OTHELLO PLAY

Página 1

ACT 1

SCENE 1

The play starts in media res as the audience hears Roderigo and Iago are in the middle of an argument about the money that Roderigo has paid for Iago to help him win Desdemona

Iago assures Roderigo that he hates Othello, as Othello recently passed him over for a promotion to lieutenant and instead, promoted Cassio, a man who he views as just a "spinster" (1.1.23) military theorist with no practical experience.

Iago says he is pretending to serve Othello, ad instead is just looking out for his own self-interest: "In following him I but follow myself [...] I am not what I am" (1.1.57; 64).

They go to the house of Brabantio and shout from the street that Brabantio has been robbed but he doesn't believe them as he recognises Roderigo, who he has told to stop pursuing her.

But Iago, who doesn't give his name and whom Brabantio doesn't recognize, describes Othello and Desdemona having sex: "an old black rm is tupping your white ewe" (1.1.88-89), "your daughter and the Moor are making the beast with two backs"(1.1.118).

Iago takes the chance to leave in order to keep his plot against Othello secret.

Brabantio emerges from his house furious as he didn't find Desdemona; he says that his daughter has been stolen by magic and that he wishes she had married Roderigo.

They set off to raise an armed search party and confront Othello.

SCENE 2

Iago tells Othello that he wanted to stab Roderigo when heard the things he was saying about Othello and warns him that Brabantio is likely to try to legally force a divorce between them but Othello seems unconcerned.

They see a group of men approaching that Iago says must be Brabantio so advises Othello to go inside but Othello refuses, preferring to face them, saying he has dutifully served the state of Venice and his conscience is clean.

The men turn out to be Cassio and servants of the Duke of Venice, sent to bring Othello to meet with the Duke regarding a military issue in Cyprus.

Iago mentions to Cassio that Othello has married but before he can say who Othello has wed, Roderigo, Brabantio and his men arrive claiming Othello must have enchanted Desdemona, as she wouldn't've gone "to the sooty bosom of such a thing as thou" (1.2.70-71) and orders his men to seize Othello.

Othello is unfazed and informs Brabantio that he has been called to meet with the Duke on state business, in which Brabantio decides to accompany Othello to the Duke and air his grievance there.

SCENE 3

The Duke meets with his senators about a Turkish invasion and discuss how to repel the Turkish attack on Cyprus.

Othello enters with Brabantio demanding that they instead deal with the fact that his daughter has been corrupted into marrying a man she would never otherwise have considered, but when the Duke learns that the accused man is Othello he gives Othello a chance to defend himself.

Othello denies using any magic to win her love saying that Desdemona will support his story. Othello says that Brabantio used to invite him to his house to hear his life story and that these stories won Desdemona's love.

The Duke comments that he thinks his own daughter might be won over by Othello's story.

Brabantio asks his daughter to whom she owes obedience but Desdemona admits that just as her own mother once had to shift her obedience from her own father, so must she shift her obedience too. Brabantio gives up his grievance against Othello.

The Duke at first suggests that Desdemona stays in Venice but Brabantio, Othello, and Desdemona all object, so the Duke says that she may go with Othello to Cyprus to lead its defence.

Before leaving, Brabantio warns Othello to watch her as she disobeyed her father so she might disobey her husband.

As Othello must leave for Cyprus that night, he decides that Desdemona should follow after him in the care of Iago, and asks Iago to have his wife attend Desdemona.

Iago and Roderigoare left alone and Roderigo is convinced his chances with her are lost so talks of drowning himself, causing Iago to mock him. He tells Roderigo to follow them to Cyprus, where he will make sure that Desdemona will end up with him albeit for a price.

Iago delivers a soliloquy saying he hates Othello as there are rumours that he has slept with his wife, Emilia. He decides that he will convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio and that Othello's "free and open nature" (1.3.380) will allow him to trick him.

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ACT 2

SCENE 1

Montano, the governor of Cyprus, states that he does not think the Turkish fleet could withstand the storm, and a moment later a gentleman enters with the news that Cassio has arrived and saw that the Turks lost many ships in the storm. Cassio is glad of the defeat of the Turks, but worries that Othello might have been lost at sea.

The Venetian ship carrying Desdemona, Iago, Emilia, and Roderigo arrives and Desdemona asks after Othello, worrying when she hears that Cassio and Othello's ships lost contact during the storm but then Othello's ship arrives.

Iago and Desdemona banter, Iago portraying all women as generally deceptive and sex-starved, but that a woman with perfect virtue would be boring. Desdemona defends women against him.

Cassio takes Desdemona's hand and speaks with her privately, which Iago sees and says that this will be enough of a web to "ensnare as great a fly as Cassio" (2.1.169) and strip him of his position.

Othello arrives seeing Desdemona and says that he is so happy he could die now as she responds that their love and joy will only increase as they age. Othello then thanks the people of Cyprus for their hospitality and asks Iago to oversee the unloading of his ship, and and all but Iago and Roderigo head to the castle to celebrate their victory.

Iago tells him that she is bound to tire of Othello and want someone younger, like Cassio, whom he describes to to be a knave and posturer who is always looking out for his own advantage.

Iago asks if he noticed them touching hands. Roderigo did and says it was just courtesy but Iago convinces him otherwise, advising him to provoke Cassio into a fight with him as the people of Cyprus will demand that Cassio be replaced, and remove an obstacle that separates Roderigo from Desdemona. Roderigo agrees to do it, and exits.

Iago delivers his second soliloquy saying he thinks it believable that they love each other and the confrontation between Roderigo and Cassio will cause Othello to suspect Desdemona of infidelity.

SCENE 2

A herald reads that Othello has called for a night to celebrate the annihilation of the Turkish fleet as well as his recent marriage.

SCENE 3

Othello puts Cassio in charge during the celebration to make sure that the men on guard practice self-restraint despite the party, though Cassio says that Iago knows what to do, he will make sure to it himself.

Othello and Desdemona leave to consummate their marriage.

Iago praises Desdemona's beauty while also suggesting that she might be a seductress but Cassio believes her to be modest.

Iago tries to convince Cassio to take a drink, which he declines, due to his low tolerance. Iago convinces Cassio to let in the revelers who are at the door.

Iago addresses the audience: the revelers are Roderigo and three men of Cyrpus, who are touchy about their honour and who he has made sure to get drunk. Once Cassio is drunk, he will create an event that results in Cassio offending the people of Cyprus.

Cassio returns with Montano and other revelers, in good spirits; they have already forced him to take a drink. Eventually, Cassio, who is drunk but loudly protesting that he is in fact not drunk, exits offstage .

Iago tells Montano that, despite being a great soldier, he has a terrible drinking problem so cannot handle responsibilities. Montano says they should report this to Othello, but Iago says that he cares too much for Cassio, secretly sending Roderigo to pick a fight with Cassio.

Cassio chases Roderigo onstage and they are about to fight when Montano tries to intervene, noting that Cassio is drunk which offends him, so he and Montano fight and Cassio injures Montano.

Othello enters and immediately puts an end to the fight, demanding to know how it began. Iago and Cassio say they do not know, while Montano says that he is too injured to speak, but he adds that Iago does know the full story.

He explains that as he and Montano were talking, Cassio chased in some unknown fellow. Montano then stepped in to stop Cassio, while Iago went after the unknown man. When Iago returned, Cassio and Montano were fighting. Iago then adds that the unknown man must have offended Cassio in some way.

Othello says that he can tell that Iago tried to tell the story in a way that made Cassio look as good as possible. He says that he loves Cassio, must dismiss him. Desdemona arrives and Othello leads her back to bed, and promises to tend to Montano's wounds.

Everyone exits but Iago and Cassio.

Iago asks if Cassio knew who he was chasing after, but Cassio says that he can't remember but plans to ask Othello to return him to his position. Iago tells him to approach Desdemona for help as Othello so in love with her that she is sure to convince Othello to return Cassio to his former position.

Cassio exits.

Iago delivers another soliloquy, saying that his advice to Cassio is good advice but as Desdemona tries to help Cassio, Iago will convince Othello that she does so not out of goodness but lust for Cassio. "Out of her own goodness [I'll] make the net that / Shall enmesh them all" (2.3.335–336).

Roderigo enters, angry that he has been beaten by Cassio, given Iago his money, yet does not have Desdemona. Iago tells him to be patient and that Cassio has been removed as an obstacle, as plans take wits and time to develop.

Roderigo exits.

Iago addresses the audience: he will get his wife to set up a meeting between Cassio and Desdemona, ensuring Othello sees this.

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ACT 3

SCENE 1

Cassio hires musicians to play beneath Othello's window. in an attempt to regain his favour but Othello sends down a clown to mocks the musicians and send them away.

Cassio gives the clown a gold piece, and asks them to bring Emilia to him. The clown exits as Iago enters. Cassio explains that he has sent for Emilia and Iago says that he will send her down himself, and will also make sure that Othello does not come near so that they will be free to talk.

Iago exits.

Emilia enters, and tells Cassio that Othello and Desdemona have been talking about his situation and Desdemona is strongly in his favour.

Othello responded that because Montano is so powerful in Cyprus he can't simply give Cassio his job back, but he loved Cassio and that he is looking for the earliest opportunity to reinstate him.

But Cassio still begs Emilia to help him have a brief conversation with Desdemona.

SCENE 2

Othello gives Iago some letters to send to the Venetian senate, and tells him to meet him on the fortifications.

SCENE 3

Desdemona assures Cassio that she will help him regain his position when Othello and Iago enter. Cassio feels so ashamed that is unable to talk to Othello so exits.

Othello asks Iago whether it was Cassio who left. Iago responds that it seems unlikely, why would Cassio "steal away so guilty-like / Seeing your coming" (3.3.38-39)

Desdemona asks him to reinstate Cassio and Othello promises to do so, but won't give a definite time. Othello says that he will deny her nothing, but asks for some time to himself. Desdemona exits.

Iago asks vague but leading questions about Cassio, until Othello demands that Iago to be specific. Iago says that his suspicions must be wrong because Cassio seems so honest, but in the process plants the idea of an affair in Othello's mind.

Iago warns Othello against "the green-eyed monster" (3.3.165-7) jealousy, while at the same time noting that she did deceive her father. Othello claims not to be jealous; but it is obvious that he is. Iago counsels Othello to trust only what he sees, not Iago's suspicions.

Othello tells Iago to have Emilia watch Desdemona, and Iago tells Othello to watch how Desdemona acts regarding Cassio.

Othello, alone, voices worry that perhaps it's unrealistic for him to expect she her to love him when he is black, cursing marriage and laments that it is the fate to be cuckolded.

Desdemona and Emilia enter and Desdemona tries to soothe him with her handkerchief, but Othello says it is too small and drops it to the floor. When they exit, Emilia picks up the handkerchief, that Iago is always asking her to steal it for some reason, and decides to make a copy of the handkerchief for him.

Iago enters and Emilia shows him the handkerchief. He grabs it from her hand. She asks for it back but he refuses to give it back and sends her away.

Once he's alone, Iago plots to place the handkerchief in Cassio's room, so that Cassio will find it.

Othello enters and says to Iago that he would have been happier to be deceived than to suspect, grabbing Iago and commanding him to come up with "ocular proof" (3.3.360) that Desdemona has been unfaithful or else be punished for causing Othello such emotional pain.

Iago says that it's impossible to actually catch them in the act of infidelity, but that he can provide circumstantial evidence.

As one recent night he and Cassio slept in the same bed, and that Cassio, while asleep, called out Desdemona's name, kissed Iago, lay his leg over Iago's thigh, and cursed fate for giving Desdemona to the Moor, enraging Othello.

Iago cautions Othello that it was just Cassio's dream and may not signify anything about Desdemona.

Iago asks whether Othello gave Desdemona a handkerchief with strawberries embroidered on it. When Othello says yes, Iago informs him that earlier that day he saw Cassio holding it.

Othello cries out in aguish and vows that he will take revenge on them. Iago copies him and Othello makes Iago his new lieutenant.

SCENE 4

Desdemona sends the clown to tell Cassio she has made entreaties on his behalf to Othello, and to ask him to come speak with her.

Desdemona wonders what has happened to her handkerchief and Emilia says she doesn't know.

Othello enters and takes Desdemona's hand, and notes that it is moist. When Desdemona tries to bring up Cassio, Othello says he has a headache and asks for the handkerchief he gave her, but Desdemona admits she doesn't have it at hand, Othello tells her that the handkerchief is magic and that a woman who loses it will lose her husband.

She says she doesn't have the handkerchief with her, but it isn't lost. Othello demands that she go get it, but she tries to change the subject back to Cassio, which enrages Othello, who exits.

Emilia wonders if Othello is jealous, then comments on how fickle men are towards women.

Iago and Cassio enter and Cassio asks about his suit, but Desdemona tells him that he must be patient as Othello seems not himself and her advocacy of Cassio only made Othello angrier.

Iago exits, promising to look into Othello's anger.

Desdemona surmises that his temper must arise from some affair of state but Emilia wonders again whether it might be jealousy. Desdemona says he can't be jealous, since she gave him no reason to be, Emilia answers that jealousy needs no reason. They exit to look for Othello.

Cassio waits alone and a prostitute named Bianca enters, saying that he does not visit her enough.

He apologises and says he has been worn out with troubled thoughts and asks Bianca to make a copy of a handkerchief that he hands to her. Bianca thinks that the handkerchief must be a gift to him from another mistress, but he says that he found the handkerchief in his room and doesn't know whose it is.

Bianca wants to stay with Cassio, but he says that he has to see Othello and that they'll have to meet later.

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ACT 4

SCENE 1

Othello and Iago enter discussing infidelity. Iago further enrageS Othello by saying Cassio has actually told him that he has slept with Desdemona. Othello grows frantic, almost incoherent, then falls into an epileptic fit.

Cassio enters while Othello is unconscious. Iago informs Cassio that this is Othello’s second fit, and though Cassio wants to help, advises it would be better if he stayed away and would speak with Cassio once Othello is better.

Othello’s fit ends after Cassio exits. Iago says that he will get Cassio to talk about the details of his affair, and that Othello should hide to watch Cassio’s face during the conversation.

Iago explains to the audience that he will actually speak with him about Bianca, who’s pursuit makes Cassio laugh, which will drive Othello mad.

As Cassio laughs and gestures, he grows angrier. Bianca enters, accuses him of having another mistress, throws the handkerchief at him, and exits and Othello recognises the handkerchief.

Othello promises to kill Cassio, but not Desdemona. He remembers what a kind, beautiful, talented, and delicate person she is.

Iago convinces him that these qualities make her unfaithfulness all the worse. Othello says he will strangle Desdemona in her bed whilst Iago promises to kill Cassio.

Desdemona enters with Lodovico, who is carrying orders from the Duke that Othello is to return to Venice and leave Cassio behind to govern Cyprus.

Desdemona mentions the falling out between Othello and Cassio, and how she wants to heal it, which enrages Othello and he strikes Desdemona and commands her to leave.

Othello calls Desdemona back but then condemns her as a loose woman and sends her away again.

Lodovico can’t believe that Othello would act this way, asking Iago if Othello has gone mad.

He refuses to answer, but clearly implies that something seems to be terribly wrong with Othello, and advises Lodovico to observe Othello for himself.

SCENE 2

Othello questions Emilia, who insists that nothing has happened between them, so he orders her to go get Desdemona. Othello assumes that Emilia is helping Desdemona in her infidelity.

Othello sends Emilia outside to guard the door. Desdemona denies being unfaithful and asserts both her love and loyalty to Othello, but this makes Othello angrier. After giving Emilia money for guarding the door, storms out.

Emilia fetches Iago, who Desdemona questions about Othello. Emilia thinks that it must be the doing of some "eternal villain" who is looking "to get some office" (4.2.135-136). Iago scoffs and says that he is just upset by affairs of state.

Roderigo enters, angry that he still does not have her despite what he's given to Iago to pass on to her and says he is ready to give up his effort and ask her to return his jewels.

Iago says that he's been working on Roderigo's behalf and that Rodrigo will have her by the following night. He tells Roderigo about Cassio being promoted by the Duke to take Othello's place as defender of Cyprus.

But he adds a lie: Othello, rather than returning to Venice, is being sent to Mauritania along with Desdemona. Iago persuades Roderigo that the only way to stop Desdemona from slipping forever beyond his reach is to kill Cassio, which will keep Othello in Cyprus.

SCENE 3

Othello invites Lodovico on a walk, ordering Desdemona to go directly to bed and to dismiss Emilia.

As they discuss Othello, Emilia says that she wishes Desdemona had never met him, but Desdemona responds that she loves him so much that even bad behaviour has a kind of grace to her. Desdemona's next words is to instruct Emilia to use the wedding bedsheets as a shroud for her should she die.

Desdemona then sings a song called "Willow" that she learned from her mother's maid, a woman who's husband went mad and abandoned her.

She asks Emilia whether she would commit adultery. She responds that woman are just like men, and will cheat on their husbands if their husbands cheat on them.

Desdemona responds that she does not want to learn how to emulate bad deeds, but instead how to avoid them. She dismisses Emilia and goes to bed.

Página 5

ACT 5

SCENE 1

Iago and Roderigo wait to ambush Cassio as he emerges from his visit to Bianca. Iago convinces Roderigo to make the first attack, and promises to back him up if necessary.

In an aside, Iago comments that he wins either way: if Cassio kills Roderigo, he gets to keep Roderigo's jewels; if Roderigo kills Cassio, then there's no danger that they will figure out his plot.

Roderigo attacks, but Cassio's armour blocks it. Cassio counterattacks, wounding Roderigo. From behind, Iago darts in and stabs Cassio in the leg, then runs away.

Othello hears Cassio's shouts of pain and believes that Iago has killed Cassio. Moved by Iago's loyalty to him, Othello steels himself to go and kill Desdemona.

Lodovico enters with Graziano and they hear the cries of pain, but it's so dark they can't see anything.

Iago enters, carrying a light, and is recognised by them. He finds Cassio, and then Roderigo. He identifies Roderigo as one of the "villains" who attacked Cassio and kills Roderigo.

As they tend to Cassio's wounds, Bianca enters and cries out when she sees Cassio's injuries.

Iago, makes a show of recognizing Cassio's attacker as Roderigo of Venice, and also implicates Bianca as being in on the plot to kill Cassio by getting her to admit that Cassio had dined with her that night.

Emilia enters and when Iago explains what has happened, Emilia curses Bianca, who responds by saying that she is as honest as Emilia.

Emilia curses her again, and then exits, sent by Iago to bring news of what has happened to Othello and Desdemona.

Iago has Bianca arrested, and in an aside to the audience says "This is the night / That either makes me or fordoes me quite" (5.1.130–131).

SCENE 2

Othello enters, holding a candle, and stands over Desdemona as she sleeps.

He admires her beauty, kisses her, and is almost moved to let her live. But, finally resolving to kill her, he moves to do so.

Desdemona wakes and calls out to Othello, who tells her to pray in preparation for her to death. Desdemona begs to know why Othello is going to kill her, and he responds that he has seen Cassio with her handkerchief.

When Desdemona denies giving Cassio the handkerchief, Othello tells her that Cassio has confessed to sleeping with her and has been killed by Iago. Desdemona begins to weep, which infuriates Othello since he believes that she is crying for Cassio.

He struggles with Desdemona as she begs to be first banished instead of killed and then allowed to live just a few minutes more, but he smothers Desdemona with a pillow.

Emilia calls from the doorway, but Othello mistakes her calls as noises made by Desdemona, and smothers Desdemona again.

Othello realises that it is Emilia and tries to hide Desdemona's body. He goes to speak with Emilia, expecting her to tell him of Cassio's death. Othello is shocked to learn from Emilia that Cassio killed Roderigo but is still alive.

Then, suddenly, Desdemona calls out that she has been murdered.

Emilia opens the curtains and sees Desdemona, who says that she is innocent and denies that she was murdered and instead says that she committed suicide. Desdemona dies.

Emilia does not appear to suspect him, but Othello admits that he killed her for being unfaithful to him.

Emilia denies that she was ever false to him, but Othello counters that it was "honest, honest Iago" (5.2.156) who showed him the truth.

Emilia is dumbfounded but recovers herself enough to say that Iago was lying. Othello threatens Emilia to keep quiet, but Emilia is unafraid, saying "Though hast not half that power to do me harm / As I have to be hurt" (5.2.169–170).

She calls out that "The Moor hath killed my mistress" (5.2.174).

Montano, Graziano, and Iago enter. Othello admits to Graziano, Desdemona's uncle, that he smothered Desdemona. Graziano is shocked, and says that it is a good thing that Brabantio died from grief at Desdemona's marriage so that he did not live to see this.

Despite Iago's demands, Emilia begins to piece together what happened.

Othello insists again that Desdemona was unfaithful and brings up the proof of the handkerchief.

Emilia explains that she was the one who found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago.

Realizing that Iago lied to him, Othello attacks Iago, but is disarmed by Montano.

In the uproar, Iago stabs Emilia and flees but Montano chases after him while Graziano

stays to guard the door. Othello is left with the body of Desdemona and the dying Emilia. Emilia sings a verse of the song "Willow," and dies while telling Othello that Desdemona was faithful to him.

Graziano enters to find Othello armed and mourning Desdemona.

Lodovico and Montano enter with Iago. Cassio also enters, carried in on a chair. Othello stabs Iago, who is injured but not killed.

Othello is disarmed by Lodovico's men. Othello then begs to know why Iago did what he did, but Iago refuses to speak at all.

Lodovico, has found two letters in Roderigo's pocket that reveal all of Iago's schemes.

Lodovico turns to Othello, and tells him that he must give up his command.

Othello asks that when they speak of what has happened they "speak of me as I am ... as one that loved not wisely but too well" (5.2.344).

Othello tells a story about a time when he once defeated and stabbed a Muslim Turk who had killed a Venetian, and as he describes the stabbing he takes out a hidden dagger and stabs himself.

He falls onto the bed next to Desdemona and dies while giving her a final kiss.

Lodovico demands that Iago look upon the destruction he has caused.

He notes that Graziano is Othello's heir, and says that Cassio is to carry out the execution of Iago.

Then he departs to carry the sad news to Venice.