How is it, brother?”

Cassio: “My leg is cut in two.”

Iago: “Marry, heaven forbid. I’ll bind it with my shirt.”

Enter Bianca

Bianca: “O, my dear Cassio! My sweet Cassio!”

Iago: “Cassio, may you suspect who they should be that have thus mangled you?”

Cassio: “No.”

Bianca: “Alas, he faints! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!”

Iago: “Gentlemen, I do suspect this trash to be a party in this injury. Patience awhile, good Cassio. Lend me a light. Know we this face no? Alas, my friend and my dear countryman, Roderigo? O heaven, Roderigo! I’ll fetch the general’s surgeon.”

Enter Emilia

Emilia: “What’s the matter, husband?”

Iago: “This is the fruits of whoring. Prithee, Emilia, go know of Cassio where he supped tonight.”

Bianca: “He supped at my house.”

Iago: “O, did he so?”

Emilia: “Fie, fie, upon thee, strumpet!”

Bianca: “I am no strumpet.”

Emilia: “Fie upon thee!”

Iago: (aside) “This is the night that either makes me or fordoes me quite.”

Analysis

Iago and Roderigo wait outside a brothel for Cassio to appear. Roderigo attempts to stab him but fails. Instead, Cassio stabs Roderigo and in the darkness and confusion Iago stabs Cassio in the leg. Cassio has no idea who has stabbed him. Othello arrives near the scene and hears cries of murder. He believes Iago has killed Cassio as planned and proceeds to find and kill Desdemona in her bed. Meanwhile, Iago stumbles around the crime scene with a light and kills Roderigo. Bianca arrives and is shocked to see the injured Cassio. Emilia arrives and she and Iago chastise Bianca. Iago ends the scene with a vital aside to the audience: ‘This is the night that either makes me or fordoes me quite.’

Roderigo has been thoroughly duped by Iago and now lies dead outside a brothel. Cassio lies wounded and Othello has gone home to kill Desdemona. Iago’s work is nearly done, except that Cassio was supposed to die as well. Miraculously, not a single soul suspects Iago of anything except being ‘good and honest Iago’. We approach the play’s final scene, in the bedchamber of Desdemona and Othello.

Act V

Scene ii

Cyprus. The citadel

Desdemona in her bed. Enter Othello

Othello: “It is the cause, my soul. Yet, I’ll not shed her blood, nor scar that whiter skin of hers. Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.”

Othello kisses Desdemona

Othello: “One more, one more. Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee, and love thee after. One more, and that’s the last; so sweet was never so fatal. I must weep, but they are cruel tears. This sorrow’s heavenly. It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.”

Desdemona: “Who’s there? Othello?”

Othello: “Ay, Desdemona.”

Desdemona: “Will you come to bed, my lord?”

Othello: “Have you prayed tonight, Desdemona?”

Desdemona: “Ay, my lord.”

Othello: “If you bethink yourself of any crime unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace, solicit for it straight.”

Desdemona: “What may you mean by that?”

Othello: “I would not kill thy unprepared spirit; I would not kill thy soul.”

Desdemona: “Talk you of killing?”

Othello: “Ay, I do.”

Desdemona: “I hope you will not kill me. Why I should fear, I know not, since guiltiness I know not; but yet I feel I fear.”

Othello: “Think on thy sins.”

Desdemona: “They are loves I bear to you.”

Othello: “Ay, and for that thou diest.”

Desdemona: “Alas, why gnaw you so on your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope, they do not point on me.”

Othello: “Peace, and be still.”

Desdemona: “What’s the matter?”

Othello: “That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee thou gave to Cassio.”

Desdemona: “No, by my life and soul!”

Othello: “Sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed.”

Desdemona: “Ay, but not yet to die.”

Othello: “Yes, presently. Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin. Thou art to die.”

Desdemona: “I never offended you in my life; never loved Cassio but with such general warranty of heaven as I might love. I never gave him token.”

Othello: “By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in his hand.”

Desdemona: “He found it, then; I never gave it to him.”

Othello: “He hath confessed.”

Desdemona: “He will not say so.”

Othello: “No, his mouth is stopped; honest Iago has taken order for it.”

Desdemona: “O, my fear interprets! What, is he dead? Alas, he is betrayed, and I am undone!”

Othello: “Out strumpet! Weep thou for him to my face?”

Desdemona: “O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not.”

Othello: “Down, strumpet.”

Desdemona: “Kill me tommorow; let me live tonight.”

Othello: “Nay.”

Desdemona: “But half an hour.”

Othello: “Being done, there is no pause.”

Desdemona: “But while I say one prayer.”

Othello: “It is too late.”

Othello smothers Desdemona

Desdemona: “O lord, lord, lord!”

Emilia: (outside the bedchamber) “My lord, my lord!”

Othello: “What voice is this? Not yet quite dead? I that am cruel am yet merciful. I would not have thee linger in thy pain.”

Emilia: (outside the bedchamber) “O, good my lord, I’d speak a word with you!”

Othello: “Yes – ’tis Emilia. She’s dead. Ha! No more moving? Still as the grave. Shall she come in? I think she stirs again. No. What’s the best? If she comes in she’ll surely speak to my wife. My Wife! My wife! What wife? I have no wife. O heavy hour!”

Emilia: (outside the bedchamber) “I do beseech you that I may speak with you. O good my lord!”

Othello: “O, come in, Emilia.”

Enter Emilia

Emilia: “O,my good lord, yonder’s foul murders done! Cassio, my lord, has killed a young Venetian called Roderigo.”

Othello: “Roderigo killed! And Cassio killed!”

Emilia: “No, Cassio is not killed.”

Othello: “Not Cassio killed! Then murder’s out of tune, and sweet revenge grows harsh.”

Desdemona: “O falsely, falsely murdered!”

Emilia: “O lord, what cry is that?”

Othello: “That! What?”

Emilia: “That was my lady’s voice! Help! Help! O lady, speak again! Sweet Desdemona! O, sweet mistress, speak!”

Desdemona: “A guiltless death I die.”

Emilia: “O, who hath done this deed?”

Desdemona: “Nobody. I myself. Farewell.”

Desdemona dies

Othello: “Why, how should she be murdered?”

Emilia: “Alas, who knows?”

Othello: “You heard her say herself it was not I.”

Emilia: “She said so. I must need report a truth.”

Otello: “She’s like a liar gone to burning hell. ‘Twas I who killed her.”

Emilia: “O, the more angel she, and you the black devil!”

Othello: “She turned to folly, and she was a whore.”

Emilia: “Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.”

Othello: “She was false as water.”

Emilia: “Thou art rash as fire to say that she was false. O, she was heavenly true!”

Othello: “Cassio did top her; ask thy husband. Thy husband knew it all.”

Emilia: “My husband?”

Othello: “Thy husband.”

Emilia: “That she was false to wedlock?”

Othello: “Ay, with Cassio.”

Emilia: “My husband!”

Othello: “Ay, ’twas he that told me on her first. An honest man he is, and hates the slime that sticks on filthy deeds.”

Emilia: “My husband!”

Othello: “What means this utterance, woman? I say thy husband.”

Emilia: “My husband says that she was false!”

Othello: “He, woman; my friend, thy husband – honest, honest Iago.”

Emilia: “If he say so, may his pernicious soul rot half a grain a day! He lies to the heart.”

Othello: “Ha!”

Emilia: “Do thy worst: this deed of thine is no more worthy heaven than thou was worthy her. O gull! O dolt! As ignorant as dirt! I care not for thy sword; I’ll make thee known. Help! Help! Help! The Moor hath killed my mistress! Murder! Murder!”

Enter Montano, Gratiano and Iago

Montano: “What’s the matter?”

Emilia: “O, are you come Iago. You have done well, that men must lay their murders on your neck. Disprove this villain, if thou be a man: he says thou told him that his wife was false. I know thou did not; thou art not such a villain. Speak, for my heart is full.”

Iago: “I told him what I thought, and told no more than what he found himself was apt and true.”

Emilia: “But did you ever tell him she was false?”

Iago: “I did.”

Emilia: “You told a lie – an odious, damned lie. Upon my soul, a lie – a wicked lie. She false with Cassio! Did you say with Cassio?”

Iago: “With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue.”

Emilia: “I will not charm my tongue. I am bound to speak: my mistress lies here murdered in her bed. And your reports have set the murder on. Villainy! Villainy! Villainy! I think – I smell it. Villainy! I’ll kill myself for grief. O, villainy! Villainy!”

Iago: “What, are you mad?”

Emilia: “Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak. ‘Tis proper I obey him, but not now. Perchance, Iago, I will never go home.”

Othello:”O! O! O!

Othello falls on the bed

Emilia: “Nay, lay thee down and roar; for thou has killed the sweetest innocent that ever did lift up eye.”

Othello: “O, she was foul! I scarce did know you, uncle. There lies your niece, whose breath indeed these hands have newly stopped. I know this act shows horrible and grim.”

Gratiano: “Poor Desdemona!”

Othello: “‘Tis pitiful; but yet Iago knows that she with Cassio hath the act of shame a thousand times committed; Cassio confessed it. I saw it in his hand; a handkerchief, an antique token my father gave my mother.”

Emilia: “O God! O heavenly God!”

Iago: “Zounds, hold your peace.”

Emilia: “No, I will speak.”

Iago: “Be wise and get you home.”

Emilia: “I will not.”

Iago offers to stab his wife

Gratiano: “Fie! Your sword upon a woman?”

Emilia: “O thou dull Moor! That handkerchief thou speaks of I found by fortune, and did give my husband. He begged of me to steal it.”

Iago: “Villainous whore! Filth, thou liest.”

Emilia: “By heaven, I do not, gentlemen.”

Othello runs at Iago. Iago kills his wife and escapes

Gratiano: “The woman falls; sure he hath killed his wife.”

Emilia: “Ay, ay. O, lay me by my mistress’ side.”

Montano: “Tis a notorious villain. Come, guard the door. I’ll after that same villain, for ’tis a damned slave.”

Emilia: “Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel Moor; so speaking as I think, alas, I die.”

Emilia dies

Othello: “Who can control his fate? ‘Tis not so now. Here is my journey’s end. Where should Othello go? How dost thou look now? O, ill-starred wench. This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven and fiends will snatch at it. O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils, blow me about in winds, roast me in sulphur, wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire. O Desdemona! Dead! Desdemona! Dead! O! O!”

Enter Lodovico, Montano, Cassio and officers, with Iago prisoner

Othello: “If that thou be a devil, I cannot kill thee.”

Othello wounds Iago

Lodovico: “Wrench his sword from him.”

Iago: “I bleed, sir, but not killed.”

Othello: “I am not sorry neither; I’d have thee live; for in my sense, ’tis happiness to die.”

Lodovico: “O thou Othello, who was once so good, what shall be said to thee?”

Othello: “Why, anything: an honourable murderer, if you will; for nought I did in hate, but all in honour.”

Lodovico: “This wretch hath part confessed his villainy. Did you and he consent in Cassio’s death?”

Othello: “Ay.”

Cassio: “Dear general, I never gave you cause.”

Othello: “I do believe it, and I ask your pardon. Will you, I pray, demand that Demi-devil why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?”

Iago: “Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I will never speak a word.”

Lodovico: “What, not to pray?”

Gratiano: “Torments will open your lips.”

Lodovico: “Sir, here is a letter found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo; and here another: the one of them imports the death of Cassio to be undertook by Roderigo.”

Othello: “O villain!”

Cassio: “Most heathenish and most gross!”

Othello: “How came you, Casio, by that handkerchief that was my wife’s?”

Cassio: “I found it in my chamber; and he himself confessed it even now that there he dropped it.”

Othello: “O fool, fool, fool!”

Lodovico: “You must go with us. Your power and command is taken off, and Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave, if there be any cunning cruelty that can torment him much and hold him long, it shall be his.”

Othello: “Soft you; a word or two before you go. I pray you, in your letters, speak of me as I am; one that loved not wisely, but too well; of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought, perplexed in the extreme. Set you down this: Aleppo once, where a malignant Turk beat a Venetian, I took by the throat the circumcised dog, and smote him – thus.”

Othello stabs himself

Lodovico: “O bloody period!”

Othello falls on the bed with Desdemona and Emilia and dies

Cassio: “He was great of heart.”

Lodovico: (to Iago) “O Spartan dog, look upon the tragic loading of this bed. This is thy work. To you, Lord Governor, remains the censure of this hellish villain; the time, the place, the torture – O, enforce it! Myself will straight abroad; and to the state this heavy act with heavy heart relate.”

Analysis

Othello hovers over Desdemona’s bed and prepares to kill her, as this final act gets underway. Desdemona awakens and they discuss her death. Othello claims she must die but Desdemona knows she is guiltless and asks for the reason. He claims he has been furnished with proof. Iago has informed him of Cassio’s confession. He smothers his innocent wife. Emilia arrives and he informs her that he has murdered Desdemona because she was a whore. Emilia, who knows better, screams for help and Montano, Gratiano and Iago all arrive. The truth spills out and Iago attempts to kill Emilia before she can say more. But it is too late. It finally becomes clear that Othello has been set up all along by Iago and he lunges at Iago, wounding him with his sword. Iago manages to stab Emilia and escape. In her dying words, Emilia assures Othello that Desdemona was wholly innocent. The entire truth is presented thanks to a letter found in Roderigo’s pocket. Just before they take Othello away to Venice to stand trial for the murder of Desdemona he pulls out a knife and kills himself, falling on the bed with Desdemona and Emilia.

This is a play about jealousy. Iago was initially jealous that Othello passed him over for a promotion that went to Cassio. This was his motivation, other than a suspicion that Othello had lay with Iago’s wife. Iago then turns his jealousy into revenge and creates a doomsday jealousy in Othello, which eventually brings down Roderigo, Desdemona, Emilia, Othello, and yes, eventually, after much torture, Iago himself. Honest Iago fooled them all until it was too late. The murder of Desdemona is extremely hard to watch. I always want to stand up and scream ‘NO’ as he puts that pillow over her innocent face. Partly, this is because we know as well as Emilia does how innocent Desdemona is and partly because the smothering occurs on stage, so we must actually watch it. Lady Macbeth (Macbeth), Cordelia (King Lear) and Ophelia (Hamlet) all die offstage, where Lavinia is brutally ravaged as well, in Titus Andronicus. The only other scene that causes me to wince as much as Desdemona’s death is the blinding of Gloucester in King Lear, which we also must watch, bloody spectacle that it is. Iago is an accomplished villain, up there with Richard III and Edmund (King Lear), and he takes all of us along on his revenge upon the Moor. Othello (1604) will be followed by Macbeth (1605), King Lear (1605-06), Timon of Athens (1605-06) Antony and Cleopatra (1606) and Coriolanus (1608), before Shakespeare closes the door on his tragedies and turns to romantic comedies (Pericles, Cymbeline and The Winter’s Tale) and a few collaborations (Henry VIII and The Two Noble Kinsmen) before closing out his career as playwright with the signature swan song The Tempest.

Final Thoughts

Shakespeare would have encountered ‘A Moorish Captain’ by Giraldi Cintheo (1565) when it was translated into French in 1583. The very first staging of Othello was on 1 November 1604 at Whitehall Palace, attended by Queen Elizabeth and starring Richard Burbage as the Moor. In 1660 Margaret Hughes played Desdemona and was the first woman to perform legally on the English stage. From Shakespeare’s day right up to the 19th century, the actor portraying Othello was always played by a white man. Ira Aldridge was the first black actor to portray Othello on the London stage in 1825. Verdi wrote a very famous opera for the play in 1887. Paul Robeson first played Othello in 1930 at the age of 32, opposite Peggy Ashcroft, and continued to play him well into his seventies. Lawrence Fishburne and Paul Scofield were also very well noted Othellos, as was Lawrence Olivier. Olivier also starred as Iago to Ralph Richardson’s Othello in 1938. In 1951 Richard Burton and John Neville alternated roles on a nightly basis between the two lead characters and there was a 1960’s rock musical version entitled ‘Catch My Soul’. Anthony Hopkins played the lead in 1981, as well. Youtube has several excellent full stage productions, including the 1965 version starring Lawrence Olivier and Derek Jacobi and a 2019 show put on by the African American Shakespeare Company. There are several full films of Othello, including the well regarded 1995 version starring Lawrence Fishburne and Kenneth Branagh and a more recent 2016 production. As usual, there are many short clips and a host of lectures and analysis.