Othello Acts I-II
ACT I, SCENE I
Setting: Venice
We start off with Roderigo complaining to Iago; this is gonna be a recurring thing. Roderigo is a Venetian gentleman and not too bright. Iago is an “ancient” or ensign to Othello, a general.
Roderigo is like, “Dude, why didn’t you tell me about this?! What am I even paying you for?!” And Iago’s like, “Hey man, I didn’t know till tonight!” And Roderigo’s like, “I thought you said you hated him?”
And Iago’s like, “I do! I totally do. I hate his guts. I wanted to be his lieutenant, and I was super qualified for the job and had like 3 people vouch for me, but nooooo, he had to go and give the job to freaking Michael Cassio. All that guy knows is from books; he’s got no real experience. But y’know, promotions are all based on favoritism, not on who actually deserves the job. So what reason would I have to love the Moor?”
*Moor = North African person, Muslim, black person Roderigo’s like, “Well, why do you still follow him, if you hate him so much?” And Iago’s like, “Uh, because I’m not stupid and I like getting paid. There have been lots of supposedly ‘loyal’ servants and soldiers who claimed total loyalty to their leaders, but really they were just looking out for themselves. That’s me. Plus, I have plans to take revenge on him, and to do that I need to stay close to him and make sure he trusts me.”
“Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, / But seeming so, for my peculiar end; / For when my outward action doth demonstrate / The native act and figure of my heart / In compliment extern, ‘tis not long after / But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve / For daws to peck at; I am not what I am.” - Iago, 59-65
Then Iago tells Roderigo to wake up “her father,” Brabantio (a senator) and let him know what’s going on.
Roderigo wakes up Brabantio, and Brabantio’s all like, “Who the hell is yelling at me in the middle of the night?!” And Iago’s like, “Hey dude, do you know where your daughter is right now?” And Brabantio’s like, “What are you talking about?” And Iago’s like, “I’m trying to tell you you’ve been robbed! At this very moment there’s a big black goat tupping your precious white ewe. Better get out of bed and do something, or soon you’re gonna have the Devil’s kids for grandbabies!”
Because Iago is gross and a jerk.
Brabantio is like, “What the hell are you guys going on about?” And then Roderigo the Idiot speaks up and is like, “Hey sir, it’s me Roderigo, remember?” And Brabantio’s like, “Oh Christ, not you! I already told you Desdemona’s not interested in you, stop creeping around my house!” And Roderigo’s like, “But - but - but - sir!” (he pretty much sucks at this).
Then Iago starts being a gross jerk again and says that B’s daughter is off getting it on with a “Barbary horse,” and that her children and her in-laws are all gonna be horses too.
Brabantio’s like, “Dude, wtf is wrong with you?” And Iago finally comes out with it and says, “We’re trying to tell you that your daughter Desdemona and Othello are off making ‘the beast with two backs’” (i.e. having sex).
Brabantio then starts freaking out. Roderigo tells him that he saw Desdemona sneak out with a hired servant and ride a gondola across town to meet up with Othello so they could get married in secret. Brabantio sends the servants to go check Desdemona’s room and finds that she’s gone, and starts freaking out even more. He says that he dreamed this would happen, apparently, and decides he’s gonna track down Othello right now.
Iago tells Roderigo he’s skipping out because he doesn’t want to be called as a witness and he doesn’t want Othello to know he was part of this whole tattling business, since he still wants Othello to trust him. He feels pretty sure the state isn’t going to discharge Othello over this, because they’re currently at war with the Turkish army and Othello’s one of their best generals.
After Iago takes off, Brabantio comes back to Roderigo and is like, “Oh man, do you think Othello put a spell on her or something?!” And Roderigo’s like, “Yeah, probably.” And Brabantio’s like, “Gah! Oh, she was so pure and innocent and virginal! There’s no way she would have run off and married the Moor unless he put a spell on her! Oh, if only I’d let you marry her, Roderigo!” Pfft. Then they gather a bunch of soldiers and go off to find Othello.
SCENE II
At Othello’s House...
Iago meets up with Othello and is all, “Yeah, and then this guy Roderigo was talking trash about you, and I would totally have killed him except, y’know, I’m just too nice to murder people — sometimes it’s really a curse, my niceness.” Othello’s like, “No, no, it’s cool, I’m glad you didn’t kill anyone.”
Iago asks him, “But you’re all married and everything, for real now, right? Because you know, Brabantio’s a senator and he’s got a lot of influence. He’ll try to pull some strings or find some loophole to split you guys up.” And Othello’s like, “He can’t do anything. It’s already done, and anyway I’ve done so many services for this country, I feel like I’m more than worthy to marry her. I wouldn’t have even gotten married, honestly, but I just love her so freaking much!”
Iago’s like, “I think I hear them coming, maybe you should hide?” And Othello’s like, “Nope, I’ve got nothing to hide.”
Turns out it’s actually not Brabantio but Michael Cassio, the lieutenant, who was sent by the Duke to fetch Othello because they’ve just heard of a Turkish fleet moving toward Cypress and they want to send him out there to fight them off. Othello goes inside to say something to someone in there, and Cassio asks Iago, “Hey, what’s he doing here anyway?” Iago’s like, “Oh, he got married!” And Cassio’s like, “Really? To who?”* But Iago doesn’t tell him — they get interrupted when Othello comes back, and then Brabantio and his posse shows up at the door.
* Hold up, but Othello later says that Cassio helped carried messages between him & Des when they were dating. So why would Cassio not know who Othello had married? Plot hole, or...?
Anyway, Brabantio accuses Othello of putting a spell on Desdemona to steal her away, because why else would a beautiful rich white virginal girl, who had previously rejected a bunch of perfectly fine rich white suitors, want to run off and marry a Moor like him? It’s unnatural! The only possible explanation is witchcraft! WITCHCRAFT, I SAY!!!
Othello is pretty chill through all of this. His response is basically, “Hey look, I’ll go with you to sort this out, no need for force. Where do you want me to go?” And Brabantio’s like, “PRISON!!!” And Othello’s like, “Uh, well, okay... But what are you gonna tell the Duke, since he just summoned me to his place to talk about war stuff?”
So they all end up going over to the Senate Chamber together to sort this out.
SCENE III In the Senate Chamber...
The Senators are discussing the war business — basically the Turkish army tried to fake them out, but they predict they’re heading towards Cypress.
In the middle of their war talk, Brabantio, Othello and the whole party come waltzing in. The other senators are like, “Hey, Brabantio! Othello! What’s up?” And Brabantio tells them that he’s upset because his daughter was “stolen” from him, corrupted by witchcraft. The Duke is like, “Wow, that sucks! Whoever did this will be severely punished, even if it turns out to be my own son! Tell us who did it, B?” And Brabantio’s like, “Him! Othello, the Moor!” And the Duke is like, “Ooohhhhhh... well, crap.”
Othello, still being chill af, steps forward to address them all and defend himself. He says it’s true that he married Desdemona, but he didn’t bewitch her. He goes on about how he’s not very good at speaking or explaining himself... and then proceeds to tell them the story of how he made Desdemona fall in love with him by telling her stories, haha. Irony.
“Rude am I in my speech, / And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace.” - Othello (81-82)
Brabantio’s whole argument is basically that Desdemona is way too shy and virginal and rich and white to fall in love with a Moor like Othello (“to fall in love with what she feared to look on!”). It’s unnatural. Therefore there must have been witchcraft involved. Honestly, he says, this should be obvious to anyone with common sense.
The other senators are like, “Okay, B, we understand you’re upset, but just saying there was witchcraft doesn’t prove there actually was witchcraft.” Othello suggests (crazy idea) that they fetch Desdemona and ask her how she feels about this whole thing — and he adds that if she shows up and finds him repulsive like Brabantio says, then they can go ahead and kill him.
So someone goes to fetch Desdemona, and in the meantime they ask Othello to tell his side of the story.
Othello tells the whole story of how he won Desdemona’s heart. He says that he and Brabantio were friends (emphasis on *were* — B is one of those guys that’s cool with having black friends, just as long as they don’t marry his daughter, apparently) and he used to get invited over to their house all the time, and while he was there he would tell Brabantio stories about his adventures in the wars. Desdemona used to catch bits and pieces of the stories, but she would always be distracted or called away by various tasks, and so was never able to get the whole story. Othello noticed her trying to listen in on their conversations, however, and so one day he managed to get some time alone with her, and offered to tell her the whole story, just for her. She agreed, and he told her all about his crazy adventures (exaggerating a bit, no doubt), and she hung on his every word and got super into it, and at the end she admitted wistfully that she wished that either she could have been a badass dude like him or that she could have married a badass dude like him — the wording is a little ambiguous there:
“She swore, i’faith, ‘twas strange, ‘twas passing strange; / ‘Twas pitiful, ‘twas wondrous pitiful. / She wished she had not heard it; yet she wished / That heaven had made her such a man.” (Othello 160-3)
She also added that she would gladly fall in love with a guy who could tell her a story like that every night, *wink wink*. Othello caught on to what she was insinuating, and long story short, they ended up falling in love and secretly getting married.
“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.” - Othello 167-9
Desdemona shows up right about then, and Brabantio’s like, “Hey! It’s my daughter. Dear daughter, could you please tell all these fine gentlemen which man you are most loyal to in this room?” — because he is a manipulative jerkwad in addition to being super racist. Desdemona responds with, “Look dad, I love you and all, but I’m married now, so I’m sticking with my man.” And she goes to Othello.
Brabantio then admits defeat, saying, “Fine, you win, I give up. She’s yours.”
“I here do give thee that with all my heart / Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart / I would keep from thee.” - Brabantio 193-5 Basically, “I give you my daughter with all my heart, even though if I had my way I’d never let you touch her in a million years.” — Yup, totally sincere consent, right there.
The Duke gives them some generic advice, and Brabantio complains about how untrustworthy children are, and how he’s glad he only had one. He also tells the Duke basically, your words don’t really make me feel much better. But they’re harmless, so whatev.
“But words are words, I never yet did hear / That the bruised heart was pierced through the ear.” - Brabantio 118-9 HAHA RIGHT, I’M SURE NO ONE WILL EVER BE HURT BY WORDS IN THIS STORY. -_- Then the Duke is like, “OK, since we got all that sorted out, we’re sending you to Cypress to fight some Turks, Othello. Hope that’s cool with you.” Othello’s like, “Heck yes, I live for that stuff. But could you please make sure that my new wife gets properly taken care of with lodging and money?” The Duke is like, “Sure thing, will she be staying at her father’s house while you’re gone?” And Brabantio, Othello and Desdemona are all three like, “NO.” Because awkward. Desdemona asks to go along to Cypress with Othello, because they just got married and she doesn’t want to be separated from him. Othello also asks if she can come along — and he promises that he will stay focused on the war even though she’s around. The Duke is like, “Sure, whatever you want. But we’re leaving in the morning.” Othello and Desdemona go off to enjoy some time together before it’s time to go, and Othello assigns Iago to accompany Desdemona to Cypress after the fleet has left in the morning.
Before he goes home, Brabantio warns Othello to keep an eye on Desdemona:
“Look to her, Moor; if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father, and may thee.” - Brabantio 291-2
But Othello is not worried: “My life upon her faith!” (293) - Which could be interpreted in 2 ways: Othello probably means, “I would bet my life on her faithfulness.” But it could also be read to mean that his life depends on her faithfulness. Hmmm... After everyone leaves, only Iago and Roderigo are left. Roderigo is super mopey because heeeee wanted to marry Desdemooona, and it’s not faaaaiiiiirrr and he’s totally going to go drown himself because what’s even the point in living anymore, boo hoo hoo...
Iago rightfully criticizes him for being such a drama queen, telling him that all people are in control of themselves, and it’s up to each of us to decide what sort of person we will be:
“Virtue? A fig! ‘Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners” (314-5)
Iago goes on to tell Roderigo that there’s no way Des & Othello’s marriage is gonna work out — I mean, he’s a Moor for crying out loud. He says that Othello’s always traveling around anyway, and Desdemona’s young, and once she’s satisfied herself with his body then she’ll lose interest and start looking for love elsewhere... So Roderigo totally still has a chance with her! Iago advises him to “put money in his purse” so that he’ll be prepared to claim Des as soon as she’s free, and Roderigo says, “You’re right! What was I thinking? I’m not gonna drown myself! I’ll go sell my land right now. Thanks, Iago, you’re the best!” Once Roderigo is gone, Iago has his first soliloquy (lines 361-82) - Soliloquy: we get to see the character’s true thoughts & personality, seeing what they’re like when no one else is around, listening to them express their innermost thoughts. - Why does Iago get all the soliloquies in this play (so far)? - Is Iago honest with us (the audience), or is he a kind of unreliable narrator?
Iago calls Roderigo a fool, and says again that he “hates the Moor” and the only reason he’s even bothering hanging around with an idiot like Roderigo is for “sport and profit,” and because he wants to get revenge on Othello. He heard a rumor that Othello had slept with his wife, and though he doesn’t know if it’s true or not, he’s just deciding to assume that it is.
“He holds me well; The better shall my purpose work on him. Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now: To get his place, and to plume up my will In double-knavery — How, how?” (367-71)
He wants revenge on Othello and also to get Cassio’s job, and also just seems to enjoy the thrill of committing “double knavery” — ruining both their lives, just for funsies.
He comes up with the plan to make Othello think Desdemona’s cheating on him with Cassio. Cassio is handsome and charming — just the sort of guy who might make a wife unfaithful. And Othello is overly trusting of people, unless they seem obviously untrustworthy.
“The Moor is of a free and open nature That thinks men honest that but seem to be so” (377-8)
Also, Iago references Hell and monsters. This is gonna be a recurring theme:
“I have’t! It is engend’red. Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.” (381-2)
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ACT II, SCENE I
In Cypress...
The battle with the Turks goes on. Montano, the Governor of Cypress, is watching from afar with some other guys.
In the battle, Cassio takes out a whole bunch of ships like a boss, but he gets separated from Othello because of the weather. He makes it back to Cypress and chats with Montano, and prays repeatedly for Othello to be safe, because unlike Iago, he is actually loyal to Othello. Montano asks Cassio if Othello got married, and Cassio is all like, “Oh yeah! And his wife is super hot. Seriously, he’s one lucky guy.” Meanwhile the ship carrying Desdemona, Iago, Iago’s wife Emilia (who is attending on Desdemona) and also Roderigo for some reason, all arrive in Cypress. Cassio greets them and starts turning on the charm with the ladies, kissing their hands and everything — he likes to follow old fashioned courtly manners; it’s kind of his thing.
Iago apparently gets grumpy about Cassio kissing Emilia, and Cassio’s like, “Bro, chill, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just how I was raised.” Then Iago immediately starts complaining about how much Emilia sucks and how she never shuts up, except when she’s around Desdemona, but even then she’s constantly nagging in her thoughts. Emilia is like, “Dude, when did I ever give you reason to treat me like this?” And Iago’s like, “Oh come on, you women are all alike. You act all perfect and angelic in some situations, then act like whores & bitches in other situations, and then play the self-righteous victim when anyone offends you.” Desdemona jumps in like, “Well, f*ck you too, asshole,” but then for some reason she asks Iago if he has anything nice to say about her — because I guess she just can’t help feeding the troll? Iago then goes on this tangent about different types of women, and shows off his witty wordplay to the ladies whilst still continuing to be a giant asshole. When Desdemona calls him out on being a jerk, Cassio tries to defend Iago by pointing out that he’s a good soldier (sigh, Cassio). Meanwhile, Iago is watching Cassio, noting that Cassio is touching Desdemona more than he probably should.
Finally the Turkish army retreats and Othello’s guys win, because Othello is awesome, and Othello returns to Cypress and meets up happily with Desdemona. He’s so happy to see her that he just starts rambling like a dork (cuuuttteee), and she is super happy to see him too.
After they leave, Iago and Roderigo talk again. Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio. Roderigo’s like, “Whaaaaat? No way.” And Iago says, “Oh come on! Didn’t you see Othello acting like a blubbering idiot? You really think she’s gonna keep loving that guy? Why would she be interested in a ‘devil’ like him when there’s a handsome guy like Cassio walking around? Nature itself must demand that she gets sick of Othello and goes after someone more, ahem, of her own kind. Right? It’s so obvious.”
Roderigo’s like, “No way. I can’t believe it. Desdemona’s too pure for that.” Iago’s like, “Psh! Bullshit. If she’s so pure, she wouldn’t have married the Moor in the first place! Didn’t you see how Cassio was holding her hand and kissing it? Didn’t you see how close they were standing? Huh? Tell me there’s not something going on there.” Roderigo doesn’t seem to totally buy it, but he’s wondering now.
Iago tells him that he brought him to Cypress from Venice so that they could work together. He tells Roderigo that at the party tonight, when he gives him the signal, he wants Roderigo to find some excuse to start a fight with Cassio. This way they can get Cassio out of the way, so that it will be easier for Roderigo to move in on Desdemona. Roderigo agrees and leaves.
Iago’s 2nd Soliloquy (259-85) In this one he says he does believe that Cassio loves her, and he thinks it probable that she loves Cassio, and that even though he hates Othello, he knows Othello is trusting and noble and will be a good husband to Desdemona. He then says that he loves Desdemona too (?!), but mainly because he still suspects Othello slept with Emilia, and so he wants to get with Desdemona as revenge. If he can’t have that, then he’ll just make Othello so jealous that he goes crazy.
(This whole speech is bizarre... How much does Iago really believe of what he is saying here? Why does he keep changing/adding on to his motivations? Just trying to justify his actions to himself?)
“Tis here, but yet confused: / Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.” (284-5)
Once again, this theme of things not being what they appear/evil disguising itself as goodness.
SCENE II
A herald announces that Othello is throwing a big party to celebrate his wedding and their military victory.
SCENE III
At the party... Othello puts Iago and Cassio on guard and tells them to make sure they don’t get too crazy, since they need to be the responsible ones. He tells Cassio he wants to talk to him in the morning (possibly to reward him for his heroic deeds in battle?) and then goes off to have some good old lovin’-time with Desdemona. Bow-chicka-wow-wow.
Cassio and Iago chat for a bit about how amazingly hot Desdemona is. Then Iago offers Cassio some wine. Cassio says “No thanks” because he is apparently a massive lightweight, and he’s already had some wine already — he knows that if he has any more he’ll be done.
Iago manages to talk him into it, though, against his better judgment. And while Cassio is getting drunk, Iago makes sure everything else is set up to start a brawl.
Cassio gets drunk crazy fast, which you can tell because he starts complimenting Iago on his singing. He then starts insisting to everyone that he’s totally not drunk, you guys. See, that’s Iago, and this is his left and right hand, and he can totally still stand and talk and he’s definitely not drunk, you guys, who said he was drunk he’s not drunk you guuyyzzz?!!!!
Also, some hints that Cassio has a bit of an asshole side to him as well: C: “Well, God’s above all; and there be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.” I: “It’s true, good lieutenant.” C: “For mine own part — no offense to the general, nor any man of quality — I hope to be saved.” I: “And so do I too, lieutenant.” C: “Ay, but, by your leave, not before me. The lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient.” (86-93) Basically, Cassio says, “Well, some people have to go to heaven and some people have to go to hell. No offense to anyone else, but I hope I’m one of the ones who goes to heaven.” And Iago’s like, “Me too.” And then Cassio’s like, “Yeah, but me first! The lieutenant goes before the ensign, lol!” — And it’s times like this you can kinda see why Iago has a grudge against him for taking the job he wanted, haha.
Iago sends Cassio out, and gives Roderigo the signal to do his thing. Meanwhile Montano starts talking to Iago and is like, “Is he always like this?” And Iago’s like, “Oh yeah, Cassio? He drinks all the time. Every day. He can’t even get to sleep without having a drink first.” And Montano’s like, “Does Othello know? Maybe someone ought to tell him.” And Iago’s like, “Yeah, maybe you should? I couldn’t do it myself, because I love Cassio too much.”
At that moment there’s a big ruckus in the other room, and Cassio and Roderigo come running in, Cassio waving his sword and threatening to kick Roderigo’s ass. Roderigo begs him to stop, and Iago and Montano try to intervene and get Cassio to calm down (Iago: “God’s will, lieutenant, hold! You’ll be shamed forever!” (137-8) — *just as planned, mwahaha!*). This leads to Cassio and Montano getting into a fight, and Montano gets injured. In the middle of the fight, Iago tells Roderigo to go run and sound the alarm to stir up a panic in the whole town.
Othello runs in in the middle of all this and is like, “What the hell is going on?!” He asks Iago to explain what happened. Iago acts all hesitant to tattle on Cassio. Othello chides Montano for getting in a brawl, and Montano’s like, “I was just defending myself!” Othello is super pissed, but he is aware that he has huge influence, and that if he makes a rash decision he could ruin someone’s life. However, someone needs to be punished for causing all this chaos, so whoever started the fight is going to be dismissed from service immediately. Iago at last tells Othello how Cassio had too much to drink and got in a fight with some rando, and then when Montano tried to stop him they started fighting. Iago ends by begging Othello to go easy on Cassio, because everyone makes mistakes. Othello says he understands Iago’s sadness, and he too is sad because he loves Cassio. But he has no choice but to discharge him. Othello and Desdemona (who got woken up by the commotion) help Montano out to get medical help.
Iago goes to talk to Cassio, who is wallowing in self-loathing, lamenting that he has lost his reputation: “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!” (238-40)
Iago tells him that reputation is nothing to cry about: “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit and lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all unless you repute yourself such a loser.” (242-4) — Similar to what he said to Roderigo earlier about how we are only what we make of ourselves.
Iago tells Cassio that Othello’s just mad, and once he cools down he will probably give him his position back. Cassio laments that he’s too dishonored to even dare to ask him, and he hates himself. Iago tells him to calm down, and hey, here’s an idea: Othello is now totally whipped by Desdemona. So if Cassio goes to her and asks her to put in a good word for him to Othello, then Othello will probably give in and give Cassio his position back.
Cassio’s like, “Hey, that’s a good plan. Thanks, Iago! You’re the best.” And leaves.
Iago goes to the watch, and we get his 3rd soliloquy (293-319): “And what’s he then that says I play the villain, When this advice is free I give and honest, Probal to thinking, and indeed the course To win the Moor again?” ( 293-7)
He seems like he’s trying to justify his actions again, saying, “Hey, am I really such a bad guy? I mean, it was good advice, wasn’t it? Heh heh.” Maybe he’s not really justifying them so much as saying, “Now, who’s gonna look at me and say I’m doing something bad? No one, that’s who. No one will suspect me, mwahahaha.” Maybe a bit of both.
“Divinity of hell! When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, As I do now.” (307-10)
He seems pretty comfortable comparing himself to a devil. Basically his plan is to take the best qualities of the people around him — Cassio’s loyalty & courtly manners, Othello’s love for Desdemona, and Desdemona’s kindness & generosity — and use all of those things to lay a trap to destroy them all.
“And by how much she strives to do him good, She shall undo her credit with the Moor, So I will turn her virtue into pitch, And out of her own goodness make the net That shall enmesh them all.” (315-19)
Roderigo shows up then, complaining again. He’s like, “I’ve lost most of my money and got my ass handed to me tonight, and so far this whole plan seems like it’s going nowhere, so screw this noise, I’m going home.” But Iago convinces him that everything is going according to plan, he just needs to have a little patience.
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